14 | April | 2013 | SSLYblog

Welcome Luke, Can you tell us a little about yourself?

Good morning. I’m the director of Mike’s Place, a veteran’s rehabilitation facility in Allen, Texas. It’s a project I launched about two years ago following my retirement from active duty.

What made your entire unit sign up for the 1 Night Stand dating service?

We’re a team. We have each other’s backs. I have had the privilege to serve with statesmen, chefs, psychologists, physicians and more. Fighting a war is a pretty straightforward thing, but when you come home—it’s a different battle. We signed up as a unit because it showed solidarity of purpose and support. None of my men are alone if they don’t want to be.

It has been speculated that Madame Eve uses magic to find her clients their perfect match. Do you believe in magic?

faint smile I left the woman I love for ten years and she didn’t give up on me. Even better, she still loves me. I think that’s pretty damn magical.

What do you think is “key” to building a lasting relationship?

Trust. Communication. Faith. Loyalty.

How does the love and support of a significant other impact the healing process of soldiers suffering from PTSD?

It’s a difficult trial for both the veteran and their family. PTSD can cause flashbacks—you can’t remember without reliving the event. It’s difficult to focus, to thrive when you feel like you are constantly under attack. Avoidance is natural, we avoid those who mean the most to us because we’re either lashing out or feeling numb. Treating PTSD means treating the whole family, providing support for significant others so they know they aren’t alone and helping the veteran to achieve the peace of mind they deserve. It’s not easy.

Describe “Mike’s Place” for us. What made you decide to build it?

*clears his throat* I had a very good friend that I served with for many years, a devoted husband and father. But he struggled when he returned home—struggled and lost his battle. He shot his wife and then himself. I wanted to do more and I knew I could—so I found the funding, worked with my unit and more and we built Mike’s Place as a rehabilitation campus that provides medical and mental treatment for the veteran and their family.

Who do you still want to see find their match with Madame Eve?

I’m not a matchmaker, ma’am. I want every Marine, sailor, airman or soldier who wants to take advantage of the service to do so.

How did you come to your author’s attention?

She needed someone to step up. I believe that he who gives the order should lead the charge. I volunteered.

Did you give your author a hard time when she was writing your story?

No.

Who is the love of your life?

Rebecca Ranier.

What was the first thing you noticed about her?

Her smile—her kindness—her ability to completely inhabit the space she is in.

What’s your greatest fear?

I don’t have fear—I have challenges.

What’s your motto in life?

Semper Fi.

How do the other characters in your book view you?

Rebecca wasn’t too pleased with me—but she forgave me. I hope I have my men’s respect. They have mine.

What do you think readers will find interesting about you?

I’ll have to ask Rebecca about that answer. Hopefully they will find my dedication to our country and duty interesting.

In No Retreat, No Surrender we got to see what happened after the 1NS with Jazz and her men, do you know if Heather plans to expand on the story of any of her other Marines?

That’s definitely a question for Heather. My understanding is that she is waiting for deployment on a couple of our guys to be complete.

What makes you happy?

Rebecca. Mike’s Place. My guys.

What makes you mad?

When men and women who devote their life are forgotten. We should leave no one behind—overseas or at home.

What’s next for you and Rebecca? Are there and little Dexter’s in the works?

Anything’s possible. She agreed to marry me.

Always A Marine series available at: http://www.heatherlong.net/bookshelf/always-a-marine

Bio: Heather Long lives in Texas with her family and their menagerie of animals. As a child, Heather skipped picture books and enjoyed the Harlequin romance novels by Penny Jordan and Nora Roberts that her grandmother read to her. Heather believes that laughter is as important to life as breathing and that the Easter Bunny, the Tooth Fairy and Santa Claus are very real. In the meanwhile, she is hard at work on her next novel.