Suz: Welcome back to the Bandit Lair, Jo. I can't believe we're on the fourth book of this series.
You know, not long ago I had to call the paramedics for a family emergency and boy, not only did they send me two paramedics, but four extra guys rode in on the big quint! Sigh. It was almost worth calling them, just to see theses six BIG, sexy, handsome, uh?did I mention BIG firefighters walk into my house! I swear I was looking at your firefighter crew from Station Five! As inappropriate as it would've been, I sooooo wanted to just reach out and caress one or two or all of them.
Jo: First, thanks so much to the Bandits for having me back today! I always love to visit and chat with this group! You guys are so much fun. To answer your question, the Station Five guys simply walked into my office one day and demanded that their stories be told. Like your firemen/paramedics that came to your house the other day, they were big, sexy, and oh-so-yummy. Who was I to deny their request?
Suz, staring at the new cover and fanning herself: So...uh...yeah... in book #4, LINE OF FIRE, you're letting us see the youngest of the A crew, Tommy Skyler. By all appearances, Tommy lives a charmed life, doesn't he?
Jo: It would seem he does, and that's what most of his buddies think. But Tommy is still reeling from the repercussions a very painful, tragic family loss. This event changed the direction of his life and now he's questioning the choices he's made since then-including his decision to become a firefighter. He's afraid he made that choice for all the wrong reasons and gave up too soon on his dream of playing for the NFL.
Suz: Tommy met his heroine Shea Ford in an earlier book. What kept them apart all this time?
Jo: Shea wants Tommy for her own, but she's using the excuse that he's too immature to keep him at arm's length. She's not really that much older than him, only five years older, and her excuse doesn't wash. The truth is, Shea is gun-shy from a terrible mistake she made years ago, one that still haunts her. Tommy reminds her of that error and trusting a man is very hard for her to do.
Suz: How does he win her attention and do things go smoothly for them?Jo, saying with that mischevious twinkle in her eye: Now, I can't tell you how he gets her motor running...the readers will have to find out for themselves. But I will say that the road to happiness is anything but smooth. Some real obstacles are going to stand in their way, both from within themselves and from a tragic event.
Suz: Without giving anything away, what do you feel makes this book different to the series? (You can hint that there's a change to the team dynamics, if you want.)
Jo: The tragic event I referred to before sets this book apart from the others. Readers who have followed the series know that Captain Sean Tanner is headed for real disaster. This book is pivotal in changing the lives of everyone on the team forever?Sean's and Tommy's lives in particular. Have tissues handy, folks.
Excerpt:
Grabbing Shea's hand, Tommy pulled her into the throng and spun her to face him before she could protest further. He made it appear easy, just to throw caution to the wind and let loose.
Like liquid, molten sex."I'm not that great a dancer," she said, raising her voice to be heard above the music. Trying to match his graceful moves, she felt like a dork.
One strong arm snaked around her waist, pulled their hips together. He rocked against her, his unmistakable hardness pressing into her belly. "Believe me, you're doing fine."
Her cheeks blazed. She wasn't some simpering virgin-far from it-but the man caught her off guard at every turn. And Tommy was a man, not a boy. No doubt whatsoever, if there ever had been.
As they moved, the friction of their bodies setting her on a slow burn, she watched his face. Studied the nuances. There was no trace of the young, carefree charmer in evidence now. In his place was a man she'd never seen before. A man completely confident of his intentions, his crystal eyes dark with desire. One who made her blood quicken, her soul cry out to answer his unspoken challenge, to be his.
"This next one, too. Please?"
The soft, pretty opening to "My Wish" by Rascal Flatts began, one of her favorite songs. She paused for a couple of beats and, apparently taking her hesitation as a yes, he enveloped her in his arms. Began to sway gently, big hands spread over her back, chin resting on top of her head. In spite of her qualms, she felt herself melt in to him, soaking up his strength.
Warm. Intoxicating. Incredible.
Like coming home.
"God, it feels so good to finally hold you," he whispered into her hair.
She didn't answer. Couldn't, not when her senses, every barrier she'd erected between them, were under toe-curling assault. Searching for the right response, she lifted her head to meet his gaze.
Instead, his lips brushed hers. A sensual glide that wasn't a tentative question, but a warning. Electrifying her to the core.
His fingers brushed down her cheek. "Pretty baby."
And he claimed her mouth then, kissed her like a man kisses a woman when he means business. When he wants her no matter the cost, above all others. Whatever it takes.
His tongue tangled with hers and she whimpered, unable to help herself. He tasted so good and she wanted to slide under his skin, stay there forever. Wrapped up in him. The party, the guests, vanished as the kiss went on and on. It might as well have been the two of them locked in their own world, free of doubts and unwanted baggage. For the first time in more than a decade she felt protected and safe.
But she'd been wrong before.Suz: So what's next for the Firefighter series?
Jo: LINE OF FIRE, Tommy's story, is being released in bookstores near you tomorrow, May 4! Next up is Captain Sean Tanner's story, RIDE THE FIRE, which will be released on December 7. Sean's story is five-hankie all the way, and I'll tell you guys right now that while writing one scene in particular, I sobbed my heart out! This book even choked up my editor. Fear not, though. Sean is due for his happy ending, and I promise you won't be disappointed!
Jo, grinning excitedly: My next series for NAL is going to come as quite a surprise for some of my readers, so I hope they'll bear with me. We're going to move away from Sugarland, for a while anyway, and delve into a brand-new paranormal romance series! As much as I would love for Detective Shane Ford and the other boys at the PD to get their stories, my publisher is taking me in a new direction. I never say "never" when it comes to revisiting a series my readers want, but I think many readers will be excited by what's coming. I can't give away too much of the concept right now, but I will hint that a team of very hot, mouth-watering wolf shifters and one equally delicious Sorcerer/panther shifter are involved? Stay tuned for more news on the new series!
Jo: Now I want to know from the reader, do you enjoy reading paranormal romance and why? What is it about these heroes (whether they are shifters, vampires, demons, angels, etc.) and these series that continues to captivate readers?
Suz: Jo will be giving away a signed copy of LINE OF FIRE to one commenter today. Don't forget to visit Jo's website: http://www.jodavis.net/
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