Character of the week: Byron from Imperfect and Impeccable

He is a man who is as big in spirit as he is in size. There is nothing small about Byron Whetherby.

Byron's story starts out when his father walks out upon learning that his mother is pregnant with him and his twin sister, Alex.

His mother struggles greatly to give them all that she can. She has no formal education, though. Desperate to give her children a good life, Mary does the unthinkable (she becomes a prostitute).

Byron never had a strong man or fatherly figure in his life. He knew life was hard for his mother, and he greatly appreciated her and her sacrifices.

As he and Alex grew, he watched his sister fall into the pit of addiction. Drinking, drugs - Alex's inability to cope only added stress to the family. When Mary accidentally becomes pregnant by a John, Alex plummets even further.

Feeling the weight of the world on his shoulders, Byron stepped up. He took care of Candace. He took care of the house. He even took care of Alex as best he could. Life for Byron was anything but easy. He had tremendous responsibilities that no child should have to shoulder. For as young as he was, he knew there was no one else to do what was needed. Despite lacking a father, he fully understood what it meant to be a man.

In high school, Byron began to work for a contractor. It wasn't glamorous, but it helped to pay their bills. 

Day in and day out, Byron labored. He did grunt work. He labored to take care of Candace. Alex's addictions taxed him greatly. He worked diligently to help his mother and his family. He never complained. He couldn't complain. No one else was going to do it, so he had to. Life didn't give him opportunities to whine. He did what was needed without ever uttering a single complaint. That personality trait stayed with him throughout his life.

By the age of 21, Alex had stayed sober for 3 months. Byron saved enough money to send Alex to school to become a paralegal. There was one condition, though. Alex would have to allow him to check her house at any moment for alcohol, and she was required to call him daily as a check-in. She needed to prove that she took her sobriety seriously. He refused to pay for schooling if she was only going to throw it away. He loved his sister, and he wanted to help her. He knew that part of helping her included some tough love.

Alex agreed. She went to school and had turned her life around tremendously.

Just as she began to close in on graduation, their mother, Mary, was in a horrific car accident.

Once again, Byron felt the weight of the world on his shoulders. If Mary didn't pull through, Alex and Candace would both rely on him completely. Being the strong man he was, Byron gathered his sisters, and their church all around Mary. People helped. People donated. People prayed. It was a long, difficult road, but Mary began to improve.


It was soon clear that Mary needed more help than what any of the kids could give her. Finally in a place to give back to the family, Alex stood up and payed for their mother's care at the facility.

Byron, at this point, owned his own contracting company. He worked just as diligently as he did in high school. He was a successful business owner thanks to his tenacity and persistence.


His life wasn't necessarily easy, but he remained grateful for all that he had.

He still watched over both of his sisters very closely. When Alex began dating a white girl named Carol, Byron was anything but pleased. He worried about Alex's sobriety. He worried about her facing discrimination as a black woman, a lesbian, and now part of an interracial couple.

As time went on, Carol and Byron were able to come to good terms, and she became the newest member of their family.

Speaking of family, at his mother's facility, there was a beautiful young nurse named Erin. Erin was Asian. Her jet black hair and porcelain skin were enchanting. She had a beautiful smile, and an adorable little body. Byron was quite smitten with her. But he didn't think a smart girl like her would have any interest in a grunt like him. He kept his fondness for her a secret for years.

When Mary passed years later, Byron invited Erin to her memorial service. It was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. More importantly, it gave Byron the opportunity to forge a new, different kind of relationship with her.

Byron and Erin were an unusual pair, but their relationship was ideal. While finally opening his heart to Erin, he was also closing his heart off from Carol when he learned that both she and Alex had AIDS, though.

His world came crumbling down upon hearing the bad news. He was hurt, angry, and scared. He and his family had lost so much, and now he was losing his twin. He couldn't deal.

He and Alex had many conversations about Carol, their health, and the situation. After some time, he warily came around.

 Byron was suddenly learning how to balance work, his family, and romance. It was all very new and foreign to him, but he managed to make it all work. So well so that he and Erin eventually married.

Erin brought him the stability and logic he so desperately wanted and needed in his life. She was strong - a rock upon which he could lean. She was gentle. She taught him love, patience, and understanding. With her and his sisters, Byron's family was complete.
When Alex suddenly dies, Byron loses it. Not even Erin or Candace to bring him any kind of solace. His anger and pain were indescribable. As things play out, his perspective changes. Carol is no longer the bad guy. Instead, she is his final connection to Alex, and he can't lose that. Losing both her and Alex was far too great for him. He couldn't imagine his life without either of them.

