posted on April 30, 2014 by Naima Simone

Five Characters I Wish I Could Have Coffee With

Naima SimoneBy the time I finish a book I’m so familiar with the characters—especially the hero and heroine—that I can speak in their voices, tell you what decisions they would make in any given situation, name their pet peeves, and relay what they’d want for dinner on any given night. Yeah, I know a lot about them. But there are other characters I’ve read and enjoyed over the years that I would love to meet. To just sit down with, have some coffee, and talk. Who are they? Glad you asked!

1. Niall Roberston / Black Niall / Niall of Scotland – If you ever meet me, within five minutes you would discover several things about me: 7 creams, 9 sugars in my medium McDonald’s coffee, Vin Diesel is my DL lover, my father’s a pastor, and I read Son of the Morning by Linda Howard every year. It’s one of my favorite books of all time. And Niall Robertson is the sexy, strong, Highland warrior hero. He’s complicated—he has the arm and brute strength of a bezerker, but the brilliant and strategic mind of Alexander the Great. He’s lusty but was once a soldier in a celibate order. He’s chief of a clan of outcasts, but is alone. He’s one of the most logical men that ever existed but not only believes in a higher power, he wields it. Since I respect the heroine—and his wife, Grace—too much to jump his bones, I’d love to pick his mind over coffee…or mead…or whatever.

2. Edmund Pevensie –  The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe is one of the first chapter books I read, and it is my favorite book in the world. C.S. Lewis opened up the eyes of the ten year-old girl I was with his story of Narnia, redemption, forgiveness, and restoration. Shooot, you couldn’t tell me there wasn’t an enchanted world with talking animals at the back of my grandmother’s closet! There are plenty of characters in the book I would love to shoot the breeze with—Aslan, Peter, Lucy—but my choice would be Edmund. Edmund, who betrayed his family for Turkish Delight and almost paid the ultimate price if Aslan the Lion hadn’t sacrificed himself instead. I’d want to ask him about his talk with Aslan after he was saved from the White Witch. What did Aslan say to him when the Lion absolved him of his sin? Whatever Aslan said was life changing for this boy who would one day become known as King Edmund the Just.

3. Elena Deveraux – The only human ever “Made”. In Nalini Singh’s Guild Hunter series, Elena is a guild hunter—a human born with the ability to scent and sense vampires—and in the entire existence of angels, humans, and vampires, the only being ever known to be changed into an angel. The power of love and an archangel’s tears transformed her and, literally, gave her the ability to fly. I would love to sit down with Elena and find out how it is to love an archangel…and be loved by him. Physically, she’s weaker than most adult angels—so how does she manage not to be overpowered and cowed into submissiveness by this powerful being—one of the ten most powerful of their kind? Because, newly born, female, learning to fly…she does it. She holds her own with her archangel, and that’s a woman I have to get some advice from!

4. Saul of Tarsus / The Apostle Paul – I know, I know. Technically not a character since he’s in the Bible. And, why didn’t I choose Jesus? Weeell, see since He and I have this whole You’re-my-Savior thing going on, we talk all the time. So I would love to sit down with Paul and a cup of Joe—or whatever they drank way back then. He went from a notorious persecutor of the Jews to one of the most devout and righteous Christians and champion of the faith. Did he face criticism? Did he ever feel like he had to prove himself to people, including the Christians he ministered to? How did he handle the naysayers? Did he ever just want to say, God, I’m through. Take your people because I’m out. In the middle of the night, did he ever doubt his purpose? Was he ever scared? I would love to just pick his brain, knowing that when I rose from that table I would be changed by that conversation.

5. Vishous – I love J. R. Ward’s the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And I am hard pressed to select my favorite brother. As a matter of fact, I can’t! I love them all! But Vishous—son of the Scribe Virgin and the Bloodletter—is the one I wouldn’t mind having a one-on-one with…I meant that in the most platonic way possible. Sit down at his computer console with a big cup of coffee and maybe one of those Turkish hand rolls he smokes. As the son of the vampire race’s diety and one of the most lauded—and ruthless—warriors, did he feel pressure to be extraordinary? Did he ever wish he was just another vampire instead of a warrior with greatness weighing heavily on his wide shoulders? Does he consider fear a weakness? If he wasn’t a brother, what—or who—would he want to be? What would he want to do? He’s a complicated vampire with dual needs and loves in his life. If I didn’t crap my pants first, I would love to talk with him for hours on end.

