A Sparkling Seasonal Line-Up!

posted by Christine Wells

How did December get here so fast? Never fear, we have a fabulous program lined up to warm the cockles of your heart this holiday season!

First up, on 2 December, Suz and Jo Davis take us on a field trip to Station Five to chat with Jo's incredible firefighters. A most... educational excursion, ladies! And there are some fabulous prizes to be won!

Then, on December 3, Silhouette author Bonnie Vanak makes her first appearance in the Lair. Our in-depth reporter, Nancy, interviews Bonnie about her fabulous shifter romances.

On December 6, warn the cabana boys because it's Party Time as our very own New York Times bestseller, Kate Carlisle launches her second Silhouette Desire, SWEET SURRENDER, BABY SURPRISE! RT Book Reviews says it's "Sweepingly romantic and startlingly sexy" and The Romance Reviews calls it "A tender romance with mass appeal." Wow!

Join us for something a little different on December 7 when Dorie Graham chats with Nancy about creative intelligence. I'm really looking forward to that, as "creative intelligence" sometimes seems like an oxymoron when applied to yours truly!

And Deck the Halls, because December 13 rings in our third annual 12 days of Christmas, with fun giveaways and more!

But that's not all, because on December 16 the lovely Anna Campbell will chat with debut author Elizabeth Essex about her sizzling new release, The Pursuit of Pleasure!

And now, just for a bit of Aussie flavour, let me leave you with a Christmas carol they sing at my son's kindergarten:

Christmas where the gum trees grow
There is no frost and there is no snow
Christmas in Australia's hot
Cold and frosty's what it's not
When the bloom on the Jacaranda tree is here
Christmas time is near!Source URL: https://violeta-diario.blogspot.com/search/label/Jo%20Davis
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SPY BOOTY!!

The winner of a signed copy of I SPY A NAUGHTY GAME, by Jo Davis is LAURIE!! CONGRATULATIONS, Laurie!

Please send your snail mail addy to me at swwelsh AT yahoo DOT com, (yes, there are 2 W's in that addy) and I'll see that Jo gets that prize to you ASAP!Source URL: https://violeta-diario.blogspot.com/search/label/Jo%20Davis
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Jo Davis talks Spy Games

interview by Suzanne



A Lair favorite, Jo Davis returns, this time to talk sexy Spies with Suzanne. As always any conversation between these two involves alcohol, sexy men and good stories! Pull up a lounger and see what's up this time.

Suz: So, welcome back to the Lair, Jo! It’s always great fun to have you join us, and of course it’s always a good reason to share drinks… Sven has become quite the Mojito mixologist these days.

The sound of liquid pouring and then two glasses clinking fill the nearly empty bar area



Suz: Many of the Bandits are working in the writing caves, but I’d expect one or two to pop up for these lovely drinks, soon! This time you’ve brought us a very naughty book to read. I Spy A Naughty Game is the second book in your erotic spy romances, the SHADO Series. And might I add just how much fun I had reading it? Yummo!

In this book we get to meet two more agents for SHADO, Blaze Kelly and Emma Foster. Can you tell everyone a little bit about them?

Jo: First, it’s great to be back! I always enjoy visiting with the Bandits. What a fun group!


As for Blaze and Emma… Blaze is our tough, sexy agent who’s nursing a broken heart. He’s a Dom who’s into the D/s lifestyle and the woman he loves just couldn’t handle it. Emma is a disguise/makeup artist for SHADO. She still loves Blaze, but doesn’t believe she’ll ever be able to fit into his world to be what he needs—a submissive who will melt at her master’s touch, obey his command.



Suz: In I Spy A Naughty Game, you walk your readers through the world of Dominants and submissives. How do Blaze and Emma fit into this world?

Jo: Blaze is a natural. He’s the epitome of what a Dom should be—firm and in control, but always aware that his sub’s safety and happiness comes first. He wants Emma to learn to trust him and know that the D/s lifestyle isn’t some wild free-for-all that’s all about the master’s needs, but about the sub’s needs. Emma is having a difficult time letting go to completely trust him, and isn’t sure she ever can. Besides, she’s pretty butch and feels she has to be just as tough as the guys to work at SHADO. How can she ever feel feminine?

Suz: What if any difficulties or goals did you have when writing about the D/s lifestyle? Any research you might’ve done?

Jo: Let me say I’m not personally into the lifestyle (grin), but that world fascinates me. I do read BDSM erotica and erotic romance, but I felt that wasn’t enough to go on to write about Blaze’s universe. I did some research and found some well-known D/s Masters online, studied their house rules and “mission statements” if you will. I learned that there are actual, definitive types of Masters for each type of sub and that it’s important for the two to be well-matched, and to have a written contract that spells out their commitment. One Master I found was perfect to model Blaze after, with his belief in loving dominance and respect for the sub. I went with it.

Suz: Has it been an easy adjustment for Emma?