Life changes, and Byron feels completely unable to cope. He is broken. Only the wisdom and strength of Candace can guide him through his darkest of days.


Byron is a man who is bigger than life itself. He is complex, and has many layers. He is the big brother we all want.

Favorite quote from Byron: “Carol, I’m sorry. I’m sorry I gave you flack about being a white girl the first time I met you. I’m sorry for all the hurtful things I said to you when you told us you and Alex had AIDS. I’m sorry for how poorly I treated you after Alex died. I’m just so sorry for all of it.”
     “All of my life, I always had to watch out for Alex. She was my twin, but we were so different. I
had to protect her. I thought I was protecting her when you came around. I couldn’t see that you
were protecting her far better than I ever could. I see that now, though. I am so sorry.”

Happy reading!
http://www.amazon.com/Imperfect-Lauren-Shiro-ebook/dp/B00KXHUN84/ref=sr_1_11?ie=UTF8&qid=1429484712&sr=8-11&keywords=lauren+shiro
http://www.amazon.com/Impeccable-Lauren-Shiro-ebook/dp/B00KXNR1LA/ref=sr_1_9?ie=UTF8&qid=1429484712&sr=8-9&keywords=lauren+shiro

More hot August WeWriWa action from The Cop

It's WeWriWa time!

Click www.wewriwa.com for more information and to see other 8 Sentence Sunday posts.

This post is part of an ongoing blog hop hosted by Weekend Writing Warriors. Every Sunday, participating authors post eight sentences from a published work or even a WIP (work in progress). Then we hop to our fellow warriors’ blogs and check out all the fabulous fiction that’s happening! It's a great way to meet readers, writers, and your next favorite book!  :)

Things are heating up in August! So for this month, we're looking at the scorching hot Donna from the Loving Her series.

Donna White is one tough cop. Behind the badge, though, is a very sweet, sad, sensitive soul. Truly a woman alone, Donna is simply trying to navigate her way through life. Who is Donna? She is dedicated, determined, distinctive and deep. Donna’s rich and touching story is second in the Loving Her series. 

Background on the snippet: Donna has been called to a robbery in progress. She and many other officers are present. There are multiple thieves. Across the way from her, one officer is sneaking over to capture one of them. Donna has her gun aimed and ready for one of the others. This snippet has been edited to fit 8 sentences.

      Inch by tiny inch, he moved his way closer...slowly and silently he moved until he knew he was in the right place. He suddenly leaped forward, pushing the thief to the ground face down. He grabbed one of the thief’s arms and pulled it behind his back. As he did so, Donna raced forward with her gun aimed at one of the other thieves.

     Suddenly, Donna felt an incredible pain in her back. She felt as though a great force pushing her forward. All the air escaped her lungs. Her eyes rolled up towards the sky as she lost all control of her body. She felt her body slam against the concrete in a tremendous impact before blackness enveloped her.

Hope you liked it!

Happy reading!

Character of the Week: Elfi from Amnesie

Strong, compassionate, smart, wise...Elfriede Krupse is a heroine in her own right.

Elfi is from Stuttgart, Germany. Her life as a child growing up in a larger metropolis in Germany was one that was filled with great opportunity. Her education was a good one. Stuttgart offered her the best of the arts, a zoo, various festivals, botanical gardens, museums, and of course, Porsche.

For all that she had in Germany, Elfriede wanted more. Germany was...boring. She wanted to see the world. She wanted to explore and experience. So, she did.

In her early twenties, Elfi walked, back-packed, and hitchhiked her way through Europe. The people she met, and the places she saw were unbelievable. She was experiencing life to its fullest.

After a while, she began to experience a nagging feeling. The sense that she needed to do something with herself. Her time traveling the world was over. Now it was time to focus on her career.


Elfi had always been very good in science, so when the time came for her to pursue an education, it was no surprise that she went into nursing.

After she graduated, she looked to focus on pediatric nursing. She applied to schools and hospitals across the globe. She was accepted into an internship at Rome Memorial Hospital, in Rome, NY.

One day, the hospital was having problems with their phone system. By late morning, the phone company had a woman there to work on the phone lines. At one point, the woman (Maryanne) was in an office where Elfriede was working. Maryanne asked for Elfi's assistance. In the short time they worked together fixing the phone line, there was a chemistry that neither woman could deny. Maryanne gave Elfi her number. Elfriede was quite smitten, though she wanted to play it cool. So, she waited for a couple of days before calling Maryanne.

