Toot's Book Reviews: Series Spotlight, Interview, Giveaway : SWORN TO PROTECT by Jo Davis (CR)

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Series Blurb & Info

ARMED AND DANGEROUS

A Sugarland Blue Novella, Book 0.5

April 2, 2013

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.

Available at:

Amazon | B&N | Kobo

SWORN TO PROTECT
Sugarland Blue, Book 1
May 7, 2013

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.

Available at:
Amazon | B&N | Kobo

Author Interview

Hi Jo,

Thank you so much for sitting down with Toot's for an interview. If you don't mind, I have some questions for you about the series and your process for our budding authors as well as fans, which I am definitely among!

Aww, thanks so much! I’m glad you enjoy my stories and I’m thrilled to be here!

So first off, Sugarland Blue Questions.......

In your own words, what is the Sugarland Blue series about?

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. 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.

Sugarland Blue is a spin-off of your very popular Firefighters of Station Five series, what made you decide to do a spin-off?

My loyal readers have been asking for this series for years, particularly Shane’s book, and I’m thrilled to be able to give it to them!

How did you come up with the title of the series and of the current book?

Sugarland Blue arose from the town in which the series takes place and “Blue” for our boys in blue. The title SWORN TO PROTECT was mine. I wanted to give the book a title that embodied the hero Shane is.

What was your favorite scene to write for your hero or heroine?

My favorite scene between Shane and Daisy was the one where they’re walking at night by the Cumberland River having a romantic moment. Shane tells her how sometimes at night if you listen closely you can hear the ghosts Native Americans singing on the wind. He tells her that all they have is this moment, and speculates that in the future maybe others will stand in that same spot wondering who lived and loved here.

What was the hardest scene to write?

The scenes where Shane is helping Drew clean out his dad’s house, and the funeral, were gut-wrenching for me because I really felt the boy’s grief over the loss of his dad.

*with a wink* What type and how much research did you have to do for the series?

I like to use real-life contacts to research and check my facts. For example, for my new Sugarland Blue series (out May 7 with SWORN TO PROTECT) I have a personal friend who’s a police detective. He gives me advice and checks my facts to be sure they’re as true to his job and how things run at a police department as possible. (Hi, Jerry!) Any mistakes I make, however, are my own. (Or, ehem, author creative license!)

Writing.......

Do you recall how your interest in writing originated and what made you decide to pursue it as a career?

I’ve always wanted to be a writer since I was a kid. But the moment I knew I *had* to do it was when I turned 35 and I still hadn’t followed my dream. It was one of those epiphanies where I told myself, “It’s now or never!” I started working hard at it and eventually achieved my dream.

What inspires you to put the pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard?

Well, my paycheck is a pretty good motivator. But I enjoy disappearing into a different world and being someone else for a while, escaping my own boring life.

What are some of the elements in/of your writing process?

I get up around 7 a.m. every morning and my coffee must come first! I can’t function without it. Then I check my email, social media, blog if needed, and then around 8:30 I start writing. I write until around 3:00 p.m. and I’m done. My brain is tired, so unless I’m on a tight deadline, I quit for the day around then.

You have different pen names for different books, is there any difference between them?

I think that sometimes readers have different expectations when they see different names. Jo Davis writes contemporary romantic suspense and erotica, and J.D. Tyler writes dark, sexy, action-packed paranormal.

What's next for you?

SWORN TO PROTECT is out now! Here’s the blurb:

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.

I also have a 3-part e-novella series coming out later this year that I can’t say much about yet. It’s contemporary romance. Stay tuned for more information!

After that is HUNTER’S HEART (Alpha Pack #4) writing as J.D. Tyler, coming in September. This is Ryon Hunter’s story, and I’m very excited about this one. It’s a “predator” story, if you will. The most chilling danger to the team is the monster they can’t see coming…

Is there anything you’d like to add before we get into the personal questions?

I’m having fun here!

Personal questions......

Now I know this is like asking you to choose between your own children, but out of all your amazing stories, who is your favorite character and why?

That’s a tough question! I’d have to go with my top 3: 1) Howard “Six-Pack” Paxton from TRIAL BY FIRE 2) Aric Savage from SAVAGE AWAKENING (as J.D. Tyler) and 3) Captain Sean Tanner from RIDE THE FIRE

Are there any of your stories that hold a special place in your heart?

Howard “Six-Pack” Paxton’s story in TRIAL BY FIRE still moves me. I love a big, gentle teddy bear of a man, and he fits the bill.

Who is your favorite author/s and what is it that really strikes a chord with you about their work?

For the mainstream, I enjoy Jim Butcher and Stephen King, and John Sandford. I love sci-fi/fantasy and police thrillers. I also enjoy m/m romance. I love how they can scare me, keep me on the edge of my seat, and transport me to another place and time.

Other than yours, are there any books or authors you'd recommend for your readers?

I am anxiously awaiting the 3rd installment of the CAPTIVE PRINCE series by S. U. Pacat. Read books 1 & 2 asap! Brilliant alternative historical, sweeping romance that is everything a book/series should be—breathtaking, gut-wrenching, and sigh-worthy.

Lastly, let's steal an idea from the magazines.....

What 5 things do fans not know about you and 5 they don't know about the book?

5 things readers don’t know about me....

1) I love to play slot machines! I’m cheap, though, and stick to pennies and quarters. It’s a fun day out to the casino when I’ve finished a book!

2) I adore Boston terriers and I’ve had three in my lifetime. We have a pretty female Boston named Muffin who has one blue eye, and is the sweetest baby ever.

3) I recently bought a new home, and that’s a story in itself. But the interesting thing is that for the first time in my entire life, the home I’m living in is NOT haunted. No paranormal activities or spirits whatsoever. I’m sleeping great, but I’ll admit I’m a little disappointed!

4) I can recite the entire Prologue to the Canterbury Tales in Old English—from memory.

5) I’m a huge Bon Jovi fan and I’ve seen them in concert several times!

5 things readers don’t know about the book....

1) Shane is the most eligible bachelor in town and he plans to keep it that way—until he gets close to Daisy Callahan on a dangerous case and she ignites his passion.

2) Shane is six-plus feet of lean, long-legged sexy cowboy cop with gray eyes and sable brown hair that’s a bit longer than regulation.

3) Shane’s got a soft spot for kids, especially his 16 year-old godson, Drew.

4) Shane is a top detective at the Sugarland Police Department.

5) Shane will have to work fast to discover Drew’s dangerous secret if he hopes to save his new family.

THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU for taking time to answer some questions. You are awesome with awesomesauce slathered on! *ok totally gonna stop gushing now*

Thank you for having me here today! I hope you enjoy the series!

Author Info

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. Jo lives in Texas with her two kids and a cute Boston terrier.

Connect with Jo:

Website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads

~Giveaway~