So that’s my list. Who tops yours? What character would you like to cop a squat and convo with? I’m giving away a copy of Secrets and Sins: Malachim, Book 2 in my Secrets and Sins series from Entangled Publishing to a lucky commentor! Book 3, Secrets and Sins: Raphael is available now from Entangled Publishing!

Thank you, Writerspace, for allowing me to guest blog with you today!

Raphael Cover

Secrets and Sins:  Raphael

When Greer Addison finds her future husband in bed with another woman, she runs…right into the arms of dark and dangerous Raphael Marcel. Angry and hurt, she throws caution to the wind and spends a hot night with the sexy security specialist. But when her fiancé is found dead, Greer becomes the main suspect of a crime she can’t remember.

Raphael is stunned and suspicious when Greer shows up on his doorstep claiming she’s carrying his baby. Worse, she’s the target of a stalker bent on making her pay for a murder she doesn’t recall. As Raphael begins to trust Greer, they must race against the clock to uncover a killer. Because Greer’s memory is returning…

Naima Simone

Naima Simone’s love of romance was first stirred by Johanna Lindsey and Linda Howard many years ago. Though her first attempt at writing a romance novel at age 11 never saw the light of day, her love of romance and writing has endured. Now, she spends her time creating stories of unique men and women who experience the dizzying heights of passion and the tender heat of love. She is wife to Superman—or his non-Kryptonian, less bullet proof equivalent—and mother to the most awesome kids ever. They all live in perfect, domestically-challenged bliss in the southern United States.

33 thoughts on “Five Characters I Wish I Could Have Coffee With”

  1. Donna _A says:

    Elena and Vishous great choices. Hmmm I’d go with Rule Turner from Eileen Wilks World of the Lupi series, Mercy Thompson from the series by Patricia Briggs, Jeremy Danvers from Kelley Armstrong’s Otherworld series, Jericho Barrons from KMM’s Fever series and Vanyel from Mercedes Lackey’s Valdemar series

    1. Hi, Donna!
      I’m very familiar with a couple of your choices–Jeremy Danvers, Jericho Barrons–but not with the others. Jericho… *fanning myself* Oh my yes! I would be both terrified and fascinated! Your other choices sound pretty cool. Definitely some series I have to check out! I don’t know if I should thank or shake my fist at your for attending potential reads to my ever-growing TBR pile. LOL!
      Thank you so much for stopping by and adding to the convo! Great choices!

  2. Stephanie Baassler says:

    What a fun question! And a tough one too, to pick only five. First, I’d pick a Brother too. And though Rehevenge is my male, I think I’d want to sit down with Wrath. Second, and this is tough because there are so many from the series who would be interesting, but I think I’d sit with Hermione Granger. Hmmm, third. Karou from the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy. Then fourth, Owen Winters from Laura Kaye’s Hearts of the Anemoi series. And finally, Meg Murry from A Wrinkle In Time by Madeleine L’Engle.

    1. Stephanie, you took me back with a Wrinkle in Time! I LOVED that book when I was little. Great choice! Ooh, Hermione’s a good one. Top question on my list? Seriously? Viktor Krum? Ron? FOR REAL?? LOL! I’ve never read the Daughter of Smoke and Bone trilogy, but another set of books for me to check out. And I definitely considered Wrath. He is so intense and I would love to ask him about the heaviness of being king of a dwindling but powerful race. And Owen? First can I say, OMG YES!! I love Laura Kaye’s Anemoi series and I fell in love with Owen right away. A hot, sexy Frosty the Snowman! Awesome choices, Stephanie! And thank you so much for coming by!!

      1. Stephanie Baassler says:

        Here’s the blurb for Daughter of Smoke and Bone:

        Around the world, black handprints are appearing on doorways, scorched there by winged strangers who have crept through a slit in the sky.

