Character Spotlight ~ Maggie Brendan's Crystal Clark & Luke Weber

Today the spotlight shines on.............................................Crystal Clark & Luke Weber


Maggie Brendan's first Heart of the West novel, No Place for A Lady, will have lovers of historical romance sighing with delight! With determined characters and a beautiful setting, Maggie weaves a great story of the hardships faced by many settlors and their dedication to overcoming the odds.

I know you will enjoy this look behind the scenes of No Place for A Lady! Thanks Maggie:~


Brief physical description

Crystal Clark is a beautiful Southern belle from GA about 5’2” with very dark brown hair and green eyes and peaches ‘n’ cream complexion and small build. She has a fun sense of humor and people are drawn to her by friendliness and affectionate charm.

Think someone like Courtney Cox - except my Crystal’s eyes are green.

Luke Weber is every woman’s dream of what a cowboy should be; Very handsome, over 6 feet tall with confederate blue eyes and mustache and dark hair. He is highly respected by the ranch hands who consider him an expert in the area of horses and cattle.

Think Sam Elliott but he’s probably too old, but I wrote it with him in mind.

Strengths and weaknesses

Crystal has a mind of her own but she is not the perfect Christian and has inner personal struggles and relies on self many times instead of God. She is not afraid to try her hand at new things even when it seems overwhelming.

Luke doubts any Southern belle could adapt to life in the West and tries to keep his emotions under control by being aloof. He doesn’t want to be control by a woman. He’s an excellent foreman and cares about his ranch hands.


Quirk (if any)

Crystal has a quick wit but is charming and loves to wear big hats.

Luke doesn’t like anyone to touch his hat and keep it slung low so that it’s hard to see his eyes to keep from revealing what he’s really thinking.


Your inspiration for the character

I love the West and its history and wanted to write about a strong woman that adapts to the hard way of life there. I thought what better way than to place her on a trail drive which few women did in that era.

Background to the story

Longing for a new start, Crystal Clark arrives amid the splendor of the high country in June 1892. After the death of her father, Crystal is relieved to be leaving the troubles of her Georgia life behind to visit her aunt’s cattle ranch. Despite being raised as a proper Southern belle, Crystal is determined to hold her own in this wild land—even if a certain handsome foreman named Luke doubts her abilities.

Just when she thinks she’s getting a handle on the constant male attention from the cowhands and the catty barbs from some of the local young women, tragedy strike. And saving the ranch from a greedy neighboring landowner means Crystal must take charge of the cattle drive, ready or not.

Can she rise to the challenge? Or will she head back to Georgia defeated?

The insight behind Crystal and Luke was great - thank you, Maggie. Looking forward to Josh and Juliana's story in The Jewel of His Heart, coming in October, 2009.

Click here for more on The Jewel of His Heart.


On Monday, I am spotlighting one of my favourite male characters ever! Elizabeth White's Tommy Lucas from her novella The Trouble with Tommy, in Sweet Delights, is such a sweetheart (pardon the pun!). I know you will love him too ;-)

Relz Reviewz Extras

Review of No Place for A Lady

Visit Maggie's blog

Buy Maggie's books at Amazon or Koorong

Check back next week for my exclusive interview with Maggie