I couldn’t begin to write his biography. He led an interesting life, full of a myriad of vocations and locations. He was a thinker, above all. A design engineer by trade, he was forever inventing a better mousetrap.

Aerospace, television and radio electronics and medical technologies were some of his many fields. Due to his role in defense aeronautics, he was exempted from serving during the great wars, instead working on military contracts for Lockheed, Boeing and other homeland defense contractors.

He invented and held the patent for an electro-magnetic linear-drive motor that he built into the first portable electrocardiogram machine. Its purpose was to allow patients’ hearts to be monitored and recorded while engaged in active exercise (such as the treadmill.)

Daddy had in-depth theories about the demise of the dinosaurs and the creation of the planets. He loved nothing more than chatting about his thoughts and studies with anyone who would listen. He was an articulate arguer, as well.

He once worked as a stand-in for Clark Gable. When Gable walked off the set during a pay dispute, Dad was put into his place for a few distance shots. The movie was “Boomtown.”

Another time, his story goes, he was sitting in a bar in Kansas City when a couple of well-dressed thugs surrounded him, mistaking him for a “syndicate” guy.

I will be forever thankful for the things he taught me. When other little girls were playing with dolls or jumpropes, I was seated in the garage, soldering iron in hand. He gave me my first job, as a draftsman, where I drew spec drawings for his medical electronics company. He instilled in me a love of a diverse range of music; Motown, country, pop, Big Band. We often danced in the living room until we were both winded. He also taught me to bowl. He was a friend and wonderful father to his five children. He was a champ.

My father succumbed to heart disease almost 14 years ago. I still miss him, every day.

Happy Birthday, Daddy.

Now, there’s never any question in my mind, he’d be on the cover every year if I was the ballot box stuffer. How is it that he has such appeal? I can’t think of any of my friends who don’t just find him the no-questions-asked-I’d-be-there guy to go to for dream-come-true-making.

Wordy today. Sorry. I’m so glad there’s no stupid rule about being SMA more than once, because Johnny took the title in 2003. The article mentions that he hid in the bushes the first day of daughter Lily Rose’s preschool (in France). She was crying so he took her home. Softy!

The article doesn’t say anything about Dark Shadows, the film he is reportedly making with pal Tim Burton (read about it here, but it does use words like “profound elegance,” “arresting magnetism,” and “timelessly hot body.” Somebody hand me a fan!

(BTW, for those who are dying to know, both Pitt and Clooney are also two-timers with PEOPLE SMA. Other listees this year include Josh Groban, Patrick Dempsey, all the new vampires courtesy TWILIGHT/NEW MOON, flamboyant gay/glam rocker Adam Lambert, Phantom Gerard Butler, hunks Will Smith and Hugh Jackman… you’ll just have to get this issue!)

Miley turns 17 today. I went looking for a photo of her and ran across some pix bordering on sex-kittenism. Disappointed, not surprised, but not too worried. Like I said on another blog this morning, she’s a teen, a very famous teen, it’s going to happen, get over it. She’s a product of the biz. I still think she’ll be okay.

Still thinking about song lyrics.  They’re not always about the happy times. There’s a lot of great heartbreak out there.

There’s the leaving…

“Oh, I know you’re going, but I can’t believe—it’s the way that you’re leaving.

It’s like we never knew each other at all, it may be my fault…” Phil Collins, In Too Deep.

The regret…

“And I’d have fought the world for you
If I thought that you wanted me to
Or put aside what was true or untrue
If I’d known that’s what you needed
What you needed me to do…”  – Jackson Browne, Sky Blue and Black

The apology…

“I’m sorry that I hurt you
It’s something I must live with everyday
And all the pain I put you through
I wish that I could take it all away
And be the one who catches all your tears…
…I just want you to know… I found reason for me… to change who I used to be… a reason to start over new… and the reason is you…”  -Hoobastank, The Reason

Ultimately, the goodbye:

“But I will remember you
Will you remember me?
Don’t let your life pass you by
Weep not for the memories.” – Sarah McLachlan, I Will Remember You.

And the bitterness:

“You took a hammer to these walls,
Dragged the memories down the hall,
Packed your bags and walked away.
There was nothing I could say.
And when you slammed the front door shut,
A lot of others opened up,
So did my eyes so I could see
That you never were the best for me.”  Daughtry, Over You. (Chris, BTW is one of People’s top 100…see pg 158)

Like I said, I’m wordy today. But I’ve been absent so feel I need to fill in some space. Do penance.

CAPE SEDUCTION is still coming, gang, I promise. Let’s blame it on the economy. Yeah, that’s it.

I have a 23 lb turkey and two hams in my fridge. I’m going to attempt to make an apple pie, ala Alton Brown. Were that Alton could be here to help!

Have a fantacular Thanksgiving, all.

