The month of January is all about character interviews. Today, I’m firing questions at Connor from award-winning author Seelie Kay’s latest release Saint Con, a romantic suspense.
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1. First off, tell us who you are and what role you play in the novel.
Connor: My name is Connor O’Brien. At age 30, I am a former priest turned street lawyer for the homeless/unhoused in Milwaukee, WI. I grew up on the east coast but moved to Wisconsin to join the priesthood. I remained in Milwaukee after being cast out by the seminary.
2. Share with us your hobbies and interests, and why you enjoy them.
Connor: I love touring the countryside on my Harley. Wisconsin is blessed with so much natural beauty, no matter the season. I also enjoy old movies and classic rock. However, when not engaged with my family–my parents and two brothers–I spend a lot of time advocating and raising funds for programs that aid the homeless/unhoused. America is the land of opportunity. It sickens me that we have so many living on the streets in cardboard boxes and flimsy tents.
3. Tell us how you feel about being in a novel, and if you are happy with how your author presented you to readers.
Connor: I think Seelie Kay did a good job of portraying me as I am–human. My nickname is Saint Con because of my mission, but I am just a man trying help those in need. I have plenty of money, which provides me with the freedom to serve. And I am lucky to do so. I am happy that Seelie embraced my message and found a way to communicate it to others.
4. If your author was to create another novel with you in mind, give us a quick blurb of what it would be about. And be sure to give the title.
Connor: I would call it, “A Place to Call Home.” That’s the problem, in a nutshell. We have chosen to ignore a problem that strikes at the very core of America. Everyone deserves a roof over the head, as well as adequate food and clothing. And we have the means to accomplish that. I have a plan and I want to share it.
5. Which character in the novel do you like the most, and why?
Connor: Obviously, my wife, Jessica. She is my personal hero. We had known each other only a few days when I disappeared. Yet, she spearheaded the search for me when the police wouldn’t help. And when she found me, she cared for me. She isn’t my biggest cheerleader, a miracle I’m not sure I deserve.
6. Which character in the novel do you dislike the most, and why?
Connor: I suppose I should say those who attacked and/or kidnapped me, but the truth is, I forgave them long ago. How can I hold on to the anger when I am living the life I always dreamed of?
7. Tell us why we should read the featured novel and what we will find most intriguing about you.
Connor: I think the love story between Jessica and me is compelling. It was love at first sight and against all odds, we are still wildly in love today. I think our relationship is evidence of how determined I am to succeed in all areas of my life.
Final comments from Connor: I spent several years on the streets with the homeless and I can tell you they want what most people want. A roof over their heads. Regular meals. Safety. Opportunity. What’s amazing to me is other countries—such as Finland, Iceland, and Japan— have found their own successful solutions to homelessness. In America, though, arguably one of the most compassionate and wealthiest countries in the world, we barely address it. That’s disgraceful and what’s worse, it’s intentional.
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Title: Saint Con
Series: N/A
Author: Seelie Kay
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Heat Rating: 3 Flames (open-door sex, but no explicit language used)
Length: 40,811 words/134 pages
Release Date: August 4, 2023
Publisher: Extasy Books
It was a night dreams are made of, until the man of Jessica Knight’s dreams disappears.
Blurb: When self-proclaimed good girl Jessica Knight literally bumps into apparent bad boy Connor O’Brien in a suburban Milwaukee wine bar, she is skeptical—of his intentions and the prospect for real love. A former priest, Saint Con is now a street lawyer for Milwaukee’s homeless. After a night of sizzling romance, Jess begins to thaw, and in the days that follow, she is so charmed by Con that she allows herself to start falling in love. Unfortunately, on their first real date, Con fails to appear. Jess doesn’t know if she’s been ghosted or if Con was unavoidably detained, but she leaves their meeting spot devastated.
Until she discovers that Con is missing. Really missing. The police won’t help because he’s not a vulnerable adult, nor is there proof that he has been harmed. So it falls to Jess and her friends to find him. After surmounting numerous obstacles, Con is finally found, gravely injured and in a coma. Suddenly it appears a promising love match may be over before it really began.
