General Physical Description: Brandy is 5 foot 2 (when she isn't lying about her height) with an athletic build--although, leaping to her own defense is about as aerobic as she gets. Brandy has long straight dark hair with bangs that flop over her eyes, an olive complexion, courtesy of her Jewish-Italian heritage and a smile that can break your heart.

Astrological Sign: Gemini

Personality Traits: Brandy is smart, intuitive and like a pit bull on steroids when she's fighting for a cause she believes in. She is a loyal friend and a champion of the underdog.

Emotional Health: "Denial is not just a river in Egypt." Brandy gets through most of her life crises by denying the problems exist. She is the eternal optimist, fueled by a constant supply of sugar and caffeine, preferably in the form of chocolate. She wears her heart firmly on her sleeve and often gets sidetracked by her own thoughts.

Current Occupation: Puff Piece Reporter for a cable news network.

Something Shelly knows about Brandy that might not be in the books: When Brandy was 13 she gave a neighborhood bully a black eye for being mean to a little kid.

Lou and Lorraine Alexander

General Physical Description: The first thing people notice about Lou is his great laugh.  He loves a good joke, enjoys food a little too much and stands about 5 foot 6.  Lorraine is 5 foot 7 with a constant look of worry on an otherwise pretty face. 

Relationship to Brandy: Mom and Dad

Astrological Sign: Lou is an Aries, Lorraine a Pisces  

Personality Traits: Lou is easy-going and kind.  Lorraine is a well-meaning worry-wart who tries hard to control the lives of her children. 

Emotional Health: Brandy's parents are happy in their own way. 

Current Occupation:  Both are semi-retired.

Something Shelly knows about Brandy’s Mom and Dad that might not be in the books: Lorraine’s grandmother almost boycotted the wedding because Lou was not a “nice Italian boy”.

Paul Michael Alexander (Paulie)

General Physical Description: Paul got the height in the family.  He’s almost six feet tall and lanky with curly, almost unruly hair and beautiful puppy dog eyes.

Relationship to Brandy: Older brother – by two years. Brandy’s only sibling whom she frequently calls Paulie.

Astrological Sign: Aries

Personality Traits: Paul gets his sweet nature from his dad.  He is a bit on the shy side, a wonderful musician and a fantastic big brother.

Emotional Health: Paul is not beyond the occasional “medicinal” use of slightly illegal herbs to keep a childhood stutter in check.

Current Occupation: Co-owner of club in Philly.

Something Shelly knows about Paul that might not be in the books: Paul is a very sensitive guy.

Uncle Frankie

General Physical Description: Frankie is on the sunny side of forty and still in great shape from his regular boxing bouts at the gym.  He has dark hair, is about 5 feet eleven and has a ready smile.

Relationship to Brandy:  Uncle – mother’s younger brother and Brandy’s kindred spirit.

Astrological Sign: Gemini

Personality Traits: In his younger years, Frankie was the charming Black Sheep of the family.  After a stint in rehab, he’s still charming – and sober.

Emotional Health: Excellent.

Current Occupation: Manager of a boxing gym in Center City Philadelphia

Something Shelly knows about Frankie that might not be in the books: When Brandy was a kid, Frankie used to watch the movie “Rocky” with her once a week.

Carla Marie

General Physical Description: Carla is 5 foot 8 with a beehive hairdo that Marge Simpson would envy.

Relationship to Brandy: Carla is Uncle Frankie’s girlfriend and good friend to Brandy.

Astrological Sign: Capricorn

Personality Traits: Carla is not always the brightest bulb in the pack, but she is Brandy’s “go to girl” when Brandy needs motherly advice with no maternal strings attached.  Carla is very sweet and always looks for the good in people.

Emotional Health: Carla has a good head on her shoulders but knows how to let loose when appropriate.

Current Occupation: Hairdresser

Something Shelly knows about Carla that might not be in the books: Carla auditioned for the Radio City Rockettes and got the job but decided that performing just wasn’t in her blood.

Rocky and Adrian

General Physical Description: Rocky is a female, gray and white cat.  Adrian is a male, 30 pound fur ball dog of undetermined origin, with a water fountain tail.   

