Lifting heavy things – from a body to a heavy conscience - has always been one of my favorite characteristics in a male of the species and Giles St. Clair is all male. He started out in the “By Moonlight” world as one of Jimmy Legere’s obedient thugs but stepping up to support Max after Legere’s death elevated him to someone more . . . interesting. My inquiring mind wanted to know more about this massive Cajun (who is studying for his law degree when not out backing his boss’s play) who comes up with some of my best dialog i.e. this convo with Cee Cee from new release, RISE BY MOONLIGHT.
He’d been waiting at her desk when she’d finished with Atcliff, there to shuttle her from the responsibilities of her job to the obligations of her conscience, then to take her home, ready to provide anything she needed if asked. Until she did, he remained a quiet, unobtrusive bulwark, ready to support or carry heavy things . . . like her conscience.
Apparently, he believed that time was now.
“She’d want you to finish this.”
Denial stiffened her spine. “How do you know what she’d want?”
A small chuckle. “Because I’ve been around strong, righteous women all my life, and the last thing any of them would want is for a wrong thing to go unpunished. And what these creatures are doing is a very wrong thing. If anyone has a chance of stopping them, it’s you, Charlotte.”(. . . and the rest of the scene)“Max doesn’t agree.”He snorted at the tartness of her tone. “Yes, he does. He just can’t make himself say it yet. We’re big, dumb animals, Detective, who can take on the villains of the world with an attitude and a toothpick to protect those we love. He just wants you to know that. Sometimes strong, righteous women give us the idea that they don’t need us, that we’re in the way, or that we think they’re not every bit as smart and capable as we are. We know you are, Charlotte, but that doesn’t make us any less inclined to act the hero on your behalf. And I won’t mind a’tall if you happen to share that piece of news with a certain redhead I know.”Cee Cee turned away from the window to thump her palm against his broad chest. “You’re gonna make a damn fine attorney, Giles.”“Hopefully before I’m retirement age.”
Giles St. Clair needed his own book. BETRAYED BY SHADOWS became one of two e-only books in the “By Moonlight” series and definitely was the most fun to write. Pairing the big Cajun with Silas MacCreedy’s spoiled ice queen sister as they’re pursued into Giles’ beloved bayou by her enemies makes for some of the best scenes I’ve ever done, and his backstory reveal is a shocker. Here’s a taste of what readers can expect.
Giles continues to have a big role in the “By Moonlight” finale proving that a simple human can hold his own in an unnatural battle for the city of New Orleans and the survival of all their kind in RISE BY MOONLIGHT.
Sorry I missed every one last week but I escaped for a week of R&R. For more on that, check out my post at Paranomal Romantics.
The one thing I accomplished during my hiatus was deciding my next writing move after a Zoom meeting with a potential agent. More on that next week . . . in a new month with a new direction. Until then, Happy Weekend and Happy Writing fellow Warriors!!
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Giles continues to have a big role in the “By Moonlight” finale proving that a simple human can hold his own in an unnatural battle for the city of New Orleans and the survival of all their kind in RISE BY MOONLIGHT.
Sorry I missed every one last week but I escaped for a week of R&R. For more on that, check out my post at Paranomal Romantics.
The one thing I accomplished during my hiatus was deciding my next writing move after a Zoom meeting with a potential agent. More on that next week . . . in a new month with a new direction. Until then, Happy Weekend and Happy Writing fellow Warriors!!
Weekend Writing Warriors is a weekly hop for everyone who loves to write! Share an 8 to 10 sentence snippet of your writing on Sunday. Visit other participants on the list and read, critique, and comment on their 8sunday posts.
Spread the word, share the love, warriors - Hashtag #8sunday.
heavy things . . . like her conscience - love that line!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ian! Me, too!
DeleteEnjoyed the snippet...you have such a way with words!
ReplyDeleteI just write 'em down as I hear 'em!
DeleteOh, I like this guy. His story sounds awesome!
ReplyDeleteHe's one of those constant characters you love to have in a series because he's so much fun to write about.
DeleteHis advice is exactly what she needed to hear. Sounds like a smart man!
ReplyDeleteSwamp smarts as well as book smarts.
DeleteI enjoyed this exploration of why a smart, kick-ass woman still needs a man.
ReplyDeleteSometimes those tough girls are the most vulnerable.
DeleteI really like this guy. I'm a sucker for the guy who pulls himself up by his bootstraps. And Giles sounds so wise and down to earth. I can see why he needed his own book! Great snippet!
ReplyDeleteMe, too! One impulsive choice changed everything about the life he was going to lead.
DeleteOh my, the beautiful candor in this exchange. I love his words here!
ReplyDeleteI agree with you and Ian--the heavy things line is outstanding!
It's one of my favorite sayings and it really applies here.
DeleteI like Giles, and his last line shows a nice little sense of humor.
ReplyDeleteHis humor is one of my favorite things about him.
DeleteLoved this snippet. Great character building between the two.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jeff!!
DeleteReally enjoyed the snippet. Especially the last line.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Natalie!!
DeleteGreat snippet. I do love the way you have with words. Always pulls me right into the scene.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Karen!!
DeleteI agree, he'll make a good lawyer. Or a judge. He has a lot of insight.
ReplyDeleteToo late to get on this year's ballot?
DeleteI think this is a great illustration of how a story with both strong men and strong women can work well. He isn't insisting that she let him take over, just explaining that she's important to him.
ReplyDelete