Rose McGuire

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Brief description:  At age 20, tall and slender with turquoise-colored eyes and honeyed hair, Rose McGuire would be considered one of Baltimore’s most comely ladies if it weren’t for the smudges of dirt often found on her hands and face. You see, Rose would prefer working on her farm than donning fancy gowns and attending soirees and teas with the high society of Baltimore. In fact, some of her best friends are pigs, chickens, and cows, and she finds them far more trustworthy than any man she has met. Though she must marry to retain ownership of her farm, a horrific event in her past, keeps her mistrustful of all men and in bondage to fear and unforgiveness. So much so that she rarely leaves the sanctuary of her farm where she lives with her doting Aunt and Uncle. She particularly hates the British because they murdered her father.  So, what is Rose to do when British troops attack her farm, and one particular British naval officer is wounded trying to protect her?  (picture Rose McGuire3 Actress Romola Garai)

Strengths: Patriotic, Good heart, Charitable, Humble, Down-to-earth
Weaknesses:  Fear, Unforgiving, Bitter, Pessimist

Quirks: When Rose is frightened she sings a song her father used to sing to her as a child. She often has specks of dirt on her skin and gown.

Inspiration: We are not only a product of our genetics but of our past. When more than one terrible tragedy strikes us, particularly when we are young, it is often impossible to overcome the various struggles which result. I’ve met countless people who are what I call, walking wounded. They appear to function well on the outside, but inside they are a bubbling mass of anger, hatred, bitterness, insecurity, and unforgiveness—a caldron just waiting to explode at the slightest little thing. Unless they let go of their unforgiveness and anger and receive the healing love of God, they will lead very unsuccessful lives. These people are the inspiration for Rose. She wants to be better, she wants to overcome her fear, her past, she wants to help other people, but she is imprisoned in her own fear and hatred.

Alexander Reed

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Brief description: At age three and twenty, with dark brown hair, a tall sturdy stature, and hazel eyes, Alexander Reed makes for quite a handsome, imposing figure, especially in his Royal Navy Lieutenant’s uniform. Normally proud of his country and its dominion in the world, he finds the cruel way his countrymen are fighting this petty war with America to be beneath the honor and decency of Britain. He only joined His Majesty’s navy to make a fortune and a name for himself in battle—both which he hoped would not only gain him entrance back into his home in Cranleigh, but the forgiveness of his father for infractions in his youth. But he had not signed up for such wickedness! Surely these rustic, backwoods rebels need to be taught a lesson, but not murdered and ravished in their beds. Being forced to participate in such barbarity against innocent settlers sickens Alex. Alternatively, Alex’s superior and first lieutenant aboard the HMS Undefeatable, Mr. Garrick, seems to relish in such debauchery. So when the vile man attacks an innocent farm girl, Alex can do nothing less than step in to save the girl. What he didn’t expect was to get shot in the process.  (picture AlexanderReed1 – actor Colin Firth)

Strengths: Honorable, Kind, Moral, Chivalrous, Resolute
Weaknesses: Arrogant, Snobbish, Judgmental, Demanding, Rigid

Inspiration:  There’s nothing more difficult for a child than being rejected by a father.  It doesn’t have to be a flat out rejection. It could be plain and simple neglect, favoring another sibling, withholding praise, or just never being there. When this happens, a child either grows up with all sorts of emotional problems and withdraws or he spend his life trying to gain his father’s favor, even well into his own adulthood. That is what Alex is trying to do. He hopes to gain enough money and honor to win his father’s approval and affection and be welcomed back into his home. Because he didn’t receive his father’s love, Alex has come to believe that love must be earned. I believe so many people today suffer from this same problem. They try to earn their parent’s love, friend’s love, even their spouse’s love by doing things or being a certain way. But the truth is, you cannot force anyone to love you in this world. The only love you can count on—the only love that is freely given, no strings attached, no conditions, that cannot be bought or earned is the love of God.