Character Interview: Gavin Shaughnessy – Hero in A Magic Redemption
Where are you from?
Ireland
Ireland
Did you have a happy childhood?
Aye. Sure did. ‘Twas three of us kids,
Hannah, Brandy and me. Ma and Da owned and operated Shaughnessy’s Pub in Ballycotton, County of Cork, Ireland. We helped out in the pub from the time we were teens it provided spending money and looking back now, taught us responsibility. My two sisters were like oil and water, eventually, Ma and Da built a larger house, so each had their own bedroom on opposite sides of the house. Now, they are thick as thieves and I own the old family home.
Aye. Sure did. ‘Twas three of us kids,
Where do you live now and what do you do for a living?
I still live in Ballycotton (Baile Choitin). I purchased my family home from my Da and Ma after they build a new one. I am the publican (manger) at Shaughnessy’s Pub
Is there something you'd rather be doing?
Nope! Love the job, the customers and my family.
Nope! Love the job, the customers and my family.
What's going on in your life right now?
Ah...well…It’s kind of a mess. I knew Synn was the one for me the minute I laid eyes on her even though we met because her mission was to terminate my sister Brandy and her boyfriend. The mission failed, Synn was severely punished. She escaped (She’d been kidnapped as a child for her magic abilities and her family slaughtered. Her captors forced her to become a warrior assassin. They controlled her every movement and thought.) Then she sought refuge from Bruce the Demon Overlord of the Western Hemisphere in return for valuable information she had. He provided protection and gave her freedom in exchange.
With her new found freedom, she has to discover who she is, make a life for herself before she can re-commit to a relationship—our relationship. That situation is complicated because she believes that her former captor, Baltizar, is still seeking revenge with the help of his minions in the mortal world. You see, he was punished for his part in trying to destroy mankind (A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance) and exiled to the seventh level of Hell, where supposedly he couldn’t escape. But… as it turns out apparently where there is a will there’s a way.
Ah...well…It’s kind of a mess. I knew Synn was the one for me the minute I laid eyes on her even though we met because her mission was to terminate my sister Brandy and her boyfriend. The mission failed, Synn was severely punished. She escaped (She’d been kidnapped as a child for her magic abilities and her family slaughtered. Her captors forced her to become a warrior assassin. They controlled her every movement and thought.) Then she sought refuge from Bruce the Demon Overlord of the Western Hemisphere in return for valuable information she had. He provided protection and gave her freedom in exchange.
With her new found freedom, she has to discover who she is, make a life for herself before she can re-commit to a relationship—our relationship. That situation is complicated because she believes that her former captor, Baltizar, is still seeking revenge with the help of his minions in the mortal world. You see, he was punished for his part in trying to destroy mankind (A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance) and exiled to the seventh level of Hell, where supposedly he couldn’t escape. But… as it turns out apparently where there is a will there’s a way.
Our family is also helping with my sister, Brandy’s wedding plans. She’s marrying a vampire, you know. Again, the situation with Baltizar is creating havoc. Can’t celebrate a happy occasion like that with the possibility of annihilation hanging over your head.
Is there someone special in your life?
Yes. Synn. She is the love of my life, but extenuating circumstances have caused us to take a break. She needs to find herself, and place in the world after some pretty terrifying events in her life.
How did you meet? At my family’s pub. She was with the Overlord and his wife and a few other magical creatures. My sister Brandy was very displeased.
What's his/her family like?
Her family was murdered when she kidnapped as a child.
What's keeping you two apart?
A number of things. But first and foremost like I told you earlier her fear of retaliation by her former captor.
What one thing could you do that would make you feel like the relationship will work out?
Destroy Baltizar once and for all. He should have been terminated rather than being exiled. Big Mistake. Though you didn’t hear that from me. Not sure Bruce would appreciate my saying that out loud, though he most likely would agree after the recent events.
Thank you so much Gavin, that was a fascinating insight!
Thank you so much Gavin, that was a fascinating insight!
Tena, just a couple questions for you. Tell us a little about writing this story. Was it fun or difficult?
Fun! Synn was much more of a spit-fire than I imagined. Not having given her or Gavin much thought until my editor, Lill, asked me what happened to them at the end of A Vampire’s Unlikely Alliance. It gave me pause, until Synn danced through my mind, tapping her tiny foot and demanding that I write her story. Now! Gavin took flight right behind her in support of her demands. What choice did I have? A Magic Redemption was born. I hope the readers have as much fun reading her story as I did writing it.
Do your characters always act as you expect?
