Thursday, July 30, 2009

An Interview with Austin Grant of "Journey To Forgiveness"

Laurean shifts in her chair, takes out her notepaper and pen, then looks into the most beautiful azure eyes you can imagine. The tall, blond hunk who owns them flashes her a crooked smile to reveal a dimple in his left cheek. He crosses his long, denim-clad legs.

Laurean: Austin Grant, I heard about an interesting encounter you had with a petite, blue-eyed blonde. Care to tell us about it?

Austin: (Shakes his head as if to gain sanity.) You must be referring to that pretty spitfire with the flashing turquoise eyes. (He guffaws). Yeah, but it was more like an explosion. Jenny Hinson needs to wear a sign around her neck that reads, "Danger: Explosives ahead." (He winks and conspiratorally leans toward Laurean). Know what, though? I love to get her riled..just to see the sparks shoot from her eyes.

Laurean: Now, Austin. That's not nice. A woman doesn't like to be teased all the time. She gets frustrated.

Austin: Yes, I know. But I can't seem to help myself. Jenny tries to appear cool and collected, but I know a volcano seethes just below the surface. (He scratches his chest) And...I'm just the one to set it off.

Laurean: (Clears her throat). Okay. Now what was that about Jenny's missing vanity case? Give us your side of the story.

Austin: (Folds muscular arms across his broad chest and grins. Mischief shoots from his eyes.) Oh, so you've heard about that? Funny thing. You're the first to ask my take on it. Well...well...where do I start? (Rubs the cleft in his chin and stretches his long legs in front of him).

I was minding my own business--savoring a good cup of coffee inside the Kankakee train station that beautiful spring morning when my boot heel struck something underneath the bench. I bent down and pulled out a small blue suitcase. When I yanked on the handle, it came open and I saw a print dress folded inside. (Laurean arches her brows). Yeah...I know. I let Jenny think I had pilfered through her things. That was my way of getting her goin. And whew! I was not disappointed.

Laurean: Did you try to explain what happened?

Austin: Are you kidding? Jenny was so mad when she found me with the case, that explaining was out of the question. She called me a thief and demanded that the guard arrest me on the spot. (Austin laughs) I can still see her face. She was fit to be tied. Then that train whistle blasted and she yanked the case from my hand. That's when it flew open and everything scattered over the ground. When I tried to help, she yelled, "Get away from me!" Jenny stuffed it all back inside, then ran up the ramp. Know what she screamed from the ramp?

Laurean: No, I don't. Please tell everyone.

Austin: (rubs the back of his hand across his mouth and chuckles) Jenny yelled, "I hope they throw you under the jail!" By then I knew that train was headed for Chicago. With a dose of luck, I might see her again.

Laurean: Did you?

Austin: Are you kidding? Less than two hours later I was getting ready to leave a little diner near the Chicago depot when I glanced toward the window. There sat that little spitfire in a booth sipping orange juice.

Laurean: Oh my! What did you do?

Austin: Now you tell me. What was the gentlemanly thing to do? (Laurean quirks a brow to signal Austin to continue.) I walked over and tried to get acquainted...only she didn't seem to be up for it. I thought we might start over on a civil note, but it was like I had thrown gasoline on a fire. Jenny kept glancing towards the ladies' room for some reason. And when I asked her if we could start over again, she hissed, "Over my dead body!"

Laurean: What did you do then?

Austin: Wasn't much I could do. Harry Tate was with me, and he was ready to leave. I turned back to her and said, "Who knows...we could meet again. I've heard that good things come in threes."

Laurean: (laughs) Austin, you rascal! You didn't! (Austin nods). And what was her response to that?

Austin: (snickers) Sorry. I couldn't resist. Her response? She was speechless. When I left, Jenny's mouth was gaped open.

Laurean: (looks down at her watch) Austin, looks like our time is up. One last question: What do you see in the future for you and Jenny Hinson?

Austin: (Mock-terror on his face). Future? I just hope I can live through the next encounter! (Shakes his head) Taking it one day at a time. (Purses his lips)To tell the truth, I love every minute of it. Can't wait to run into that little blue-eyed spitfire again. I'll be ready for her...armored suit and all.

31 comments:

Anonymous said...

Fantastic interview with Austin...*sigh*...Austin, if Jenny gets TOO mad, you just come visit me at my plantation, you hear? My recipe will cheer you up!I

Donna B said...

What a great interview! Had me laughing all the way right along with his smirks and grins! Sounds like Jenny will have her hands full.

Donna B said...

What a great interview! Had me laughing all the way right along with his smirks and grins! Sounds like Jenny will have her hands full.

Rebecca J Vickery said...

Austin sounds full of mischief. That Jenny will have to give him the sharp edge of her tongue to make him behave. LOL

Laurean, I loved the interview.
You're always such fun and never a dull moment.

Unknown said...

ha ha ha ...... LOVED IT!!!! Love me some Austin!

Val

Laurean Brooks said...

Miss Mae and Val. I want NO fighting over Austin. Do you understand?

Miss Mae, it might be best if you keep that recipe in the well shed. Remember: Austin is trying to stay off the stuff. And you DON'T want to get Jenny riled! Whew!

Hugs,
Laurie

Laurean Brooks said...

Donna,

You will have to get in line for Austin. I have a dozen ladies fighting for his attention.

Thanks for dropping by, but don't let Miss Mae entice you with her "recipe." Talk about explosive...

Hugs,
Laurie

Laurean Brooks said...

