Saturday, May 28, 2022

Character Interview: Garrett Saunders – #99Cents #Veteran #CharacterInterview @JanaRichards_

To Heal a Heart cover

By Jana Richards (Guest Blogger)

I talked Garrett Saunders, my hero in TO HEAL A HEART, into sitting down for an interview with me, though he wasn’t thrilled about the idea. But don’t hold his snarly attitude against him. He has a lot to deal with, the biggest issue being his relationship with Blair Greyson. Garrett is loyal and trustworthy, a good son, brother and friend. But life’s been hard the last couple of years and he’d trying to find his place in it again. Enjoy Garrett’s interview!

Jana Richards: Thank you for agreeing to do this interview, Garrett.

Garrett Saunders: How long will it take?

JR: Why? Do you have somewhere pressing to go?

GS: I have work to do. Can we just get on with it?

JR: Of course. So, tell me about coming home to North Dakota.

GS: I didn’t think I’d ever come back here. When I joined the marines at eighteen, I wanted to see the world and do exciting things. (chuckles) Be careful what you wish for.

JR: Are you happy to be home?

GS: Sure. I’m glad to be close to my family again. It’s good to connect with my sisters and be part of their lives again. I’m not as happy about having to live with my Mom and Dad and sleep in my childhood bedroom. I’ve been looking for a place of my own.

JR: Oh really? What kind of place are you looking for?

GS: I’ve put offers on two farms so far. I was outbid on the first one, and the second, Everett Branson’s farm, was taken off the market.

JR: That was because Blair Greyson came to live with her grandfather, wasn’t it? How do you feel about that?

GS: (shrugs) I was pissed at first, but honestly, I’m not sure I’d know what to do with all that land. I’ve never been a farmer and I’ve never wanted to be one.

JR: So why did you try to buy two different farms?

GS: I need a place of my own. I thought if I bought land, and perhaps rented it to other farmers or ranchers, it would give me an income, and the time I need to figure things out.

JR: Like what? What do you need to figure out?

GS: (shrugs again) Like what do I do with the rest of my life.

JR: What do you mean?

GS: (gives interviewer an angry glare) Do I have to spell everything out for you? I’m missing part of my leg. My military career is over. I’m no longer a candidate for the police force or the fire department. What the hell am I supposed to do now?

JR: Surely, there are more than three career choices in the world.

GS: None that I’m interested in.

JR: Okay, then let’s focus on something you are interested in. Tell me about your relationship with Blair Greyson.

GS: We’re friends. I’ve been helping out with work on the Branson farm.

JR: How do you feel about Blair?

GS: (shifts in his chair) I think she’s a good person. She works hard and looks after her grandfather.

JR: Do you think she’s attractive?

GS: (glares) Of course I think she’s attractive. I have eyes, don’t I?

JR: Are you in love with her?

GS: (turns away) She doesn’t want a beat-up soldier like me. I have nothing to offer her. I have no job and no prospects. I’m living with my parents and sleeping in the same bed I slept in when I was nine, for God’s sake!

JR: You didn’t answer my question. Are you in love with her?

GS: (gets to his feet) Yes, damn it! I am! I’m in love with her! But nothing will ever come of it. She doesn’t trust me. Something happened to her a long time ago but she can’t bring herself to tell me because she doesn’t trust me. Or…

JR: Or what?

GS: (closes his eyes) She says my amputation doesn’t bother her, but maybe she’s kidding herself.

JR: Or maybe you’re projecting your own insecurities on her.

GS: Are we done here? I have work to do.

JR: (sighs) Yeah, we’re done. For now. But we’ll talk again.

GS: (walks away) Don’t count on it.

 

TO HEAL A HEART on sale at Amazon for .99 cents – May 20 to June 3, 2022! 

Get Your Copy Today!

https://books2read.com/To-Heal-a-Heart

Garrett Saunders' world changed two years ago on a road in Afghanistan. Back home, he feels like a stranger. As he struggles to find his place in the world, he meets a horse destined for the slaughterhouse and a woman bent on rescuing the strays of the world, including him.

Blair Greyson moves to Masonville to look after her ailing grandfather and give her rescue horses a home. Right away she butts heads with a surly former Marine. Despite a rocky start, they come to an agreement: Blair will board Garrett's rescue horse and he'll help with repairs around her farm.

Garrett finds purpose working with Blair—and falls in love with her. But she's hiding a secret. Can she forgive herself and accept Garrett's love, or will she let guilt and regret continue to rule her life?

 


 

Excerpt

 


STRONG ENOUGH, book 4 in the Masonville Series, Coming Soon!

STRONG ENOUGH is available for pre-order now. The book releases June 22, 2022!

Charlotte Saunders has a full life—a rewarding career as a nurse, meaningful volunteer work at a dog shelter, and family, friends and pets she adores. But no matter how hard she tries, she can’t forget the horrible event that’s haunted her for ten years.

A survivor of childhood sexual abuse, Damon Greyson now helps others who have suffered trauma. His experience and intuition alert him to trouble in Charlotte’s past, and he wants to help her, if only she’d let him.

As they work together to help veterans suffering from PTSD and neglected dogs needing loving homes, their feelings for each other deepen. But when the trauma from Charlotte’s past roars back to life, both are forced to confront their painful histories—or die trying.

Buy Links:

https://books2read.com/Strong-Enough-by-Jana-Richards

About the Author


Jana Richards has tried her hand at many writing projects over the years, from magazine articles and short stories to full-length contemporary romance, paranormal suspense and romantic comedy. She loves to create characters with a sense of humor, but also a serious side. She believes there’s nothing more interesting then peeling back the layers of a character to see what makes them tick.

When not writing up a storm or dealing with dust bunnies, Jana can be found pursuing hobbies such as golf (which she plays very badly) or reading (which she does much better).

Jana lives in Western Canada with her husband Warren. You can reach her through her website at http://www.janarichards.com

Social Media Links

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Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/janarichards

Amazon UK Author Page: http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B002DEVWWG

Newsletter Signup: http://janarichards.com/contact.html#newsletter

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2892274Jana_Richards

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jana-richards

2 comments:

Lisabet Sarai said...

Welcome to Beyond Romance, Jana!

Sounds like a great romance! Hope your new release goes really well, too!

Jana Richards said...

Thanks for hosting me, Lisabet. And thanks for the kind words. I'm very proud of this series and I hope the launch of the new book, STRONG ENOUGH, goes well, too!

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