Character Interview: Amber Daulton's Shea O'Bannon

Hey there, we have something fun today on the blog. I interviewed Shea O'Bannon, the heroine of her latest book, Trevor's Redemption. First, a bit about the book:

Blurb

 

The danger and lies are more than she can handle.

Shea O’Bannon feels like a fifth wheel around her romantically paired-off friends, but there’s too much slime in the dating pool for her to bother with it. Then she sees her two-timing ex, Trevor Madero, serenading the mostly female crowd at a live-music bar. God knows trouble follows him around, but her desire for him rushes back in anyway. After he rescues her from a handsy drunk, temptation takes over.

Determined to prove he never stepped out on Shea, Trevor slides back into her life—and her heart—with forever in mind. Even with the wall he keeps up to protect her, his secret criminal life weighs heavy on his soul and drives a wedge between them.

When the truth comes out and his enemies target them both, they’ll have to fight for their love, or kiss it goodbye.

Now for the interview.

What’s your name, where are you from, what’s your occupation, and what’s your personal status (single, divorced, widowed, children, etc)?

Hi, everyone. I’m Shea O’Bannon. I was born and raised in southern Colorado, but I moved to Denver for college and never left. I work as a computer graphics designer for KIKA TV news station, and though I enjoy my job, a few of my sexist coworkers and the hotshot news anchors drive my nerves through the roof. I’m single—err, well, I used to be. My life has changed so much since Trevor walked into it.

What’s your goal in life?

Um—let’s skip this question. No? All right then. Well, I gotta think. My job is steady, I have a great group of friends, and I’m happy. For the most part. I mean, I suppose I’m on the lookout for the same elusive happily ever after that my friends have found. It would be great to fall in love, have a few kids, and live the dream. Lately, I keep wondering if Trevor is my knight in shining white armor, my own Mr. Darcy? (Sorry, Mom’s a Jane Austen fan, so it rubbed off!) But I don’t need that. Really. I’m good living alone and not answering to anyone but myself.

What obstacle is preventing you from achieving your goal and why?

I have trust issues. There, I admitted it. Guys have lied to me and used me before, so it’s hard for me to trust Trevor when he tells me he’s crazy about me, that he’ll always respect me and treat me right. 

Then there’s Trevor’s ex. Alyson is a manipulative piece of work, and she’s doing her damnedest to tear me and Trevor apart. I’m smarter than she thinks I am, though, so her ploy isn’t going to work.

Besides her, Trevor is mixed up with some dangerous people. Criminal types. He’s trapped with no way out, but if he’s truly the one for me, I won’t let him go without a fight.

Who’s your best friend and how would they describe you?

Chanel is the best! She’s the sister I never had and always wanted. She would probably describe me as shy, friendly, overly polite and courteous, and just plain ole good. Ugh. I’m not too sure how I feel about that. I want to be cool, fun, and a total badass who faces life head-on, but if I’m being entirely honest with myself, I’m a low-key, simple girl at heart.

Tell me something about your past—a funny story, a quirky habit, or something you’re trying to overcome.

Overcome? Right, where do I start? My father was in and out of my life, so I never got to know him well, and my mother was often sick when I was little. I grew up fast and learned how to depend on myself. While I don’t mind taking the backseat and letting others be in charge, I always weigh every option and do what I think is best. Most people see me as a follower, one of the herd, but I’m really not. I need to learn how to trust better, especially when it comes to men, but it’s hard when your boyfriend is lying about something and your estranged father shows back up. My life is a mess.

What’s your favorite color, music, food?

Hmm…favorite color is pale blue, fav music is anything I can dance to, and red wine rules! Okay, so wine isn’t a food, but it’s still delicious.

Have you been lucky or unlucky in love and why?

Unlucky, definitely. For the longest time, I had a major crush on Chanel’s older brother. Then I learned the hard way that he was a creep. I wasted years pining over him, and I’ll never, ever, let a man have that much power over me again.

What’s your favorite thing about your love interest in this story? Or, what do you hate about them?

What I love most about Trevor is how hard he tries to do the right thing, but the one thing that really lights my fuse is that he’s keeping secrets. He says it’s to protect me, but I call bull on that. Relationships are all about give and take, and right now, I’m going to take the truth even if it kills me. And according to Trevor, it just might.

Now that you've met Shea, it's time for an excerpt:

“Ow.” Damn the rock concert pounding in her head. Shea smacked her lips, her tongue thick and throat drier than the desert, and dug through her medicine drawer in the kitchen. Finally! She grabbed the crinkly packet, popped some ibuprofen, and chased it with the cool, sweet wash of apple juice. A chill coursed through her as shame heated her cheeks. What had she been thinking, getting drunk and propositioning Trevor, then crying in front of him? Of all the nights for some crazy, horny lady to take over her mind and body. He must think her a fool. Or a louse.

After she corked the half-empty bottle, she dumped the merlot from hers and Trevor’s glasses into the sink and turned on the creaky faucet. Aargh. Water struck the basin like nails hitting a tin roof. She massaged her throbbing temples as her pride swirled down the drain alongside the wine and water. How many glasses had she indulged in—one, two? What if she ran into him again? Could she act as though nothing happened?

She grabbed her phone from her purse and scrolled through her contacts. Even though she’d dumped Trevor, she kept his name and number. Might as well stamp loser on her forehead. No matter how she played it, she’d morphed into a bitch last night, and he still carried her to bed. She leaned against the counter and tapped the screen, her stomach twisting.

“Hello?”

Trevor’s deep timbre washed over her like the finest caress. She coughed to find her voice. “Hi. It’s Shea O’Bannon.”

Silence stretched through the line. He grunted as though clearing his throat. “Hey. I didn’t expect to hear from you. You doing all right?”

“Other than a hangover and being humiliated? Sure, I’m peachy.” She forced a laugh and pinched the bridge between her eyes. “I’m sorry for how I acted, and thank you for not taking me up on my offer. Had we slept together, I’d be even more embarrassed.”

“It’s okay. I’m no worse for the wear. We’ve all had bad days.”

She tightened her grip on the phone. Was he letting her off the hook?

“I gotta go. I’m at a worksite, and this doorway isn’t gonna frame itself.” He chuckled a little. “Want to meet for lunch? I always work half-days on Saturday, so I’m getting off at noonish.”

She bit her lip as the digital clock on the stove flicked to 11:33. Was lunch a good idea? “Okay. Where?” The words split her lips before she could stop them.

“How about Dayo’s Cantina in Westwood? It’s close to my apartment.”

“Fine with me. I’ll grab directions from the Internet.”

“Great. Let’s say one o’clock. I should go home and clean up first.”

“I’ll see you then. Bye.” She jabbed the screen, ending the call before she could stick her foot in her mouth. Her stomach gurgled in sudden hunger as her nausea faded. She rubbed her face, wiping off what had to be the stupidest smile ever, but her lips quirked up again.

What had she gotten herself into—a date? 

 

Interested? Here's where to find it:

Add to Goodreads – https://bit.ly/TrevorsRedemptionGoodreads

Check it out on BookBub – https://bit.ly/TrevorsRedemptionBookBub

 

PreOrder Today

 

Only 99 cents for a limited time!

 

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Kobo - https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/trevor-s-redemption

Google Play - https://play.google.com/store/books/details?id=AjbCEAAAQBAJ

 

About the Author

 

Amber Daulton is the author of the romantic-suspense series Arresting Onyx and several standalone novellas. Her books are published through Daulton Publishing, The Wild Rose Press, and Books to Go Now, and are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats. 

She lives in North Carolina with her husband and demanding cats. 

 

Social Media Link

 

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