Bo’sun here reporting live from the Left Coast. It’s quite early out here and our guest isn’t exactly a morning girl. To make sure we’re not left hanging, wonder-author Loucinda McGary sent us her hot, hunky, Irish leading man of her latest release, WILD IRISH SEA. (Which just happened to hit stores yesterday. Booyah!)
Bo’sun: So, Inspector Hennessey, or Kevin, if you’d prefer, most of us pirates have never been to your little corner of the planet. Can you tell us a bit about it?
Kevin: Thank you for inviting me here, Bo’sun. (looks about with a growing frown) This is quite an interesting ship, not to mention crew here on the Revenge.
I’ve not been an inspector for a good long while, so Kevin will do nicely.
I actually have a flat in Armagh City, a nice enough place. My sister and her husband live in Armagh too. But I’m currently spending my holiday at my late father’s cottage by the sea in County Donegal which is in the Republic. The closest village is Malin Head, the northern most point in Ireland and on the Atlantic Ocean.
‘Tis an isolated area with only a few tourists. Most folks have lived here for generations, taking their living from the sea. I think my father moved here ten years ago because my mother had died and he missed her too much to stay in the old house. ‘Tis nice and quiet with plenty of time just for thinking. My father liked that and so do I.
Bo’sun: I hear you’re a loner, what’s up with that?
Kevin: And precisely where would you be hearing that? (rolls his eyes) Oh never mind, ‘tis a hazard of small town life that everyone in the vicinity makes it a point to know your business. And what they don’t know, they’ll presume, which is even worse.
‘Tis no crime that I happen to prefer my own company. Besides, there’s been plenty to keep me busy cleaning and fixing up the house and garden, and I’ve the sound of the sea to keep me company.
Bo’sun: My crack research team tells me you have a soft spot for an American woman named Amber O’Neill. How did you and Ms. O’Neill meet? Pick her up at the local pub?
Kevin: And just where did you hear such information, then? (narrows his eyes in suspicion) I most certainly did not meet Amber at Callahan’s. The publican may be a bit of an old lecher, but he runs a respectable establishment. As a matter of fact, some of the locals actually sent her out to my cottage…
But those details are most certainly not something I’m willing to discuss. (Kevin realizes he has slipped too close to blustery) However, if your research team were any good a ‘tall then they’d know that Amber does not create a soft spot anywhere on my anatomy. Ahem… (ducks his head to hide the blush)
Bo’sun: I have to tell you, that accent is definitely floating my dingy. Are all Irishmen as gorgeous as you are?
Kevin: Accent? I’m thinking YOU are the one with an accent, Bo’sun. As for the other… (Kevin is interrupted by the sound of scuffling and more lilting male voices). Well, perhaps you can judge after meeting two of my mates from the PSNI (Police Service of Northern Ireland). This ginger-haired knacker is Brian Walsh, and the other bogger is Derek Feeney.
(Walsh and Feeney mutter good-naturedly under their breath and give Kevin a couple of slaps on the back and arm punches)
Feeney: Holy sweet Jaysus, if I’d but known pirates looked as fine as some o’ these, I might have switched to law-breaker instead of law-upholder!
Walsh: Mind your manners, Feeney, and stop proving you were raised in a stable. These lovely lasses haven’t broken any laws, or if they have, ‘tis a long way from our jurisdiction. (His blue eyes twinkle) However, if any of them like to play with hand-cuffs, I’d be willing to oblige.
Kevin: Does that answer your question Bo’Sun? And the one about being a loner as well? (gives Feeney and Walsh a baleful look) C’mon you two gobshites, the interview is over.
Bo’sun: Wait, one more question, we have an extensive drink menu aboard this vessel and like to add new drinks in honor of our esteemed guests. Okay, esteemed might be stretching it, but what would you suggest for a drink that would represent you? Something hot, I’m thinking. And no, you can’t suggest a Guinness, that’s too easy.
Kevin: Considering I’ve stayed sober these 14 long months, and intend to continue as such, you can just brew me up a nice strong cuppa.
Feeney & Walsh: Guinness? Did someone mention a pint?
Walsh: ‘Twould be the height of rudeness to turn down such hospitality as the kind offer of a pint.
Feeney: If ‘tis too easy to suggest a Guinness, then I’m thinking we’ll need to change our names.
Walsh: Too right, you be Too and I’ll be Easy.
(Kevin sighs and shakes his head.)
Bo’sun: Anyone named Too Easy is going to fit right in with this crew. Feel free to fire off some questions for our Irish boys here, and once Loucinda wakes up and drags herself above decks, we’ll hit her up on more information about this book and her heroine’s mysterious special ability.