        In a dark and dusty shop, a devil’s supply of human teeth grown dangerously low.

        And in the tangled lanes of Prague, a young art student is about to be caught up in a brutal otherwordly war.

        Meet Karou. She fills her sketchbooks with monsters that may or may not be real; she’s prone to disappearing on mysterious “errands”; she speaks many languages–not all of them human; and her bright blue hair actually grows out of her head that color. Who is she? That is the question that haunts her, and she’s about to find out.

        When one of the strangers–beautiful, haunted Akiva–fixes his fire-colored eyes on her in an alley in Marrakesh, the result is blood and starlight, secrets unveiled, and a star-crossed love whose roots drink deep of a violent past. But will Karou live to regret learning the truth about herself?

        I adore her writing style and every time I read her, I think “I want to write like that”.

        And holy cow, cracking up at your comments about Hermione, but so, so true!

        1. That. Sounds. Frea-kin. A-ma-zing! I’ve never heard of this book. I’m looking it up on my Kindllllle….now. And–damn it–hitting 1-click noooooow. And there’s 3 of them? Oooh the good part is they’re all already out so I won’t have to wait for the next installment to be released. Thank you, Stephanie!! Look for me on 48 Hours Hard Evidence when my husband kills me for buying so many books, but thank you!! LOL!

          1. Stephanie Baassler says:

            Sorry I’ll be sending you to jail for books. 😛 But seriously, I freaking love this series. Glad you’re gonna check it out. Everyone I know who’s read it absolutely loves it. Definite bonus that it’s done. I got the first right when it came out, then had to wait. Got 2nd for a gift and decided to wait until closer to the 3rd to read it. So I just reread one, then read two right before three came out. So worth it. Enjoy!

  3. Okay, I’m there with you 100% on the Paul/Saul meet and greet, Vishous… hell-ya! But Edmund???? I appreciate how his character matured and became less selfish after his encounter with the snow queen but I still don’t like him. 🙁 Guess that’s one I’ll have to put in my pot and stir for awhile. 😀

    1. Hi, Carly! *waving*
      LOL!! A couple of years ago my father read the entire set of books in the Chronicles of Narnia series. We actually discussed Edmund’s character at length…and I do mean at length. And he made a very valid point. Edmund is the one that’s most like us as a whole. Peter, brave and sometimes impetuous, Susan, at the cusp of womanhood and learning who she was, and Lucy, innocent and pure. All wonderful qualities, and some of those qualities tend to lead to to trouble. But Edmund was flawed, imperfect, stubborn, selfish and petulant. He was also scared, uncertain of his place in the world, and confused. And he was the one most in need of Aslan’s light, presence and forgiveness. And as we see not only in the rest of TLTWTW, but the other books, the one most changed. I’m not trying to drag you over to Team Edmund, but that’s why he was the one I chose. He reflects the “me” I was before God came into my life, and the potential of the “me” I hope to become. Because by no means am I there yet! Did I just get preachy deep or WHAT?? LOL!

      Thank yoouu for coming by, Carly, and adding to this convo! Awesome!!

  4. P.S. If ya’ll haven’t read Raphael yet, I did and OMG you gotta go check it out… right now… what are you still doing here… go get it! 😉

    1. You know I love you, right?? ROFL!! Thank you for that plug, girl! I didn’t even have to pay her, y’all! LOL!

  5. Ok, this is really hard – named 16 characters straight off the top of my head! With tears in my eyes I have narrowed it down to 6 (one uninvited guest always shows up). Here goes –
    Lindsey Vanessen (Wolf in Gucci Loafers) – Tara Lain
    Nicky Anderson (The Alpha’s Pet) – Shannon West
    Ruger Barrett (Reapers Legacy) – Joanna Wylde
    Mateo Espisito (A Marked Man, Assassin/Shifter) – Sandrine Gasq Dion
    Nikolai (Last Hit) – Jessica Clare
    Nicolai Abioud (Dark Judgement) – can’t remember author (lol)

    Vishous was on my list and also Raphael but not Elana! She was good, but not good enough.