Jo: Not at all. Emma fancies herself a tough chick, and she is. But she has a soft, feminine underbelly, a part of her craving dominance, that she’s terrified to expose to Blaze.



Suz: How does their relationship and need for the D/s lifestyle come into play within the external plot of the story?

Jo: Michael Ross, SHADO’s troubled leader, taps Blaze and Emma to go undercover as man and wife to infiltrate a group of rich investors who are supplying money to a home-grown terrorist organization. This organization is now under the control of Robert Dietz (from book 1, I SPY A WICKED SIN) who has escaped, and SHADO must stop Dietz before he and his group transfer a stolen weapon of mass destruction out of the country.

Dietz’s investors meet at a D/s club to conduct their meetings and play. Blaze and Emma have to get into their group and hopefully learn where Dietz is hiding the weapon. Forced into this situation (it was either participate or agonize as another female agent took the job as Blaze’s sub), Emma’s barriers come down…one naughty game at a time.

Suz: Things get shaken up at SHADO as a result and we’re left hanging with more questions than answers, (not very nice m’dear), so does this story arc carry over into the next book, I Spy A Dark Obsession?

Jo: Now, Suz dear, you know I’d never leave you hanging! NAUGHTY GAME is a complete stand-alone and the only plot point left unanswered is when Robert Dietz will finally get what’s coming to him, and who will deliver the long-awaited justice. You’ll have to wait until March 2011 when I SPY A DARK OBSESSION is released to find out! That story is a ménage and features Michael Ross, Bastian Chevalier, and Katrina Brandt.


Suz: Let’s take a minute to talk about your firefighters. When is the next book coming out?

Jo: Ooh, I’m so glad you asked! RIDE THE FIRE will be released on December 7 and finally gives my readers Captain Sean Tanner’s story. I’m sad to see this series end, but I believe my readers will love Sean and Eve’s story. Sean battles his way back from the depths of hell, and there are some powerful, emotional setbacks and triumphs along the way. He’s also blindsided by the knowledge that the accident that killed his family might have been deliberate… Have a box of tissue handy, folks. This one even made my editor cry!

Suz: (My apologies, blogger was not cooperative and this image does not do the sexy cover justice!!)

Dear Bandit Buddies, please be sure to join Jo and I in December as we have a VERY special treat planned for all of you when we discuss the fifth book in the Station Five Firefighter Series, Ride The Fire.

Jo: So I have a question for y'all and one commenter will receive a signed copy of I Spy A Naughty Game. Which fictional spy gets your motor running? If any spy hero could step off the pages and ask you for a hot date, who would it be and why?Source URL: https://violeta-diario.blogspot.com/search/label/Jo%20Davis
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Book Pimping

by Suzanne



Okay, a little known secret...well maybe a widely known fact among the Bandits and my friends...I AM A BOOK PIMP. Yep. Can't seem to help it. If I read a great book, I want EVERYONE  I've ever seen holding a book, picking up my new "find" and reading it.  Here's sort of how the conversation goes:






Me, "I just read the most incredible book."
My mark, "Really? What?"
Me, leaning closer with just a hint of a smile, "Money, Honey by Susan Sey. OMG, couldn't put it down!"
Interested victim, "Really? I'd love one of those kind of books. What's it about?"

AHA! Got another one!

Here's another one:



Me, standing in the romance aisle at the local bookstore, reshelving books. Yep, I do this. Bandit's new releases at eye level or on the highly coveted "new release shelf". This particular time I'm muttering loud enough for the three ladies down the aisle to hear me, "I can't believe they have Jo Davis' firefighters on the bottom shelf. For crying out loud she's a local author!" Now, I do this while holding the highly sexy cover of Line Of Fire out for the ladies to get a good look at.

#1 lady moves closer. "That's a book about firefighters?"
Me, "Oh my goodness, yes. The sexiest team of hunky firefighters you'll ever read about."
#2 moves up and takes a book to read the back blurb. "I think firemen are so sexy."
#3, taking her copy. "And so brave."
#1, "Heroic."
Me, "Sexy."
All three nod, putting the books in their growing armfuls. Ah, my job here is finished, oh wait...I point out Lorraine Heath, Jane Graves, Tracy Garrett, Sandy Blair and Addison Fox's books, making sure they all know they're local authors, too!

See? I can't help it!



My coworkers aren't immnue. Last weekend, knowing how many of my coworkers read the YA series Twilight, I took Inara Scott's Delcroix Academy series: The Candidates bookmarks to work and handed them out.I explained it was a brand new paranormal series that was releasing Tuesday. I told them, "It's going to be the next big hit for teens and twenty year olds. I think you would like reading it too!" I'm betting when I return to work the next week I'll see one or two people holding that book. And since many of them have teenagers, I'm thinking they'll be reading her book, soon. I think these girls will be, too!




