Introducing Reece Walker from AS YOU BREATHE AGAIN
One of my author pals, Becka, asked me to join her in a blog hop. The deets: we get to interview one of our characters, ask them some fun questions, and YOU, the readers, get to know them a bit better. Becka interviewed Beau Grady from her upcoming BETWEEN EVERYTHING AND US, and I laughed and squee’ed while reading her interview.
I immediately knew who I wanted to interview – Reece from my summer 2015 book, AS YOU BREATHE AGAIN. When I wrote my first book, Reece was supposed to be just a supporting character, but he sort of stole the show away from Jonah, his younger brother. I can’t wait to write Reece’s book, but for now, here’s a taste.
Character Interview: Reece Walker from AS YOU BREATHE AGAIN
This interview is on location; Reece is busy working his family’s farm and couldn’t leave, so we’re in sunny Georgia today. Despite the fact it’s fall-winter weather there, and a bit overcast and cooler, Reece hasn’t let that stop him. He’s hard at work, on a tractor, but when he sees me approaching him, he kills the engine and hops down. With his characteristic swagger, untamable dark curls, and built physique, Reece is quite a picture striding across the field.
Friends, this reporter *might* be in a bit of a swoon by the time he’s standing in front of me, crooked smile making his eyes crinkle.
Molli: Hi there.
Reece: Hi yourself.
He grins slowly at me, and being the object of that smile, folks, let me tell you. Between that and the firm, warm handshake he offers me, I might need a fainting couch.
Molli: I rummage through my bag for a moment to find my pen and paper, because I need a break from that smile.
Okay, sorry about that. Thanks so much for letting me talk to you today. Can you tell everyone your full name?
Reece: No worries, sweetheart. My full name is Malcolm Reece Walker, but no one but my Ma ever uses it. Everyone else calls me Reece.
If he’s noticing how rattled I am, he’s decided not to show me any mercy. Those damn blue eyes of his are dancing, and between that and the eye crinkles – EYE CRINKLES – I’m having a bit of a reaction. Like of the breathless kind. He finally cracks, the smile changing from playful to welcoming. Reece gestures toward the nearby farm house, and I fall into step beside him.
Molli: Okay, great. And this may sound strange, but can you tell me, are you a fictional person or historical?
Clearly I’ve given him something to think about. Reece seems to be mulling over my words, that dangerous sparkle back in his eyes.
Reece: I’m tempted to say both, since everybody who goes against the grain here sort of goes down in history. But I’m as real as it gets. Here, m’am, let’s sit.
This reporter would be inclined to agree that he is, indeed, real. We reach the house and he nods at the porch swing. We sit together, and I give him a moment to stretch out his long…long legs before I say anything else.
Molli: So, where is your story set?
Reece: Here in Georgia, in the same town I grew up in. It’s a small place, but I love it.
He pauses, gazing out over the field. His expression changes several times, flickering from unrecognizable to something wistful, then back to that friendly grin as he faces me. The swing chains rattle a bit.
I used to think I had to leave, but I finally realized I belong here, with my boots in the dirt, growing things, raising my boy, bein’ near my family.” He clears his throat. “My story is set about a year after Jonah’s first one.
I nod to show him I’m listening. His eyes are full of emotions I can’t quite untangle, but I can tell that Reece Walker may seem affable and charming on the surface, but that there’s much, much more underneath.
Molli: What should we know about you?
He rakes a hand through his hair, messing up his curls. Squinting, he seems to be lost in thought.
Reece: Depends on who you ask. But I guess I’d say one of the most important things is that I’m a single dad. My ex-wife died a little over a year ago, so I’m raisin’ our son, Jamie. And that kid’s a handful. Jamie’s my world. And I farm with my dad. My brothers would tell you that I’m loyal to a fault but that if someone burns their bridges with me, I’m not known for bein’ a second chances sort of guy. And uh, I guess when I want something, I can get pretty damn set on having it.
He laughs quietly, as if my question or his answer amused him. Maybe both did. I laugh along with him. I’ve been the sole focus of his attention for less than an hour, and I can attest it’s a wonderful place to be. If he has a girl, she’s a lucky woman.
Molli: So what’s the main conflict of your story?
Reece: Sighing, he breaks eye contact. Well like I said, my ex died. Han and I were on good terms, and if she hadn’t gotten sick with cancer, I think we might have gotten back together eventually…but even though I loved her, I’m not sure we were right… Thing is, I don’t really do the feelings thing. That’s more E’s territory.
Molli: E?
Reece: Ethan, my youngest brother. He’s 20, but sometimes you’d think he’s Yoda in disguise with the Buddha shit he spills.
Molli: You know that’s two really weird references together, right?
Reee: Yeah.
He shakes his head, gently toeing our swing back and forth.
Anyway, uh… I want to get my shit together. I’m still reeling from Hannah’s death, because… Well, hell. I guess part of me always felt like of the two of us, she was the better parent.