    1. The uninvited guest is always why I have an extra piece of chicken in the freezer. 🙂 LOLOL!!

      Such a cool list, Lorraine! I’m just sayin’, by the time this day is over with I’m going to have to build on another room or buy another Kindle for this TBR pile of books. Daaang! Wolf in Gucci Loafers? Needs to be bought just because of the title. I haven’t read your picks except for that last one–it’s familiar but I juuuust can’t recall where I’ve heard that name…Oh well. It’ll come to me. ROFL!! I’ve seen Reapers Legacy all over the Kindle bookstore, and the blurb sounds awesome. I seem to really be missing out!

      Thank you sooo much for coming over and visiting me, Lorraine! *hip and knuckle bump*

  6. Shirley Williamson says:

    Great Interview!
    I would say:
    1and 2 would be Arran McClain and Guerrin Lombardi both from The Enclave series by Jessica Lee
    3 and 4 would be Vishous and Zsadist fromBDB
    5 would be Clayton Danvers from Kelly Armstrongs Otherworld series

    1. Not a bad choice Shirley, But I prefer my options.

      1. LOL! Lorraine, I love you!

    2. Hi, Shirley!
      Oh yeeeesssss!! Arran and Guerrin! Such sexy ALPHA men! Arran I would ask did he cry when he found out Markus had betrayed the Enclave? And Guerrin I would ask…does the rest of the Enclave know about your, um, tastes? And are you okay with them knowing? I’m just curious. LOL! What amazing books though! And by an equally amazing author! 🙂 Zadist. Absolutely. I’d want to know if he still suffers from nightmares sometimes? Does he consider himself a survivor? Can he promise not to hurt me for asking these really personal questions. LOL! And I haven’t read the Otherworld series! I was going to get Kelly Armstrong’s audio book but didn’t. Now I’m kinda seeing maybe I should’ve! Another on the list! *shaking fist* Y’all are going to be the death of me! Or rather my husband will be the death of me once he sees the damage I wreak with 1-click…but it’s going to be your fault! LOL!!

      Thank you, Shirley, for coming over, visiting and adding your list! Such fabu choices!! 🙂

  7. Heather Fortman says:

    Great interview and that is a TOUGH question! Umm Simi from 1. Dark Hunters cuz she’s always got me giggling. 2… Chrys from South of Surrender cuz the man turns into Pegasus! 3: Bunny from Bear necessities 4. Hawk from the Maverick Montana series. and 5. Archeron form Darkhunters

    1. Suuuch a great list, Heather!

      Simi I would be afraid would snatch out a bottle of bbq and get to snacking before I even asked her whether she preferred cream and sugar. Snicker! Chys…OKAY??? I mean seriously. And the first question would be, after this first cup can we like, go for a ride? In the air, I mean… *lascivious cackle* I’ve never read Bear Necessities.At least I thought I hadn’t. I was thinking of another book, so I googled it real quick, and yoooo! If Bunny is the guy on the cover–for obvious reasons I’d want to sit across from him! LOL! How cute is it that the guy’s nickname is Bunny? I haven’t read the Maverick Montana series either. Sigh. See previous comments about how y’all are putting my marriage in danger. Hee-hee! And Acheron? Definitely! Oh my, yes! And does he really need an explanation of why? The man saw Atlantis. Lived there. “Nuff said. 🙂

      Heather, thank you for stopping in and having fun with me! I’m so glad you did!

      1. Heather Fortman says:

        HAHA Yes but I have plenty of BBQ sauce stocked JUST for her and a few she can *ahem* test it on! no more hearing “no simi you can’t eat them!” .. and yes I hate heights but man I’d be soooooo willing to take a ride *EWG* with Chrys!! As for Bunny, yeah it’s him on the cover and *fans herself* him OR his brother/cousins! Hell ANYONE from Halle! And you seriously need to read about the Maverick boys and gals thought they’re more contemporary! It was a toss up between Archeron and Salvitore.. *sighs* Archeron just slightly beat him out though!