Another fun thing happened when I read Kate Carlisle's first Bibliophile Murder mystery book, Homicide In Hardcover at work. My friend Karen bought a copy because I was chuckling all the way through it. When the second book came out, If Books Could Kill, Karen and I were reading the book at the same time, almost simultaneously laughing at the same spots! (I laughed first coz I read faster than Karen.) Several coworkers said, "Are you two reading the same book?" We said, "yes" and Karen proceeded to tell them what we loved about Kate's books. At least three wrote Kate's name and the book titles down to read. YES!


Oh and if someone asks me for a good  historical author to read, my first recommendation? Julie Garwood. "What?" I say, slightly shocked voice, "You haven't read any of Ms. Garwood's works? Let me bring you my copy of Saving Grace." Why this book? It's a well worn hardback copy, (the copy I loan out, my other copy is pristine and on my keeper shelf) and I know if they love this book, they'll be buying the back list, ASAP!



So, how about you? Are you ever a book pimp? How do you go about hooking your book addicts? Any tricks I can borrow? Oh and if you were trying to pimp a book or author to me, which one would you recommend?Source URL: https://violeta-diario.blogspot.com/search/label/Jo%20Davis
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HIDDEN FIRE BOOTY!

Thanks to everyone for making Jo and her firefighters feel so welcome. The winner of an autgraphed copy of HIDDEN FIRE is Deb! CONGRATULATIONS, Deb!



Send your e-mail addy to me at swwelsh2001 AT yahoo DOT com, (Yes there are 2 w's in that addy) and I'll see that Jo sends that to you ASAP.Source URL: https://violeta-diario.blogspot.com/search/label/Jo%20Davis
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Jo Davis Brings The Heat...

Interview by Suzanne

Suz: Jo, welcome back to the Bandit Lair. It’s been a few months since we last looked into the lives of the Station Five fire fighters.

Jo: Hi, Suz and the rest of the Bandits! It’s great to be back!

Suz: HIDDEN FIRE is the third in the series and features one of my favorite crewmembers, Julian Salvatore. Who is the lucky woman to win the heart of this Latin lover?

Jo: When Julian met cool attorney Grace McKenna, Kat’s sister, sparks flew! I couldn’t wait to get these two together.

Suz: We met Grace in TRIAL BY FIRE. Why has it taken so long for Grace and Julian to hook up? What is her reaction to seeing him after all this time?

Jo: Grace wants sexy Julian badly—but she doesn’t want a man she has to “fix.” He’s got a reputation as a ladies’ man who won’t settle down and she doesn’t need that in her life. Still, there’s a vulnerability in him that calls to her and she knows there’s more to him than meets the eye. He’s like a drug she can’t resist…

Grace McKenna, after months of turning down Julian Salvatore for a date, has just decided to accept when she learns he was injured on the job and hurries over to see him…



Grace turned into Julian’s complex and located the correct building with little difficulty. The buildings were set back in the trees, older and not as fancy as her own, but very well-sculpted, trimmed and neat. Parking a couple of spots down from his lower-level unit, she hoped she wasn’t taking up anyone’s assigned space. Maybe she should move.

“Quit stalling,” she muttered to herself, grabbing her purse. What’s the worst he could do, shut the door in her face? Wasn’t as though it hadn’t happened before, though with clients and witnesses, never with friends or lovers.

What am I doing here? They had nothing at all in common.

Save for one lovely kiss on a beautiful fall night, months ago.

Even so, she found herself knocking on his door, fidgeting with her purse strap, breathless with anticipation like a silly fifteen-year-old girl. The seconds crawled, became a minute and more as she bounced between concern and the urge to flee. Glancing at the cars parked in the closest spots, she realized she didn’t know what he drove. Had he made it home yet? What if he was inside, sick or unconscious because he’d left the hospital too soon—

Then the lock scraped and the door opened to reveal Julian standing on the threshold, gaping at her, scratched, bruised, rumpled.

And half-naked.

The man was just over six glorious feet of taut, tanned skin stretched over cords of lean muscle. Her gaze slid down his strong throat to the beautiful gold cross resting on his smooth chest, to the dark, pebbled male nipples, to the impressive ridges of his abdomen, south to the drawstring cotton sleep pants hanging way low--holy shit, no underwear--on slim hips that she’d bet her life savings could make a woman scream when in full Elvis rotation.

“You want to talk to me, my face is up here, querida,” he said in amusement, his accented voice husky, smooth as hot butter. “Unless it’s not conversation you have in mind?”

Suz: WOW! Like I said, Jules is one of my favorite heroes in this series. So how does he react to getting a second chance with Grace?

Jo: Once she shows the slightest inclination toward giving in to his seduction, the gloves are off. Julian will stop at nothing to win her permanently. The trick is to convince her that he’s serious and doesn’t see her as another notch on his bedpost and show her he can be a real partner. One who will help her achieve her dreams and not hold her back.

Julian turns up the heat, then proves he’s a complete gentleman…

“Wasn’t that good for you?”

