As a continuation of my character interviews for my book The Heir to the Unexpected, this week I’ll be interviewing Elizabeth Ann Todd, known by her friends and Family as Liz. Liz is my protagonist’s, Jon’s, longterm girlfriend.

I grew up in Boulder, CO with three brothers and the Flatirons in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains as my playground. After graduating college in Denver, I moved to New York City to pursue a  job as a Drug Sales Rep for Hayera Pharmaceuticals. Huge change for me in environment, but a fun new adventure.

It took me a few months to settle in to the bustle of the city, but when I did, I  found a great group of friends. In fact, that’s how I met Jon. One of my girlfriends met him at party, and she set us up. He was quite the pleasant surprise. He’s just as passionate as I am about his work, but he values the same bigger things in life as I do and he wasn’t about playing games. We also have some fairly unique connections. For example, I had a head injury in high school that resulted in me loosing most of my ability to smell and taste. The head injury is a story for another day. But, try imagining how chocolate looses it’s allure when you only have the texture to remind you of it’s flavor. So much of our sense of taste comes from smell. Thankfully, Jon has a really uncanny sense of smell and an amazing ability to articulate the details of flavor- it makes me able to love food again!

The shopping! Definitely a step up from crunchy Boulder. I love the colors and the styles that the City inspires. My parents are very proud Hippies and they taught me how to shop at thrift and vintage clothing stores. I love the challenge of finding the best outfit for the best price. It’s a game that my girlfriends and I play together.

As much as I love New York City, when it’s hot, you’re hot. In Colorado, if it’s hot, you can go drive a few thousand feet up in altitude and there’s a cool breeze waiting to greet you. Mountains are dramatic and relaxing… and the city is fast and exciting. Colorado snow is fluffy and accessible, while New York snow is icy and annoying. There are trade-offs… but I love both.

I’m on track for being promoted in the next month or so, but you know how things happen in this economy. You really have to look out for your career and be proactive in owning your own advancement. So, as much as I like my job, I might have to consider other options if things don’t work out on the time-line that I want. Relationship-wise, I’m just really lucky to have found Jon. He’s an amazing guy who makes me feel special and I know I can trust him. If we keep going in the direction I think we are, I might have to put up his antics for life!