Character Spotlight @ Relz Reviewz
Brief
physical description: Ray DeLuca
Ray is medium height ( the exact same height as Jem Watts. I wanted to make
them equals in every way). He has dark black hair, long lashes and black eyes
and always has ink on his fingers. His
ears stick out a little bit and his nose is not quite patrician, but close. He’s
several years older than Jem so he is just starting to show a bit of grey at
the temples.
Resembles: the DeLuca smile
is definitely actor Chris Messina’s.
When I was first plotting the book, I had watched a film called The Giant Mechanical Man and I thought:
there is a guy with an interesting smile ( it helped that he wears a bowler hat
in it) Not conventionally handsome, not
someone who would stop you in your tracks; but who has a really dazzling smile
when it’s full on. Ray doesn’t full on smile that often but when he does…. Jem falls off her chair
Strengths
and Weaknesses:
Strengths: Ray provides for his sister and his nephew
sacrificing a lot of his salary and his attempts at finding personal happiness
to take care of them. Ray is a remarkably
quick learner and picked up English fairly quickly when he arrived in Canada.
Like Jasper Forth, he has strong convictions and believes in Jem and Merinda as
equals deciding they can do anything they put their mind to. Ray has a heart for injustice and the
immigrant community and proves it by often undertaking long muckraking stints
in prisons and flophouses to excavate some of the dirt therein and publish it
publicly in the Hogtown Herald. Ray
is also a romantic and a dreamer. His
dream is to work for the Globe and Mail.
Weaknesses: Ray has a temper. He also writes terrible poetry ( but I think
it only sounds terrible in English--- in his native language, I am sure we
would all swoon).
Jemima is a major weakness for Ray ( but also his strength), their
relationship is a guiding force of the entire series.
Your
inspiration for the character: Like Watson and Mary
Morstan, I wanted Jem Watts to find a love interest. Initially, I thought to
create a police officer for her. But,
then I got this idea for a reporter. Someone who knows the ins and outs of the
city and who fights injustice through words.
The more I spent time fleshing out Ray (who am I kidding, the guy
started taking over the book), the more I recognized that he represents
everything I love about my city. He is
an emblem of its progress and change, its perseverance and the immigration and
multiculturalism that makes the city so unique.
Jasper
Forth
Brief
Physical Description: Jasper
is tall and broad-shouldered ( over 6 feet) he has dark brown hair and bright
blue eyes. He is handsome in a boy next door kind of way. He especially looks
dashing in his police uniform. Note: Jasper is from Maritime Canada so he has
a bit of an East Coast lilt to his voice.
Resembles…
(With most of the
characters I have a really specific idea of what they look like based on my
imagination; but with Jasper he is definitely British actor Andrew Buchan. When
I first thought of him, I thought this fellow has to have an open, honest face.
A face like Andrew Buchan’s.)
Strengths and weaknesses
Strength: Jasper is a loyal friend –especially to Merinda. He
believes in her completely no matter what society would say to her detriment as
a lady detective. He is good at his job and is forever getting promotions
before getting demoted thanks to helping Merinda out. Despite his stints back on the King Street
traffic beat, he will always find a way to help out. He is also an honest cop in a corrupt police
force: something that is explored more and more throughout the rest of the series. He will do anything to protect his friends
and find justice.
Weakness:
Jasper’s primary weakness is
Merinda. He has been in love with her since they were at university and he will
do anything to please her—even if it means getting in trouble. He is also a very nice fellow. While he is
very competent at his job, it can mean he is subject to teasing. Ray tells him
that there are different kinds of strengths but the strength Jasper has is one
of conscience and character and this is sometimes underappreciated by Chief
Henry Tipton
Your
inspiration for the character: I wanted Merinda
and Jem to have a connection with the police force and because Merinda is such
a strong personality I wanted to pit her against a man who is very much like
her friend Jem in so many ways. I love a man who is dedicated to one woman and
who has been saving his salary for years for a home and family. I also think Jasper represents the morals and
ethics of the story in the most traditional way. He will always follow the letter of the
law. Finally, I wanted a counterbalance
to Ray, and an opposite to Merinda.
Jasper brings out a softer spot in Merinda in several instances (stay
tuned) much as Jemima does.
GIVEAWAY: US CANADA ONLY
To enter:
- Post a comment here about what you love about what makes a strong hero; AND
- Pop over to Rel's blog, and leave a comment about Jem and Merinda and meet them there
A winner will be drawn on Sunday May 1st!