She blinked into his earnest eyes, covering her confused thoughts. “Are you kidding? I think I disintegrated.”

“Ah,” he said, a satisfied grin curing his lips. “Success, then.”

“Oh, yes.” She smiled, smoothing his hair out of his face. “In spades. But what about you? I’d like to return the favor.”

An odd expression flickered across his face, and was gone. “I’m good, bella. That was for you,” he said softly. “Because I wanted to, not because I expected anything in return.”

“But—”

“Shh, no worries.” Reaching down, he fished around for something, then handed over her shirt.

She took it from him and pulled it on, more confused than ever. Since when did a lover not expect his attentions to be reciprocated? The idea caused a warm flutter in her middle.

Why did Julian have to be so damned gallant?

Nothing about the man was what she’d expected so far. Quite the contrary. She’d never felt so off-balance around a man, and wasn’t sure she liked it.

She pulled on her jeans as well, at a loss as to what to do or say next. My God, what a fabulous orgasm! More coffee?

“Thank you.” Feeling ridiculous, she crossed her arms, watching as he stood, smiling.
“For you, anything.”

“You really mean that, don’t you?”

His smile softened, his dark eyes warm as he laid his palms on her shoulders. “I never say anything I don’t mean.”

“No man has ever put my wishes first,” she said, and felt a blush stain her face. What on earth made her admit that to him?

“I’ll always put you first, Grace. No matter where our relationship goes.”

Suz: Fanning myself here. Uhm…where were we…oh yeah, In the Station Five Firefighter series, you always give us a suspenseful, as well as sexy, plot line. Can you tell us a bit about the suspense plot and how you came up with the idea?

Jo: From the beginning of the series, I knew Julian harbored a terrible and shameful (to him) secret. While researching serial killers, I read in one of my research books that it’s not uncommon for serial killers to work as a team. I thought of the countless victims in history of our most infamous killers and thought to myself, “What if very early on, one victim got away? What if he never realized how close he came to death?” I knew then I had my suspense story.

Suz: Can you give us any hints about what else happens in HIDDEN FIRE?

Jo: Hmm, shall I tease you a bit? In this book, Julian reveals that his narcotics officer brother, Tonio, would like to move to Sugarland and join the police department. Readers might recall a mention of Tonio from TRIAL BY FIRE. Also, look for a town favorite to play a bigger role in HIDDEN FIRE and even bigger role yet in LINE OF FIRE coming out on May 4, 2010. Could this favorite hottie spin us into a new series? We’ll see…



Suz: What’s next for the Station Five A team?

Jo: HIDDEN FIRE marks a turning point in Captain Sean Tanner’s battle against alcohol and consuming grief that will carry over into LINE OF FIRE and result in disastrous consequences for one of the A-shift team. Each of their lives will be altered irrevocably. That’s my story and I’m stickin’ to it!



*Read Michelle Buonfiglio’s Feature Review of HIDDEN FIRE at BarnesandNoble.com. http://bookclubs.barnesandnoble.com/t5/Heart-to-Heart/Playing-with-Fire/ba-p/412846

***Suddenly the door to the bar opens. And what do my wondering and rather lusty-filled eyes see? Oh yeah, the sexy latin lover in jeans and tight black t-shirt, strutting right over to the booth Jo and I are sharing. With a quick kiss to each of our cheeks, he slides in beside Jo (I am SOOO jealouse!) and asks if we're talking with the Banditas again. When we answer yes, that devilish look fills his eyes and he leans closer to talk into the mike...***

Julian Salvatore: Lovely ladies, are you having a good time? I’d like to ask…what is your idea of the perfect way to win a woman’s heart? I need some help in this area and I’d love to know!



Jo is also starting a 3-book erotica suspense story in the spring for those of you interested in pre-orders. This is a trilogy involving a super secret spy organization that officially doesn't exist, but fights homeland terrorists. The first book is titled, I SPY A WICKED SIN. No firefighters, dear readers, but oh is it hot!!


And Jo is giving away a signed copy of HIDDEN FIRE to one lucky commentor.Source URL: https://violeta-diario.blogspot.com/search/label/Jo%20Davis
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MAKE ME LAUGH

by suzanne

No, I'm not asking for your best Internet forward joke...although I have a great one best told in a bar with an Irish accent. What I want, what I'm craving is a funny book to read. A light-hearted fare or one where there are brilliant moments of comic relief.


The first Susan Elizabeth Phillips (SEP) book I ever read was NOBODY'S BABY, BUT MINE. Now, this wasn't a slap-stick funny book. But when she removes all the marshmallows from the cereal box to make it more healthy for him and he says, "I've married a cereal killer!", I cracked up! When she insists on driving up the North Carolina mountain in a storm to have her baby, yep, got me laughing out loud! And it also had me back at the bookstore the next day buying everyone of SEP's back list.





