CAN ACCIDENTS MAKE THE HEART GROW FONDER? ~ CHARACTER INTERVIEW WITH JACKSON AND SABRINA

I'm a little nervous today as I'm interviewing someone in the news business. I mean, I do my little interviews for fun. Jackson Murpy is the real deal. Let's just dive in, then. Maybe I'll swim rather than sink.

Jackson, tell me about yourself? What’s your occupation? What are your strengths & weaknesses? 

Hi MJ, thanks for having us over today. Let’s see, I’m 34, the executive news director at KBHY-TV in Lewiston. My strengths? Hmm, I suppose my business sense. My weaknesses … I’d argue with this one but most people who know me would probably say I’m a little too serious.

Tell me about your family. What’s it like and how does your upbringing affect you now? 

Let’s just say that it wasn’t ideal. Don’t get me wrong, my dad was an excellent provider, but that was pretty much the extent of it. He dropped the ball when it came to being a decent husband and father. I suppose that made me try to shoulder more responsibilities growing up. I guess you could say I resented it. He let my mom, my younger brother, Rob, and me down. We’re only now trying to repair the rift in our relationship, and I’m not entirely on board with that yet. It’s going to take some time.

That's understandable. Now, if you could take an object, any object, to symbolize you, what would it be? 

Can I say turtles? Ask anyone what they immediately think of when my name comes up, they’ll all probably mention turtles. Long story.

You're going to have to share that with me someday. Now let's get down to the juicy part. How did you and Sabrina meet? What was your first impression of her? 

Sabrina just about ran me down with her car! I wish I was kidding but it’s true! Then she went from ogling to injuring me. I never knew what I was going to get next. I thought she was a cute but scary danger to society—me in particular.”

[Chuckling and winking at Sabrina.] What do you like about the heroine? 

Once I got over the panic attacks at the sight of her, I realized, I’m laughing and smiling more than I have in years. She’s quirky and sweet, a good friend and great company. Being with Sabrina is a rush, a jolt of adrenaline to the system and the only other place I feel that kind of kick is in the crazy newsroom. She’s the eye of the storm and I’d rather be inside of it than get pelted by the debris that seems to swirl around her.

Oooh! Love that imagery! Now, Jackson, if you had an unexpected free day, what would you do with it? 

I wouldn’t mind borrowing my brother’s boat again. Or golf. Golf is always good.

That's good! You can't be too serious then, because I've had guests that were so involved in their work lives that they couldn't even come up with an answer to that. As a final question, what CD or song best describes your relationship? 

 [Jackson laughs.] That’s easy. Queen’s ‘Crazy Little Thing Called Love’. It’s perfect.

Sounds like it! Now it's Sabrina's turn. Tell me about yourself? What’s your occupation? Strengths, weaknesses?

My Name is Sabrina Eckhart and I manage the restaurant and nightclub, Oasis. Contrary to what you’ve heard, I’m not a total disaster. It seems to be centered around Jackson. Well, Jackson and my brother’s CD’s. And Roommates, and apartments. And nippy little dogs. And … next question. I don’t have to say my age, do I? Oh, let’s just move on, okay?

Suurrre. So, what’s your family like and how does your upbringing affect you now? 

Believe it or not, I have three older brothers; Andy, Aaron, and Sam. I got the full dose of estrogen in the family and it kind of shows up at the worst times. I give my brothers a lot of crap but I love them, I really do, and their wives and kids. I’m crazy about my family. Oh, and I should probably mention that my parents are awesome, but they’re retired and live in Santa Fe now. That means my brothers all think they have to watch over me. Like I’m a screw-up or something. It can get annoying at times. Of course I forgive them. I pretty much have to because they’re always willing to help me move when I call. Not that I move a lot. Well… next question.

Okay. Sabrina, what tangible object would symbolize you?

I scrapbook, does that count? I have books full of interior and exterior pictures—furniture. Basically I’m building my dream home in my head because I can’t afford to do it for real yet.

[I skooch forward so we can talk more intimately.] Describe Jackson. What was your first impression of him and did it change over time?

OMG! What did he tell you? I’m serious, what? Forget it, don’t answer that. Tell me this instead. Did you see Jackson’s butt? That was the first thing I noticed about him. Black running shorts and a tight butt. Stunning. I’m talking STUNNING! [Laughing.] That assessment hasn’t changed only now I’m allowed to touch it! [That earns her a high-five from me. She nods.] I know, right?

He does have some rather, er, interesting assets. [I feel my cheeks get hot.] Let's change the subject. Is there anything about Jackson that you would consider a flaw? 

He’s working on trust issues, but I totally understand where that’s coming from—and I didn’t exactly help in that department. But, he’s working on it, and his brother, Rob is a psychiatrist and they’re like, joined at the hip. Rob is Jackson’s First Call for Help. [Giggles, rolling her eyes.] Yeah, I was the reason he made a few of those calls.

You seem almost proud of that! So, what is it that you want out of life?

I’d love a home, a decent bed—mine has a sinkhole in the middle—and well…love. Don’t we all basically want that?”

We sure do! If you had an unexpected free day, Sabrina, what would you do with it? 

It doesn’t even matter as long as I’m not at work! Probably something cheap. I live on a budget. Maybe I’d go fantasy shopping with my best friend, Tanya, to Ikea or Pier 1 Imports. That’s like, my favorite store!

What CD or song best describes your relationship?

What did Jackson say? 

"Crazy Little Thing Called Love." 

He did? Uh, what? He really did? Ooooh, I don’t know now. How am I supposed to concentrate on stupid songs when I’ve got that running through my head? Dang it!

Jackson swoops back in to collect Sabrina and gives MJ a broad smile. 

Thank you for having us, MJ.

Sabrina adds, slightly distracted: Yes, MJ. Thank you. This was fun. [Naturally she’s still trying to come up with a better song than Jackson’s suggestion but it eludes her.] 

The pleasure's been all mine! And now let's hear about ACCIDENTS MAKE THE HEART GROW FONDER!

Sabrina Eckhart is losing it. Oasis, the restaurant

she manages is getting battered by a trendy newcomer, and with everyone looking to her for ideas, you could say she's under a little pressure. But wait, that's not all. Her evil landlady has given her until the end of the month to vacate her crummy apartment. And her thirtieth birthday is looming, reminding her of the milestones she's missed. No wonder she’s distracted and driving off the rails…down the sidewalk, and nearly running over the man with amazing glutes.

Jackson Murphy is an avid jogger, and the local television station’s scrumptious news director -- if he can keep the job. Unfortunately, he has one year to resuscitate their wheezing news department or the owners are going to pull the plug. His hands are already full even without Sabrina dropping into them. The last thing he needs is to be involved with a publicity stunt.

The road to love is bumpy. It’ll take all of Cupid's arrows, and a lot of interference from friends, for these two to win the Dating Game.

Accidents is available in e-book and Print on Demand (POD) through; The Wild Rose Press, Amazon and Amazon UK, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, and All Romance.

Author- Tara Mills

I'm a lifelong wordaholic, contemporary romance

writer, pampered wife, and proud mom. Escape with me into books.

If you like fun and flirty, saucy and sexy, exciting thrills and suspense, or simply a good chuckle, I've got a story for you.

Please visit my website, Tara Mills Romance, for more information on my titles, sneak peeks, and my quirky blog.

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