Relationship to Brandy: her beloved pets.

Astrological Sign: No one really knows.

Personality Traits: Rocky loves red sauce, or gravy as it is called in South Philly.  Adrian will eat anything except for Brandy’s mother’s cooking.

Emotional Health:  Probably the healthiest of the entire bunch.

Current Occupation: Couch warmers. 

Something Shelly knows about Rocky and Adrian that might not be in the books:  They both love show tunes.

John Marchiano

General Physical Description:   John is 5 foot 3 with a slight build and a designer haircut.  Unlike Brandy, John is an impeccable dresser and often serves as Brandy’s fashion consultant.

Relationship to Brandy: One of her oldest and dearest friends.

Astrological Sign: Sagittarius

Personality Traits: John is a funny, sarcastic and loyal friend.  He is constantly on the lookout for Mr. Right and is usually disappointed.

Emotional Health:  John is a stable influence on Brandy.  He usually knows what she is really thinking, even as the words of denial are pouring out of her mouth.

Current Occupation: Freelance photographer, specializing in portraits. 

Something Shelly knows about John that might not be in the books:  John went to Tyler School of Art in Philly.

Franny and Janine DiAngelo

General Physical Description:  Identical twins, it is often hard to tell them apart.  They are tall and thin, but naturally well-endowed in all the right places.  Their hair color is a striking auburn which they both wear shoulder length. 

Relationship to Brandy: Best girlfriends since high school.

Astrological Sign: Libra

Personality Traits: While Fran is the sensible twin, well organized, dry-witted and stable, Janine is the one Brandy turns to when she needs a partner in crime, no questions asked.

Emotional Health:  Under normal circumstances, both twins would fall under the category of relatively sane.

Current Occupation: Fran is the office manager of a law firm.  Janine is unemployed and has been trying various temp jobs to find her true calling.  

Something Shelly knows about Fran and Janine that might not be in the books:  They appeared in a magazine ad for Sears when they were three years old.

Robert Anthony DiCarlo (Bobby)

General Physical Description:  Six foot one with the build of a middle-weight boxer and the abs to prove it.  Bobby is the quintessential Black Irish-Italian Stallion.  Bobby’s dark wavy hair, smoky blue eyes and dimpled smile are hard to resist.  Just ask Brandy. 

Relationship to Brandy: Former boyfriend.  Bobby and Brandy had a ten-year relationship that started when the two were teens.

Astrological Sign: Cancer

Personality Traits: Bobby is an intense person with a strong sense of responsibility.  He cares deeply for his friends and can be a bit hot-headed at times but it’s all in the name of protecting the people he loves.  Bobby has a killer smile and knows how to use it!

Emotional Health:  Getting better all the time.  As a teen, Bobby walked around with a chip on his shoulder.  Brandy helped lighten the load.  Bobby now has a young daughter and his love for her is what keeps him balanced.

Current Occupation: Detective with the Philadelphia police force. 

Something Shelly knows about Bobby that might not be in the books:  Bobby credits Brandy and her Uncle Frankie for surviving his teen years.

Nicholas Santiago

General Physical Description:   Nicholas Santiago is God’s gift to – well – just about everyone.  Nick has an illusive yet compelling physical presence.  At 5 foot ten, he has a lithe, muscular body thanks to intensive martial arts workouts.  His face transcends the normal bounds of beauty with high cheekbones, courtesy of his Cherokee grandfather, dark almond-shaped eyes and long, wavy brown hair.  He’s enough to take your breath away.

Relationship to Brandy: Friend, sometimes lover and always protector.

Astrological Sign: Scorpio

Personality Traits: Cool on the outside, smoldering on the inside.  Nick plays his emotions close to the vest.  He is the guy at the party that women drool over and men fear and admire.

Emotional Health:  Nick has a lot of baggage from his past to contend with but he usually hides it well.

Current Occupation: Martial Arts instructor and Man of Mystery.

Something Shelly knows about Nick that might not be in the books:  Nick sometimes goes to Buddhist retreats.