Guest Author: Liz Crowe

Risk Vs. Reward: A Character Study 

There are several  “Heroes” in the Turkish Delights series. But at its core is a set of identical twin men, Tarkan an Emre Deniz, sons of the blended American/Turkish couple, Vivian and Levent.

As with many cultures, a Turkish person’s name has meaning, and I found that the Turks take this particularly seriously (or they used to—as with many things, younger generations are getting away from it).  However, I chose the names “Tarkan” And “Emre” carefully as they are reflections of how the two men who look “scary alike” according to most who meet them, are so vastly different in temperament and personality.

First, “Emre” as his is the lot of “older brother,” even if only by a few moments. Many translate this to mean exactly that: “Older brother,” and some say it means “friend,” and one translation is “Passionately in love.” 

Emre is the twin who seemed to take the predictable, responsible path. He is accused at times of being “old in a young man’s body,” “overprotective,” and even “a young fuddy duddy.” But he is the twin you want in a crises: cool-headed, organized, and methodical.  But the “passionately in love” works too because when he meets Elle Kensington, an Ex-pat, high level executive woman who is 15 years his senior…well, his cool-headedness goes right out the window.

Tarkan is the younger boy (by a few) and his name means “Strong,” or “bold.”  This is the son who is gay and comes out to his family when he meets the love of his life in Caleb Blessing, an American man who is the personal assistant to Elle Kensington.  But he makes a decision a few years into his relationship with Caleb that changes everyone’s lives forever.

In Turkey it a legal requirement that men over the age of 18 must serve in the military for 2 years. There are ways around and out of this and Levent Deniz spends a fair bit of money keeping his boys in college overseas in hopes of avoiding it.  But when they return, Tarkan (the strong and bold) feels compelled to honor his responsibility for the Deniz family.

The tradition with the Turkish military (which by the way is one of the strongest standing militaries in the world) is to take young men who have grown up in the various large cities and station them in the far flung outposts (of which there are a LOT including some very dangerous ones today, along the border with Syria). And they will take the “country boys” and put them smack dab in the city, guarding various military bases (there are a lot of these), and government buildings in the capital Ankara.  Tarkan was headed straight for the border with Iraq (as a city boy from the get go) until his father intervenes with some money and he ends up in the relative safety of Ankara, guarding the Turkish Parliament building.  This turns out not to be a safe place at all, unfortunately.  But Tarkan is the risk taking twin and always was. His close relationship with their younger sister, Lale (pronounced “Lah-Ley” and which means “beautiful tulip”) is also testament to his bravery as she is a Wild Child with a Capital “W”.  As a matter of fact, Lale and Emre hardly get along at all as he barely tolerates her from the moment she is born when the boys are 6 but Tarkan is smitten with his kız kardeşim (kuhz Kar-de-shim) “baby sister” the minute he lays eyes on her.

The family dynamic is a huge part of the Turkish Delights series, which weaves somewhat magical stories as part of the Decadent Publishing “1Night Stand” series in with tales of fated love, intrigue, suspense, and heat. 

It is now available in an e-book bundle AND in print under one lovely cover.  I hope you get a chance to read them soon!

OH… and speaking of TARKAN…..here is a very famous one: The internationally acclaimed pop star (I saw him live in Istanbul…yumster)….the songs are from his English album…enjoy the eye candy. You are welcome.

A young American woman comes face to face with her destiny in Istanbul in the 1960's and an epic dynasty is born.  

When Vivian Kinkaid turns around in her college classroom and makes eye contact with a man who was once her forbidden childhood friend, her life is changed forever.

A sweeping saga of family, love, loss and recovery—The Turkish Delight series begins with a special sort of magic. Then  Madame Eve works her miracles for the Deniz family, but even she can’t overcome the harsh realities that force this Turkish/American family all to deal with tragedy when one of their own is ripped from their close-knit circle.

 “The Turks” opens with best-selling classic romance for the ages.  Then ends with a thrilling novella that brings all the players back together.  Set in Istanbul, Las Vegas, and Southern California, The Turkish Delights series has it all—heat, heart, intrigue and a deep, family connection that transcends all barriers.

Amazon | Print

On March 10 at the Daily Dose of Decadence blog (www.decadentpublishing.blogspot.com) there will be 5 questions, the answers of which can be found in various posts back in the tour. The person who answers the most correctly and leaves and email there will receive:

signed copy of the print anthology Turkish Delights

$50 Amazon card (to buy my back list of course)

A BONUS QUESTION can be answered as well for a chance to win a Beer Wench Tee shirt

Here are all the other posts to you can follow around for the Giveaway!

2/25  www.backwardsmomentum.blogspot.com

2/26    www.harliesbooks.com

2/26    www.twinsietalk.blogspot.com

2/27  www.stickgirlbookreviews.blogspot.com

2/27  www.christinatetreault.com

2/28  www.msspencertalespinner.blogspot.com

2/28  www.literatiliteraturelovers.com

3/1  www.sevensexyscribes.blogspot.com

3/1 www.cindyspencerpape.com

3/2  www.shhmomsreading.com

3/2 www.melissakeir.com

3/3 www.desireeholt.com

3/4 www.kimcharmichaelnovels.com 

3/5  www.markofthestars.com

3/7  www.nicolezoltack.com

3/8 www.carrieannryan.com

3/9  www.lucyfelthouse.co.uk

3/10 www.decadentpublishing.blogspot.com