Below is an interview i did with Roan Black, the supermodel who stars in my upcoming book, Genetic Attraction, and also in the prequel coming out in the spring entitled, The Scientist and the Supermodel. If you’d like to read a scene from the book with Roan, just scroll down to my previous post. Also, see the question at the bottom of the interview. Maybe your recipe for mac and cheese will appear in the sequel to Genetic Attraction. : )
This interview with world famous supermodel, Roan Black, took place just before the events that make up the book Genetic Attraction. Roan, as usual, is cooking in the gourmet kitchen of the Connecticut home he shares with his lover, Jake Martin.
Tara: Hello, Roan. Thank you for allowing me to talk with you.
Roan: My pleasure. After all I wouldn’t have met Jake if it weren’t for you.
Tara: Glad to be the matchmaker, but don’t say too much, because the story of how you and Jake met doesn’t come out until the spring. It’s called The Scientist and the Supermodel.
Roan: I like that, especially the scientist part. I do love that boy.
Tara: You have a one track mind, my dear. So tell us how you became a supermodel.
Roan: Oh, you mean talk about something besides Jake? (grins) Okay, okay. It’s actually not the happiest story. I’m from a small town in the Midwest. My parents were very religious in that “we’re right and everyone else is wrong” kind of way. My father never really believed I was his son, because of my appearance I guess. He blamed my mom and hated me. When I realized I was gay, I knew I’d never survive in his house, so I left home. I was sixteen. I’d met a guy at a gay bar who had told me he could make me a model. Strangely enough, he turned out to be on the level. He took me to New York to an agency, and I guess the rest is history. I was delighted that that man made a lot of money from his faith in me.
Tara: Do you see your parents anymore?
Roan: No, I haven’t seen them since I slipped out that window back eight years ago. They only read religious tracts, so I doubt they would have seen me in magazines or on television. They probably don’t know where I am , and don’t really care.
Tara: You had to quit school?
Roan: Yes. It’s ironic that I should end up with a man who’s a PhD. And of course, his boss, Emmaline, is one of the great scientists in the world. I haven’t met her yet. Jake keeps saying she’s going to love me, but what would she want with a high school dropout?
Tara: Jake tells me you’re so well read that your knowledge of literature, art, economics, and other things far exceeds his.
Roan: He’s exaggerating. But the library is a good place to hide when you’re scared to go home. It became a habit, and I still read all the time. Models have lots of downtime.
Tara: I hope this isn’t a touchy subject, but I know that Jake still has kind of a thing for Emmaline. Does that disturb you?
Roan: (laughing) It used to make me nuts! Then i saw he loved me and I got more perspective. She’s his dream, and I am a big promoter of dreams, so I told him not to give up. He may have her yet.
Tara: How does that work? I thought you were gay?
Roan: It’s true, I mostly prefer men, but I have had a few experiences with women. Ask Jake to tell you about Alexandra Shields sometime. (He grins) Now she makes him crazy. Anyway, I’ve discovered that I am turned on by a few select women. And if Jake happened to love the woman too, all the better.
Tara: So, are you and Jake plotting something?
Roan: (laughs) I guess you’ll have to read Genetic Attraction to find out.
Tara: Read it? I wrote it!
Roan: (looks at her through his thick, dark lashes) Oh, did you?
Tara: (laughs) Well, you’ve got a point there. You guys talk, and I just try to keep up. So, Roan, why did you never get your crooked tooth fixed?
Roan: Oh, lots of people wanted me to, but after just a few photo sessions, the photographers started asking for “the boy with the crooked tooth”. Now, it’s a trademark. It’s even insured!
Tara: Like your tattoo?
Roan: Yes, the tattoo is also pretty well known.
Tara: Shall we keep that one a secret ‘til people read the book?
Roan: Tease!
Tara: Always. Thanks so much for speaking with me today. What are you cooking?
Roan: My favorite. Home made pasta with bleu cheese and truffles. It’s comfort food.
Tara: Mac and cheese, Roan Black-style?
Roan: Yep. Want some?
Tara: (Pulling over bar stool to the kitchen island) That would be a “yes”.
Do you have a favorite recipe for mac and cheese? Share and maybe Roan will cook it in the sequel to Genetic Attraction called Androgynous Dreams. : )