Meet Jasper Cole

I really wasn’t sure exactly how Jasper Cole would turn out when I started writing Learning to Love, but that’s not a huge surprise for me. My characters tend to develop themselves and tell me the things I need to know as we go through the writing process. However, he did a pretty good job of surprising me a couple of times despite everything. Humble, persevering, and gentle, Jasper really defied the odds he was given. In the end, he’s now one of my favorite characters and I can’t wait for you to get to know him too.

Learning to Love gives you a lot of insight into Jasper, and it’s not all pretty and rosy, but that’s part of what makes him so amazing. As the series goes on, you’ll learn more and more about the quiet man hired to tutor the Tisdale’s.

NOTE:
This interview takes place after the completion of Book 1 of the Wynbourne Manor Series and may contain information you learn in the book. If you are worried about spoilers, read the book first (you can find the link here)!

Now on to the interview!

Let’s start with something a little easier: What’s one of your favorite foods or smells?

(Chuckling) It’s not as easy as you might think! Growing up, my favorite food was whatever I could get my hands on because it was that or go hungry. Back then my favorite smells were often those coming from bakeries early in the morning. Now and then the local baker took pity on me and would give me a leftover scrap or a product that didn’t sell the day before.

I’ve never had much of a sweet tooth, so I don’t gravitate toward those foods or smells.  These days, I’m going to have to steal Elanor’s favorite food and say a big tender roast with potatoes. It was something I never got to have until I was older so it seemed decadent and the smell immediately makes my mouth water.

How do you measure success?

My answer to that has changed recently. A year ago I would have said to see a job completed well and my charge excelling in their environment. It’s very rewarding to see the lasting effects your efforts can have.

Now, my sights are set a little higher. Though even now I still keep in touch with a couple of my former charges, now I want to prove to Elanor and her family that I can provide for her and am worthy of everything they’ve given me. A job well done now means a successful venture that is both fulfilling and profitable.

What’s your favorite way to spend your free time?

Depending on my mood, and the weather, I like to take Eclipse out for a ride, especially if Elanor isn’t busy and she and Morning Star can come with us. Though I try to avoid the overly windblown look she usually achieves, I love the feeling of the wind on my face as well. There’s a freedom in the power of working in unison with such a strong being, and horses are unlike any other creature I’ve worked with.

Tell us something random you keep on your desk.

I’m really not that exciting! Most items on my desk are boring normal tools for working. However, on my desk at Wynbourne, I do have my ticket home in a frame. Every time I see it I’m reminded of what we went through before our happily ever after began. It makes me smile and work even harder to keep what I’ve gotten.

Who’s more spontaneous – you or Elanor?

(Laughing heartily) Do you even have to ask? She is, of course! Not that we haven’t both had difficulties feeling the burden of responsibility too young, but the light in her is impossible to extinguish, and she loves the thrill of surprises. I suppose I do too; she’s just better at it than I am.

Best for last! Time for something juicy! When were you first tempted to take things further with Elanor than tutor and tutee?
Awww – you’re blushing!

Oh my word, you had to go there, didn’t you? Well, of course, the attraction to her was instant, I mean have you seen that dress? Talk about toeing the line of making Arthur fully lose his mind! The sisters knew exactly what they were doing that day, and the gusto it took to stand up to the infamously unforgiving Arthur Towner caught my attention right from the beginning.

It grew from there, I guess. When I saw her in the gardens in the middle of the night was another big moment, and is probably the answer to your question. It took everything I had to close the door that night instead of inviting her in and breaking protocol. I had no idea until much later how she felt about that incident too. Despite trying very hard to keep things professional, she’s simply too magnetic. I was a moth to the flame from the start and it eventually grew to the point it was worth getting fired to be with her, even though I was utterly determined to be worthy of her affections.

Me again! There you have it! I hope you’ve enjoyed hearing about things from Jasper’s point of view a little bit, and gain some insight into his thoughts. There may be a follow-up interview sometime in the future.

If you are interested in an interview with any of my other characters or have any questions you’d like to ask Jasper or the others, leave me a note in the comments and you just might get your wish! If you don’t tell me who you want to hear from, I can’t give it to you!

In the meantime, if you can’t get enough for the Wynbourne characters, you can read more here.

That’s all for now!

Ellie