My friend, Jo Davis,(author of TRIAL BY FIRE, UNDER FIRE and HIDDEN FIRE), who reads mostly suspense, claims AIN'T SHE SWEET was the funniest book she can remember reading. One of her favorite parts? When the dog in the front seat beside the heroine farts at her. The heroine thinks, "yep, even the dog hates me.





Another author who mixes great characters, good story telling, some suspense and comic relief is Julie Garwood. In SAVING GRACE , two clans are trying to live on the same land under the same laird, only they refuse to merge into one clan. Many funny episodes occur as the heroine uses quiet defiance and even tosses shattered crockery to get her point across. I chuckle my way through that book every time I read it. (28 at a last reading.)



Another dear friend, Sandy Blair, (author of A MAN IN A KILT, A ROUGE IN A KILT, A THIEF IN A KILT and A HIGHLANDER FOR CHRISTMAS) says the funniest book she can remember was Garwood's THE GIFT. What makes it so funny? Sandy says it's knowing what's coming next from the heroine's POV and the hero's exasperated reaction to what he perceives as illogical. Garwood sprinkles these gems throughout all her books. One of the reasons she's one of our favorite feel-good authors.





Addison Fox, (author of WARRIOR ASCENDED: The Sons of the Zodiac, coming in March 2010), couldn't pinpoint a specific book by Nora Roberts, but says one of her favorite reasons to read Nora's books is her ability to have witty dialogue that relieves some of the suspense and have her readers chuckling in different places throughout her books.






One of the funniest books I've ever read was Linda Howard's TO DIE FOR. This book works in so many ways. First it is in first person, (not my usual cup of tea), and because we're mostly in the heroine's head we understand why she does the things she does, even if she admits they're stupid. We also get to see the hero's frustrations at her actions, he's banging his head on his desk. This is also a different kind of suspense for Ms. Howard, totally at odds with her usual dark fare. When I was reading it, Rocky-the-wonder-dog was parked on the bed beside me. I laughed so hard the bed shook and he gave me that irritated male dog look (very reminiscent of irritated male human look). I had to stop reading long enough to stop laughing in order to read some more!




Jane Graves, a romantic comedy author, (HOT WHEELS AND HIGH HEELS, TALL TALES AND WEDDING VEILS), points to any book by Jennifer Crusie. Jane says, "I always feel a special sense of delight at her word choice, her sentence structure, and especially her dialogue. Her books are just flat-out fun to read, sentence after sentence, page after page. They're not funny in a laugh-out-loud way, at least not to me. They're just...fun. She's one of the few authors out there who can entertain me with almost every sentence she writes." My daughter, Alison, agrees whole heartily.

In fact, the idea for this blog originally titled, "where have all the funny books gone?", came from my daughter. She was going through a pregnancy, was home on maternity leave a few weeks early and was looking for books to read. She asked me, "Mom, I'm tired of reading serious, dark books. I want to laugh. I need a funny book, do you know of any?"

So, I need some help.

Who would you like to read? What writer makes you laugh? Who do you read when you want a good chuckle or to relieve some of the stress in your own life?Source URL: https://violeta-diario.blogspot.com/search/label/Jo%20Davis
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Now For Something Different with Jo Davis

interview by Suzanne

The Bandits are welcoming Romantic Suspense author, Jo Davis back into the Lair, but this time to talk about her debut release, an Erotic Suspense from NAL Heat. So grab a pillow, make yourself comfortable and find out what's got Jo, and probably us when we read her newest book, all hot and bothered!

Suz: Hey Jo, welcome back to the Lair. WHEN ALEX WAS BAD is your first erotica for NAL Heat. Can you fill us in on all the juicy details?uh, the non-X rated ones?about the plot?

Jo: Thanks, Suz and the Bandits for having me back. ALEX explores a couple's desperation to revive their dying marriage. How many of us have been married 15-20 years and suddenly find we no longer know the person we love? That we feel unwanted and undesirable? In that situation, how far would you go to save your marriage? ALEX takes that premise and pushes the boundaries to a solution most of us would never entertain-to agree to an open marriage in order to revive our passion.

Suz: We've been friends for years and I'm always amazed how your mind works. How did you come up with the premise for WHEN ALEX WAS BAD

Jo: Believe it or not, ALEX began as a personal writing exercise as a way for me to work on something besides my contracted books, to loosen up and keep the creative juices flowing, so to speak. Nobody was ever supposed to see it-but then my editor asked for erotica from me, I sent in the first chapters, and the rest is history. I took the premise mentioned above and played the "what if" game. What if a woman pushed the envelope to regain her lonely husband's passion? What if the plan worked a little too well? What if things weren't exactly as they seemed, putting everyone in danger? I took this and ran with it, and the story exploded to life.

Suz: Not all women would use such a unique way to save their marriage, why do you think Olivia came up with her plan?

