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Aleah Barley | Fierce Flavor: Non-Traditional Characters and Non-Traditional Settings
April 11, 2016
As an author and a reader I love the fierce flavor of non-traditional
characters and non-traditional settings. What really makes my day is finding a
book with both! Who wouldn’t want to be an archeologist like Indiana Jones or a
super spy like James Bond? What about a showgirl? A genius math professor? Or,
an ex-car thief? When I’m writing a book, I like writing non traditional
characters (male or female) who are ready to take on the world starting with
their careers. Even when I write a character with a job you’ve seen before like
a cop (as a romantic suspense author I’ve written more than a few law
enforcement characters) I like to write undercover agents or police officers
with dark pasts (and I’m always taking suggestions as to jobs people want to see!). In the case of the WILD
CARD, that means writing a former priest turned cop who’s still struggling
with the issues of his previous career and a showgirl who… heart of gold aside…
has no regrets about her chosen profession. Loud and flashy fit Gina Malloy to a
T while broody Finn is perfect as the conflicted detective. Separately their
characters are full of depth and tang. Together, they’re an explosive mix
(especially when you throw a quartet of bad guys into the mix). This is my third
book in the Leaving Las Vegas series and I think Gina and Finn really capture
the Las Vegas flavor I’ve been going for. Speaking of Las Vegas flavor, I just got back from a visit to Sin City where I
walked about a million miles a day. We tromped up to the Fremont Street
Experience (where I saw a giant metal Praying Mantis… it was awesome) and over
to the Pinball Hall of Fame. I love using settings to set the scene in books
(and now I have to write another Las Vegas book just for Fremont street) and to
me the opening scene of the
WILD CARD has just that kind of scene stealing setting with the click-clack
of heels on pavement and the sore feet of an older (but not old!) showgirl. That’s the flavor I’m trying to capture in my books and it’s what I’m always
looking for as a reader. What about you? Is there an unusual character or
setting that you’ll always remember? One you’d like to see? Answer in the comments!
Aleah Barley is a writer of high-octane, humorous, contemporary romance
novels. A resident of the Motor City she walks to Eastern Market every Saturday
and goes to Chicago more than she should. Her goals include world domination,
five star reviews, and owning her own castle (this is Detroit! Make it two
castles!) Barring that, she’d like some chocolate. Dark. With nuts.
He's no saint and she's all sinner Las Vegas showgirl Gina
Malloy isn’t looking for trouble when she walks in on a shady backroom deal, but
when the bullets start flying, she grabs the bag full of stolen loot and hits
the road out of town. Of course, she didn’t count on the bad guys tailing her,
or the sexy detective who comes to her rescue. Detective Gabriel Finn is
no one’s knight in shining armor. A former priest, he just wants to drag the
witness’s butt back to town. Instead, he gets a tough as nails woman who’s all
grit and heart. When a pair of thugs take a shot at her, he decides the best way
to keep her safe is to stay out of Las Vegas and launch his own
investigation. Take one long-legged showgirl, a former priest turned
detective, and a couple of mafia thugs. Mix carefully. The results should be
explosive.
Comments
1 comment posted.
Re: Aleah Barley | Fierce Flavor: Non-Traditional Characters and Non-Traditional Settings
My suggestion for lead characters: female zookeeper and male weather forecaster. Omaha's Henry Doorley Zoo would make for a great setting as well as Lauritzen Gardens.
(Joanne Hicks 11:27pm April 11, 2016)
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