One of the most exciting and challenging aspects of writing “Stealing Equity” was the opportunity to create a diverse and unconventional cast of characters. From the outset, I knew I wanted the novel to center on a group of unlikely heroes, each with their own unique backstories, skills, and motivations.
At the heart of the crew is Darby, a former volleyball star turned high-class escort who becomes the mastermind behind the heist. Darby’s character was inspired in part by my own experiences working with athletes who have faced challenges and setbacks in their careers. I wanted to explore the idea of a woman who had once had a promising future, but circumstances forced her to adapt and survive in a world that was often cruel and unforgiving.
As I developed Darby’s character, I also imagined the other members of her crew, each of whom would bring their own unique perspectives and abilities to the table. There’s William, a recovering sex addict and author who sees the heist as a chance to make amends for his past mistakes; Josh, a brilliant banker with a dark secret who becomes the crew’s financial mastermind; while Ella, a brilliant young hacker with a tragic past, uses her tech savvy to infiltrate even the most secure systems; Tommy, a former military man turned strip club bouncer, brings his physical prowess and street smarts to the team; and Justine, a former porn star seeking revenge against the industry that exploited her.
Each of these characters required a great deal of research and development, as I worked to create fully realized individuals with their own hopes, fears, and motivations. I spent countless hours exploring their backstories, their relationships with one another, and how their individual arcs would intersect and influence the larger narrative of the heist.
One of the most rewarding aspects of this process was the opportunity to delve into the psychological depths of these characters, to explore how trauma, addiction, and circumstance had shaped their lives and their choices. I wanted readers to feel a deep connection to these characters, to understand their struggles and to root for their success, even as they navigated the murky moral waters of the heist itself.
As I wrote and revised the novel, I was continually amazed by how these characters seemed to take on a life of their own. There were moments when a character would surprise me with a decision or a revelation that I hadn’t initially planned for, but that felt utterly true to who they were and what they had experienced.
In many ways, the characters of “Stealing Equity” are the heart of the novel, the driving force behind the story’s emotional resonance and thematic depth. Through their struggles and their triumphs, their relationships and their conflicts, they bring to life the central ideas of the novel—the power of redemption, the search for justice, and the unbreakable bonds of friendship.
As I look ahead to the next books in the “Beyond Vengeance” series, I am excited to continue exploring these characters and their stories, to delve deeper into their psyches and to watch as they continue to grow and change in response to the challenges they face. I hope you will come to love these characters as much as I do and that they will find in their journeys a source of inspiration, hope, and healing.