Jo: Olivia saw firsthand, painful evidence that she was about to lose her husband to a younger woman. A woman who would make Alex feel wanted and sexy again, one who wouldn't leave him alone and longing for companionship each night while Liv runs her upscale restaurant. Rather than throw in the towel, she gets creative. Why not indulge in the fantasies she and Alex used to entertain together? Liv has a lot to lose, but even more to gain.

Suz: What erotic elements did you choose to use in WHEN ALEX WAS BAD

Jo: It might be easier to list which elements I didn't use! In a word, you won't find the flavor vanilla anywhere in this story. There are multiple partners, BDSM, and male/male elements, though none of these encounters are gratuitous. Each one serves a specific purpose in pushing psychological as well as physical boundaries, propelling Alex and Olivia's metamorphosis as a couple, and cementing their relationship with their lover, Jason.

Suz: This isn't just an ordinary erotica with lots of unique sexual experiences. You've woven in an intriguing suspense plot, too. Why did you do that, and did you find it difficult balancing that plot and the sex angle?

Jo: Weaving suspense into my plots, no matter the level of sexual content, is natural for me. As an author, it's hard for me to think in terms of a storyline with no twist, no bad guys to defeat. So no, that part wasn't difficult. However, with this story I did pull the suspense forward more when the book was optioned with Mandalay Pictures. I found myself in the unique position of selling ALEX to NAL on proposal-and going book to film with Mandalay as well, only one week after the book sold to my publisher. Yes, you read that right. ALEX was optioned on proposal as a major motion picture. I had the mind-blowing opportunity to write an erotic suspense from scratch along the lines of BASIC INSTINCT for the big screen as well as for my readers. No pressure, right?

Suz: What do you see as the difference between super sexy romances and erotic romances?

Jo: To me, the difference between super sexy and erotic romance is in the author's handling of 1) the psychological mindset of the sexual situation(s) and/or 2) inclusion of alternative lifestyles. (GLBT, multiple partners, etc.) The author knows what she/he is delivering and the readers know what they're getting when they choose the book, so I have never understood why some find "erotic" so difficult to define. It's not rocket science, ya know?

Suz: As you mentioned before, WHEN ALEX WAS BAD has been optioned for a movie. What was it like going through that process? Can you tell us any details?

Jo: As I said, ALEX was optioned by Mandalay Pictures last year right after I sold the book. What some may not know is that the acquiring producer is Mandalay President Cathy Schulman, who won the Best Picture Oscar for Crash in 2006. The film is in development now, and the screenwriter is at work on the screenplay. Being optioned, especially by a producer of her stature, is right up there as one of the most thrilling experiences of my life. I got to speak with Cathy and Executive Vice-President David Zelon (CABLE GUY, THE NET, SLEEPY HOLLOW, I KNOW WHAT YOU DID LAST SUMMER, just to scratch the surface) on the phone in a long-distance conference, along with my agent and my book-to-film agent. The conversation was so surreal, words can't describe my emotions.

The writing process to complete this book was, as you might imagine, the most stressful project I've ever undertaken. Isn't it every writer's fantasy to capture your publisher and Hollywood in the same week, based on nothing more than premise? Oh, yes, without a doubt. Then you have to pull off a fantastic story, with important people on both the east and west coasts waiting to see what you produce. Not a picnic, folks. But very, very rewarding in the end.



Suz, with a mischevious grin: Big what if. IF you could cast the movie yourself, who would you put in the three major roles?

Jo: Ooh, this is fun! To play Alex, I'd have to go with Mark Wahlberg, hands down. I just love that talented man, and he's perfect for my handsome, just-turned-40 attorney hero. Angelina Jolie would be my choice for Olivia, all sultry beauty and grace. To play Jason Strickland, our hot young hero who joins Alex and Liv? Hmm. I have to admit I'm not sure who I'd go with for that part. After my readers have devoured ALEX, I'd love to hear some opinions on who could play Jason!

Suz: So what other Heat books do you have planned?

Jo: In February 2010, I'm launching the SHADO Agency series, starting with I SPY A WICKED SIN. Think of this series as BOURNE IDENTITY meets JAMES BOND and goes erotic! My spies are sexy, uninhibited, and will do anything to get their man-or woman. The first book in the series features a blind hero, Jude St. Laurent, who does not remember his life as an assassin for SHADO?and has no clue that the tempting Lily Vale has been sent to make sure he never does.

Suz: Any news about the Station Five Firefighters you'd like to tease our readers with?





Jo: I thought you'd never ask! Julian's gripping story, HIDDEN FIRE, will be released on December 1, 2009. In this installment, Sean Tanner's arc will be furthered, and readers will get a hint that someone new might come to town in the future. In 2010, Tommy Skyler's story, LINE OF FIRE, will be released in June, and finally, RIDE THE FIRE, Sean's story, will be released in December! In 2010, one of our beloved Station Five heroes will see the tragic end of his firefighting career and nope, I'm not telling who! Also, look for one of your favorite Sugarland men to take on a larger role in the action. Will he eventually get his own story? That remains to be seen?



