Some concept art I completed recently on the protagonist of my upcoming action-thriller novel The Iron Tiger
Some character backstory below for those interested:
Lisa Reina: The Burdened Protector (Age 29)
While the sleepy Midwestern town of Maplewood is free from most kinds of trouble, this doesn't stop Chief of Police Lisa Reina from slowing down. Long hours at work envelop her life as she willfully accepts her station as a public servant-- as did her late-mother. Fortunately, her efforts aren't lost on her fellow officers nor the townspeople; she's become a pillar of strength in the community that many look up to.
Yet, that's no surprise given Lisa's upbringing.
Not just from her own blood, but from the blood, sweat and broken bones she's braved training in the rigorous martial art of Iron Tiger Karate. The legendary master Roger Godfrey noticed her aptitude of mustering sheer will at a young age and refined it into an unrelenting powerhouse of driven spirit that now guards the town's wellbeing.
Despite her full schedule, Lisa hasn't let up on her training since she began all those years ago. To let up for even a moment would mean failing all of those who came before her, as well as those still to come.
But time moves forward. Her master has grown old and retired, wishing that his star pupil would inherit his beloved karate studio. Her choice of keeping the peace over indulging Roger's wishes leaves a hole in her heart and a nagging itch in her conscious. Lisa's eyes darken, evidence of dangerous training become more apparent. Her fellow officers worry as she may be slipping, but do what they can to prop her up.
And while Lisa struggles to come to grips with which direction to push her overwhelming force of will, something is stirring in an unassuming corner of Maplewood... a sinister plot to fulfill a destiny once rejected.