The reverend stopped and pointed at Long. “Now, you see there? That shitty attitude will get you nowhere. Innocent until proven guilty, though I can hardly wait to hear what crime you’re wanting to charge an eighty-year-old woman with.” He shook his head. “Shameful.”
Long pulled out his phone and gestured to the man. “Allow me to show you, sir.” Long pointed to the map on his screen. “A man has gone missing, and the family tracked his phone to this address. So, either the guy is in her home or somehow, she took possession of his phone. The blinking icon tells me the phone is currently in use.”
The reverend frowned. “May I ask who’s missing?”
Long hesitated, so Washington spoke. “That street lawyer guy. The one they call Saint Con.”
“Connor O’Brien? When did this happen? I haven’t heard anything.”
Long shrugged. “Above my pay grade, I believe. I just found out when his phone was tracked.”
The preacher grasped Long’s shoulder. “Connor is well-known in these parts. Let’s find out what Miss Flora knows.” He stepped onto the well-worn porch and knocked on the door. “Miss Flora, it’s Reverend Bingham. Can we speak?”
The door opened slowly and an elderly woman, her white hair shooting from her scalp in wire-like spirals, peered at the people at the door. She pushed up her glasses and sniffed. “Good gracious, Pastor, I’m not fit for company. I haven’t even put my wig on yet.”
The minister smiled, his deep brown eyes regarding her with amusement. “This isn’t a social call, Miss Flora, so there’s no need to spiff up that beautiful face. These men have a few questions for you and they’re important.”
Miss Flora screwed up her face. “About what? I ain’t done nothing.”
Rev. Bingham snorted. “When a retired schoolteacher slips into black speak, you can’t help but believe she’s guilty of something.”
Washington gazed at the woman. “Please, ma’am, a man’s life may be at stake.”
“What man.? Is it someone I know?” She avoided looking the officer in the eye.
“Connor O’Brien, ma’am. They call him Saint Con. The lawyer with the food truck.” Long fumbled with his phone and brought up a photo of Connor. “This man? Do you know him?”
Miss Flora’s expression softened. “Con is missing?” She slapped a hand over her mouth and her eyes widened in horror, but said nothing.
The minister stiffened, but inquired gently, “Miss Flora, his phone was tracked to your home. Now, why would you have his phone?”
The old woman emitted a sad sigh, and her eyes filled with tears. “Googly gave it to me. Said Mr. Speaks found it somewhere and told him to pass it on to me.” Her face crumbled. “Tell me Googly did nothing wrong. I’ve worked so hard to keep him out of trouble.”
“Miss Flora, you go get that phone. Let me talk to these officers.”
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Award-winning author Seelie Kay writes about lawyers in love, sometimes with a dash of kink. Writing under a nom de plume, the former lawyer and journalist draws her stories from more than 30 years in the legal world. Seelie’s wicked pen has resulted in twenty-two works of fiction, including the new paranormal romance series Donovan Trait, as well the erotic romance Kinky Briefs series and The Feisty Lawyers romantic suspense series. She also authored The Last Christmas, The Garage Dweller, A Touchdown to Remember, The President’s Wife, The President’s Daughter, Seizing Hope, The White House Wedding, and participated in the romance anthology Pieces of Us.
When not spinning romantic tales, Seelie ghostwrites nonfiction for lawyers and other professionals. Currently, she resides in a bucolic exurb outside Milwaukee, WI, where she enjoys opera, the Green Bay Packers, gourmet cooking, organic gardening, and an occasional bottle of red wine.
Seelie is an MS warrior and ruthlessly battles the disease on a daily basis. Her message to those diagnosed with MS: Never give up. You define MS, it does not define you!
Seelie can be reached at www.seeliekay.com, www.seeliekay.blogspot.com, or on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook, or TikTok.
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Maggie Blackbird 