| Ocean Raton Character Gallery |
Welcome to the Ocean Raton Character Gallery! Here readers and soon-to-be readers can learn even more about the colorful cast that populates this wacky little world. Phyl's favorite food ... the strangest place Leo has a scar ... what "The Storm" does to relax ... all the things you didn't know, and really don't need to.
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Armed with these tasty tidbits and insights gleaned from reading the novel, we then invite you to play Casting Director and tell us who you imagine playing each character on the silver screen. We've got our ideas, but for this imagined blockbuster, you're in charge. Go Hollywood and submit your candidates for each role.
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And if the best actor for one of these parts is you, let's here your pitch. CLICK HERE to play "Ocean Raton Who Are You?" and tell us which role you were born to play.
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| Bring Them All Home - Buy The Book Now |
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The Characters
| Our Dream Cast ... Yours?
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Terri Winston
The heroine of our story, Terri (stage name "Tiara Divine") is out to grab her brass ring. The question she must answer moving from the stage of The Stallion to the Ocean Raton sales floor is how far is she willing to go.
| Favorite Food: |
Extra crispy KFC, though I just peel the skin off and inhale deeply for the contact calories. |
| Favorite Song: |
"Do I Move You" by Nina Simone. Her voice is so sultry, sensual, and in total control. It's the sexiest song I've ever heard. |
| First Memory: |
My mother practicing ghost moans on me to see which freaked me out the most. |
| Something Nobody Knows: |
When I was fifteen, the first thing I ever bought with money from my own paycheck was a Barbie Dream Girl Ferrari. Never had one when I was young, and swore I'd own one was I was grown. |
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| Elisha Cuthbert ... eyes, innocence, edge. Could there be a better choice? |
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Candida Ramundo
Candida "Razor" Ramundo is the determined, take-no-prisoners Sales Director at the helm of Ocean Raton. With diamond-hard brilliance, the sparkle of her success can inspire ... and blind.
| Favorite Food: |
I love lobster tail with caviar beurre blanc, but time can be better spent. I live on Luna bars, Red Bull and Fiji water. |
| Favorite Song: |
Primarily I listen to motivational audiobooks, but when I need to fire and inspire my desire, nothing surpasses "I Want It All" by Queen. |
| First Memory: |
A crib, teal walls, orange ceiling, and splitting headache. |
| Something Nobody Knows: |
Einstein's greatest theory was not of relativity but that, "Feeling and longing are the motive forces behind all human endeavor and human creations." Understand that continuum, and you understand how to achieve success. |
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| Paz Vega gets our vote, her scope and passion a perfect match for Candida. And your perfect match? |
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Alán Sedgwick
The debonair architect/developer behind Ocean Raton, Alán is an evolving breed of Renaissance Man. The only thing grander than his ego and talent may be his delusions thereof, the combination leaving him vulnerably bulletproof.
| Favorite Food: |
Java steak with caramelized cipollini onions and a nice Pinot Noir has been a long-time favorite, though I've recently discovered a chicken broccoli provolone sub bomb which is quite satisfying. |
| Favorite Song: |
"New Frontier" by Donald Fagen. Slick, sexy, smart ... basically the Alán Sedgwick of songs. |
| First Memory: |
From which life? |
| Something Nobody Knows: |
Part of my morning work-out ritual is to practice my smile. It's been called dazzling for a reason, and as the old saying goes, "A smile increases your face value." |
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| With a "Charmed" past and "Nip/Tuck" Miami connection, Julian McMahon is a natural for the role. Agree? |
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Renee Vicarro
Terri's best (and only) friend, Renee is a free spirit, well-grounded in the love of her family and clear sense of self. While the Boston-native thrives on the energy and excitement of the South Florida scene, she also possesses the sense not to get caught up and fall victim to its lure.
| Favorite Food: |
Gnocchi with sausage and portabello mushrooms at Giacomo's in the North End (but don't tell my ma that). |
| Favorite Song: |
I got crazy, eclectic tastes so it depends on the day. Today it could be "More Human Than Human" by White Zombie ... tomorrow a fresh slice of Italian pop like "Quello Che Non Sono" by Alessandro Sammarini. |
| First Memory: |
Ma pushing me in my stroller behind a human roadblock formed by my Pa and brothers in the procession of the statue of La Madonna Del Soccorso Di Sciacca at the annual Fisherman's Feast. There were so many people, but I was completely safe. |
| Something Nobody Knows: |
When I was fourteen I let Vinnie del Pugliesio get to second base on me. Next night when I hear he did the same thing to that slut Jeannie Fartechi, after he tells me I'm his girl, I told my brothers he grabbed my boobs and they put a wicked beating on him. |
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| Loved Christina Ricci since "Buffalo '66," amazing range, and just happens to be 5'1". Who could be better? |
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Leo Levine
Ocean Raton's "founding resident," what Leo sees in the mirror is different than the world view. Between the dog track, strip clubs, and covert accounting, "Big Leo" fancies himself to be the original player, though he might be the one getting played.
| Favorite Food: |
I like my steak like I like my women ... juicy. |
| Favorite Song: |
Around the house I play Humperdinck, Tom Jones and Mathis on account of Phyl. When I'm out solo, I get my motor running with Steppenwolf and "Born To Be Wild." |
| First Memory: |
Getting my head stuck in the banister of Grandma Mudgie's two-story in Flatbush. They greased my cheeks and head with chicken fat to free me since Grandma wasn't about to let them break one of her precious spindles ... imported cherry and all. Scar behind my ear where they nearly ripped it off yanking me out, and grease in my pores 'til I was nineteen I had such bad acne. |
| Something Nobody Knows: |
See above. |
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| Bill Murray ... this just might be crazy enough to work. You got a better idea? |
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Phyl Levine
Leo's wife of twenty-nine years, Phyl is a simple little lady who enjoys simple little pleasures in her simple little life ... or is she?
