Matthew Sparks

Matthew grew up in Massapequa, NY, and spent most of his childhood fishing the waters on the south-side of Long Island. He met Vanessa Washington on a boat on a boat during a college science project and his life was changed forever. He changed his major from skipping class to go fishing with his buddies, to marine biology. After graduating, he followed Vanessa to graduate school, where the two began living together. He earned a PH.D in botany and went on to work for a few small companies that specialized in marine plant life.

Matthew Sparks is a tall man with almond colored skin, dark brown eyes and short brown hair. He is in good physical shape, with muscular arms and legs, but has a slight potbelly.

Author’s Note:

As with Vanessa, Matthew Sparks’ character is overshadowed by the fact that he is Brandon’s Dad. His relationship with Brandon plays a major role in the decisions his son makes. Brandon’s desire not to let down his father, and to use what his father has taught him plays a large role in Brandon Sparks and the Hidden Sun, and continues into future novels. With the absence of Matthew Sparks, Charlie slides into the role of father figure. The idea for Brandon to lose his parents was never that they would be replaced by computers, but that Charlie and Sarah would be Brandon’s conscience or nudge him in the right direction.

Charlie’s Note:

Brandon was six at the time, and he stormed into his room and slammed the door behind him. I asked him why he was so upset and he told me his father had pulled him out of his soccer game. Brandon was a very good defense man and I was surprised to hear that he had gotten frustrated and tripped one of his opponents. With him out of the game, the team lost. Matthew Sparks always put his strong moral values ahead of winning. Brandon might not have liked it at the time, but he learned a very valuable lesson that day.