Writing Wednesday: An interview with Lacey Reed from A MODEL ENGAGEMENT

Today I'm thrilled to have Charlotte O'Shay as my guest, along with one of her characters from her latest novel, A MODEL ENGAGEMENT.

About the Book:

Lacey Reed jumps at the chance for independence with a career in the big city. But her naivety and ambition blind her to the lure of a blackmailer. With her savings gone, she has nowhere to turn when she literally runs into financier Connor Devlin.

Though dazzled by Lacey, Connor sees the desperation she tries to hide. His gut tells him to help, and he hires her as his fake fiancée. Now Lacey has a job, and Connor has put a bandage on a family crisis.

When the blackmailer ups the ante, Lacey resolves to face him down—no matter what the consequences. Does that mean Lacey will lose the only man who’s ever seen who she truly is?

 ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

{Lacey Reed knocks, then opens the door to Katie O’Sullivan’s office. Steps in, shakes Katie’s hand.}

LACEY: “So happy to meet you, Katie.”

Katie O’Sullivan: “Lacey. Glad you could be here. Oh and you’ve got someone with you?”

LACEY: {Nods}. “Connor Devlin, Katie O’Sullivan. Connor’s my fiancée. He isn’t staying but I wanted to introduce him to you. He’s meeting a rep from an environmental group connected with the Cape Cod National Seashore.”

CONNOR: {shakes KOS hand, nods}

“When Lacey decided to accept this interview, we figured we’d mix business and pleasure and make a long weekend of it. I love the Cape. I wanted to show her around…

LACEY: {interrupts} And I’ve never been, which is strange considering I’ve traveled to so many places.”

CONNOR: “Anyway I’ll get going.” {reaches in to cup Lacey’s jaw and they kiss long enough for pink to darken Lacey’s cheeks. Then he walks back to the door.}

KOS: “You’re welcome to stay Connor…”

CONNOR: “No thanks, I have that meeting and Lacey wants to do this interview alone. See you later, babe.”

LACEY: {watches him leave then turns back to grin at KOS}

“He had to go anyway. Your office is beautiful but I don’t think he would fit into any of these chairs. {Nods at the slipper chair with the seafoam colored upholstery.}

KOS: “He is a big guy…”

LACEY  {nods, sits down in the slipper chair, folds her hands in her lap}

KOS: I’m happy you agreed to the interview. Since the story broke, I know a lot of people have been trying to get you to talk with them about the… incident with…”

LACEY: “With Barry, yes.” {straightens up in chair} No I haven’t wanted to discuss it. I mean, it’s painful. {Looks KOS in the eye} Who wants to talk about sexual assault, much less blackmail? Most days I want to forget it happened. But it did. I actually can’t talk specifics even if I wanted to because the case is still pending. But if I can help someone else by speaking out, by admitting what happened, I want to do that.”

KOS: “So what are you able to discuss?”

LACEY: “I recognize now the combination of being naïve and ambitious made me an easy target for somebody like Barry. When he gave me that spiked drink to celebrate our contract {shakes head} I never thought, I should have been more on guard maybe, I don’t know. So he…took that video and then he held it over my head. My dad is career Navy and was in consideration for an appointment in the new administration. I thought if the video went public…” {voices trails off…Lacey swipes a hand under her eyes, looks up} “Do I have mascara running down my face?”

KOS: “Here.” {hands her a tissue} “You were brave to…”

LACEY:  {shakes head no} “I wasn’t brave. I wasn’t as sophisticated as I thought I was. Then I was… ashamed and finally I was angry. I just had enough. I was tired of being a victim. I had to take action.”

KOS: “And Connor?”

LACEY: “Connor’s been so solid. I mean, you’ve seen him. {blushes} Here’s the first guy I’d ever met who completely knocks my socks off and I had all this baggage. I’m in the worst moment of my life and I meet a guy I want forever with. He’s been amazing, he sees the real me, you know? and he’s patient with all the PTSD stuff I’ve been going through. One of the many reasons I love him. {blushes again} We both want to put this behind us. I can’t wait till the case is over and I can get out of the public eye.”

KOS: “But you’re a model. That’s the ultimate public career.”

LACEY: “Not any more. I was set to quit modeling when Barry did this to me. Ironic right? I plan to start a floral design business. Right now I’m working in the floral district in Manhattan so I’m finally getting my life back on track.”

KOS: “Thanks for agreeing to the interview, Lacey. Any parting words, any advice?”

LACEY: Don’t let the bad that happens define you. What defines you is how you handle it. I finally found my courage and the bonus is I also found the love of my life.”

 ~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Grab a copy of A MODEL ENGAGEMENT 

on AMAZON

About the Author:

Charlotte O'Shay was born into a big family and married into another big family.

The drama! The noise! The inspiration!

Negotiating skills honed at the dinner table led her to a career in law. After four beautiful children joined the crowded family tree, Charlotte traded her legal career to write about happily ever afters. She lives on the far westside only 3 subway stops from where she grew up.

When Charlotte isn't reading or writing steamy contemporaries featuring heroines in crisis and swoony heroes with issues, she's on the hunt for that perfect pair of sunglasses.

She LOVES to hear from readers.

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Web: charlotteoshayauthor.com
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The City of Dreams series are standalone books linked by the wedding in The Marriage Ultimatum.
Book 1, The Marriage Ultimatum ~ Sabrina & Vlad
Book 2, A Model Engagement ~ Lacey & Connor
Book 3, An Illicit Affair ~ Honey & Jake