Reece goes quiet. He’s studying the ground, like the board of the porch have a story to tell. He really doesn’t like to talk about his feelings. I hope he has someone in his life who can change that.
Molli: What are your major goals?
Reece: That’s easy. I want to be a good dad to Jamie, and prove to my dad that I can take over the farm someday. And there’s this girl…
Molli: There’s always a girl, right?
Reece cracks a smile.
Molli: So when can readers find out more about you? When can we expect your story?
Reece: Hopefully in the spring or summer at the latest. I’ve certainly got a lot to say. My book, AS YOU BREATHE AGAIN, will tell my story. In the meantime, you can follow my author, Molli, on Twitter. She tweets more about some guy named Stefan Salvatore than she tweets about me, but I’ll let that go.
Winking, Reece stands, so I follow suit. He reaches for my hand again, and I think he’s going to shake it. Instead, he pulls me closer into a hug. I’m almost too shocked to respond, but finally I relax and wrap my arms around him. Reece smells a little sweaty, which isn’t exactly a turn-on, but under that, I can smell a faint hint of cologne. His arms are strong, and when he lets me go, he kisses my cheek.
Reece: See ya around, sweetheart.
Who’s On Deck
Next week, we’ll see Marie Landry interviewing one of her characters! Marie is my critique partner (CP) and she writes awesome books, like her upcoming New Adult TAKE THEM BY STORM, out in January.
About Marie: Marie has the best job in the world—one where she gets to make stuff up for a living and shamelessly eavesdrop on everyone around her. She writes happily ever afters while dreaming about the day she’ll have her own epic love story to tell. Most days you can find her writing, reading, fantasizing about traveling the world, listening to U2, watching copious amounts of TV on DVD, or having grand adventures with her nephews and niece.
Connect with Marie at her blog | her twitter | her facebook page
I wanted to share a scene from Reece’s book but it’s a hot mess right now, since I’m scrapping some of it, so instead, here’s one of my favorite Reece scenes from AS YOU TURN AWAY. It’s the first time Quinn has come face to face with Reece since she came back to Georgia. She and her BFF are at the farmer’s market and come across Reece and his brothers. Jonah is the other MC of AS YOU TURN AWAY.
A thud penetrated the conversation and Quinn shifted slightly, looking around Ethan. The newcomer straightened to his full height and faced them. His blue eyes went straight to Quinn, and then skipped to Lanie for a few seconds, before pinning Quinn in place. She couldn’t have moved in any direction under that gaze. He’d always been able to do that: take in everything about a situation and then decide immediately on a course of action. At first, it unnerved her, but as she got to know him, she realized that was just how Reece Walker operated.
Would he lash out at her? Reece wasn’t known for being a second chances sort of man. Quinn wiped her palms on her pants as surreptitiously as she could, while keeping her eyes on the eldest Walker brother. His jaw popped as he studied her. She knew there was nothing she could do if he told her to go to hell. She hadn’t just hurt Jonah when she left. She realized now she’d also lost her friendships with Ethan, and Reece. And although Ethan had considered her a big sister, Reece once thought of her as his best friend.
“Quinn.” His piercings were gone, save for an eyebrow ring, and his hair was cut into a semblance of order. His half-sleeve tattoos were covered by shirtsleeves, and four years had added other changes. But the tone was close enough to the one he always used with her that Quinn almost staggered. His tone said like fuck girls can’t play football Reynolds, I’ll teach you, and if my brother ever hurts you, I’ll whip his ass, and a thousand other memories. They brushed against her like a breeze after a long, dry day. And she realized she’d been kidding herself thinking she didn’t miss having him in her life.
“Reece, I…” Nothing sounded right. She blinked in rapid succession, but she could still feel tears hovering in her eyes. His greeting wasn’t an absolution, and she knew she didn’t deserve one until she’d earned it. But it was a beginning. “Reece, I’m so happy to see you.” Her hands were shaking when she swiped at her eyes. “I know I haven’t acted like it, but I missed you.”
“Missed you too.” He finally smiled at her, and it was another start. “Now that you’re back, we’ll be catching up soon.”
Quinn nodded, and then winced at Lanie’s jab to her side. She glared at Lanie, who only lifted her chin. Quinn frowned at her before she faced the boys. The men. She gestured to Lanie, to focus her thoughts. “This is Delaney Shaw, my best friend.”
Lanie nodded at each of them in turn, and Quinn wasn’t sure what to make of how her gaze lingered on both Reece and Jonah. “It’s nice to meet the Walker boys finally.”
Ethan let out a snort. “Is that what Quinn calls us?” He traded an unreadable glance with Jonah.
Smirking, Lanie linked her arms through Quinn’s. “No, sugar, that’s what I call you, on account of the stories I’ve heard.” She nudged Quinn forward, and past the three frozen men.