Never.
LOL, mine don't either, but that's what makes writing so much fun, isn't it!
Are you a plotter, or fly (write) by the seat of your pants?
Are you a plotter, or fly (write) by the seat of your pants?
Oh I very much write by the seat of my pants.
As do I, so we have that in common as well, Tena.
Thanks for sharing a bit of yourself with us Tena - now let's find out a bit more about A Magic Redemption.
As do I, so we have that in common as well, Tena.
Thanks for sharing a bit of yourself with us Tena - now let's find out a bit more about A Magic Redemption.
A little about A Magic Redemption (5th in A Demon’s Witch Series):
Synn, a demon, carries extraordinary magic and power, but there is more within her than she dreams. Kidnapped as a child, her captors murdered her family and forced her into training as a warrior assassin. When an assignment goes horribly wrong, she finds herself at the mercy of the friends and family of her intended target. Offering valuable information in exchange for protection, she gains her freedom, but it is not without its challenges.
Gavin Shaughnessy is the publican at his family’s Irish pub. He is certain Synn is meant to be his and isn’t bothered by her past. He must find a way to convince her, their future together is stronger than the dark memories that haunt her dreams.
When her past comes calling for revenge, will their love survive the raging inferno she brings down upon them? Or will the searing path of destruction destroy all they hold dear?
A sneak peek between the pages of A Magic Redemption.
He showered, pulled on sweats, and stretched out on his empty king-sized bed. After his long flight, a peaceful sleep came quickly until Synn’s nightmare invaded his dream world. Gut wrenching terror tore through him until he was able to disengage himself from the nightmare. There’d be no phone call this time. For a moment he considered shifting, but he might need a vehicle after arriving at her home. He yanked off his sweats and pulled on jeans, a sweater, donned a coat, and grabbed his keys.
He found her sitting cross-legged on the bedroom floor. Storm curled in her lap. The usually active pup was lying still just peering up at her. When Gavin approached, Storm moved one ear forward and turned her head to look at him.
He found her sitting cross-legged on the bedroom floor. Storm curled in her lap. The usually active pup was lying still just peering up at her. When Gavin approached, Storm moved one ear forward and turned her head to look at him.
“It’ll be okay, girl.” He knelt in front of Synn, brushed the hair away from her face. A vacant stare met his gaze into her eyes like she was in a trance. This couldn’t be good.
He’d seen her nightmare. Something was trying to control her. He wouldn’t let it happen. Releasing a breath, he took hold of her shoulders. She’d been like this once before. When she came out of it anyone within arm’s reach could be in danger. Though her magic was tempered these days, it wouldn’t be for long… Changing strategy, he repositioned himself behind her, caught her up in a bear hug, and pushed the pup out of her lap. Storm yelped and went grudgingly but refused to leave her side.
“Synn, it’s me Gavin; you’re safe.” He gave her a little shake. Arms and legs began flailing. She let out a blood curdling scream and kept screaming until he thought the neighbors a few miles away would hear and call the police. He held her tightly, sat down on the floor, and pulled her into his lap. “Synn. Synn. You’re all right. We’re at the cottage.” The screams turned to sobs. She leaned her head back and blinked.
Panic seized her. “Gavin, you’ve got to get out of here. He’s coming for me and will kill everyone associated with me, including Storm.” She reached for the pup cuddling her close to her chest. “I’m so sorry. I knew this would never work. I don’t deserve a normal life.”
“That’s enough. It was a nightmare. That’s all.”
She turned her large aqua eyes on him and raised an eyebrow. “Really?”
Book trailer for A Demon’s Witch Series
A Magic Redemption released December 5th. Available from Amazon, Amazon UK, Amazon AU, Amazon CA, itunes, The Wild Rose Press, Barnes and Nobel Wal-mart.com
With the Rocky Mountains outside her window, she sits at her computer surrounded by a wide array of witches, shapeshifters, demons, faeries, and gryphons, with a Navy SEAL or two mixed in telling their tales. Her books tell stories of magical kick-ass women and mystical alpha males that dare to love them. Travel, adventure and a bit of mystery flourish in her books along with a few companion animals to round out the tales.
Colorado is home; shared with her husband of many moons, a brilliant Chow Chow, a spoiled parrot and a forty-five-year-old box turtle. When she’s not writing, her time is spent kayaking, camping, hiking, biking or just relaxing in the great Colorado outdoors. During the winter you can find her curled up in front of a crackling fire with a good book, a mug of hot chocolate and a big bowl of popcorn.
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