Character Days: Valerie Fortson from Valerie's Retreat
Tell me a little about yourself and the world
you live in.
I am
NOT a Cougar; well, I am a Cougar, but not like you see on Reality TV. My
boyfriend is sixteen years younger than me, but I’m not a predator trying to
conquer young men like you see on reality shows. I went to a church dance, met
Franco, fell in love, and we committed a little
felony together. Maybe I jumped ahead too far. I’m living a regular life,
probably a lot like yours. I’m a head teller at a bank, just fell madly in
love, and my female boss is sexually harassing me. My childhood, was, well,
uhm, kind of rough, so I don’t handle conflict well, especially not in the
workplace.
As
for my world, Franco and I hurry out of Louisville, Kentucky, and go to another
country…
Tell us your most closely guarded secret?
I
will NOT get into a long sob session about religious fanatics that made my
childhood so hard. I think the book covers this aspect in far too much detail. While
I read it, I skipped those parts. Anyway, I don’t even talk about my secret
with myself.
Tell us about your single most important
memory. What was it and how does it affect you now?
Funny
when you asked that question I remembered an event from eighth grade. Eighth
grade? Once you’re an adult, who cares what happened in eighth grade? You’ll
have to read the incident for yourself, but let me say, “Being one of the cool
kids, even for a short time, totally rocked!”
What type of person are you?
I,
Valerie Fortson, am an optimistic person and will always be an optimist. The
felony was kind of necessary, but I knew it would lead to a better life. Maybe
you wouldn’t have reacted this way, but I’m sure it’ll work out for Franco and me.
Do you have any hobbies, any special talents?
Is
being likeable considered a talent? At the bank I was great at selling
checking, savings, and CD accounts. This place where Franco and I ran to, we
opened our own business, a marina. We’re doing great with it! I guess I’m a
good getting people to relate to me.
And in that line, what would be your ideal
day?
Reality
TV makes all of us older women who have younger men look like petty, sex-addicted
predators. That’s not the case with me, however; my ideal day begins with
waking next to Franco and enjoying the fruits of his loins. After a leisurely
breakfast we’d travel the countryside of our new land, stopping at ancient
ruins. Franco is a doctoral candidate in Archeology, so he would be my tour
guide of the civilization that inhabited these lands so long ago. After a full
day of history, wine, and picnics, we’d return to bed.
Do you have anyone close to you, any family
or friends of interest?
Family
is a sore spot with me. You’ll have to read Valerie’s
Retreat to find out why I never discuss them, not even with Franco.
What is your most prized possession?
My
marina! Actually, our marina, but owning the marina was my idea. I’ve always
wanted to own one since I was a little girl. That may sound odd, but dreams
don’t have to make sense, right?
What initially spurred your actions in this
story. Obviously it had to start somewhere for you, give us an idea of
where that starting point is and where it all started.
The
felony came about (I assume that’s what you’re referring to) because we didn’t
have any other options. I had to get away. It took all the nerve I had, but we
made it out. I don’t really like discussing negative things. We felt trapped,
but I latched onto our plan as a lifeline. We not only survived, but we’re
thriving in our new country!
How do you envision your future?
The
happily-ever-after has already begun! I fully believe we’ll never get caught.
You’ll have to decide for yourself if you believe that once you finish the
book.
Tell us where we can read more about you.
Valerie’s Retreat is the only book about me.
You probably think that having someone write a book about you would be great.
It not as terrific as it sounds. This book has too much about me. I think I’m a
good person, but I think the way this book is written you might, possibly,
argue that I’m not. If I had written this book, you would’ve loved me! LOL
Author: Joseph M. Rinaldo
Buy link: (ebook) http://www.amazon.com/Valeries-Retreat-Joseph-Rinaldo-ebook/dp/B00GCWNOQM/ref=tmm_kin_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&sr=8-1&qid=1390826759
Buy Link: (paperback) http://www.amazon.com/Valeries-Retreat-Joseph-M-Rinaldo/dp/1492762628/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1390826759&sr=8-1
Author's blog or website:
http://www.josephmrinaldo.com
I
understand people are hesitant to give independent authors a chance. Some of
the indie stuff IS really bad. If Valerie’s
Retreat interests you, please go to the free "Click to Look
Inside" and sample the first chapter. If a book grabs you that quick, you'll
probably be glad you got it. Also, if you are in a book club that reads one of
my books, I'd be honored to join your discussion. Feel free to contact me
through Facebook or my website, www.josephmrinaldo.com.
Other books by Joseph M Rinaldo:
Jessica, thanks so much for this opportunity. I appreciate your support of indie writers and their characters!
ReplyDeleteJoe Rinaldo