Camden “Cam” Canby: Boyish, handsome, determined, sheltered, kind. He is Sahara’s son,but determined not to be. A reluctant but true New Englander. He becomes romantically entangled with Nikan.

Nikan (Nik) Kazemi: (Iranian American) An emotionally wounded ex-soldier- destructive - walls up - selfish doesn’t begin to do it. He lives with his Iranian-born mother in the small New Hampshire town where he basically grew up. Nic can be seductive, the life of the party . . . and might end the night in handcuffs. As an American warrior he was all alpha -- a sniper who took all the right risks. Back stateside, his wartime persona has no utility. His charm is all he has here. . . and a little money to burn on bad choices. He becomes romantically entangled with Cam.

Leela Kazemi: (Iranian American) Born in Tehran, studied and received a degree in engineering from Sharif University of Technology. Met her husband in Tehran and they had two sons, Rostam and Nikan. She and Nik are the only family members living in Echo Lake, NH.