Blake Tully, the hot young entrepreneur from Emerald Cove, Alaska and hero of the inspirational romance novel Unraveled, had a few minutes between kayaking and white water rafting excursions to answer some pressing questions. He shared insights into his past, his idea of the perfect woman and plans for the future. Read on, ladies. You won’t want to miss this.

Blake, thanks so much for chatting with me today. I hear this is a busy season for you. 

Yes, this is prime tourist season here in Alaska. With summer solstice coming up and then the Fourth of July, we’re booking lots of excursions. My brother, Jeremy, took the afternoon whitewater run so we could talk.

What’s it like being in business with your brother?

{Laughter} Maybe you should ask him. I’m a dot all the i’s and cross all the t’s kind of guy, while he’s more go with the flow. We butt heads now and then, but overall, I think it’s great. Family businesses are common here and we’ve learned a lot by watching others succeed.

When you’re not working, what’s your idea of a good time?

Well, I sent you a picture earlier of a kayaking trip we took to a glacier nearby. We’ve paddled out that way since we were kids. I love getting in among the icebergs, listening to them pop and crack, feeling the cold air on my face … Man, there’s nothing like it. Just before we turned around yesterday, an iceberg calved. If you’re not familiar, that’s when a chunk falls off the face of the glacier and lands in the water. It’s incredible.

Wow. I can tell by the excitement in your voice that you really love being outdoors and on the water. What else do you do for fun?

My best friend, Jess, has a cabin on a lake a few miles from town. We build a big fire and hang out … spent many a night with our trucks circled up, telling stories, playing pranks. Good memories there. I like to watch baseball and basketball. In the winter, we watch a lot of movies.

So you’re a truck guy, then?

Yep. Always have been. It’s kind of a necessity here, with the winter weather and everything. I drove a beat up red Chevy for a long time, which I loved, but had to sell it. {Clears his throat}. Like I said, lots of memories. I’m driving a new truck now, something more suitable for all the gear I’m hauling around.

I hear you’re a country music fan. What’s playing on your iPod these days? 

Um, let’s see … Lady Antebellum, some Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley. I like U2 now and then, as well as James Taylor. My dad’s a big classic rock guy, so I still listen to some of his favorites.

I know you’re a bit shy about discussing your personal life, but inquiring minds want to know what you look for in your dream girl.

I wouldn’t say I’m shy. I just like to keep a few things close to the vest. In terms of appearance, someone who’s physically fit, likes the outdoors. I kinda have a thing for green eyed redheads. A woman who values her family is important to me, as well as a person who makes living out her faith a priority. A sense of humor helps, too.

If you could have dinner with three people, who would you choose?

Wow. That’s a tough question. Hmmm … my grandfather Tully, because he came to Alaska before it was a state and he always told the best stories. Also, Tim Duncan, because he’s a phenomenal basketball player and I’d want him to teach me a few things … let’s go with Bono for the third one.

Very cool. I’d like to be at that meal. Next question: name one regret from your past?

{low whistle}. Well, I definitely have more than one. I’d say the biggest regret is that I let someone I loved walk away and I didn’t pursue … the relationship. If I could turn back time, I wouldn’t have given up so easily. Because that one decision snowballed. Lots of ramifications from the poor choices we make.

We all have choices we regret, don’t we? Isn’t that why grace and forgiveness are so amazing?

Absolutely. Couldn’t have said it better myself.

Blake, I’ll let you get back to your day. Thank you so much for your time. You’ve got a growing fan base out there and I think I speak for all of them when I say we look forward to seeing what the future has in store for you.

I appreciate that. I don’t know what the Lord has planned for me, but I hope it involves staying here in Emerald Cove, putting down roots, maybe coaching some high school basketball.

Take care, Blake.

Thanks, you too.

Unraveled is Heidi McCahan’s debut release from Winslet Press. It’s available now in both traditional and e-book format. At this very moment, the Kindle version can be downloaded here for 99 cents.

photo credit: shutterstock