I had originally thought to end the character spotlights with launch day on 6/15, but I realized that I hadn’t had an opportunity to spotlight one of my most “favoritest” of characters in my entire trilogy: Bendelof (BEN-deh-loff) Esper, or Bennie.

Bennie is a farm girl from the region of Granharson, though the name of her home village isn’t mentioned in “The Crimson League: The Fight for Hope.”

Bennie is from the other side of the Podra River than Yangerton, Herezoth’s largest and most thriving city. Podrar, the capital, is also on the other bank.

Bennie’s basically from the backwoods. She was raised by her grandmother, and she’s one of the youngest members of the resistance movement against sorcerer Zalski Forzythe at age 18.

She’s a redhead, short, slight, and unobtrusive, and the Crimson League’s resident thief and cat burglar has decided to train her to help him. She’s not one you’d expect, at all, to be actively engaged in a magical civil war when you see her, so the people making decisions for the League use that to their advantage.

Bennie’s contributions to the resistance movement are mainly in terms of keeping morale up. She is the heart of the Crimson League.

I’d like to think I’m something like her, but if I’m honest, she’s naturally more hopeful and cheerful than I am, as well as less risk-averse. I think she handles stress and anxiety better than I do, as well, though you do get to see her struggle somewhat in this regard, which I have always felt is realistic and relatable.

Bennie embraces religion and devotion to Herezoth’s God, called the Giver, more than the rest of the characters do. You don’t really see Bennie pray or talk about God much, but her spirituality is a huge motivator in what she does. It’s what keeps her going.

BENNIE THE FAITHFUL

What I love most about Bennie–what most inspires me about her–is her faithfulness. She is naturally and innocently faithful to anyone she considers to have rightful authority over her, who doesn’t abuse that authority.

I have a friend who, after reading the book, commented, “Call her Bennie the Moabite,” in reference to the loyal Ruth from the Bible. That made me so happy!

I had never consciously made any connection between Ruth and Bennie, but my friend’s comment made clear that Bennie’s streak of faithfulness really shines . . . exactly as I’d hoped.

“The Crimson League: The Fight for Hope,” my new YA fantasy, is available now on Amazon in paperback and for Kindle.

• Meet Verony TODAY! Find redemption with her and the Crimson League
• She took part in a sorcerer’s coup, then changed her mind.
• COVER REVEAL!!!
• My characters are kind of like my kids
• We are go! With magic of a different kind in this one.