MEET DINA SINCLAIR (MIXING IT UP)

More like sisters than cousins, Dina has been Cecily's bestie since the two of them were born just eight days apart. They couldn't be more different in both looks and personality, but they share the bond of being Sinclairs and all the expectations and responsibilities that come with the name. Of the two girls, Dina is the more free-spirited and uninhibited. She follows the beat of her own drum, only worries about pleasing herself, and is very quirky in everything from her wardrobe choices to her men. She would ascribe all of this to being an easygoing Libra. Oh, that's right, I forgot to mention that she makes her living as an astrologer, a career path no one in her family, except Cecily, supported. And she doesn't make enough money doing people's natal charts to actually pay her bills; she has to rely on the allowance from her trust fund to do that.

Author's Note: Dina is an easy character to love and a fun one to write for, because I was never quite sure what was going to come out of her mouth! She was the perfect complement to Cecily, because she's such a non-conformist while Cecily is more conservative. Dina is always encouraging Cecily to let loose and take risks, which the latter needs because she's too cautious by nature.

There are some surprises in this book in regards to Dina's love life and I don't want to spoil any of them, but I will say that Dina's casual attitude about men and sex never ceased to amuse me. The woman has no hang-ups whatsoever in that department! If she'd been around in the '60s, I'm sure she would have been a member of the free love movement! 

Quotes: "Rich people are weird."

"Aries are formidable, but not unconquerable. He's a Fire sign; you're a Water. Water can douse flames."

"I have to cut you off before you stress eat yourself into a wardrobe of clothes with elastic waistbands."

Casting: I was racking my brain trying to think of twentysomething actresses who have heart-shaped faces and long, curly brown hair like Dina and came up with bupkis. So, I asked my pal, Melissa Amster, for suggestions, and she came up with a couple of really good ones! In the end, I decided to go with Rachel DiPillo. (Melissa and I know her from Jane the Virgin, but she's also a regular on Chicago Med.) Rachel's a little funky and bohemian-looking, which is exactly how I pictured Dina. And even though she and Laura Vandervoort, who I cast to play Cecily, aren't twinsies; they both have delicate facial features and an aristocratic look about them that would work for the characters and make it believable that they are cousins.

I look forward to hearing what you think of Dina once you've read Mixing It Up, which will be out in only six days! Oh, and I just consulted your horoscope for tomorrow and it says, "You will return to a favorite place (Books by Banister!), where you will receive enlightening information (The final Mixing It Up character profile!)." Who is this character? Hint: another thorn in Cecily's side.