Staci Stallings – Fictional Romantic Interview – Part 1 of 1

Shannon here: Contemporary Romance author, Staci Stallings shares insight into her fictional characters’ romance. For Kindle owners, click on the direct link at the end of this post on April 18th & 19th only, for a free copy of her e-book, Deep In The Heart. For non-Kindle owners, you can download the free Kindle app on your computer. No drawings, just winners. Everybody! How cool is that? Leave Staci a comment to thank her for such generosity. Here’s Staci:

Staci: Keith Ayers, son of billionaire oilman Conrad Ayers and fiancé of Dallas Henderson the daughter of the junior Senator from Texas, sat down with us to discuss his up-coming nuptials in what is purported to be the wedding of the Texas century in early June.  Welcome, Keith. Thank you for joining us today.
Keith: Thanks for having me. Before we get started, may I ask if we can do this off the record?  I’d feel a lot more comfortable as things are kind of confusing in my life right now.
Staci: Sure.  We’re off the record.  First off, are you open to your own romance?
Keith: Well, to be honest I thought I was.  Life seemed to be headed in the direction everyone thought I should be going in–including me, and then Maggie showed up.  Now I’m not really sure about anything anymore.  I mean, there’s Dallas, my fiancée.  She’s beautiful–every man’s dream.  If we walk into a room, every man there wants to be me.  So why is it all of a sudden I don’t want to be me?
Staci: What’s the number one quality you’d require in a mate?
Keith: Up until about last week, I would have told you someone who could fit into my world.  Someone I’d be proud to show off as a wife.  I just can’t quite figure out why that feels so empty now, and why I keep thinking about Maggie–who is pretty much the antithesis of this “someone who fits into my world” ideal person.  She would be more comfortable backstage than in the spotlight, and that’s why this makes absolutely no sense to me. 
Okay, in one way, I really like that she’s not pretentious, that she’ll bring the kids out and go horseback riding with me, that simple thing she has going on about just being yourself.  But seriously.  I’m Conrad Ayers’ son.  I stand to inherit a lifestyle filled with boardrooms of important people and parties at the Grand Plaza.  What am I doing fantasizing about a girl who wouldn’t know quiche from caviar?
Staci: Where is the best place you can think of to find a mate?
Keith: At the bar or at a party.  That’s where I met Dallas.  Okay, granted we had a rocky start, but after that, things got rolling pretty good.  I can, however, tell you where I would never have guessed I would run into someone that keeps me up all hours of the night thinking about her–that’s at my dad’s mansion.  Maggie’s the help for crying out loud.  Not that I think that’s beneath me or anything, after all, I’m basically the help as well.  But she just so took me off-guard with those shoes and that car that barely runs…  I don’t know.  Umm. What was the question again?
Staci: What type of character traits are you attracted to?
Keith: I guess I’m seeing more and more that I’m attracted to real.  You know, how some people are really good at putting on a show to impress everybody else?  Maggie’s not like that–at all.  She just… She’s real.  No show.  No elaborate production.  Just real.  I don’t know, maybe I’m losing my mind with this whole thing.  Maybe it’s like Ike said, maybe it’s just cold feet.  
Staci: What’s the one habit or lifestyle that would make you run the other way?
Keith: Boy, you don’t ask the easy questions, do you?  Well, to tell you the truth, I’m starting to realize this whole billionaire life thing isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.  I mean give me simple, you know?  Which is funny because last month, I didn’t even remember simple was possible. (He thinks for a moment.) 
This is going to sound completely insane, but I want someone who makes me a better person when I’m around them, someone who takes time to… I don’t know… go to church, read the Bible, be a good person.  Not that I do those kinds of things, or that I did before.  (Sighs.)  I don’t know. Maybe I’m the kind of guy she should run away from.  That’s probably a lot closer to the truth right there.  Wait.  Maggie, I mean, not Dallas.  I’m probably just Dallas’ type–all flash, no substance.  As depressing as that is to admit, it’s probably true.
Staci: Where do you dream of getting married?
Keith: What difference does it make what I want?  My life isn’t about me anymore. Not that it ever was.  But I guarantee you this… this marriage to Dallas isn’t about me.  My family, not to mention Dallas’ family, would hog-tie me and frog-march me to the brig if I so much as questioned their plans for this whole thing.  So I guess it really doesn’t matter just too much what I dream of.  From now on, my dreams are better off left unsaid and buried so far down that even I forget I ever had them.
Staci: What would be the best gift a potential mate could buy for you?
Keith: I’ve already been given the best gift I’ve ever had.  One, simple day with Maggie and the kids.  Honestly, if that’s all I ever get again, it’s more than I deserve.
Well, Ike’s going to be wondering where I got off to, so if that’s it for questions, I’d better get my hide back down to the stables.  Thanks for taking the time.  Sorry I’m such a mess.  I’m normally a little more together than this. Must be the wedding coming up and Dallas coming in any day now. Thanks again. I’ll catch you later.
About Staci: Staci Stallings is a Contemporary Christian author and the founder of Grace & Faith Author Connection. Staci has a special surprise for you today and tomorrow only… Deep in the Heart, featuring Keith Ayers and Maggie Montgomery, is FREE for all Kindle owners (and if you want to download the free Kindle app to read it on your computer) April 18 & 19!  Don’t miss out on this book one reviewer called “heart-breakingly fantastic!”
About the book: Can Keith defy the most powerful men in Texas to follow his heart? 
“This is more than a romance.  The author cuts straight to the heart of God–love.  God is love. Even through unexpected tragedies.  And we can overcome evil with good–by His love.” –Betty Anne Bantz
Come back April 20th for nonfiction author, Becky Jacoby.