In today’s blog, I’d like to share my inspiration for the Annie Crow Knoll: Moonrise character of Liam McAllister. Below are photographs I selected to support the creation of this character.
Liam’s backstory is that he was a talented cyclist in college, and that’s where he met Professor Drew Bidwell, Annie’s ex-husband. Drew saw Liam’s talent, and he supported Liam’s dream of pursuing professional cycling. However, Liam’s dad, Colonel Bartlett McAllister, had other ideas. His father pressed Liam to go to Officer Candidates School directly out of college, and Liam went. Ultimately Liam served in Afghanistan and lost men under his command. After Liam returned to civilian life in the US, Drew, who stayed in touch with Liam, hired him as his granddaughters’ cycling coach as they prepare for the 2016 Summer Olympic.
Liam has PTSD which is triggered by the charity race cowbells in Chapter One. They sound like the Afghan goat bells that rang after a horrific firefight and he carried the bodies of young soldiers off the field. Liam is trained to noticed the signs of a potential bomber, so he immediately hones in on the suspicious guy at the charity race.
I’m celebrating the 5th Anniversary of Annie Crow Knoll: Moonrise being published. If you haven’t read the Annie Crow Knoll trilogy, all the eBooks are on sale for $0.99 each! Just click the book images on the sidebar or go to the Books by Gail Priest page for links.
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