When they went out on their first date, Elfi just knew that Maryanne was the one for her.

After her internship, Elfi was able to land a position at RMH, and soon thereafter, she moved in with Maryanne.

Life was good for the two women. They both had jobs they loved. Elfi loved the old farm house she shared with Maryanne. Life was good, stable, and peaceful.

One horrific night changed all of that.

On her way home from work, A drunk driver ran into Maryanne head-on. When Elfi got the call, it was unknown whether or not Maryanne would live. The medical staff was very guarded about her prognosis.

Like any dutiful spouse, Elfi sat next to Maryanne day in and day out while she lay in a coma, completely unresponsive. It was all she could do.

After about a month, Maryanne awoke. It was miraculous, but it was also obvious that she had a long way to go.

She went through extensive therapy and rehabilitation in order to live and function as a normal person. Elfriede was by her side as much as she could be. There were days when Maryanne made phenomenal progress. There were days when she couldn't recognize Elfi.

For all that Maryanne was enduring, this situation was incredibly taxing on Elfi. Not only did she have to work, she had to take care of the house and chores by herself, she spent as much time as she could to be with Maryanne, and no one seemed to care about her feelings, or how deeply this affected her. Elfriede stifled her emotions as best she could, but for when Maryanne didn't even recognize her, the pain cut right through her.

Finally, Maryanne was able to come home. Things had changed, though. Her memory loss was severe enough that she could no longer work. She recognized Elfi, but her memory of her time in the hospital and in rehab was fuzzy at best. She didn't fully understand - or remember - everything that had transpired.


When she first arrived, it was a wonderful time for the couple. They were both relieved to have her back home. Elfi did all that she could to keep Maryanne comfortable and happy.

As time wore on, things began to change. Maryanne, who had always been so jovial, was suddenly dark, angry, and bitter. A great distance came between them. Conversations always seemed to turn into arguments. What was once a happy home was now a house filled with tension and turmoil.

For as difficult as things wore, Elfi could not let go. She loved Maryanne, and she wanted things to be as they once were. She often told her that Maryanne had her undying love; now it was time to prove it.

The divide simply grew and grew, until Elfriede couldn't take it any more. She loved Maryanne, but she couldn't continue to live like this. She finally had to bring her to one of her doctors for a kind of intervention. Elfriede wanted to save the marriage, Maryanne, and even herself. With the help of one of the best doctors in upstate New York, Elfi was able to remind Maryanne of what truly happened.

Maryanne became incredibly frightened at the "intervention." She had no idea what her life or future would be. Elfi wanted her to know that she would always be there. She loved Maryanne, and she loved their life together. Elfi was willing to do whatever was necessary to save them.

Elfriede is an incredibly strong woman. Her resilience, her dedication, her selflessness are all amazing. She is the kind of woman we should all aspire to be. Through thick and thin, Elfi is completely committed to Maryanne. She was - and is - a true hero.

Favorite quote from Elfriede: “Honey, I love you.” I know this has been very difficult for you. I try to help you, but I am not doing well at it. You need help and I need to know how I can help you more. That is why we are here today. I want things to be the way they were. Or as close to that as we can get.”

Happy reading!

http://www.amazon.com/Amnesie-Lauren-Shiro-ebook/dp/B007NJQZZA/ref=sr_1_9?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1428801539&sr=1-9&keywords=lauren+shiro

More WeWriWa magic from The Cop

It's WeWriWa time!

Click www.wewriwa.com for more information and to see other 8 Sentence Sunday posts.

This post is part of an ongoing blog hop hosted by Weekend Writing Warriors. Every Sunday, participating authors post eight sentences from a published work or even a WIP (work in progress). Then we hop to our fellow warriors’ blogs and check out all the fabulous fiction that’s happening! It's a great way to meet readers, writers, and your next favorite book!  :)

Things are heating up in August! So for this month, we're looking at the scorching hot Donna from the Loving Her series.

Donna White is one tough cop. Behind the badge, though, is a very sweet, sad, sensitive soul. Truly a woman alone, Donna is simply trying to navigate her way through life. Who is Donna? She is dedicated, determined, distinctive and deep. Donna’s rich and touching story is second in the Loving Her series. 

Background on the snippet: It's the bitter end of the day that marked the one year anniversary of her parents' deaths. Still unable to fully cope, Donna went to her favorite bar to drink her pain away. While there, she met a woman named Nicole, and Nicole quickly helped to ease Donna's pain.

