Hi, Jonah. I’m so happy to chat with you today. Let’s get started...
Jonah Goodman
What do you look like?
Kinda tall—about 6’2”—with hazel eyes. I don’t keep my hair trimmed as well as I should, or so my brother Daniel tells me. Sometimes I leave off shaving for a day or two, so I often have a dark scruff. But the ladies on the NASCAR circuit seem to like it, so I’m down with it, too.
What time period does your story take place?
Current day, though the story started at the senior homecoming dance, eighteen years ago.
What’s your goal in this story?
Goal, I have to have a goal? *sigh* Well, okay, I guess it’s to show that I’m not really what everyone always thought I was. And maybe to prove it to myself, too.
What conflicts are you facing?
Pre-conceived notions. I’m thought to be the guy who lets everything roll off his back, always smiling, always happy-go-lucky. No one thinks there’s a deeper man beneath the façade. I’ve forgotten that too, because it’s so easy to keep up the Jonah Goodman everyone thinks they know.
What is your occupation? Are you any good at it? Do you like it?
I’m a mechanic, often for the best NASCAR teams, but most often with my Uncle Zeb in his Darlington, SC garage. Am I good at it? Does a bear sh--, uh, defecate in the woods? Hell yeah. It’s what I was born to do.
What skill do you have that you’re proud of? Why?
I can make anything run. Engines? Not one can resist me. Just like women…
What did you think the first time you saw Kelly Shepherd?
We were in high school and back then I thought she was the most beautiful girl I’d ever seen. (That hasn’t changed, by the way.) Then I found out she was smart, funny, kind—the whole package. And, her daddy ran the biggest company in town as well as being a board member at the bank and one who voted not to allow my daddy a job when he got out of prison. I knew Kelly was would of my league, but I loved her anyway. And was shocked as hell when she seemed to love me back.
What is your family like?
I have the best family in the world! Granted, mama was a stripper (but she was a world class stripper!), and daddy did go to prison for a few years after he was caught stealing from the bank where he worked (but his sentence was short because the bank folks loved him so much), but never did my brothers and I ever doubt we were loved as much or more than any kids in our hometown of Lucky Strike, NC. Oh yeah. My brothers. I’m one of a set of triplets. My brother Daniel has a PhD and taught in a snooty school in New Hampshire until recently. My other brother, Mark, has PHD, too. He’s a bona fide genius but needs someone to tell him when his sweater is buttoned wrong. I have a GED, make the most money and have the most notoriety. So why do I sometimes feel the black sheep?
What's the most terrible thing that ever happened to you?
I mean, I lost my grandparents—daddy’s parents—when I was a teenager. But the biggest personally was losing Kelly when I was an idiotic eighteen-year-old.
What was your dream growing up? Did you achieve that dream? If so, in what ways was it not what you expected? If you never achieved the dream, why not?
I was always interested in cars, and I was always good with them. But even I never thought I’d get to work with some of the greatest race car drivers of our time. How was it not what I expected? When you’re a kid you think something great would never get old. But eventually even the greatest job becomes just a job, and I guess that’s what surprised me the most about reaching the pinnacle of what I wanted when I was so young. Now here I am in my mid-thirties and wondering, “What’s there to do next?”
What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
Do the best you can. Don’t worry about money or fame because if you do your best, they will follow.
What is people’s first impression of you?
That I’m easy going.
Do you see morality as black-and-white, or with shades of gray?
I’m willing to listen to reasoning, and there are a lot of shades of gray. But when it comes down to it, things are right or they’re wrong.
What’s your quirkiest habit?
Crossword puzzles. I love ‘em! SO much so that I now set them for NACAR programs and a couple of local papers. Shh! No one would understand. That doesn’t fit in with the Jonah they know.
If you could go back in time, what one thing would you change in your life?
I would not try to make love to Kelly in the back of my car the night of our senior prom. A virgin should not try to have sex with a virgin in the cramped quarter of the backseat when she is wearing a killer dress that cost more than your dad’s annual salary. So much changed that night!
Why do you think your author chose to write about you?
Well, the woman did not choose to write about me first. Funny that, because I’m usually so much more persuasive with the ladies than Daniel is. But I think it’s because I’m fun and charming, and second chance love is so much more appealing than the old guy-meets-girl-guy screws-up-and-loses-girl stuff. And Mark—while I love him—is pretty darn boring.
What do you wish your author had not told others about you?
Some of my deepest thoughts. A guy like me isn’t supposed to have deep thoughts. If it gets out, my reputation will go straight to hell.
What other character from your book do you think your author should write a book about? Care to tell us why?
Boring or not, here he comes! My brother Mark is next in line. He’s a really good guy, and if he ever meets a girl who captures his interest—if he notices, that is—she’ll be in for a ride. I hope that happens for him!
One Woman Only
Release date, October 2019
Blurb:
As one of a set of triplets, Jonah always felt the need to make his individuality known. So where his brother Daniel was serious and completely focused, Jonah shunned commitment. Where his genius brother Mark was hailed in the scientific world, Jonah hid beneath a car tinkering. Thing is, being different wasn't all it was cracked up to be. It took a woman to make him see that focused and recognized in his field could turn a "good man" into a better man.
