April 30, 2020

No Options Jennifer Haynie Romantic Suspense

An Interview with Two Conflicting Characters

No Options, my latest novel, features two main characters in conflict, Abigail Ward and David Shepherd. I’ve always wondered what it would be like to interview these two. Take a look inside of what it might look like if I did get to ask them three questions.

Tell me a little bit about yourself and where you are as No Options begins.

David: A little bit about myself? Hah. There’s not much to tell. I’m living in Burning Tree, Utah—again. You see, I’d lived there since 2013 until I returned to Raleigh, North Carolina in June 2016. Raleigh’s the place where I was homeless for two years. It’s also the place where my best friend, Jonathan Ward, lives and where his office is. He’d hired me to work for his company, SecureLink. I was there for a little over six months when my dad had a heart attack. Though he’s recovering, both he and Mom needed more help than my sister, Kyra, could provide. That’s why I moved back.

Abigail: Where am I? In Quantico working my rear off. And no, I don’t really have a life right now. What did David tell you? That he left because of his dad? It figures. No, he really left because we had The Big Breakup Fight. Yes, it’s all caps for a reason. I think he was using his dad as an excuse to escape not just me but the uncertain situation he faces with SecureLink. Things are up in the air because of a big play the Board of Directors has going on with the employees, and David’s scared he’s going to wind up on the streets again.

Why did you two break up?

Abigail: It’s plain and simple, in my book. He doesn’t trust that things are going to work out with SecureLink. Okay. I guess there’s more. I think we just want two different things. I like my job. A lot. A whole lot. I played a vital role in bringing down a bad-nasty serial killer, and quite frankly, I enjoyed slapping cuffs on the guy. I also have another reason I like my job. My CO, that’s commanding officer to you civilians, is a great guy named Sal Torres. Back when I first came back after my medical leave of absence, I’d gotten passed over for major. When Sal took command of the battalion, he sat down with all of his officers. He and I had a heart-to-heart conversation as he went through my file and noted my leave due to nearly dying from a suicide attempt. I told him I’d worked through my issues. Gradually, he gave me more responsibility. And he put my name in for major. I got promoted. To say I feel like I owe it to him to finish my twenty is probably an understatement. And therein lies the problem. I’m in Quantico. David’s in Raleigh. Well, now Burning Tree. And who knows if I’ll get transferred again? I probably will. It just wasn’t going to work.

David: We broke up because Abigail’s married to her job. Period. Could I be off on that one? Maybe. But I’m not going to be someone who plays second fiddle to work. And honestly, my parents need me more than I need her.

What keeps you up at night when you think about your ex?

Abigail: Our fight we had Martin Luther King weekend was awful. I know we both have tempers, but I don’t ever remember yelling at someone I care deeply about. And then there’s the issue that when my brother, Jonathan, who’s also David’s best friend, called to try and sort things out, I yelled at him too. Collateral damage. I hurt him. I’ve since written and apologized to him. But David? I haven’t talked to him at all. And sometimes when I lie in my bed at night and stare at the ceiling because I can’t sleep, part of me wonders if he’s right. Sure, the job’s great. I’m taking down some pretty nasty characters. But with each criminal I get, each commendation, I wonder what would have happened if I’d gotten out of the Army and returned to be a cop in Raleigh. Would I still act like I was married to my job? Maybe, but at least I’d still be with David.

David: There’s been several nights when I’ve not been able to sleep. And yes, I think about Abigail. I guess you could say it started shortly after I arrived home. Kyra confronted me. She’s always had a way of challenging me on things, and she saw right through my excuses. She says I’m not trusting anyone. Jonathan. SecureLink. Abigail. God. Is she right? When I lie in my rack and listen to the coyotes wailing outside, I wonder. Maybe she’s indeed right. I’ve got trust issues, all of which stem from being homeless for two years and feeling abandoned. Problem is, I don’t know how to push past those.

No Options Jennifer Haynie Romantic Suspense

About
Jennifer Haynie

Jennifer Haynie writes on-the-edge suspense for lovers of romantic suspense. She writes about strong women who not only survive challenges but learn to thrive in spite of them. Since 2014, she has published seven novels in the general indie market. She resides outside of Raleigh, North Carolina, with her husband and two Basenji dogs. Connect with Jennifer at www.jenniferhaynie.com.