Gail Sattler – Real Life & Character Interview – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Gail Sattler shares insight into her real life romance & her characters’ romance from her latest Romantic Mystery, The Other Neighbor. Comment or answer the question at the end of the post to enter the drawing for Mary Ellis’ book. Deadline: April 6th, 11:59 pm central time. Here’s Gail:

Interview with Gail:

• What’s the most romantic thing your spouse ever did for you?

I wasn’t sure of this answer, so I asked my husband and his answer was “I don’t know, we’ve been together for nearly fifty years.” We sat there and talked about a few things – walks, helping each other, silly gifts – but nothing really has spotlights and hearts floating in the air. What makes the relationship special is all the little things that add up. Helping each other, knowing what would pick your partner up after a bad situation, or just sitting in the quiet and enjoying a break. So I’d have to say the most romantic thing my husband ever did for me was give me a break when I needed it.

• How did your spouse propose?

I was one of many young women who gave subtle hints by slowing down to look at rings in the jewelry store window. One day we actually went into a jewelry store, and my eye caught on a set that I knew was perfect. He asked if I liked it, and of course I said yes. So he had the clerk take it out for us and I tried it on. He paid for it, and then since he bought one for me, he picked out a wedding band for himself, and left it there for sizing. When we got back to the car in the mall’s parking lot, we sat there for a minute, and as he sat there behind the wheel, he looked at me and said “I guess I should ask if you’ll marry me.” Of course I said yes.

This summer it will be our 41st anniversary, and we are expecting our first grandchild in a few weeks. (It’s a girl!)

• Where is the most romantic place you and your spouse have ever been?

The revolving restaurant in downtown Vancouver BC. It was special, a great view, it was a romantic spot for us.

• Do you and your spouse have a favorite romantic restaurant?

Strangely, we both prefer to do take-out Chinese food and relax at home. We put our feet up and watch a movie and don’t have to worry about parking or dressing up.

• What’s the most romantic present your spouse ever bought for you?

Years ago, my husband bought me a Palm Pilot with a remote keyboard. This was so I could take it writers conferences, or anywhere I was stuck waiting. It fit in my purse and connected to my computer so I could transfer files. This may not seem romantic, but back in the day he did this, it was before people had laptops or portable devices that really did anything. It was such a thoughtful personal gift.

• Do you and your spouse have a favorite romantic vacation destination?

Tofino, BC. It’s remote and quiet, and you can go for peaceful walks along the shore, take pictures, and if you’re lucky, you might see a whale.

• Who is most romantic, you or your spouse?

I don’t think either of us are very romantic, but that’s kinda romantic in itself, because we are both the same way, and just enjoy our time together getting away from the commercialism of needing to dress up and get lost in a crowd of other people doing the same thing.

Interview with Cheryl Richardson, the heroine of The Other Neighbor:

• What’s the number one quality you’d require in a mate?

Trustworthiness. I also want to be trusted in the same way that I would trust my mate. That means telling the truth, even when it hurts. That’s how you build a relationship, and how you keep the one you have.

• What’s the number two quality you’d require in a mate?

Honesty. That goes hand in hand with trust, but yet is different. More than not stealing in that kind of honesty, the most important is not lying, and the other side of a lie is deliberate omission, which is a lie when someone avoids telling the truth.

• Where is the best place you can think of to find a mate?

With a group of friends. Being in the same group means similar interests and temperaments.

• Where is the worst place you can think of to find a mate?

The bar or a drinking establishment.

• What type of character traits are you attracted to?

Must love dogs. And just as important, my dog has to love you.

• Where do you dream of celebrating your wedding anniversary?

I think it would be really romantic to celebrate it in the place we first met, wherever that would be.

Interview with Steve Gableman, the hero of The Other Neighbor:

• What’s the most romantic thing you ever did for Cheryl?

Cooking for her. She works long hours and gets up early, so I like to give her a break and cook a good supper so she can relax.

• What’s the most romantic present you ever bought for Cheryl?

When we went to the night market I bought Cheryl a silk scarf at one of the vendors. I know she thought I was buying it for my boss’s wife. So when I gave it to her I could see she was really surprised, and she really liked it.

• What simple gesture melts Cheryl every time?

When Cheryl got her dog I think he was abandoned and maybe even abused. She’s very protective about Sparky, so I treat the dog very carefully, making sure I don’t scare him. The dog loves me, so now Cheryl has to as well.

• What simple gesture does Cheryl do that melts you every time?

Just the way she loves her little dog so much. She walks slowly because of his injured leg. If that’s the way she is with dogs, I can see how wonderful she will be with kids.

• How soon after meeting Cheryl did you know she was the one?

I knew the first time we met.  She didn’t feel the same, but I just knew, even though I thought I would be moving away when my case wrapped up. It made me want to drag it out longer, but I couldn’t take the risk.

• If you and Cheryl end up married, where will you go on their honeymoon?

We’ll go somewhere that has lots of flowers. Cheryl is a florist and loves flowers. Even though she sees them every day she never tires of them. But we’d have to go somewhere with wide open spaces, somewhere that no one could plant listening or video devices.

About Gail: Gail Sattler lives in Vancouver BC Canada, where you don’t have to shovel rain. When she’s not madly writing (Gail Sattler has over 40 published novels and novellas, plus a few works of non-fiction) she plays bass for an Elton John tribute band as well as a community jazz band, plus she plays piano for a smaller private jazz band. She and her husband are recent empty nesters and now expecting their first granddaughter. When she’s not writing or making music (or at her day job) Gail likes to sit back and read a book written by someone else, along with a good cup of hot coffee. Learn more and connect:

Gail’s Website                   Gail’s Blog                   Gail’s Facebook                   Gail’s Facebook Author Page

About the book – The Other Neighbor: Cheryl Richardson doesn’t know that her landlord who owns the other half of the duplex where she lives is plotting to build a bomb—but the FBI does. In order to discover what her landlord is planning to blow up, agent Steve Gableman moves next door to get closer to Cheryl to learn what she knows, namely the target and motive, so they can stop it. But when Steve involves himself in every area of her life, including her dog, will Cheryl be the one to explode?

Get your copy now!               The Other Neighbor – Amazon

Question for Readers: Would you rather stay in and have a quiet evening with a loved one? Or go out on the town with a loved one? Describe your perfect evening.

Come back April 2nd for Laurie Wood!