CHARACTER BLOWOUT- HIS TURN! Elizabeth Mean's, Dangerous Charade.

Welcome to the second day of A Writer’s Mind’s, END OF WEEK CHARACTER INTERVIEW. Executed much like The Newlywed Game done blog style, this event tests how well the characters from some of your favorite romance novels really know one another!

Yesterday, I interviewed Gabrielle Broussard from Elizabeth Mean’s, DANGEROUS CHARADE. Today, it’s my pleasure to interview the hero in this story, Lord Julien Blackwell. For your convenience, I’ve added snippets from Gabrielle’s answers and put them alongside Julien’s. I highly recommend that you check out Gabrielle’s Interview to read her full responses. She has a great ‘voice.’

Let’s have some fun! Interview time…

SKY: Tell us a little bit about you.

JULIEN: Right now I’m a favorite subject of the gossips in the ton due to the circumstances surrounding my late wife’s death over four months ago. Our marriage was not a good one and apparently some believe I may have had a hand in it. The notion is bloody ridiculous, of course.

(Gabrielle’s response… I’m currently working undercover as a governess at Westford Castle to investigate the suspicious death of the Countess of Westford…)

SKY: Remembering the moment you first laid eyes on Gabrielle, what thoughts come to mind?

JULIEN: Ah, Gabrielle, I’m afraid she’ll hold that day against me forever. I thought her the most beautiful woman I’d ever seen. You’d agree if you met her. The thoughts that came to my mind that afternoon aren’t fit to print. Let’s just say I wanted to see more of her than her prim dress would allow and leave it at that.

(Gabrielle’s response… The odious man! Considering he man-handled me in a most inappropriate fashion my thoughts from that fateful afternoon are not fit for print…)

SKY: She has one trait you adored from the start. What is it? Hands down, she appreciates one of your traits…what do you think that is?

JULIEN: Gabrielle speaks her mind. I love that about her, even when the things she says make me want to strangle her. Not that I ever would! For the record, I would never murder an innocent woman. But you understand what I mean.

I think she likes that I’m direct, too. I don’t mince words, I don’t play games. I am who I am. I believe she trusts me because of that.

(Gabrielle’s response… His voice. When he says my name in that seductive drawl of his I almost melt. I fear he’s figured it out, too…)

SKY: She has one trait you’d change if you could. What is it? You figure there’s probably a trait she might want to change about you… care to share?

JULIEN: She’s moodier than a cat. I can’t figure her out half the time. On the one hand I believe she’s probably the most genuine woman I’ve ever met. But on the other, I’m starting to get the feeling there’s something she’s keeping from me. Something important. And I don’t like it.

What would she change about me? I shudder to think. Many things probably – don’t ask her!

(Gabrielle’s response… Well, first and foremost I’d change the fact that he is my number suspect in the death of the Countess of Westford. Or I’d change the fact that I’m undeniably attracted to him. The situation is becoming exceedingly complicated! What would he change about me? That’s hard to say…you’ll have to ask him. I’d love to hear his answer!)

SKY: Ah, love is in the air. What is the single most romantic thing you’ve done for her?

JULIEN: I bought more than thirty bouquets of peach roses (her favorite) and arranged them in the dining room where I had a special candle-lit dinner for two planned. Unfortunately, the dinner did not go quite as I’d hoped it would. I should’ve known something would go awry as nothing is simple with Gabrielle.

(Gabrielle’s response… He took me on a romantic ride and picnic where he really opened up and I learned some very intriguing things about him I did not know.)

SKY: She has a feature that draws your eye every time. Care to share? She can’t stare at you enough… but where is she staring? Now’s the time to gloat about your thick head of hair. *Sky sniggers* Truth! Do you think it’s your eyes? Chest? Etc.

JULIEN: Her hair. I can’t get enough of it. She insists on wearing it bound up most of the time and it drives me insane to see it all twisted up like that. It should be worn free and long, that way I can run my fingers through it and all the way down to the small of her back…when she’ll let me.

When Gabrielle looks at me I get the feeling she’s staring mostly at my mouth. I can only assume that is because she’s wildly attracted to me and wants me to kiss her. So I try to, often.

(Gabrielle’s response… His eyes. They’re the rarest shade of green and I never tire of looking into them. I know he loves my hair, he’s constantly staring at it and takes every opportunity to free if from whatever style I have it in. He loves to run his hands through it and all the way down my back.)

SKY: How do you think Gabrielle would answer the following… Our favorite thing to do together is…?

JULIEN: Kiss. Although I suppose she wouldn’t actually say that since it’s un-ladylike to kiss and tell. She’ll probably give you some silly answer like “talk.” But what she really means is kiss.

(Gabrielle’s response… Spar. With words, not weapons. We are constantly battling wits and I’m not sure who is ahead we’ve had so many matches. Sometimes it’s the only way to relieve the tension between us. The only appropriate way.)

SKY: You and Gabrielle don’t see eye to eye on what issue?

JULIEN: Her safety. It’s becoming more and more clear there is a killer in our midst and I’m doing my best to protect her but she keeps pulling away. Like she doesn’t trust me. I’m positive there’s something she’s not telling me, and I intend to get to the bottom of it.

(Gabrielle’s response… He wants to keep tabs on my every move lately and I refuse to allow it. I have a job to do, which he doesn’t truly understand, and he’s making it difficult. He claims he’s protecting me from danger.)

SKY: She said one thing to you that you’ll never forget. What was it?

JULIEN: She dared to accuse me of being a “no-good, outlaw, poaching ruffian” – while I was standing on my own land! The truth is Gabrielle crashed into my life in a most surprising manner, my world has not been the same since. And I couldn’t be any bloody happier about it.

(Gabrielle’s response… He told me that I was an excellent actress – not knowing the real truth of his statement. It caused me to panic momentarily as I feared he’d figured out who I was and why I was really at Westford Castle. Fortunately, it was only a false alarm.)

Sky here. Another great interview. Sounds like Julien and Gabrielle make quite the pair! I, for one, can’t wait to read this book.

Can’t wait to read this story? Purchase Dangerous Charade through The Wild Rose Press.

Learn more about author Elizabeth Mean at her Website.

~Sky