Romance Writers Weekly | Dani Jace. Romance Author

We’re doing a short character interview this week on Romance Weekly courtesy of Xio Axelrod. Hope you’ve already visited Veronica Forand.

Ray Andrews, is my Hot as Blazes firefighter hero in the novel of the same name I’m interviewing today.

Sitting in the big man’s recliner in my den, he makes it appear small. Two-hundred and forty pounds, he’s built like an NFL tight end.

“Okay, Dani, let’s go.” He leans forward, propping his elbows on his muscular thighs making me wonder where he finds jeans to them and his trim waist.

Yeah, sorry. First question…what’s your favorite word?

His pale blue eyes brighten as he slowly smiles. “It’s Dahlin. I gave Jo the pet name a long time ago. Before she knew I was in love with her.”

His easy Southern dialect would put anyone at ease. Your fondest childhood memory?

“Surfing with Jo and Christmases spent with her family. Her brother, Bobby and I were best friends for years before Jo and I got together.” He looks reflective a moment then continues. “Their dad, Cappy, was like a father to me. He and 9/11 are the reasons I went into firefighting.

Wow. You never told me 9/11 had an influence.

“Really?” He chuckles. “Didn’t I share that in my character outline?”

That’ll teach me for not finishing the thing. On to the next question. Name something in your past you wish you could do differently?

He leans back in the chair and rubs his chin. “It’d be to tell Jo I was in love with her before she left for college, but then it could have changed everything.”

True. Vanilla or Chocolate?

“Scotch,” he says laughing.

Figured that. Last question. If you could have lunch with one famous person (alive or not) who would it be and why?

“Hmm…probably sounds shallow, but I’d like to meet Guy Fieri. I like to watch his show on the Food Network. He actually held a family reunion on the Outer Banks once.

Yeah, that’s right you like to cook. Jo’s like me she’s not into the culinary arts.

“She has other talents…better talents.” He raises a brow.

LOL…got it. Well thanks for the interview.

“Any time, Dani.”

Meet Ray and Jo in Hot as Blazes on June 9. Now, let’s see what Leslie Hachtel’s character has to say.

This week on Romance Weekly, Victoria Barbour wants us to show the cast of our most recent book or work in progress. Hope you already visited the awesome Patti Fiala and found her cast of characters from Danny’s War, her work in progress. Her newest release is Rydin’ the Storm Out.

I’d like to introduce everyone to the characters who appear in my June release, Hot as Blazes.

Jo Mercer’s west coast surfing career tanked. She returns home the Outer Banks of North Carolina, but her plans to rebuild her life are complicated by a her brother’s best friend, Ray, now a hunky firefighter. He’d never shown any interest in her beyond friendship until now. She’s been secretly in love with him since forever.

Ray Andrews can’t believe Jo has finally returned home. He couldn’t be happier, but she’s not the same girl that Bobby and he put on the plane nearly five years ago. California has hardened her and made her wary. He’s anxious to share romantic feelings he’s kept hidden, but values their friendship and isn’t sure she feels the same.

Bobby Mercer worked his way up to lieutenant in the local police department while his best friend, Ray, was soldiering and his sister surfed on the west coast. He recently met a jewelry artist named Sarah and believes she’s the one.

Harley left his SEAL unit after the thrill of a gunfight lost it’s allure. He operates a small oceanfront bar called Pappagayos while doing the occasional undercover job. He instantly recognizes Jo Mercer when she walks into his place for a beer and offers her a part-time job bar tending. He and Ray have a history that Jo can’t decipher not does he want her to.

Tami needs a decent job including benefits on a high school diploma. She and Jo become buddies when they walk through the physical agilities test for the fire academy. She’s always on the prowl for hot firefighters and earns a nickname for her unusual escapades.

Hope you’ve enjoyed meeting my cast of characters and will check out Hot as Blazes on June 9. Next on the blog hop is the amazing Jami Denise, author of the sizzling Jayne series.

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