Rebecca,

You are sooo right! And Jenny knows how to apply that sharp edge of her tongue. Why, that's her greatest talent. Or her greatest downfall? Hm-mmm.

Thanks for dropping by. I always love to hear your clever take on things.

Hugs,
Laurie

Unknown said...

I do understand but that doesn' mean I have to listen! lol

Martha Eskuchen said...

What a great and fun interview. Thanks! I am most definitely getting the book! Uh Oh - watch out for Miss Mae - she's offering her famous recipe again! LOL

Laurean Brooks said...

Thanks for the wonderful comments Martha! If you'd like an autographed copy, email me at landtbeth@yahoo.com and I will knock a dollar off shipping costs.

Oh! You're right! Miss Mae is over there under the apple tree trying to entice Austin with her recipe. I'll put a stop to that!

Don't worry, Martha. I will keep an eye on Miss Mae!

Unknown said...

How perfect! this was so cute and funny, and so easy to read. I loved it! Now, to look into those eyes.....Celia

Sharon Donovan said...

Hi Laurie, great interview with Austin. Oh, that silver tongue devil! Best keep him away from Miss Mae's recipe or he'll be into all kinds of pranks. Your fun and imagination are a constant source of inspiration for me, girlfriend. And BTW all-- I have my autographed copy of Journey to Forgiveness and love it! It is all that and more. Keep writing and keep believing.
Hugs,

Sharon

Laurean Brooks said...

Celia, I'm glad Austin could make you laugh. He was born with that wit and charm-even if he does get on Jenny's nerves at times. But she's up to the task.

Now...if I can just keep him away from Val and Miss Mae.

Laurean Brooks said...

Sharon, thank you for putting in a plug for that silver-tongued devil. Hee-hee! It was so much fun to develop his character. And Oscar's too.

Do ya think I should interview that hilarious character, too? He could give us some pointers on what "Mother says."

Laurie

Loree Lough said...

What I want to know is...where'd you get those amazing EYES of yours...from your mama or your papa? (GRINNING!)

Laurean Brooks said...

Austin speaking: Loree, you are right cute yourself. To answer the question, I inherited my Dad's eyes. He was a combination of Irish and Shoshone.

(Austin winks. Now don't be flirting with me, Loree. My heart belongs to that spitfire, Jenny.

Hugs,
Austin

Stacey Joy Netzel said...

Mmm. Yummy interview!

Laurean Brooks said...

Stacy Joy,

Thanks for dropping by.

Did you watch the book trailer video and get a load of Austin's eyes? Be sure your sound is on.

Hywela Lyn said...

Lyn slinks in late as usual and sits under a tree fanning herself furiously. Sneaks a look beneath a nearby applie tree and grins tippsily at Miss Mae.

MM - that recipe of yors will be the death of me! Oh Laurie, you did warn me didn't you. But did I listen? No I did not. I just had to sneak a look at that trailer didn't I - and oh my, those eyes!

And then he turns to look at me as I arrive - oh dear, between that and MM's 'special' - Phew!

Great interview Laurie and it sounds like a fantastic story - congratulations!

OK MM move over, there's room for three beneath that tree - uh, who's that pretty girl with the turquoise eyes - oh dear, she looks a bit annoyed - good job I just happened to bring my futuristic stunner gun with me ...

Laurean Brooks said...

Lyn,

Thanks for dropping by. I don't know why I thought you could help me out. Why you're as tipsy as the rest! And get your hands off Austin. Jenny will nail your hide to the wall!

I'll bet she can wield that sharp tongue of hers before you can pull the trigger on that stun gun.

BTW, I call it "aiding and abetting" when you helped the looped ones along in their folly.

Hilarious comments. Tee-hee-hee-hee-hee! Where's that flask?

Laurie

Hywela Lyn said...

Lyn manages to prise the flask from Miss Mae's fingers and hands it to Laurean.

Here, Laurean, have a swig. *giggle* If you can't beat 'em, join 'em!

Laurean Brooks said...

No! No! Hywela. I want to hide it from Miss Mae. Where's a place she would never think to look? Hmmm.

Hywela Lyn said...

Oh dear is it Friday already? And where's Miss Mae and her recipe - yikes, Austin. Where's Austin? Where is EVERYONE?

Martha Eskuchen said...

What Lyn - did you fall asleep under the tree after sampling Miss Mae's recipe! Up and at 'em girl - its a new day! Austin is probably off chasing Jenny and Miss Mae could be anywhere- you know how mysterious she can get!

Hywela Lyn said...

Well I suppose we'd better go in search of MM in case she's getting up to mischief! I'm sure Larean would like her blog back nopw anyway! LOL

Laurean Brooks said...

Martha and Lyn,

Didn't know you two were still at the party. Now...if we could just find Miss Mae. I do hope she's in an upright position.

Oh! There she is. Looks like Austin's propped her up against the Magnolia tree.

Martha Eskuchen said...

Hey Laurean - I guess Lyn and I were hanger ons! I'll bet Miss Mae wasn't even aware we were looking for her! Glad she is safely propped up! (Snort!)

Laurean Brooks said...

Martha E,

Maybe there's still hope for Miss Mae. If only she would give up the recipe. "sigh"

Rachel Rossano said...

I love the interview. :)

Laurean Brooks said...

Thank you for stopping by, Rachel.

And congratulations on your latest release.

If you get this in time, I'd love for you to stop by the Long and Short Romance Reviews Yahoo loop. I'm the guest author in an all-day chat today. Need all the help I can get.

Hugs,
Laurie