Cathy Bryant – Romantic Character Interview – Part 2 of 2

Shannon here: Contemporary Romance author, Cathy Bryant shares insight into her characters’ romance from her latest release. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for an e-copy of Crossroads. Deadline: May 23rd, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Cathy:

Interview with the characters from Crossroads by Cathy Bryant, author of the Miller’s Creek novels:
Cathy: I’m delighted to welcome the characters from the latest Miller’s Creek novel CROSSROADS (a Christian contemporary romance) in this blog interview at Shannon Vannatter’s Inkslinger blog. Please help me welcome Mara, Carter, Ashton, and Chloe. (applause)
(Characters enter. First on stage is a lanky and slender business-woman with her hair pulled back into an attractive chignon. Behind her is a broad-shouldered man in a polo and slacks. Next is a pretty teenager with wiry curls, followed by a well-behaved little girl who looks very pleased to be here. The four take their seats.)
Cathy: Glad to have you all here today. Let’s start with Mara. I understand you own your own business in Miller’s Creek, Texas. What kind of business is it?
Mara (smoothing her business skirt and crossing her ankles in a very business-like manner): Yes. I own a real estate company. I started the business when Ashton and I first moved to Miller’s Creek.
Cathy: Where did you move from?
Mara: The Dallas area.
Cathy: That seems like quite a stretch–from a city like Dallas to a small town like Miller’s Creek.
Mara: It is quite a bit different, but I knew Miller’s Creek–because of its peaceful and nostalgic atmosphere–attracted a lot of attention from people moving to the area. I also felt like it would be a good place to raise my daughter Ashton. (She smiles at the youngest girl on stage, who has big blue eyes and a smile bigger than…well, Texas!)
Cathy: Ashton, how do you like living in Miller’s Creek?
Ashton (her eyes sparkling and her face radiant): It’s fabulous. That’s where my mom met and fell in love with Carter, and where Chloe met and fell in love with me. (The audience and characters all share a laugh.)
Chloe (the pretty teen-ager sitting beside Ashton elbows the little girl and winks): You got that right, squirt!
Cathy: And Chloe, how do you like living in Miller’s Creek?
Chloe (her smile disappearing as she peers over at Ashton): Well, my problems weren’t nearly as bad as what Ashton went through, but at first it was really hard. I struggled because I didn’t really know my dad too well. Most of my childhood he was in either Iraq or Afghanistan serving our country. Also it was a new place, and I didn’t know anyone at school. That’s hard for a teenager. (Her eyes glisten with tears.)
Carter (puts an arm around his daughter’s shoulder and hugs her close): But she handled it like a pro. Now she has lots of friends in Miller’s Creek and is the best cheerleader you’ve ever seen. (They exchange a smile.)
Cathy: Carter, tell us about yourself.
Carter (places one ankle on the opposite knee): As Chloe told you, I served in the military for several years. When we first met Mara and Ashton I was on the Miller’s Creek police force.
Cathy: Sounds as if you enjoy that kind of work.
Carter: In a sleepy place like Miller’s Creek? Hardly.
Mara (begins laughing, a raucous laugh that totally doesn’t fit her polished business image): Carter, is…how shall I put it? Well, let’s just say that he lives for danger. (She pats him on the knee.) Miller’s Creek is about as dangerous as a baby kitten.
Cathy: Mara, how has knowing Carter impacted you?
(Now Carter chuckles.) Carter: Well, first of all, I taught her how to have fun again. (He reaches over and squeezes Mara’s hand as they smile broadly at one another.)
Mara: That would be true.
Cathy: And what is his idea of fun?
Mara (her smile disappearing and her tone wry): Jumping out of airplanes and rappelling off cliffs.
Cathy (eyebrows shooting upward): And you did those things as well?
Mara (her toothy grin back in place): Not right away. It took a little convincing.
Carter: Huh. More like a shove.
(Ashton giggles.)
Cathy: Ashton, do you find Carter to be funny?
Ashton: All the time! If you ask me, he’s the best thing that ever happened to my mom. (She rolls her eyes knowingly.) Totally necessary for her happiness, in my opinion.
Mara: Watch it, prissy. (Mara faces me.) Back to your question of how Carter and Chloe have impacted our lives. The most important way in which they’ve made a difference is in being there for us and never giving up hope. (Her eyes pool with tears as she turns their way, her voice husky with emotion.) Ashton and I are very grateful.
Cathy (handing Mara a tissue, which she takes and uses to gently wipe her eyes): Can you be more specific?
Mara (suddenly cautious): This is a trick question, isn’t it? To see if I’ll divulge the storyline of CROSSROADS so you can put us in even a worse predicament the next time you write a story about us. Thanks, but no thanks. (She stands, and the other three stand with her.) Come on, let’s get out of here before we get in trouble.
Carter (placing a protective arm around her waist): Agreed. (The four make their way off-stage.)
Cathy (facing the audience): Well, I guess that’s the end of the interview. If you want to find out more about these characters, you’ll have to read CROSSROADS, the sixth stand-alone book in the Miller’s Creek novels and a Christian contemporary romance. Thank you so much for joining us today!