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.