Welcome to Harlequin’s March Spotlight:
What’s hotter than a man in uniform? These handsome heroes are here to serve and protect. Heat up your March with steamy romantic suspense from Harlequin’s bestselling series authors. These edge-of-your-seat romances are sure to get your heart pumping.
The lovers in these stories face dark lies, deception, scandal and murder – and manage to fit in a little love and passion on the side. You’ll be glued to the pages of Harlequin’s latest picks – lose yourself in the breakneck speed of these intriguing plots filled with treachery, crime and mayhem.
I’ve got two fabulous book to spotlight and Q&A’s with the authors to share…enjoy and thanks so stopping by!
Synopsis:
The woman fleeing a cold-blooded killer is no stranger to Deputy Colt McKinnon. Fourteen years ago, Elise Nichols was the love of his life. Now she’s back in Sweetwater Springs—to be the star witness in an upcoming murder trial that could tear the Texas lawman’s family apart.
With her explosive revelations certain to rock the town, Elise didn’t expect to be welcomed home with open arms. Certainly not by the cowboy with the badge who once meant everything to her. But after being run off the road and shot at, she has no choice but to trust him. Even more dangerous is the desire that’s reigniting, making Elise yearn for something she may not live to see
Q&A with Delores Fossen
author of THE DEPUTY’S REDEMPTION
- THE DEPUTY’S REDEMPTION is the latest in your Sweetwater Ranch series. Can you tell us a bit about the series and characters?
The series is about a family of cowboy cops who are torn apart when their mother is arrested for murder. In THE DEPUTY’S REDEMPTION, Colt McKinnon is a deputy sheriff who also helps his brothers run their successful Sweetwater Ranch. He has to risk his life to protect Elise Nichols, a woman from his past who could ultimately send his father to prison.
- Elise and Colt have an interesting past together. What does this bring to the story?
I think their teenage crush has remained over the years, but now that they’re adults, they have to deal with the old attraction and the new problems that it’s creating. If Colt gives into the attraction, he could be betraying his family since Elise’s testimony could lead to his father’s arrest.
- Colt McKinnon is an incredible name for a character. Do you have a method down for creating names?
I listen for names in airports, grocery stores, wherever I am. Whenever I hear one that I think might fit, I put it in a file and wait until the right story comes to mind for that character’s name.
- Do you have any say in the design of your book covers?
I do fill out a detailed art fact sheet for Harlequin for each book, and I describe three scenes for the art department. The idea is for me to convey the tone and appearance of the main characters and the story.
- Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Definitely a plotter. I’m one of those writers who can’t start until I have the plot worked out.
- Using just 5 words, how would you describe Elise and Colt’s love affair?
Love that manages to survive.
- What drew you to writing romantic suspense?
I love weaving together the romance and the mystery, and the danger makes the stakes so high. It’s easy to put the petty stuff aside when the bad guys are trying to kill you.
- If THE DEPUTY’S REDEMPTION was made into a movie, which Hollywood actors would you cast for the main characters and why?
Charlie Hunnam for Colt, but I’d want him less buff. Colt is more on the lanky side.
Natalie Portman for Elise. There’s a quiet strength about her that I think Elise has.
- What is your go-to snack when you’re writing?
Tea and cookies. I wish it were something healthier, but they feed the muse. (Or at least that’s what I like to tell myself!)
- What are you working on next?
I’m working on a new series for Harlequin Intrigue—titled Appaloosa Pass. It’s a 6-book series about a family of Texas lawmen who are looking for a serial killer. I’m also working on a new single title trilogy for HQN tentatively called Spring Hill. It, too, will be about a family of cowboys and should be released in late 2016.
Synopsis:
LAWMAN ON A MISSION
After a prominent senator’s son is murdered, Capitol K-9 Unit captain Gavin McCord wants answers. The senator was a mentor to Gavin, and he’ll stop at nothing to bring the killer to justice. With his team of elite K-9 cops and his loyal dog, Glory, at his side, Gavin discovers that a child at Cassie Danvers’s nearby foster home may have witnessed the murder. He’s drawn to the determined and beautiful woman, but she doesn’t want him interviewing her traumatized charges. Yet trusting Gavin is the only way to stay one step ahead of the deadly gunman when Cassie becomes a target.
Capitol K-9 Unit: These lawmen solve the toughest cases with the help of their brave canine partners.
Q&A with Shirlee McCoy
author of PROTECTION DETAIL
- PROTECTION DETAIL is the latest in the Capitol K-9 Unit Series. Where did you get the idea for incorporating lawmen and their canine partners?
The series was thought out and put together by Harlequin. I’m the first of six authors asked to participate in the series. I can’t tell you how excited I was to hear that we were doing a K-9 Unit series! The other authors and I worked closely together to connect the books and the characters.
- The heroine, Cassie, is a foster mother. What is your special connection to her?
My youngest daughter was adopted. We met her when she was seven. She’d been in an orphanage in China for three years and then in foster care there for four. My husband and I were able to meet her foster family in a hotel room in China. I’ll never forget the way Lizzie hugged the little girl she’d spent four years raising. It broke my heart and filled it. I was so happy to see that my daughter had been loved, and so sad to realize that Lizzie and Qian would probably never see each other again. When I wrote Cassie’s character, I spent a lot of time thinking about that moment. I thought about the care and love that had been poured onto a child who would be adopted and loved by someone else. What a beautiful and astounding thing that is. It takes very special people to foster children, and I wanted to do Cassie’s character justice. Hopefully, I did!
- What first draws Gavin and Cassie together?
Gavin is working on a case that brings him in contact with Cassie. Cassie is leery of police officers, so Gavin has his work cut out for him! He’s a by the book guy, but he can’t keep from falling for Cassie. They were such fun characters!
- What inspired you to start writing romantic suspense?
I have always loved the genre. My mother is a huge fan of gothic romance, and she let me read her books when I was a young teen. I cut my teeth on Victoria Holt and Mary Stewart, and I still love a good gothic novel. I think romantic suspense was just a natural progression of that love.
- How do you come up with the names for your characters?
I often use names of people that I know. Or, I’ll use quirky names that aren’t very common. I love fitting the name with the character’s personality, and that can be a challenge. Once or twice, I’ve changed a name a few chapters into a book because it just didn’t seem to fit.
- Do you have any say in the design of your book covers?
I give cover ideas and send photos to my editor. These are used to help design the book.
- Are you a plotter or a pantser?
A pantser who has had to learn to be a plotter? I sell on proposal now, so I have had to learn to outline my books before I write them. It often takes me as long to write the synopsis and first few chapters as it does to write the book! I’d like to say that I follow the outline closely once I finish it, but that couldn’t be further from the truth! I tend to write the synopsis and then go on my merry way being a pantser and writing whatever comes into my head. So….maybe I am both.
- How would you describe your writing style?
I’m like a truck driver. I push through to the end. No veering off onto other roads or taking little side trips. I have a goal and I stick to it. I don’t go back and edit until I’ve completed the first draft. I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad one, but it works for me.
- If PROTECTION DETAIL was turned into a movie, which Hollywood actors would you cast for your characters and why?
Oh. Wow. Can I say that I have no idea?! I watch documentaries on the history channel or cooking shows on the cooking channel. And, I read books. The last movie I watched was…I don’t even remember! :0)
- What are you working on next?
The fourth book in my Mission: Rescue series. The heroine’s name is Harper, and the hero is Logan. She’s a potter, and he’s a hostage rescue specialist. They make an interesting and challenging pair!