Excerpt:
"May I have this dance?"
Kelly turned at the sound of Jonah's voice behind her. Dinner had ended. All three of the boys had given best man speeches and Eve had even given a very creditable matron of honor speech, considering she had only known Marilyn and Caleb a short time. Lots of toasts had been raised and finally the live band had struck up the music. Caleb led his bride onto the floor for a foxtrot—a dance more than half of the guests had no idea how to do, including her.
Facing Jonah she sighed inwardly at how scrumptious he looked. Sure, his face was pretty much displayed on his brothers' heads, too, but there was something different about Jonah. His nose was just a little crooked from when Bobby Hendricks had broken it in ninth grade and his eyes held an especially bright sparkle in his eyes when he smiled. Maybe… Well, she didn't know what caused the difference between Jonah and his brothers. Whatever it was, she had never been fooled by the so-called identical nature of the identical triplets. She'd wanted to be his girl since elementary school. Thought she would be in high school. And then forced every last thought of him from her mind from senior year on.
Until now.
"I don't know how to foxtrot."
He shrugged. "Who does except those over fifty?" He glanced at his folks, still alone on the dancefloor, although a few couples were wandering out to join them now. "We can pretend."
She mentally compared standing on the sidelines alone now that Mama Rio left the party, or being held in Jonah's arms. Smiling, Kelly held out her hands. "Just don't step on my toes, Jonah Goodman, or there'll be hell to pay."
"Yes, ma'am." Together they walked onto the dancefloor. He took her right hand in his left and placed his right hand on her waist. Fortunately for them, the music changed to a slow tempo. Kelly laid her head on Jonah's shoulder, and he tugged her closer as they swayed to the music.
"This is nice," he murmured.
"Yes it is," she replied. So very nice. He smelled good. Beneath the light citrus fragrance of his aftershave was a slight whiff of pure man with maybe a twinge of motor oil or something so Jonah it brought tears to her eyes.
He rubbed a path up to her shoulder blades and gave a squeeze. "You fit me perfectly, Kelly."
"I do?"
"You sure do. I think our hearts can feel each other beat."
Kelly chuckled. "Smooth talker. Face to face like this our hearts are on opposite sides."
"Hey! I'm trying to be romantic here."
She sighed. "Keep on. It's appreciated."
"You smell…good."
She felt his smile. Raising her head she gave him a mock glare. "Watch it with those pregnant pauses, buster."
He used his hand to press her head back to his shoulder. "You do smell good, though. This isn't the same perfume you wore in high school. That was—"
"Lilac," they said at the same time. Once more she raised her head to look at him. "How did you remember that?"
"I remember much more than you might think." He turned her and moved her closer to the door onto the patio. "Each spring when lilacs are in bloom memories come flooding back. Does that surprise you?"
"More like shocks me," she said, grinning. And then she laid her head on his shoulder once more, finding she liked it more and more there in his arms. She stepped slightly closer and his arm tightened about her.
"Well, after a while I thought lilac seemed too girlish. I like the vintage scents, so in college I wore Wind Song. Then Shalimar was the scent Brad liked me to wear." She felt Jonah stiffen when she mentioned her ex, and really she didn't blame him. "But when I grew up enough finally to take charge of my own life, I started wearing Chanel No 5. A complex fragrance for what I hope is a complex woman."
"It suits you. Complex and beautiful." He kissed her temple. "Want to step outside for a minute?"
"Sure. It is a little warm in here."
On the patio, they could hear the sounds of the people from the television networks packing up equipment, chatting and laughing. Stars shone brightly in the clear night sky. Wood smoke from someone's fireplace wafted through the air and static electricity fairly crackled in the crispness of the autumn air.
"This is my favorite time of year," Kelly said. "The heat of summer is gone and winter nights curled up with a hot drink and blazing fire are ahead."
"Not me. I'm a summer boy all the way."
"A hothead you mean?" she teased.
"Oh, I'm hot all right." He waggled his brows at her. Kelly laughed.
"I do seem to remember that about you."
"You used to be pretty hot yourself. Still are." He leaned in. His eyes flicked down to her lips. Kelly sucked in a breath. She should stop him, she really should.
Buy Links:
One Woman Only will be out in October 2019. Please watch my website, https://nomadauthors.com, my Facebook and Twitter pages (see links below) for news of its release.
Bio:
A few years ago, Dee S. Knight began writing, making getting up in the morning fun. During the day, her characters killed people, fell in love, became drunk with power, or sober with responsibility. And they had sex, lots of sex. Writing was so much fun Dee decided to keep at it. That's how she spends her days. Her nights? Well, she's lucky that her dream man, childhood sweetheart, and long-time hubby are all the same guy, and nights are their secret. For romance ranging from sweet to historical, contemporary to paranormal and more join Dee on Nomad Authors. Contact Dee at dsknight@deesknight.com.
Author links:
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Blog: http://nomadauthors.com/blog
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