Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome back the awesome Jo Davis!!!!  We are talking about Bon Jovi (sigh) and her newest release Sworn to Protect: A Sugarland Blue Novel.

Jo, can you please share with us a little about yourself

I’m a multi-published author who currently writes under 2 pen names. I’m a mother of 2 awesome almost-grown kids, and I just bought a new home that we’re having fun decorating.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

For as long as I could hold a pencil, I’ve wanted to write. I’ve been writing stories since the third grade, and I used to sell them for .25 each!

Are you a plotter or a punster or combo of both? And you explain the difference?

I’m a pantser (punster?) who was forced to become a plotter. A pantser writes “by the seat of his/her pants” and doesn’t always know where the book is going or how it’s going to get there. A plotter does exactly that—he/she plots out the book so she knows where it’s going all the way to the end. I had to become a plotter because I write for a New York publisher. They like to know where the stories are going if they’re going to buy them—they’re funny like that!

What is your most interesting writing quirk?

I don’t know that it’s interesting, but I’m constantly running dialogue in my head, ALL the time. I was in my 30’s before I realized I was the only one I knew who did this. Then I finally found my local romance writer’s chapter and discovered people like me! What a relief. I’m “normal” after all! LoL.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

The Sugarland Blue series centers on the heroes of the Sugarland Police Department and is about our men in blue, the dangers they face, and the women who love them. The series kicks off with Detective Shane Ford and his long awaited stories. The first one is a novella, Armed and Dangerous, which is a prequel to the series and has some history of Shane and Daisy. It doesn’t have to be read to enjoy the first full-length book, Sworn to Protect: A Sugarland Blue Novel. Here’s a blurb for Sworn:

Detective Shane Ford, Sugarland’s favorite cop, has been blindsided by the sudden death of his best friend, NFL star Brad Cooper, and becoming the legal guardian of Brad’s son, Drew—a bitter, angry sixteen-year-old with a dangerous secret. Shane is determined to pry the truth from Drew, but only manages to alienate him—and winds up going head to head with Juvenile Detective Daisy Callahan, whose job is to protect the teen’s best interests.

Shane has always been drawn to Daisy’s beauty and strength, but he’s determined not to allow their intense attraction to interfere with his duty ever again. It’s a vow that will prove difficult to keep, as the realities of Shane and Daisy’s blossoming love and their growing bond with the grieving teen propel Shane headlong into danger for the new family he’s sworn to protect.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

The Sugarland Blue series is a spinoff of my Firefighters of Station Five. My readers have wanted Shane’s story for years, so I’m happy to be able to give it to them at last!

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

Right now I’m working on HOT PURSUIT, book 2 of the Sugarland Blue series, which is Detective Taylor Kayne’s story. Then I’m going right to work alternating between a 3-part contemporary novella series that’s already in progress, and book 5 of my Alpha Pack series written as J.D. Tyler, COLE’S REDEMPTION.

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?

I’d love to sit down and have a drink with Stephen King someday, and listen to anything he has to say. I think the man is brilliant, and fascinating.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?

If you want to sell to a major New York house and/or get an agent, learn the business and your craft. Then keep submitting and don’t give up! You’re going to hear many “no’s” before you get that one “yes” that will change your life. If you want to self-publish, learn the business and hone your writing craft before you put your work out for public consumption. Coca-Cola began life as a cough syrup, if you know what I mean. The Cola-Cola company does NOT sell cough syrup. Whether you’re new or you’ve written 100 books, your work can be improved. Know that and make it the best it can be. I recently wrote an article about this subject on the Writerspace blog called “Self-Publishing: Learn Before You Leap”. Look it up and get some good advice.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.

Someday I’m going to travel to Italy and Greece. I’m going to dine in quaint villas and drink the world’s best wines. I’m going to see all the awe-inspiring sights. I’m not going to wait much longer, either. Life is much too short.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

I am anxiously awaiting the 3^rd installment of the CAPTIVE PRINCE series by S. U. Pacat. Brilliant alternative historical, sweeping romance that is everything a book/series should be—breathtaking, gut-wrenching, and sigh-worthy.

What is one book everyone should read before they die?

That’s a tough question! I guess I’d have to go with my most-read book of all time: WHERE THE RED FERN GROWS by Wilson Rawls. I still have my old copy of the book on my keeper shelf. There’s just something about this book that starts with an old man who lets in a stray dog to warm himself by the fire, which causes the old man to launch into the tale of the most special time in his boyhood, that’s just awesome. To this day, I can’t read the end of that book without bawling.

What is your favorite time of year & why?

The fall is my favorite time, especially October. There’s something I love about the weather turning cool again, being able to sit on my patio beside the warm chiminea pot and veg out. I love that slow, lazy time just before the holiday rush.

Who is your Celebrity crush?  And what would you do if you ever meet them?

Anyone who knows me knows I have to say Jon Bon Jovi! I’d probably freeze up like an idiot and not be able to say a word, in spite of the many calm, sophisticated responses I’ve been over in my brain.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

Thank you for having me here today! It’s been great to be back!

Lets take a look at the Sugarland Blue series so far. 