    Almost immediately, Donna got lost in the moment. She melted into the kiss, and she wanted more. She wanted to kiss Nicole more. She wanted to feel this warmth more. She wanted more of Nicole. She could feel that she was losing control of herself.

     Gently, Donna pulled back. “Do you want to come back to my place, and we can forget the world together?”

Hope you liked it!

Happy reading!

Character of the Week: Margaret from Pianissimo

Margaret brings the softness and grace to what is Pianissimo.

Margaret Begum was a rather quiet young girl. She tended to keep to herself. As a child, she found more enjoyment in playing her piano than playing with other children.

She was the youngest of three. Her older sister Josephine, and her brother Walter, were both much more outgoing than she. They would play with other children. They loved receiving toys for Christmas, whereas Margaret was thrilled if she received new sheet music. The differences in personalities were something that carried through all of their lives.

She and her siblings grew up in modest conditions. Louisville was a good city to be raised in. Their house certainly did not compare to Agnes', but it was a good home nonetheless. Her mother, Lenora, was a teacher. Her father, Horace, was a carpenter. The children never wanted for anything. Hers was a good childhood.

Margaret followed in her mother's foot steps in becoming an educator. She greatly enjoyed working with young children. She loved helping them to learn how to read. She also gave piano lessons to students after school. She felt very enriched by her students' successes.

She taught at a smaller school for 3 years before moving on to the Primary School of Louisville. When she started at the Primary School, she met Agnes Walker.

Agnes was like her: quiet, and somewhat reclusive. She was much happier keeping to herself than to join in the gossip with the other teachers. Margaret found herself immediately drawn to Agnes, and the two hit it off right away.

A wonderful friendship blossomed immediately. It didn't take long, though, for Margaret to feel something more. She was experiencing emotions she never had before. She viewed Agnes as a beautiful, remarkable woman. She felt as though Agnes was a companion of sorts, and she wanted more. She wanted to spend every moment with Agnes. She eventually realized that she was deeply in love with her.

Margaret was afraid of her love. She had never experienced anything so potent. It wasn't right for women to love other women. She must have been crazy. She tried to deny it. She tried to fight it. She tried to suppress it. But she couldn't. There was only one thing she could do: confide in Agnes.

Margaret mustered up all the courage she had. She was utterly petrified. What would Agnes think? Was she about to ruin the best friendship she ever had? What was going to happen?

What ended up happening was the romance of a life time. Agnes loved Margaret as much as Margaret loved her. It was perfect.

Their relationship continued to bloom, and Margaret eventually moved in with Agnes.


For their first Christmas together, Agnes gave Margaret a brand new piano. That gift symbolized their love - and life. The piano took on a life of its own. It gave both Agnes and Margaret the beautiful gift of music. It gave them serenity as Margaret used the piano in Margaret's candle ritual to guide the souls of their loved ones to Heaven. It represented the depth and understanding of their love. It also represented the timelessness of their love, and the endlessness of their love as the piano stood the test of time. It was battered and abused, but it lived on in the house. That one gift meant so very much.

Though she was happy, Margaret's family - especially her siblings - looked down on her decision to stay "single." They could not understand why she wouldn't want to marry a man and start a family of her own. They couldn't understand the true nature of her relationship with Agnes, and they did not approve. Lenora and Horace were somewhat accepting of Margaret's unusual life, but neither Josephine nor Walter approved. They pulled away from her tremendously.

It was difficult being estranged from her family, especially at the times of her parents' deaths. Walter was cold, but respectful. Josephine was simply rude. She hardly spoke to her sister, and she deplored Agnes. Josephine passed very harsh judgment the day that Margaret moved in with Agnes. Josephine turned her back on her sister. At a time of deep grief, when they lost each of their parents, Margaret's grief was worsened by the distance between her and sister. Margaret tried to reach out, but Josephine and Walter remained aloof. Agnes was always there, though. She was the rock when Margaret needed her the most.

Like any good marriage, Agnes and Margaret went through life's highs and lows together. That is until October 11, 1949. Margaret had contracted TB. She fought valiantly. Agnes was by her side as much as she could be. Hospital rules limited her time with Margaret. Unfortunately, because of those rules, Margaret passed away in the hospital alone. Her family never came for her, and Agnes was not allowed to stay with her.

Margaret Begum is such a beautiful, gentle soul. It's impossible to to not love her. She makes Pianissimo the wonderful story that it is.

Favorite quote from Margaret: “My, you are magnificent!”

Happy reading!
http://www.amazon.com/Pianissimo-Lauren-Shiro/dp/0692310819/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1427504023&sr=8-1&keywords=lauren+shiro