August | 2017 | The Eclectic World of Christina

I’ve had the privilege of getting to know the people in The Chemical Attraction Series. Taylor Valentine, Eva O’Sullivan, and Joe Roberts are siblings by choice. They’ve told me their story, and I wrote about their amazing journey. These interviews take place just after their adventure in Chemical Reaction. [trivial spoilers/no plot spoilers]

As a history professor and former Marine, Dr. Stuart Morgan, a blond, blue-eyed war hero, battles his inner demons. Although he longs for mental peace from an empathetic woman, his rigid rules prevent it.

In Their Rigid Rules, he meets Taylor in his Civil War seminar then throws out his strict rules to pursue her. Instead of sharing their personal struggles in The Kindred Code, they drift further apart. In Chemical Attraction and Chemical Reaction, Stuart and Taylor remain supportive of Joe and the rest of their family. Today, Stuart answers a few questions for the fans of the Series.

CHRISTINA: Will we ever hear your military story that won you a medal?

STUART: Yes, Taylor and I discuss it in The Kindred Code. I had a hard time putting that time in my life behind me. Thankfully, I have Taylor and the rest of the family for support.

CHRISTINA: What do you do to cope with your PTSD?

STUART: It’s not something a lot of people know about. Although medication has helped many, I don’t take any because I don’t want that to be an issue with my job. Unfortunately, it would give the university president more ammunition against me. The negative connotation of perceived violence is why many vets with PTSD don’t seek medical help … myself included. Support from my family helps, and I work out every day at the gym. Although my symptoms have lessened, I still have occasional nightmares and panic attacks.

CHRISTINA: Are you and Matt Connor friendly? We haven’t seen much interaction between the two of you in the stories.

STUART: We’re married to sisters so, yeah, Matt and I hang out a lot. Joe’s usually there, too. He’s a smartass. Matt and I keep him grounded and enjoy giving him a hard time. Joe’s like our annoying little brother.

CHRISTINA: Have you and Joe worked out your issues over Taylor?

STUART: I worked out my issues with Joe a long time ago. It took him a while longer. Joe protected Taylor for much of her life. He focused on his career, which, I think, helped his transition with the changes. Joe cares about his sisters. You can’t fault him for that.

CHRISTINA: On a lighter note, are any of the football players in your history classes?

STUART: All of them are. It’s a requirement. Taylor once met me as my class let out. Talk about awestruck. She went gaga. The guys were all about meeting her because of our notoriety. She impressed them with her knowledge of the game. She even lectured the offensive linemen on their tells which gave away their blocking direction. I don’t tell Taylor when that class is. My students don’t need the added distraction, and I don’t need the competition.

CHRISTINA: Thanks for joining me today and giving the fans a look into your life. To read more about Stuart and Taylor’s romance, check out Their Rigid Rules and its sequel, The Kindred Code.

I’ve had the privilege of getting to know the people in The Chemical Attraction Series. Eva O’Sullivan, Taylor Valentine, and Joe Roberts are siblings by choice. They’ve told me their story, and I wrote about their amazing journey. These interviews take place just after their adventure in Chemical Reaction. [trivial spoilers/no plot spoilers]

Ruggedly handsome with a calm demeanor, Officer Matthew Connor had pushed any romantic life aside to focus on raising his eight-year-old son, David. Then, he meets Eva O’Sullivan in Their Rigid Rules. In The Kindred Code, he watches Eva take his hometown by storm. As the police chief, he steps up during Joe’s case in Chemical Attraction and Chemical Reaction. Today, he answers a few questions for the fans of the Series.

CHRISTINA: When you first saw Eva with David, what was your first thought?

MATT: Mesmerizing came to mind. She definitely spiced up my life. The first time she visited my home, she turned the town upside down. I didn’t think the Allenton gossip circuit could travel faster than the speed of light. Boy, that weekend it had.

CHRISTINA: How hard was it to be a single dad for the first eight years of David’s life?

MATT: Tough. Like I mentioned before, gossip is big in this town and stereotypes are even bigger. I’ve been the chief for nine years, but I’m still known as the guy who knocked up his high school girlfriend. Beth gave up her rights to David right after he was born while I embraced fatherhood. I wouldn’t have changed a thing though. David makes me a better person, and I strive to be the man he looks up to.

CHRISTINA: Uncovering a criminal network in your town, Joe created tension by not informing you about his case from the beginning. How’s your relationship with him now?

MATT: Man, I don’t want him to visit us anymore … too much drama when he’s around. Joking aside, I love Joe like a little brother. Years ago in The Kindred Code, Stuart and I helped him out of a sticky situation, which cemented a brothers’ bond among the three of us. Besides, I could do worse than have a federal agent and a college professor as brothers.

CHRISTINA: Just a couple more questions before I let you go. Do you want David to pursue a career in law enforcement?

MATT: It’s his choice. Eva’s not keen on the idea, but she accepts it. David’s smart and has made responsible choices so far. As a dad, I have to trust he’ll continue to do that. There’s not much else I can do.

CHRISTINA: I get the feeling that your responsibilities take over much of your life. What do you do for fun?

MATT: Ha. Not having much fun these days. I enjoy spending time with my wife and I crochet to relax. It’s meditative. My mother taught me years ago. I made David’s first baby blanket, and I donate the baby blankets I make now to our local hospital. After seeing the basket of yarn next to our sofa, Joe gave me a hard time until Eva told him what I did with the finished ones. Boy, did he feel bad. His niceness lasted for a month. It really creeped Eva out.

CHRISTINA: Thanks for joining me today and giving the fans insight into your life.

Read more about the chemistry of Matt and Eva’s first meeting in Their Rigid Rules (Book One). Then follow up with their touching romance in The Kindred Code (Book Two).