On Christmas Avenue: Character Interview

Today I have the privilege of sharing a character interview with the hero and heroine from On Christmas Avenue, Clark Creek County Sheriff, Evan Clark, and fundraising expert Mary Ward, from Richmond. Clark Creek’s mayor, Connie Clark (who happens to be Evan’s mom), does the honors in asking the questions.

“Okay, kids.” Connie gives a welcoming smile. “Which of you wants to get started?”

Evan gestures. “Ladies first…”

“Oh no,” Mary says. “You! Absolutely. Clark Creek is your town.”

“Was my town.” He rolls his eyes toward Mary then playfully states, “Until this woman took it over.”

“What?”

“Not that I minded.” He chuckles.

“Oh, but you did mind,” Mary quips. “Quite a lot, as I recall.”

Evan tips is hat to disguise his broad grin. “Maybe so, at the outset.”

Connie redirects. “Okay, then. Mary! Let’s start with you. What would you say was your favorite part of being in Clark Creek during the story?”

“Apart from the parade? Which was outstanding, thanks to the help of many, many groups and individuals—I would say…” She darts a shy glance at Evan. “The people.”

“People?” He laughs warmly. “Come on now. You’ve got to give more than that. Let’s talk specifics here. What about what you said at the end when—”

“Evan. Shh!” She lowers her eyebrows at him. “No spoilers.”

“That’s hardly a ‘spoiler’ in the genre.”

Mary groans, but it’s all in good fun.

“Okay. Fair point.” He gazes innocently out his office window, which is barely visible with all the Christmas decorations in the way. Even his coat rack is wound tightly with Christmas lights.

“So, Evan,” Connie prods, absorbing the holiday cheer. “You’re big into Christmas all of a sudden.”

“Mom.” He shakes his head.

“Your transformation was my favorite part of the story, speaking as your mother and someone who loves the holidays.” Connie shares a conspiratorial wink with Mary. “He wasn’t always the way he was when you met him. So Scrooge-like. As a boy, he nearly trampled over his brothers stampeding down the stairs on Christmas morning.”

Evan holds up both hands. “I did not stampede.”

“You most certainly did,” Connie says with a haughty air. She smiles at Mary. “He wanted to see what Santa’d brought him first.”

“Ev-van.” Mary grins with delight and he blows out a breath.

“Okay, fine. I mean, maybe.”

“So then, Evan,” Connie continues. “What was your favorite part of the action in On Christmas Avenue? Can you point to a particular scene?”

“Hmm, there were many, but I’m thinking…” He rubs his cheek then his eyes twinkle at Mary. “The first time I met a certain ‘Christmas Consultant’. Sheerly for the surprise factor.”

Mary laughs and ribs lightly. “Well. You could have fooled me.”

His eyebrows arch. “Maybe I didn’t know until I knew? Later.”

Mary tilts her chin. “And when exactly was that?”

“I’d hate to ruin any reveals for our readers.”

“Nope.” Mary grins. “We can’t do that.”

“And you, Mary?” Connie asks. “Any other favorite bits besides the parade and the, ahem…” She sends her son a knowing look. “…‘people’?”

Mary pauses in thought. “The ice skating was fun! Except for kind of when it wasn’t. I wasn’t so hot at that.” She giggles at the memory. “Same with the horseback riding.”

“I was partial to the dancing,” Evan says, his voice going husky.

“In the gazebo?” Mary blushes. “Yeah. That was special.”

“Still,” Connie says. “You two had so much to remedy! Including all those last-minute disasters having to do with the parade.”

Mary grimaces. “Things did get a little touch and go there for a while.”

“Very dicey,” Evan concurs. “No doubt.”

Mary squares her shoulders. “We just had to have faith it would all work out.”

“Yeah, but.” Evan sets his chin. “Everyone has to work for their happy endings. Those don’t just get handed out to folks like platters of my dad’s world-famous turkey stuffing.”

Connie sighs at the mention of her husband’s signature dish. “It is pretty delicious. Isn’t it?”

“The best!” Mary says. “And there’s a recipe for it included at the end of the book.”

Connie waves goodbye. “I’m afraid that’s all the time we have. But thanks tons for being here. We hope you’ll stop by Clark Creek this Christmas to see what we’re all about. The town…the lights…the snow. The parade!” She waxes dreamy. “And the romance, of course.”

“And, once you arrive,” Evan chimes in. “Please stay for a while.”

“Yeah,” beckons Mary. “Come along and join the fun. Every day is an adventure—down to the very last page. While it’s a fictional story, it can certainly sweep you away. I know it did me.”

“You know-ho-ho…” Evan bellows out his very best Santa laugh then winks at Mary. “I’m a big fan of the novel myself.”

© Ginny Baird 2021

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