Jack McKenzie is a hard guy to catch up with! But we finally found time to talk–albeit at the local ice hockey rink.

Pam:   Can I get you a towel? You’re dripping.

Jack:   I have one here. Thanks. So what’s this for? A blog?

Pam:   Yeah. You are my hero of the week.

Jack: (drying off face) I’m flattered! Wow. Brad Pitt wasn’t around?

Pam:   Brad isn’t a character in one of my books. So, did you win?

Jack:   Hockey? Oh, no. This was just a pick-up practice. I’m a little out of shape. I’ve been up north, working with a buddy on a big project.

Pam:   Case McKenna.  His after-school club for kids.

Jack:   Yeah! How’d you know?

Pam:    I wrote his book, too. About Point Surrender.

Jack:   Oh. Of course. So you know about the lighthouses.

Pam:    I should hope so. But let’s talk about you. You are married?

Jack: (grins) Maddie. (Shakes head in reflection) She’s the best. And since you’re going to ask, we have four kids. Hers, Todd, who’s a challenging teen but a good guy; Duncan, mine, from before, you know, and then Davey and Mae. Mae’s in preschool.

Pam:    You’ve known Maddie a long time?

Jack:   We went to high school together. Then we met again one day in the park, just a fluke, I was taking Dunc for a walk. I couldn’t believe how much she’d changed. I mean, she grew up. Into this very hot, sensitive woman. She needed help. With Todd, with her ex, all kinds of stuff. Todd’s dad had disappeared. I took her to Paris to try to sort things out. I can’t even tell you… well… it was weird.

Pam:   What was weird? Paris?

Jack:   What we found when we got there. It just about ended everything between us. I almost packed it in. But you know, I was… I was in too deep by that time. I just couldn’t let her go.

Pam:   I’m sure our mutual fans are glad. What’s up next for you?

Jack:   Don’t laugh. I’m thinking of buying my own lighthouse.

Pam: (rolls eyes) Don’t do this to me. You do realize, I’m the one who has to write this stuff.

Jack:   (broad, gleaming teeth smile) Yes, I do realize that. Wanna get some coffee?

Jack McKenzie and Maddie Cross are both characters in IN TOO DEEP by Anne Carter, from Wings ePress, Amazon and available for your Kindle, iPhone or other ereader from Fictionwise.

Pam:     Well, Case McKenna. Or is it Casey?

Case:     Just Case. (Shakes dark, shaggy locks away from his face.) But yeah. Casey’s my given name. Just got a bit worn.

Pam:     Case it is. Let’s see. You own a lighthouse?

Case:     (Shakes head, grins) Oh, no. Not me. You’re talking about Point Surrender, right? Nope. Not mine. Thank God. It belongs to my girlfriend’s brother and his wife.

Pam:     I see. But you have a connection.

Case:     Well, yeah, you might say that.

Pam:     You don’t want to talk about it.

Case:     Can I buy a vowel, Vanna?

Pam: (laughing) Can you tell us anything about this famous lighthouse? I heard it was haunted.

Case: (chews bottom lip, thoughtful) Yes. Yes, I’ve seen…a ghost there.

Pam:     Scary!

Case:     Not really. He’s a benevolent type. He had a … message for us.

Pam:     Us. You and ?

Case:     Amy. My lady love. My cohabitant. My significant other.

Pam:     What kind of message?

Case:     He wanted us to know about some…important events that occurred in the lighthouse. To clear up some things. You know. He couldn’t rest… all that stuff.

Pam:     Do you know who he was?

Case:     Yes.

Pam:     And?

Case:     Just—yes.

Pam:     Is it true that the last keeper died in the lighthouse?

Case:     Yes. And no, it wasn’t him. (Chuckles).

Pam:     Well thank you for that, at least! Now, you are a veteran of the Marines?

Case: (Shakes head, again) I’m a marine veterinarian. I take care of sick sea mammals and birds.

Pam:     But do you visit Point Surrender?

Case:     Not if I can help it.

Pam:     Did anyone ever tell you you are a tough interview?

Case: (Blue eyes twinkle) You want to talk about whales or sea otters?

Case McKenna and Amy Winslow are both characters in POINT SURRENDER by Anne Carter, from Echelon Press, Amazon and available for your Kindle, iPhone or other ereader from Fictionwise.

Sequel to StarCrossed Hearts!

Pam:     Hey, Mac! It’s great to see you!

Mac:      You know I’m glad to be here. Oh, just water is fine. Thanks.

Pam:     Let’s get right into the questions. I’ve heard you compared to TV’s “MacGyver.” Is it the name? The hair? Or something else?

Mac:      I consider it a compliment. Shows like “MacGyver” paved the way for my adventure series a few years back, “Doctor Jim.” And yeah, I do have his name. And his hair. (Grins, runs a hand through his sun-streaked locks.)

Pam:     And you must have a Swiss Army knife with you at all times.

