Wednesday, July 15, 2009

Interview with Bryce Stone (hero in Love Finds You in North Pole, Alaska)


Former U.S. Marine Bryce Stone served 10 years in the military, including three tours of duty in Afghanistan. While attempting to protect his men from a land mine, Bryce put himself in the line of fire and suffered extensive injuries. Unable to save one of "his boys", Bryce returned to his home town to heal and put the miseries of war behind him. It's with pride and pleasure that I introduce Bryce Stone, the hero in my next novel, Love Finds You in North Pole, Alaska:

Q: So Bryce, what's with the pirate-like eye patch?
A: The sight in my left eye was destroyed by shrapnel, and I wear the patch mostly to protect others from having to look at the scar that crosses from my eyebrow to my cheek.

Q: Ouch! How many other injuries did you sustain during that battle?
A: This was the result of triggering a land mine, not an actual all-out battle.

Q: I can see that you're not crazy about talking about that period of your life, but I'm sure readers would love to know more....
A: The shrapnel hit head to toe, throwing me about 12' from the blast site and causing a few broken bones and some cuts.

Q: I know you're also uncomfortable with pity of any kind, so I won't say "Ohmygoodness!" or "I'm so sorry!" Instead, I'll thank you from the bottom of my heart for going over there and risking life and limb to keep our country safe.
A: Uh, thanks.

Q: So you're from North Pole, Alaska, eh?
A: Born'n'bred.

Q: And the only time you were away from town was to serve in the Marines?
A: That, and to attend college.

Q: Where'd you go to school and what was your major?
A: U of Alaska, naturally , where I majored in Business Administration.

Q: Guess that came in handy when you got home and found out you'd have to run your parents' gift shop....
A: Yeah. You could say that.

Q: It must be a blast, living in a town where it's Christmas, all year long!
A: Easy for you to say. You don't have to listen to carols 24/7.

Q: Sorry...I didn't quite make that out.
A: Nothing. It's a great town. Clean. Wholesome. Low crime. Great people. What's not to like? Except being surrounded by Santas and reindeer and elves....

Q: Rumor has it that "Rudolph's Christmas Emporium" wasn't doing very well, financially, when you hit home.
A: There's an understatement!

Q: But you saved it. How?
A: I didn't save it. If it had been up to me, I would have sold the store.

Q: But...
A: I know, I know...it was the only thing I had left of my parents, who died in a freak accident.

Q: And your Aunt Olive managed it for you while you were overseas?
A: Right. My dad's sister, and my only living relative. Love the woman to pieces. She's been more a mom to me than...

Q: So what tips would you offer anyone else whose business is in financial trouble?
A: Hire a savvy manager, that's what.

Q: Oh? You didn't manage the store, and instituted changes, yourself?
A: Like I said. I wanted to sell the place, use the profits--if there were any--to open a carpentry shop.

Q: I've seen your work. You're a regular artist with a chisel and saw!
A: Thanks.

Q: So this manager who turned things around for you, what can you tell me about him?
A: Her. Samantha Sinclair. Sam, for short. She's amazing.

Q: Hard worker, eh?
A: Clumsy as all get-out, but yeah, she puts in an honest day's work, and then some. She's the one put all this order and organization into what had been clutter and chaos. Yeah, she's amazing, all right.

Q: Sounds like more than your typical boss-employee relationship here... I hear my cell phone ringing. In the next room. Catch up with you later. Maybe.

Q: Hmmm...I must have touched a raw nerve....

Well, gentle readers, take it from me. This guy is h-o-t with a capital H. Tall as a tree with shoulders that just won't quit and a smile that could light up a dark room, I have a feeling he looked just as gorgeous in his dress uniform as in fatigues, and the faded jeans and fisherman knit sweater he wore to this interview. He tends to be a little on the quiet side, but something tells me he talks a lot more...when he and Sam are alone.

Guess you'll all just have to pick up a copy of LFY in North Pole, AK to find out more about this quiet hero and his beloved Aunt Olive. And Sam, of course.

Looking forward to hearing what you think of the story, which will hit book store shelves this October. Drop me a line at loree@loreelough.com or post a comment here, and you're automatically entered in a contest to win an autographed copy.

Hugs and happy reading, y'all!
Loree



12 comments:

Laurean Brooks said...

Loree,

Thanks for giving me the idea to do this very thing on my blog. Why, either Jenny or Austin would love to be interviewed. And they have strong opinions...especially about each other. LOL

Put my name in the bag three times! Got to have this one. Sounds like my kind of hero. The strong, (slightly grumpy) silent type.

When I read the name "Bryce Stone," I thought, "Hmmmm...that's a great name for a hero or an excellent pen name. Has a certain ring to it.

Gotta get to bed. Vacation Bible School is wearin' me out. Whoever tagged it "Vacation" Bible School was obviously insane. Unless the implicatinon was that you will need one by the end of the week. LOL

Hugs and blessings,
Laurie

Laurean Brooks said...

Hey Loree,

I posted a comment last night, but for some reason it didn't take. I think Yahoo is being worked on. Guess that includes blogs, huh?

I wrote that Bryce sounds like my kinda guy. Strong, self sufficient, a little stubborn,(but grumpy) silent type. Sounds like Bryce's attitude may get him into predicaments with Sam. LOL. Great! Love the conflict.

Put my name in three times for the drawing. Shhhhhhh! Gotta have this book.

Laurie

Anonymous said...

So funny! Can't wait for NORTH POLE to be released. I have ordered advance copy on Amazon. When will your next Love Finds You book be out?

Naomi Hoover said...

I loved reading this interview with Bryce. Sounds like a book I would love to read. I'm reading LFY in Paradise, PA, right now and enjoying it throughly.
Blessings,
Naomi

naomus33 at gmail dot com

buddyt said...

Reading about somewhere as far north as Alaska is quite odd for someone from a place where snow is only seen once in 20 years or so.

The book sounds quite interesting so if you are open to sending a copy as far away as South Africa, then please enter me in the drawing.

Thank you.

Carol

Anonymous said...

What a great concept. I journal from my character Marissa, teens love it. But this makes so much more sense.
Readers could really get into this.

JoAnn said...

Loree,

Looks like you have lots of things in the works!

This book sounds great along with many other I saw on your website.

All I can say is...wow!

~JoAnn

Valerie Comer said...

I'd love to get a copy, Loree. And I must say that was one of the more entertaining interviews I've read. Some seem kinda flat. :)

Anonymous said...

WOW!
So cool I have lived in North Pole for over 30+ years
SO MANY -60 AND -72 BELOWS YOU STOP COUNTING HOW MANY YEARS. (lol)
I was blessed to meet you on shout life and you wrote to me about your book ,check it out on line hope to get to read it,look good.
Bless You!

Anonymous said...

This was a fun interview! I read the book and really enjoyed seeing Bryce in the hot seat! So typical of him to run out on you when the questions got too personal! I thought he was HOT from the description of him in North Pole but hearing another woman say so tells me I was spot on!Well, this one just might cause the female population to grow in North Pole, so many are going to want to see if there are any other guys like Bryce in cold storage up north and thinking they might get a peek of this one!

Lady Araujo said...

Sounds like a great book. I wish I could be entered in your drawing but I think I'm late. Anyway, thanks for this funny interview.

God's blessings
Lady Araujo
marthanadnny(at)hotmail(dot)com

Linda J. Alexander said...

Hello, Loree ... this is the 1st place on your blog I can find to post. You have great material & I always love to support fantastic writers. All the best for you & your career!

~ Linda J. Alexander