Please Welcome Genie Gabriel

CHARACTERS REVISITED (part 2): THE BODYGUARD

aka "Facing soul-deep fears to let the inner hero shine"

My social services background really got a workout with Mitch and Julia's story. Julia Cabot is a child psychiatrist who helps children heal from the horrors of abuse. Ironically, she finds herself in the same situation when her usually charming husband turns violent. Terrified for her life and the safety of her children, she runs--and ends up under the protection of Mitch Garrison. 

Mitch is no ordinary bodyguard. For years, he provided security for one of the most visible rock stars in the business. He also provided physical "persuasion" for his wife's work in saving women from domestic violence. Until something went fatally wrong and his wife died while trying to save a woman from an abusive husband. 

Why do I like Mitch? Well, his hair is long--hey, most guys had longish hair when I was a teenager. If it's clean and taken care of, I think it's very attractive. :) Mitch is also good-looking and sexy but doesn't use his physical appearance to exploit the women who would willingly throw themselves into his bed. 

He's actually more muscled than most of my heroes, his attitudes are pretty inflexible, and his smiles are mostly nonexistent. But this guy has such a solid sense of integrity that he's very appealing. Besides, he rescues an over-sized street dog and protects Julia's preschool twins without considering any other option. How can you not love a guy like that?

However, giving Mitch his happily-ever-after meant reopening his emotional wounds so they could heal. Seeing Julia on the run with a swollen purple bruise covering her cheek ripped open Mitch's emotional wounds. His first reaction is to get as far away from her as possible. But if he leaves, who will make sure her children are safe? He can't turn his back on the twins, guileless and delightful in spite of their recent trauma. 

So how does a bookish intellectual like Julia, who is trained to mediate rather than confront become a match for this definitely Alpha male? She changes. She morphs. She channels her mama protectiveness into becoming a heroine with physical kick-assitude. (To borrow a term from one of my fellow writers. :) 

Have you heard of mothers who can perform super-human feats to save their children? That's Julia. But her super-human ability comes from determination: to stick up for herself, to protect herself and her children, to learn karate, to become physically and mentally stronger. All fueled by the love for her children. When her children's lives are on the line, Julia has the developed the physical strength and internal courage to dangle on a rope over a bottomless abyss to rescue them. She has become strong enough to be a match for any man she chooses.

I love exploring characters who face soul-deep fears to let their inner heroes shine. Julia and Mitch both had to face that challenge. But their journey to a Christmas miracle isn't all angst and hardship. Along the way, they are accompanied by two adorable children who believe in angels and a mongrel dog devoted to them all. 

I'm delighted THE BODYGUARD is being re-issued on November 15, in time to enjoy this "feel-good Christmas story" for the holidays!

On November 27, you'll meet THE LEADER OF THE BAND.