        1. Can I throw a few more up on that BBQ rack for her? LOL!! I would be like, “Get ’em, Simi!” Frankly, you had me when I saw the cover and found out he was Bunny. 🙂 I’m going to give it a read! And I love contemporary, so yes! New books! New books! *running through the stacks naked and giddy* Oooh Salvitore. Or Zarek. But yeah, Acheron edges them out. But damn, so close, so close… Hee-hee!

          1. Heather Fortman says:

            I’d suggest reading the entire series as they’ll make you giggle, snort, and even laugh! Dana Marie Belle is one you don’t drink and read at the same time! Yesss Zarek and his claws! I have similar (well ok they’re just finger tip ones but still!)

  8. I would love to sit down and talk to almost everyone from the Anita Blake series by Laurell K Hamilton. Starting with Anita herself, Micah and Nathanial. If we can fit Jon Claude in there too, I would love that.

    Also Elena & Cliff from the OtherWorld series by Kelley Armstrong. That whole series of characters would be it fun to talk to.

    There are more, but it would take more time than I have at the moment to think of them all. LOL

    1. I see that Laurell K. Hamilton and Kelley Armstrong features well in all lists when people ask about favourite authors/characters but neither have ever appealed to me, I might go back and check them out again. Any real good suggestions to start with?

      1. I’ve read Laurell K. Hamilton, and enjoyed the Anita Blake series. But like you I haven’t read Kelley Armstrong, so yes, throw out suggestions to start with!

      2. Try the Merry Gentry series
        She is the only Fairy Princess born on American soil.

        The Anita Blake pick up when it gets farther into the series.
        Laurell K Hamilton herself said her writing changed a lot once her and her first husband split and divorced. And it does show in her writing.

    2. Hi, Dianna!
      Ab-so-lute-ly!! And heeeck yeah, we can fit Jon Claude up in there! Refer to Lorraine’s comment about having room for the uninvited guest. LOL! Wonderful choice! That conversation would call for several pots of coffee AND cake! LOL! See? OtherWorld hits the list again? I’m definitely missing out here. What do y’all know that I don’t?? LOL!

      Thank you so much for visiting and joining in the convo, Dianna! Yay! Loved your picks!

      1. The OtherWorld has a lot of very strong females in it…along with those hotter than life men.

    3. The Dark Hunters are most definately on the list too….(my list would be a mile long)
      Also the Carpathians by Christine Feehan
      And cannot forget the Atlantians from Anya Bast’s series

  9. I really must read Nalini Singh’s series! It’s at the top of my TBR list.
    And I agree with you, Naima, you know I’m a convert to the Son of the Morning fan club. That was such an awesome read!
    You know I LUV you Shirley!! 🙂 hehe
    1. Acheron!!
    2. Butch and V together. That would be so much fun!
    3. Barrons from Fever
    4. Ryoden from Iced
    5. Dageus from the Dark Highland. 😉

    Great post, Naima! If you haven’t started the Secret and Sins series, you guys, you don’t know what you’re missing! <3

    1. Stephanie Baassler says:

      Butch and V together would be AWESOME! World might not ever be the same, but hey. 😛

      1. I know coffee wouldn’t be…neither would I… Yes, that was my Thriller laugh… BUHAHAHAHAHAAH!!!

    2. LOL!! Jessica, you heard me talk about it so much and for so long I think you finally gave in and read it to shut me up! But ohhhh. Love Niall. And Grace. I asked Nina (my sister, for those of you who don’t know 🙂 ) this same question, and Grace was at the top of her list.

      Acheron, most definitely! I’m so not surprised you would want Butch and V together…Snicker! But, man, would you be able to get a word in edgewise? Still, I wouldn’t mind sitting there, sipping coffee while the two of them talked? Especially Butch’s Boston accent. Sigh. But I’d probably choke on the coffee from laughing so much! LOL! Dageus—HOT &%$#@! YES!! First, Scottish accent. Then, the man traveled through time. Can we say plenty of conversation topics right there? Aaand he has like 13 demons in him. Hullo? Never boring. And that accent. DId I mention the accent? Hee-hee! Thanks to you I know about Jericho, but I haven’t read Iced yet. I’m going to get there! LOL!

      Thank yooouuu, Jessica, for stopping in and commenting! You will always be my sista from anotha Mista! LOL!!

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