I Interview my character, Captain Danny Maine

When I wrote Now and Forever 2, a Love Story, Captain Danny Maine took up residence in my head, dictating his story to me. I was so busy scribbling it down and trying to get everything right, I never had the chance to chat with him.So I've called Danny back from the book to talk with me today for a few minutes. Here is what he had to say:


Me: Danny, sit down. Make yourself comfortable. Coffee? Beer?
Danny: Hey, it's early, I'll start with coffee.
Me: Mile and sugar?
Danny: Don't you know by now? We only lived together for three months. Milk and sugar, of course.
*Jean pours coffee into a mug and passes it to Danny.*
Me: Okay, I have one question I've been dying to ask.
Danny: (sips coffee, then leans back in his chair) Fire away.
Me: Why did you come to me? Live in my head?
Danny: That's two questions. Okay, okay *holds up hand*, I know. I'm being "cute" and I'll stop. I came into your head because you wrote about Callie and mentioned me in Now and Forever 1, a Love Story. And you wrote about my brother Kyle. You said nice things about him. Besides, rumor has it you're a good listener. That was important.
Me: What did you say? Just kidding! Yes. I'm a good listener.
Danny: I couldn't keep it in anymore. Dr. Weiss said having my story told would help my PTSD. I needed to write this book.

Me: Why did you take over the story? A couple of times I planned one thing and you took over the pen and wrote something else.
Danny: It was a computer keyboard not a pen...
Me: A figure of speech...
Danny: Whatever. Because you were doing it wrong. You were making it too soft when it was hard as nails.
Me: You toughened the story.
Danny: Damned right. Had to be truthful. Had to tell it like it was.
Me: Did I portray everyone properly...to your liking?
Danny: Eliza is prettier than you said. 
Me: *turning a jaundiced eye to him* Anyone else you're not happy with?
Danny: Jonesy. She's nicer than you said. When I was sick once, during the time when I was...
Me: Shhhh. You're giving away the plot.
Danny: Oh, yeah. Anyway, she brought over soup and a movie.
Me: Oh? What movie did she bring?
Danny: *blushes* How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.
Me: Why are you blushing?
Danny: It's a chick flick...but I watched it anyway. Don't tell Mac.
Me: My lips are sealed *draws fingers over lips*. That's all?
Danny: You got everyone else okay...after I told you how...
Me: Any other complaints?
Danny: I thought you'd never ask! First off. Where do you get off telling people about my sex life? Hey isn't anything private?
Me: Not in a romance book, Danny. Now if you'd wanted a straight biography...
Danny: I know, I wouldn't have come to you. Still...did you have to tell...so much? God, it's embarrassing as hell. Everyone is reading it in Willow Falls.
Me: Sorry, Danny. I didn't think...I'll talk to Beth. Our publisher was told NOT to sell any copies to anyone from Willow Falls.
Danny: Well, she is. Now when I go to Kiwanis the kids razz me about "Sweetpea" and all. Damn. Pisses me off.
Me: I'm so sorry. I'll speak to Beth tomorrow. Beth? Are you listening - Nix on the Willow Falls sales, okay?
Danny: Good. A guy's got to have some secrets.
Me: You  had quite a few secrets when the book opened, didn't you?
Danny: And I told you about them, too, and what did you do? You blabbed them all in the book.
Me: All? Didn't you keep some things back?
Danny: I did...like the fact that you wanted to sleep with me the whole time!
Me: Danny! *blushes*, why would you say that?
Danny: *snickers* Payback. Besides, it was true. I could tell, the way you described me, my body and all. I could tell you wanted me. Never let on to Eliza...
Me: Perhaps that's all we have time for today.
Danny: *takes my arm* No, wait. Before I go...I wanted to say "thank you".
Me: For what?
Danny: For telling my story...and Kyle's story. I feel better now the story's been told.
Me: *Hugs him* I'm glad. I wanted to help you.
Danny: And you did. Now...this hugging thing, you see? I told you...you have the hots for me.
Me: *blushing deeper red" What woman would could resist you?
Danny: None I've met yet. *grins*.
Me: Okay...I think we're done.
Danny: *bends me over backward and kisses me* That's what you've  been waiting for, right? You deserve it. *gets up and leaves the room*
Me: Wow! Yeah. That was worth waiting for. 

PLEASE LEAVE A COMMENT, DANNY IS COUNTING ON IT!

IF YOU'RE NOT FROM WILLOW FALLS AND ARE INTERESTED IN THIS BOOK, HERE'S A BIT ABOUT IT:

Danny Maine, leaves the Army after becoming an expert sharp shooter, killer and womanizer. He gets a job teaching English at Kensington State University where he strives to have a normal life.

There, he meets Eliza Baines, a beautiful widow, and is smitten immediately. Danny struggles to overcome post-traumatic stress syndrome and make a new life when his drunken and abusive father is released from prison and seeks him out. Struggling to leave his horrific past behind, Danny attempts to forge a new path that includes love, success, friends and having his own family but dark forces and emotional obstacles block his way. The Book of Danny is a poignant story of love, loss and ultimate triumph that will touch your heart.

SHORT EXCERPT:
With plenty of time to get to the restaurant, Danny wanted to walk with Eliza. He put his hand on the small of her back, guiding her down the front steps. Her hand felt soft and small in his as they walked to the restaurant a few blocks away. Sexy high heels are not meant for walking, he thought as Eliza snagged a heel in the grass of her front lawn, tumbling forward.
Danny caught her against his chest, holding her there for a moment as she rested against him. The heat from her one hand on his chest and the other on his bicep created desire in him.
“I’m sorry,” she mumbled, unable to meet his gaze.
“Are you okay?” he asked, wrapping his arms around her.
“I’m fine,” she said, her fingers tightening over his upper arm, her breasts crushed against him. His lips were close to hers, close enough for him to steal a quick kiss. When she closed her
eyes for a second before she pushed away from him, he thought about it, but the opportunity passed as quickly as it came. His hands gripped her upper arms as he helped her back on her feet
with ease. She stared up into his eyes and they stopped. Danny felt electricity shoot up his arms from touching her. Eliza averted her eyes first, stepping back and smoothing out her dress to
cover her nervousness. Danny captured her hand again and they continued the short distance to the restaurant in silence.

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