Suz: So Jo is going to give away a signed copy of WHEN ALEX WAS BAD to one lucky commentor. Given what you know of the story, who would you cast in the movie version? And have you ever taken drastic measures to solve a problem? Did it turn out as you expected?

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A Trip To Station Five: Too Hot To Handle!

by Suzanne

Welcome Banditas and readers, please move to the back of the van and buckle up, because we're going on a field trip today. Actually, Jo Davis and I are going to take you with us on a trip out to Station Five to see how her team of sexy firefighters spend their day. Jo needed to do some on sight research, so as her trusty sidekick and handy photographer, I of course got an invite, too!

It's a long drive out there, but we have plenty to talk about, like how happy Howard and Kat are since their wedding. We also talk about the serial killer who nearly took the delicious "Six-pack" from his woman. Now that would've been a shame.

We pull up outside the firehouse, a modest brick building with two large bay style garage doors, both open for our arrival. As we all pile out of the van, who comes out to greet us, but the sexy, but surly Captain Sean Tanner, himself.

As the captain walks over, we notice two other hunks straighten from their task of waxing the engine to smile at us. Oh, my...it's Julian Salvatore and Zack Knight! Is it getting warmer out here?

Sean stops in front of us, over six feet of lean, rough-hewn male. He's in his early forties, dark brown hair just beginning to go silver at the temples. Though his smile is welcoming and transforms his face from hard to handsome, it doesn't quite reach cool green eyes that hint of terrible loss. But we don't have time to dwell on that as he puts us as ease.

Sean: Ladies, welcome. It's good to see you.
Jo: Great to see you guys again! How have you been?
Sean: All right, I suppose. Work has been busy, which is either good or bad depending on where you're sitting.
Suz: I know exactly what you mean. I'm a labor and delivery nurse, so I understand what it's like some to hang around some nights for hours with nothing to do. The second you wish there was something going on...
Sean (nodding): All hell breaks loose. Believe me, we know. (He turns to call to Julian and Zack) Are you two going to stand back there and gawk, or come and meet two pretty women?
Julian: Coming, Cap! Who am I to refuse such an invitation?
Zack (rolling his eyes): He's such a walking gland.
Julian (shooting him a grin): At least I can get a date-
Zack: Who probably needs a round of antibiotics afterward.
Sean: Boys! Good God, those two are hopeless.


Jo and I exchange a Look. Julian and Zack might be hopeless, but they make for darned fine eye candy. Both have black hair, but Julian's is cut a little longer, falling attractively over dark eyes. Zack's is shorter, and his eyes are laser blue behind his wire-rimmed glasses. Both are about the same height and build, though Zack is a little more lean. Julian's grin is completely unrepentant, while Zack's smile is shy.

Zack: Sorry about that, but Jules knows exactly what buttons to push.
Julian: Hey, it's not my fault you're as sensitive as a little girl.
Zack: I've got your girl right here-
Sean: Um, Zack? Why don't you give Jo and Suz a quick tour of the station. I think Jo needs a refresher on some of the procedures and such.
Zack: Great idea. This way, ladies!

Zack leads us into the bay where the big engine, called a quint because it has the big ladder on top, is sitting next to an ambulance. In one corner there's a boat used for water rescues, and there are other mysterious pieces of equipment lying around. Everything is neat and orderly. For a building full of men-plus one woman-that's saying something!


Zack: This is the quint-our single most important piece of equipment besides the ambulance. Not to mention a main attraction with the kids. The aerial ladder reaches 105 feet. The quint weighs 65,000 lbs, or 32.5 tons, and carries a price tag of nearly $200,000.
Suz (running my hands over the smooth, shining chrome): Cool!
Jo: Wow, that's expensive! How long does a quint stay in service?
Zack: It depends, but somewhere in the area of 12-14 years. Retired trucks are auctioned off by the city to volunteer departments. The last one auctioned fetched around $35,000. Ready to go inside and we'll see what Tommy is making for lunch?
Jo (dubious): Uh...Tommy's cooking?
Zack (smiling): Not to worry, Eve is helping him. I promise we won't poison you before we send you home.
Jo: Thank heavens!

Jo and I follow him inside, both of us noting how well his cute rear fills out his regulation navy pants. In the kitchen, an attractive, dark-haired woman who must be Eve is standing beside Tommy Skyler, instructing the blond Brad Pitt look-alike in making something tasty. Glancing up, both give us a smile and exchange hellos.

Zack: Come on, let's leave them to it while I show you the living quarters. Down this hallway are the bunks-two beds in each room with a stand of lockers between the beds for semi-privacy.
Suz: Eve doesn't share a room with a male firefighter, does she?
Zack: No, but that's a good question. Our station is updated and set up so a woman doesn't have to share either bedroom or restroom/shower facilities. Many stations aren't so fortunate, and the women must bunk with the men, use the same showers, etc. Which can really cause unhappiness with some of the wives and significant others.
Jo: I can imagine! How do male firefighters really feel about having a female on the team? Be honest.
Zack: At our station, we're more than cool with having a woman. Some aren't, which is a shame. The physical agility test to become a firefighter is strenuous, so if she can pass, be a team player, she's earned her spot same as anyone else. Eve, in particular, is awesome. You couldn't ask for a better person to have at your back.