| Favorite Food: |
Give me a nice piece of grilled salmon with some red potatoes, maybe some asparagus, and I'm in heaven. I don't understand the sushi - God created stove tops for a reason. |
| Favorite Song: |
Leo thinks it's a Johnny Mathis song about sunny blue or some such nonsense. It's really "Sympathy For The Devil" by the Stones, though that Rod Stewart does get me feeling sexy. |
| First Memory: |
Trying to walk, falling, getting upset, and my mother saying, "Don't worry, Phyllis, what's meant to be is meant to be." |
| Something Nobody Knows: |
For now, let's just leave it at "Sympathy For The Devil" being my favorite song. |
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| Sharon Gless of "Cagney & Lacey" fame has got the brand of moxie and sass we like. Your opinion? |
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Gabrielle "Gabi" Riser
Mrs. Dr. Riser, "Gabi" to the socialite circle she desperately longs to infiltrate the inner ranks of, has it all and wants more. Satisfied with the trappings of the good life, she's working hard to obtain "status." With prayer and planning she'll do what's necessary to secure it.
| Favorite Food: |
Monk Fish Meditation at Barton G's. Otherwise, it needs to be organic with whole grains and gluten-free. |
| Favorite Song: |
It's a guilty pleasure, but Bananarama's "Venus." |
| First Memory: |
Watching the Miss America pageant, hearing Bert Parks sing "There She Is, Miss America," and thinking he was singing to me. |
| Something Nobody Knows: |
When the Princess Diana exhibit came to Ft. Lauderdale, Trent and I attended a cocktail reception at the Museum of Art. I won't get into the details of how, but suffice it to say I tried on one of her designer dresses. It was the most spiritual moment of my life. |
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| Sense of humor, looks, "Underworld" dark side ... Kate Beckinsale's our social climber. And yours? |
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Dr. Trent Riser
Dr. Trent, like many of the characters in Ocean Raton, is living proof of the old adage, "you cannot judge a book by its cover." A highly successful cosmetic oral surgeon, the veneers he applies go far beyond teeth.
| Favorite Food: |
When it's not the twigs and berries Gabi has the au pair prepare for us, I like to roll with some short ribs and golden fried pork chops with cowpeas & rice. |
| Favorite Song: |
My ride is OG style, and my anthem is "If I Ruled The World" ... Nas. |
| First Memory: |
Falling out of my crib one afternoon in a panic because I heard my mother yelling, "Oh, baby! Oh, baby!" and thought she was crying for me. I cut a gash over my eye, was screaming my head off, and then Mr. Robinson our neighbor ran into the room. I remember he wasn't wearing a shirt as he picked me up and handed me to my mom, though she swears I imagined it all when I bumped my head on the corner of the coffee table. |
| Something Nobody Knows: |
I grew up in a racially diverse neighborhood, and the worst beating I ever took was the Halloween I dressed up as Huggy Bear from Starsky & Hutch. I was just trying to give props, but the homeboys didn't appreciate me in blackface. |
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| If we just knew Scott Wolf as "Bailey" probably not, but after his twisted role in "Go," he's our Doc. And you? |
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Arch Sullivan
A thirty-year veteran of Florida real estate, Arch prizes his seat atop the mountain as the Real Estate Editor & Publisher for one of South Florida's largest dailies. Like the gods atop Olympus, he's not shy about shaking the earth when he feels proper homage has been neglected.
| Favorite Food: |
Omaha Steaks. They have my preferred cuts on file. |
| Favorite Song: |
A famous Irish traditional about a highwayman betrayed, "Whiskey In The Jar." |
| First Memory: |
I'll never forget my father, after a late night and pint or two too many, accidentally putting a nipple on a bottle of Guinness and handing it to me. And so it began ... |
| Something Nobody Knows: |
I love to write haiku.
The market rise high,
The market crash down like wave,
Arch lie fine in sand. |
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| The perfect mix of smilin' eyes and razor wit, John Ratzenberger is our guy. "Cheers" from you to that? |
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Shannon "The Storm" Storm
A Miami Beach native and South Florida to the core, The Storm rages across the airwaves of Greater Ft. Lauderdale as NBC's Cat 5 intense Investigative Reporter. While the hometown hero role is fine for now, Shannon's long-range forecast is tracking due north with Manhattan, Couric and Sawyer in her eye.
| Favorite Food: |
With the intensity The Storm brings to every aspect of life, I'm not about to meekly sit in the corner and gnaw on bamboo. I feed The Storm, and this Florida sidewinder prefers Tropical Shrimp Paella. |
| Favorite Song: |
As a former Olympic athlete, The Storm knows better than anyone how critical absolute focus is to victory. When I train, what puts me in the zone is "Eye of the Tiger" by Survivor. |
| First Memory: |
The moment I entered this world. My parents chose underwater childbirth, and I recall with clarity entering the warm waters of life to then break the surface and announce my arrival. |
| Something Nobody Knows: |
To relax I clog. For me, there's no better release than percussive folk dance. |
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| After her role in "Good Advice," Denise Richards needs to be on the sharp side of the pen. "The Perfect Storm," no? |
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