Character Q&A: Dr. Emrys Somerled of Jo Denning's Hush Hush City #characterinterview

 

Today's guest is Dr. Emrys Somerled from inside the pages of HUSH HUSH CITY by Jo Denning.  It is a pleasure to have him with us at The Literary Nook!

What is your name?  

Dr. Emrys Somerled

What do you look like?

I am loath to come across as vain, particularly on such a public platform. However, I am told that this visage is pleasing—golden skin, aristocratic features, hazel eyes, ash blond hair. Similar to my father’s face. Though he wore his hair long and braided, whereas mine is short and slicked back.

Where are you today and what are you doing? 

I saw two psychotherapy clients this morning in my home office. You have caught me on my way to the precinct to consult on an unusual crime scene. Perhaps I will speak to Saoirse while I am there and finalize our plans for supper.

Describe the outside of your home.

I live in an historic brownstone located in Beacon Hill, an affluent Boston neighborhood. The city ensures the vintage gas street lamps and brick roads are well-maintained throughout the area. As for the house itself, it was built around 1830. It has a stately brick facade, large windows, and the front door is a striking red. You are welcome to visit any time. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Though Saoirse may be occupying my spare bedroom.

What is your favorite piece of clothing?

My clients expect a certain level of sophistication in my wardrobe, as do the courts on occasions when I am deposed. With this in mind, my closet consists of bespoke wool suits, button-down shirts in an array of colors, and several silk ties. It is difficult to settle on a favorite… After further consideration, the Donegal tweed jacket in navy herringbone.

What scares you?

Nothing that I would admit to you freely. Has no one told you that everything, in this world and the next, has a cost?

How would your parents describe you?  

Were he still among the living, I doubt my father would even acknowledge my existence. A traitor, perhaps. A disappointment, certainly. And my mother? I never knew what she was thinking and, now, I never will.

What’s the last thing you do before you go to bed at night?

Scheming, plotting, imagining a future where the mortals are no more than fodder for my blade… I jest, of course. I always tend to my dental hygiene before bed. Have you flossed today?

Who is your best friend?

I have no friends. As for my favorite place, I have fond memories of a scrap of land in Wellfleet where the forest meets the fog. I hope to bring Saoirse with me on my next visit.

 

About the Book   

Title: Hush Hush City
Author: Jo Denning
Publisher: Leabhar & Fola Publishing House
Pages: 330
Genre: Dark Urban Fantasy Romance

Cruel Prince meets Law & Order in Hush Hush City, the thrilling sequel to Dead Blood City and second installment in the Saoirse Reilly series! Saoirse Reilly, police detective and wayward psychic, is still reeling from the events of Dead Blood City. Her lies are piling up but there’s no time to deal. She and her loved ones are in danger once again. While investigating the murder of a Boston blueblood, Reilly is drawn into a supernatural power struggle centuries in the making. 

Ancient monsters are prowling the streets and Domenico Alderisi, newly installed vrykolakas master, needs Reilly’s help securing his territory – which just so happens to be her hometown. Alderisi, once her enemy, may be the only one who can save the city. But he has his own agenda and a taste for Reilly’s blood. The only way for Reilly to protect all she holds dear may be to rely on her two-faced teacher, Dr. Emrys Somerled. The criminal psychologist and occult expert is something more than human. If anyone can take on monsters, it’s him. And he’d like to get closer to Reilly than ever before. There’s just one problem. Somerled is keeping secrets, too, and there’s nothing more dangerous. After all…

Stepping out of the silence is scary but secrets can kill.

Will Reilly escape the web of death and deception?

Find out in this urban fantasy meets gritty noir detective novel featuring imperfect heroes and slow burn dark romance with beautiful monsters who can’t be trusted.

Amazon: https://amzn.to/41Z1UUq

 

About the Author 

Jo Denning is the author of the Saoirse Reilly series. She has spent her career as a behavioral health therapist supporting kids and teens who struggle with addiction. Jo began writing supernatural crime thrillers as a way of processing the traumatic things she has seen and heard. Her characters may be supernatural but their stories, their fear, and their pain are real. So, too, are the triumphs over impossible odds.

When she’s not writing, Jo enjoys baking, drawing, and watching trashy reality TV. She makes her home somewhere in the contiguous United States with her husband, one fluffy cat, and one barely domesticated cat.

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