Mac:      Got it right here.

Pam:     You later made the jump to the big screen. A film set in New Zealand?

Mac:      Yeah.  Night Horse. I was… a long way from home.

Pam:     Good film, but those were tough times. You and your wife were separated.

Mac: (nods slowly, looking down). We had some unfortunate misunderstandings. It was—

Pam:     Dane Pierce, right? Your best friend? Must’ve been difficult.

Mac: (sighs) It’s not something I like to remember. Or talk about. Dane’s… well, Dane. And yeah, he—he cares a lot for Jessie. I just had to get him to understand that… she is my whole life. (shakes it off, smiles) He did deliver my son, you know. So he’s not all bad.

Pam:     You worked with him on The Senator. Now, wasn’t there a scandal during the filming of that movie? Someone with a gun? An actress—

Mac:      Jackie Spencer. Troubled gal. She and Dane… let’s just say it didn’t work out, and she came after him with a gun.

Pam:     I heard it was Jessica Taylor she was after. Your wife. Was this because of Dane, too?

Mac: (grimaces) Jackie was…troubled, like I said.

Pam:     What’s up next for you?

Mac:      I enjoyed my part behind on the camera on The Senator. I have a rough draft of a script for a romantic comedy. Mr. Romance. About an actor who models for the cover of a romance novel as a favor, but unexpectedly wins a contest. What do you think?

Pam:     Sounds like a winner. We will definitely watch for that one. Hey, thanks for sitting down with me today. And best of luck with the new film!

Mac:      I appreciate the chat. Take care.

Mac MacKendall, Dane Pierce and Jessica Taylor are leading characters in STARCROSSED HEARTS and its sequel, A HERO’S PROMISE, by Anne Carter, both published by Wings ePress and available at Amazon. Also available for your Kindle, iPhone or other ereader at Fictionwise.

Today begins a new series of interviews with fictional heroes. First up is Dane Pierce, of Hollywood, California, mega star and romantic lead in STARCROSSED HEARTS by Anne Carter. I caught up with Dane at a virtual coffee shop in Malibu.

Pam:  Good morning, Mr. Pierce. Would you like a cup of coffee?

Dane:    Just Dane. Coffee would be great. Heavily leaded, please. Too much celebrating last night.

Pam:   Well, you are the first in our “Interview With a Hero” series here at Beacon Street. I hope you’re comfortable with that. Let’s start by having you describe yourself for our readers.

Dane:    Describe myself? Hmm. I’m just a regular guy, I guess. If you want stats, I’m 6’ tall, weigh, oh, 180 or so, I have green eyes and ash brown hair. I’m an actor, seems like I have been my whole life. I have four kids, or, wait. Five kids, last count. Three with my ex, one with my present wife and then I adopted her son. So, yeah, five. Three girls, two boys.

Pam:     Are you a good father?

Dane:    On and off. I try. I love my kids.

Pam:     You’re an actor. What is your favorite film? Of yours, that is.

Dane:    Has to be Lost Season. Filmed on location in Amande, down in the Caribbean. We won “best picture” that year.

Pam:     You directed it?

Dane: (nodding) Starred, directed, produced. Jessica Taylor, the love of my life, also starred. They don’t make films like that one anymore.

Pam:     Tell us about Jessica.

Dane: (smiles, looks to distance for a moment) She was, and still is… beautiful, strong, feisty. Unflinchingly loyal. Stubborn. A great mom. And—is this a “G” rated blog?

Pam:     Go on. I can edit.

Dane: (chuckles) She is damned sexy. We once… foolish kids that we were… we once [edited] on the beach in Amande. It was after the wrap party. I took advantage of her, actually. She was reeling from her last relationship–at the time.

Pam:     With Mac MacKendall. Who later became your best friend.

Dane.    Yes. Helluva guy. One of the good guys.

Pam:     Aside from the beach memory, can you share something about your life with Jessica that you’d like your fans to know?

Dane:    I met her on the set of a pirate flick. This was post-Errol Flynn, pre-Johnny Depp. The film was called Bellerive. She was a bit part player, I was a swashbuckler. I was having a shitty day, she offered to drive me… no, wait. I asked her to drive me off the lot to get some air. She told me about her aspirations to become a real actress, a leading lady. She was so naïve, so … fresh. I was immediately taken with her. I didn’t see her for awhile after that, but I couldn’t get her out of my mind. I ended up casting her the lead in Lost Season and never looked back.

Pam:     What would Jessica say about you today?

Dane: (laughs out loud) She still calls me a scoundrel. She can call me anything she wants. I will always love her.

Dane Pierce and Jessica Taylor are leading characters in STARCROSSED HEARTS and its sequel, A HERO’S PROMISE, by Anne Carter, both published by Wings ePress and available at Amazon. Also available for your Kindle, iPhone or other ereader at Fictionwise.