Character Interview: Alexander Burnham from "A Beautiful Mess" by T.K. Leigh

Good Morning, Amongsters! I've got some exciting news! The lovely and witty T.K. Leigh graciously allowed me to interview the oh so handsome and somewhat intimidating (I mean he IS drop dead gorgeous) Alexander Burnham a few weekends ago. He is a busy man so the interview wasn't as long as I was hoping it would be, but he was kind enough to answer my questions and quite a good sport about it. Mr. Burnham is quite the busy man and it was hard to find time to meet up with him, but I found time and drove to Boston, specifically for this interview. (I mean come on...YOU would too!) We met at a little coffee shop not to far away from his office, "Burnham & Associates."

So without further delay....here is the interview!

I'm sitting at a little table in the coffee shop, people watching when a man, a VERY good-looking man walks into the coffee shop, in a crisp 3 piece suit. ALL eyes are on him as he casually walks over to the table and gives me a warm smile. MAN...that smile is enough to make me completely lose my train of thought.) He sits down and quick introductions are made. I can't help but let my hand linger a little when we shake hands. I'm fidgeting in my chair....he's ordering a coffee when I decide it's time to start the interview before I throw myself across the table at him (I remind myself that I am a MARRIED woman and it would be quite unprofessional to throw myself at a man i'm interviewing, not to mention this man is a complete stranger. I have no doubts that he hasn't had tons of women throwing themselves at him.)

A Girl Amongst Books:
(I'm smiling like a 10 year old girl at a Justin Beiber concert.)
 
Hi, Mr. Burnham, thanks for agreeing to this interview. I'm sure my readers would love to learn a little more about you.

I've been hearing lots of talk about your business....Burnham & Associates. Could you tell my readers a little about what you do? What made you want to pursue this type of career?

Alexander Burnham:

Well, Burnham & Associates was a company my father started around the same time I was born. He had worked special-ops in the C.I.A., and was never really around that much, which infuriated my mother. So he ended up retiring and taking his C.I.A. training to start his own private security company. Over the years he built it up into one of the most prestigious firms in the world. We do quite a bit, from training people to go overseas and assist various countries with whatever they need, protecting natural resources, air support and escorts, and some other classified operations that I’m not at liberty to discuss. It wasn’t anything I ever saw myself doing, but after my father died unexpectedly about five years ago, I obtained an honorable discharge from the Navy and came home to run the company.


A Girl Amongst Books:

I'm sorry for your loss. I can't imagine losing a parent, especially unexpectedly.

While we are on the topic of family, Do you spend a lot of time with your family in your spare time?


Alexander Burnham:
 
A bit. Mom does a bit of traveling so she’s not around a whole lot. My older sister, Carol, is a detective with Boston P.D. And my little brother, Tyler, goes to Boston University. So we’re all in town and try to get together as much as possible. Work and school get in the way a bit, but I can always find time to go grab a drink with either one of them, especially now that Tyler is able to drink legally.

A Girl Amongst Books:

Being the busy man that you are...what do you do for fun? or to relax?

Alexander Burnham:

I have varied tastes. I love living in Boston and being able to head out of my penthouse to go for a run around this city. Running the Charles River or through Boston Common is one of my favorite Sunday morning activities, particularly since I adopted this dog who has more energy than I signed on for. I’m a big fan of baseball. I never really got into football or any other sport like a lot of guys do. I’m a sucker for a ball park and a hot dog. And of course, growing up in New England, I’m a die hard Red Sox fan. Born and raised. I was a fan before we won the series in 2004. It was a tragic and lonely existence. I’m just glad my Dad was still alive to see them finally win the World Series after 86 years.



A Girl Amongst Books:

(Now that I'm getting a little more comfortable, i'm getting ready to ask a few, personal questions and I start to fidget...i hope he's not noticing.)


Being the very successful (and may I say), very good-looking man that you are...do you find the time to date? I mean running a private security firm isn't your typical 9-5 job.
Is their a someone special??

Alexander Burnham:

(He gives me a devilish grin)

 Why, thank you. Um, I'm not one to really talk about my personal life all that much. What I will say is that there's always been a special someone in my life. Since as far back as I can remember, there's been only one girl that I couldn't get out of my mind. I'm sure you've heard all about my reputation among women, just like the rest of the country has. I do have the reputation to be a bit of a "player" I guess. But I've just been waiting to find that girl that stole my heart years ago, I guess.


A Girl Amongst Books:

(okay that last answer really made me melt....I need to change topics for a few minutes to collect myself.)

Tracy mentioned you enjoy music...what types do you like to listen too?

Alexander Burnham:

A little bit of everything really. Dave Matthews, Jason Mraz, John Mayer, Damien Rice, to name just a few. What a lot of people don’t know about me is that I’ve been playing guitar and piano for as long as I can remember. A family friend taught me how to play when I was a little boy and I never really stopped. So I tend to gravitate toward music that I can see myself playing. I love music and love discovering new bands that not a lot of people know about yet.


A Girl Amongst Books:

I'm sure Tracy mentioned to you that I run a book blog, so my next question should come as no surpise. Do you like to read? If so, what's the last thing you read?

Alexander Burnham:

I do like to read, but unfortunately my job demands a great deal of my time. So I'm usually too busy to read for pleasure. The last thing I read was a report about one of my overseas security operations. Not the thrilling stuff I'm sure you're looking for.


A Girl Amongst Books:

(Laughs)

No, definitely not. But if you ever find the time to read, I'm sure I could recommend a few books you may enjoy.

(It's getting to be late afternoon and I don't want to keep him much longer, plus i need to make the trip back to Jersey before my husband thinks i ran away with Mr. Burnham. So i start to gather my things as we are talking about things that i might enjoy seeing in Boston. I thank him for his time and as when I reach my car...i remember there was ONE question that I didn't ask...and I REALLY need the answer to, so i take a deep breath and call out to him as he is walking down the road to his office.)

A Girl Amongst Books:

Oh, Mr. Burnham....I have one more question...I hope you won't mind too much.

Boxers or Briefs??


Alexander Burnham:

Boxer Briefs, actually. (He gives me that devilish grin again and turns and walks off.)


END OF INTERVIEW!

I hope you all enjoyed the interview and maybe learned something new about the oh so sexy Mr. Alexander Burnham. I need to make sure to thank T.K. Leigh for setting up the interview.



If you haven't read " A Beautiful Mess" by T.K. Leigh...it's ON SALE for 99 CENTS...for a limited time!

Here's the link: A Beautiful Mess