ARMED AND DANGEROUS

 A Sugarland Blue Novella, Book 0.5

April 2, 2013

Available at:
Amazon | B&N | Kobo

 From the author of the popular Firefighters of Station Five series comes a sizzling new novella about Sugarland’s favorite cop—and the courageous woman destined to steal his heart…

When Detective Shane Ford, Sugarland’s favorite man in blue, and Juvenile Detective Daisy Callahan work together on a dangerous case, they find themselves ignoring their professional instincts and falling hard. But when their romance gets in the way of their job—and puts both their lives in jeopardy—Shane vows to break things off. But as they’re about to discover, this kind of steamy passion is impossible to deny…

Includes a preview of the first book in Jo Davis’ new Sugarland Blue series, Sworn to Protect.  

*****

SWORN TO PROTECT

 Sugarland Blue, Book 1

May 7, 2013

Available at:
Amazon | B&N | Kobo

Sugarland loves their men in blue, especially Detective Shane Ford. But Shane’s mission to protect and to serve has just gotten personal…. 

Detective Shane Ford, Sugarland’s favorite cop, has been blindsided by the sudden death of his best friend, NFL star Brad Cooper, and by becoming the legal guardian of Brad’s son, Drew—a bitter, angry sixteen-year-old with a dangerous secret. Shane is determined to pry the truth from Drew, but he manages only to alienate him—and winds up going head-to-head with Juvenile Officer Daisy Callahan, whose job is to protect the teen’s best interests.

Shane has always been drawn to Daisy’s beauty and strength, but he’s determined not to allow their intense attraction to interfere with his duty ever again. It’s a vow that will prove difficult to keep, as the realities of Shane and Daisy’s blossoming love and their growing bond with the grieving teen propel Shane headlong into danger for the new family he has sworn to protect.

Watch for our review of Sworn to Protect.  We loved this book and can’t wait for the next in the series 🙂 

A Littl more about Jo:

National Bestselling author Jo Davis is best known for her popular Firefighters of Station Five series written as Jo Davis, and her dark, sexy paranormal series Alpha Pack, written as J.D. Tyler. PRIMAL LAW, the first book in her Alpha Pack series, is the winner of the National Reader’s Choice Award in Paranormal. She’s also been a multiple finalist in the Colorado Romance Writers Award of Excellence, a finalist for the Bookseller’s Best Award, has captured the HOLT Medallion Award of Merit, and has been a two-time nominee for the Australian Romance Readers Award in romantic suspense.
Jo’s books regularly appear on the Neilson Bookscan, Barnes and Noble, BooksOnBoard, and Amazon bestseller lists, among others.
Jo is currently at work on a new contemporary romance series titled SUGARLAND BLUE for NAL/Signet Eclipse, a spin-off of her Firefighters of Station Five series scheduled to debut in April 2013 with the kick-off novella Armed and Dangerous. Book 1, SWORN TO PROTECT, is being released May 7, 2013. She’s also publishing a new FBI series, ARMED AND DEADLY, set to debut in April 2013 with ONE LAST KISS (learn more at GoodReads). Jo lives in Texas with her two kids and a cute Boston terrier.

Connect with Jo:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

~~~~~

GIVEAWAY TIME!!!!!!

Jo is giving away the following prizes on her tour:

Grand Prize:
$25.00 Gift Card to Amazon or B&N and an autographed paperback of SWORN TO PROTECT

Runners-up:
Eight (8) runners-up will receive an autographed paperback of SWORN TO PROTECT

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Jo Davis’ SWORN TO PROTECT

Blog Tour Schedule

5/03 – 5/13

 5/03 – Book Lovin’ Mamas

http://booklovinmamas.blogspot.com//

 5/03 – Buffy’s Ramblings

http://buffy-kennedy.blogspot.com/

 5/03 – Flirting with Romance

http://flirtingwithromance.blogspot.com/

 5/04 – Romance Junkies

http://www.romancejunkies.com/rjblog/

 5/04 – Cocktails and Books

http://www.cocktailsandbooks.com/

 5/05 – Reading Between The Wines

http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub.blogspot.com/

 5/05 – Darkest Addictions

http://darkestaddictions.blogspot.com/

 5/06 – Books-n-Kisses

http://www.books-n-kisses.com/

 5/06 – United by Books

http://unitedbybooks.blogspot.com/

5/07 – Confessions of the Paranormal

http://confessionsoftheparanormal.blogspot.com/

 5/07 – Nina’s Literary Escape

http://ninasliteraryescape.blogspot.com/

 5/08 – Book Monster Reviews

http://www.bookmonsterreviews.com/

 5/08 – Page Flipperz

http://pageflipperz.blogspot.com/

 5/09 – Books, Books and More Books

http://booksbooksmorebooks.blogspot.com/

 5/09 – Toot’s Book Reviews

http://tootsbookreviews.blogspot.com/

 5/10 – The Reading Café

http://thereadingcafe.com/

 5/10 – Ramblings From This Chick

http://ramblingsfromthischick.blogspot.com/

 5/11 – Under the Covers

http://www.underthecoversbookblog.com/

 5/11 – Mimmi’s Musings

http://mimmismusings.blogspot.com/

 5/12 – Love in A Book

http://loveinabook.com/

 5/12 – Night Owl Reviews

http://www.nightowlreviews.com/V5/

 5/13 – GraveTells

http://gravetells.com/

5/13 – Bookin’ It Reviews

http://www.bookinitreviews.com/