Zack gives us a peek into the rooms, which are amazingly small, especially given the size of some of these guys! And those beds don't look like they'd comfortably accommodate a growing teen much less a man!

Suz: I've seen college dorm rooms bigger than this.
Zack: Tiny, huh? You should see Six-Pack trying to move around in here. He's got it worse than any of us. Speaking of the devil...

Lieutenant Howard "Six-Pack" Paxton emerges from one of the rooms and strides toward us. Oh. My. Gawd. The man is six feet, six inches of pure, muscled testosterone. A woman could drown in those big brown peepers and his spiky brown hair bleached blond on the ends is just too fetching.


Six-Pack: Girls, enjoying your visit?
Jo: We are, thanks! Zack is treating us like royalty, and Tommy is making lunch.
Six-Pack (grimacing): Well, two out of three isn't bad. (He throws Zack a pitiful look) Isn't the bottle of Tums empty?
Zack: Eve bought a new one and brought it this morning. Extra-strength.
Six-Pack: Bless her.

A peek into the pantry and we see the LARGEST box of TUMS every! Which makes you wonder just how bad Tommy's cooking really is?

Zack: Say, I was just about to show the girls the locker room, maybe bunk them out in our gear. Want to help?
Six-Pack: Sure, that'll be fun. Ladies?

Our two hot guides lead us to the end of the hallway and through another door. In this long, skinny room are a row of open lockers with hooks in each. Zack explains that each man on each shift is assigned a locker where they store their equipment when off-duty. Sure enough, coats, pants, and hats, and boots are crowded into two thirds of them. The A-shift lockers are empty.

Suz: Where do you keep your gear when you're on-shift?
Six-Pack: Out in the bay, next to the quint. Saves time to have all the stuff out there, ready to go.
Suz: Ah! So that's why there were boots, coats, and things lying out there.
Zack: Exactly. Why don't we get you guys dressed so you can get a taste of how it really feels to be weighed down by all our gear?
Jo: Sounds like fun!

Zack and the lieutenant borrow two sets of gear from another shift in case they need theirs in a hurry. First, Jo and I step into fire pants and then boots several sizes too big. The boys help us pull up the pants and secure them with suspenders. Already, we feel like we're made of lead, but the heavy stuff is yet to come.

Next comes the coat, which is heavier than you could imagine! But the real kicker is the oxygen tank and face mask-a unit we learn is called the SCBA, or Self-Contained Breathing Apparatus. Jo doesn't like having the mask over her face one bit, and we laugh while she gives us a mock glare. Once the microphone is secured to our collars, the thermal imagine camera is last. Since there's only one of those, Zack hooks it to my right front strap. Now that I'm fully equipped, I feel like a slight shove could push me over-and I wouldn't be able to get up!



Jo: Lord, this is like being encased in cement! How much does all this equipment weigh?
Zack: Over 50 lbs. Comfy, huh?
Suz: Right! All the good citizens of Sugarland better be glad Jo and I will never be called out to save them dressed like this, because they'd be in real trouble!

Zack and Six-Pack have a good laugh, then undress us. (Just the uniforms, unfortunately!) After they put their colleagues equipment away, Zack gestures back the way we came.

Zack: So, are you brave souls ready to try Tommy's cuisine?
Jo: You bet!
Suz: Lead the way!

How bad can it be? After all, compared to what these guys have to do every day, the dangers they face, what's a little indigestion?

That's our trip to the firestation, (which Jo and I really did go to a firestation for her research and my personal desire to meet firefighters). And as you can see, Jo's second book about the Firefighters of Station Five, UNDER FIRE, is hitting the shelves May 5th! This is Zack, the sexy shy hero of the group and trust me, it will melt your panties off, again!!

So, do you like heroine driven books or hero driven books? And if you like hero-driven books, what are your favorite group of heros?

Jo is goin to give an autographed copy of UNDER FIRE to one lucky reader today! And if you want to see more of Jo's HOT firefighters, go to http://www.jodavis.net/

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LATE, BUT HOT BANDIT BOOTY!

With all the excitement of the Bandits meeting up in San Francisco, I forgot to annouce the winner of Jo Davis' TRIAL BY FIRE!

The winner is............drum rolllllllllllllllllllll...Jane!

Jane, send me your snail-mail addy to swwelsh2001 AT yahoo DOT com, and I'll see that Jo send you an autograph copy! CONGRATULATIONS!!Source URL: https://violeta-diario.blogspot.com/search/label/Jo%20Davis
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