Beyond the Story - A Man's Face
A slash of a scar from cheek to chin is all Marc Jordan remembers of the man kneeling over his dead mother. As he searches his memory for clues and hopes he is the first one to find the killer, he becomes involved in a bizarre psychotic family intrigue. Murder, blackmail, corruption and betrayal leave a trail from the storied vineyards of Spain to the wineries of Southern California where no one is who or what they claim to be. When he is forced to accept a court case he does not want, Jordan inadvertently unravels the threads that lead to solving his mother’s murder. With each revelation Marc’s life spirals out of control in this dizzying thriller.
My guest today hails from the suspense thriller A Man’s Face by B. Roman. Let’s see what he has to say.
SJJ: Hello, so happy you could join me today. Can you please tell our audience your full name and where you live?
MJ: My name is Marc Jordan, changed from Marcus Jordain, when I became an attorney. I had rather mundane reasons for changing it, but it inadvertently gave me an anonymity that turned out to be quite beneficial. I live in San Diego, California, but I lived in Stockton for a short time and went to law school at Berkeley.
SJJ: Anonymity, huh? Interesting.
And how would you describe your personality?
MJ: I try to be outgoing and of good humor, although some of my friends would describe me as introspective, pensive, and a bit buttoned up (a stuffed shirt?). I avoid taking risks as an attorney - I like an easy win. But my latest case is anything but that. I avoid the dating scene, bars and such - as too phony and a waste of time. However, an unusual, serendipitous event brought me the love of my life; I am besotted and blind in my passion for her.
SJJ: I’m happy to hear you’ve found someone to share your life. I wish you many happy years.
What was your childhood like? I like to ask this question because it gives our audience an idea of the person you are and perhaps the choice you made as an adult. MJ: I had the happiest childhood. My father and I were very close, and I inherited his love of the outdoors and fitness. He was elegant and accomplished in the art of growing grapes and making wine. I adored and admired my mother who was an amazing chef, and an inspiration to me. I lost them both to horrible tragedies when I was very young. I was traumatized and had to grow up very fast.
SJJ: I am so sorry you lost your parents tragically. Especially when you were very young.
Now, you stated before you are an attorney, but what kind of an attorney?
MJ: I’m a defense attorney - a Public Defender actually.
SJJ: Is this something you’ve always wanted to do or do you have a dream job?
MJ: My dream job was always to be a pilot, having my own charter jet - I got my love of flying from my uncle who worked in a charter air field. Since having my own plane is financially unrealistic, I fly for recreation, but I am happy that I became an attorney, to represent people who have no advocate because they have no money or influence.
SJJ: While you may not be flying for a career, you are at least getting to do what you love. And I think your reasons for being an attorney are commendable.
What would you say is the biggest obstacle in your live preventing you from achieving any goals you may have?
MJ: My biggest, personal goal is to find the man - the man with the scar - who killed my mother.
SJJ: Oh no! Your mother was murdered? I’m so sorry. Please continue.
MJ: I can remember nothing but seeing her lying lifeless on the kitchen floor as he fled. My amnesia stands in the way of tracking him down and bringing him to justice. And I keep hoping he will walk into my office one day not knowing who I really am.
SJJ: Well, I hope he does. I see now why your name change may work to your advantage. What would you say are defining moments in your life that made you who you are today? MJ: Having both of my parents suffer heartbreaking, grisly deaths completely turned my life around. Subsequently, I am tormented by dissociative amnesia, and am in therapy with a psychiatrist to try and remember who killed them and why.
SJJ: As those horrific tragedies would. I so hope you get your memory back. Is there anyone you look up to, consider to be a mentor, either in the past or right now?
MJ: Judge Leroy Larimer, who I appear before frequently, has helped to steer my career. I clerked for him when I was a law intern, and now he is urging me to take a big case that he feels would be a defining moment in my career. Why, exactly, is somewhat of a mystery I have yet to solve.
SJJ: Well, he must have a good reason for it. I say you should go for it.
When you think of all your accomplishments, what is your proudest moment?
MJ: Without getting specific (or I would spoil your reading experience) I am proud when I find justice and mercy for one of my clients who has been wrongly convicted. My current client is my biggest challenge, the circumstances of his case are complex and mind-boggling. If I can get him acquitted it will be my proudest moment.
SJJ: That would be a great thing. I’ve often wondered, if someone is guilty and they are acquitted, how does that make you feel? But that’s a question for another day. (smiles)
Let’s change the subject. What’s your idea of the perfect day?
MJ: Taking the ferry boat from the Embarcadero to Coronado Island and enjoying the beach at the Del Coronado Hotel, then later taking a flight in a rented plane to relish the beautiful California coastline as the sun begins to set.
SJJ: That does sound lovely.
And now for some fun. If a movie was made about your life, who would you want to play you?
MJ: Milo Ventimiglia. His performance was poignant in “The Art of Racing in the Rain.”
SJJ: Hmm, I’ve not seen that movie. I’ll have to check it out.
And one final question, if you could change one thing that happened in your story, would you?
MJ: While tragedy and betrayals are painful to endure, I wouldn’t have followed the path that I was destined to take, or appreciate my own personal moral compass. I’m not sure I would change anything.
SJJ: That’s a brave statement coming from someone who has endured such tragedy.
Thank you, Mark, for sharing your story with us.
You can learn more about my guest in A Man’s Face by author B. Roman.
AUTHOR BIO
Barbara Roman (aka B. Roman) is the author of the inspirational YA Moon Singer series and two children’s fantasy books. Because of her music background as a professional singer and composer, her fantasy books have their roots in music theories and metaphors, entwined with the magic and mystery of metaphysical concepts and matters of ethics, faith, compassion, love, and heroism.
As a grounding force, Roman enjoys turning out a suspense fiction, exploring the human psyche as her book’s characters are caught up in intrigue, murder, and conspiracies, and try to balance the scales of good vs evil.
Books by B. Roman
A Man’s Face (suspense)
Whatever Became of Sin? (suspense)
The Moon Singer Series
Book I: The Crystal Clipper
Book II: The War Chamber
Book III: The Wind Rose
Prequel: Before the Boy
Children’s Books by Barbara Roman
Alicia and the Light Bulb People in Star Factory 13
Hubert in Heaven - a hi-tech angel gets his wings
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