Max – I used this photo of Matt LeBlanc because of the intensity and near-torment in his eyes. This picture seemed to scream defeat or weariness to me. But Max would never wear his hair this long let alone pose for something like this.

Sydney – Sydney has a lot of internal and external stamina. Her strength is part of what drew Max to her. She’s a sensible woman not prone to “stupidity,” as Max would say. She’s not hung up on make-up, fashion, or appearances. Maybe Keira Knightley, although I used a different picture/model when I wrote Syd.

Strengths and weaknesses

Max is the epitome of the warrior spirit. . .but he’s allowed things to fester and boil. Now, he’s angry most of the time and a vat of volatility, that is destroying what’s most important to him—his marriage. He’s a man’s man and if he calls you “friend,” believe that you’ll always be able to count on him. Just. . .don’t tick him off.

Sydney is quiet and reserved, but has a very thick stubborn side to her that does not allow her back down or give up easily. She’s thoroughly devoted to her husband, yet is shattered over the condition of their marriage. If it weren’t for her older, protective brother, she would never have filed for separation from her hero-husband.

As referenced above, this story came out of real-life heartache. When this young woman stood up in a Sunday School class and requested prayer for her marriage and her husband. He was suffering from PTSD after a particular incident in which a buddy sacrificed himself to save their team. It really woke me up—at the time, I’d been writing stories about soldiers/heroes and no really showing the trauma and toll it took on them. Sitting there, watching her life fall apart over the next several weeks, I was struck with a deep conviction that writing without showing the toll was a *grave* injustice to the heroes who put EVERYTHING on the line. I knew I could never write again the same way. Shortly thereafter, my mentor John Olson and I brainstormed a story. . .and out of those experiences came NIGHTSHADE. Thanks Ronie for a brilliant spotlight ~ can’t wait to introduce the rest of the Nightshade team to my readers

Relz Reviewz Extras

Review of Nightshade

Meet the Nightshade team ~ interview with Max

Visit the Discarded Heroes website

Visit Ronie’s website and blog

Buy Ronie’s books at Amazon or Christianbook

Enter for a chance to win a signed and personalised copy of Nightshade from Ronie