Today, I wanted to introduce you to the characters in Garden of Her Heart. I think you’ll like meeting them.
When I was envisioning our hero, Rock Laroux, I knew it needed to be someone with kindness in his eyes and a handsome face.
Andy Wagner turned out to be my ideal Rock. He’s got that military look, a handsome face…
and that smile…
and those eyes.
Yep, he’s my Rock.
Miss Miko Nishimura, as we know from the story, is tall and willowy, beautiful and somewhat reserved.
Tao Okamoto is perfect (PERFECT) as Miko!
Can’t you just see her in a 1940s outfit at Grandpa Yamada’s farm?
Speaking of Grandpa Yamada, Pat Morita is exactly how I picture Shig Yamada. He’s got a great sense of humor, is completly dedicated to his family, and makes the best of a very trying and difficult situation.
Now, I’m going to introduce you to a little fellow who has turned into one of my all-time favorite characters.
This is Petey Phillips. He lives on the farm next to Miko’s grandparents’ place. Petey, oh Petey — he is lively, rascally, endearing and entirely wonderful. In fact, I may have wished for my very own Petey more than once while I was writing the story. I have no idea who the boy is in the photo, but the moment I “clapped my opticals” on it, I knew this was Petey, the youngest hero in the story.
For those of you completely freaked out by nasty Norman Ness, here’s my visual inspiration for him. I’m sure Giovanni Ribisi is a perfectly lovely person, but he made the very best Norman.
This is Grandpa and Grandma Yamada’s house. Isn’t it sweet?
And this stunning beauty is Miko’s car. I’m thoroughly in love with it – with everything about it. I think I’m gonna ask Santa if it will fit in my stocking…
