Today on Cocky Confessions, we have Gemma Brocato’s hero from her newest contemporary release, Hearts in Harmony.
Thanks so much for inviting me over today, Dani. I’m happy to be here to share a little about myself and my story that readers might not know.
Tell us a little about yourself. My name is Clay Mathers and I’ve recently moved to Granite Pointe, Massachusetts.
What do you do for a living? A little of this, and a little of that. I work as a military consultant for the Army, and several other government agencies. Whenever they need strategic movement of resources or assets, they give me a shout. I’m also an author. I write reality-based fiction about Army Rangers.
Can you tell us about your love interest and how did you meet in Hearts In Harmony? Pippa Sanders was singing at a military funeral when we met. There was a group of protesters present and Pippa didn’t realize the level of danger they represented. After the service, she visited her husband’s grave, where one of the demonstrators accosted her. I kind of saved her. But she didn’t appreciate my methods, and let me know. She’s a spitfire!
I’m assuming you got physical. Personally, I commend you. So, can you tell us something no one would believe about you? Large or small. I didn’t know green was my favorite color until Pippa’s daughter, Mia, pointed it out.
Sounds like you’ve bonded with her already. How does a former military guy like yourself stay fit? I try to fit the gym in when I can, but lately, mostly it’s been by doing physical labor at my Mom’s Christmas tree farm. That’s a workout all year long.
So you’re part lumberjack, too. *winks” Moving on, what do you believe is your most attractive feature? Well, Pippa would say it’s my eyes, but I think my feet. I have pretty nice feet for a guy. At least, that’s what Pip tells me whenever I’m barefoot in jeans.
Yeah, I’ve seen some pretty ugly footed men. Name something Pippa can do to totally turn you on? Hmmm, she could invite me to a private concert, where she is singing. Any song. She has the sexiest singing voice I’ve ever heard.
And that’s basically how you meet her, while she was singing. If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be? I wish I’d never have to stand guard at a funeral where protesters were. Marring the sanctity of a family’s final goodbye to their soldier is criminal in my opinion. I’d better stop now before I get too vocal.
Right there with you buddy. Okay, so next subject. What’s your most comfy article of clothing? I have an old Army sweatshirt and sweatpants that are my default attire on Sunday mornings. I mean really old. Had them for at least ten years. I worry about them wearing out, but Pippa promised she’d make pillows out of them when they do.
Great idea for something so sentimental. A favorite piece of clothing to remove from your lover? Every single stitch she has on is my favorite as it’s coming off.
Dang. What’s the hottest thing she’s ever said to you? I like you.
What intrigues you most about her? She refuses to swear. In the most extreme situations she’ll let loose though, and oh, boy. When her pretty lips dropping the f-bomb I just want to kiss it away.
LOL! What worries you the most? I thought my heart would stop when Dewey Evans held me and Pippa’s kids hostage. The sight of him accosting Pippa at the cemetery and aiming a gun at her kids is seared into my memory. Some days, I can’t beat down the fear that there is someone crazier than Dewey out there with us in his sights.
Hope the hell he’s in jail without a key. What’s your method of travel, motor vehicle, motorcycle, horse, etc. And is that vehicle per say special to you. I have a motorcycle, which I’m grateful for because I was riding with a motorcycle honor guard for the funeral where I met Pippa. I might not have met her otherwise. I also have a big truck, which is good for working on the farm. And Pippa lets me drive her Jeep whenever we go somewhere. Oh, and I used to live on a houseboat, so I guess that’s one way to travel.
A house boat sounds fun. I’ve never been on one. Is there a favorite place you’d like to travel. I’ve traveled the world over with the Army and in my consulting work, but I have to say my favorite place is anywhere Pip and the kids are.
That’s so sweet, Clay. Pippa and the kids are lucky she met you. Thanks for taking the time to stop by. We’re going to give readers a little blurb and excerpt from Hearts in Harmony.
If you’d like to have your hero interviewed on Cocky Confessions, contact Dani Jace through Facebook or the contact link on this website. I’d like to thank Gemma also for allowing Clay to be my guest. Heart’s in Harmony blub and excerpt follows.
Book Description:
Sometimes life’s most simple melodies become songs of love.
Pippa Sanders’ life is filled with songs of leaving, longing and loneliness. Since the death of her husband, her children have been her world. She’ll do anything to protect them, including encasing her heart in ice until they’re college age. She’s made a practice of shying away from any relationship that could break her heart when it ends. And it’s worked so far.
Clay Mathers has made a temporary move to Granite Pointe, Massachusetts to help with his mother’s Christmas tree farm while she recovers from a stroke. Although his long-range plans don’t include staying in the small town, a little female companionship during his short residency would be welcome. While on duty as sentry against protestors at a military funeral, he finds Pippa visiting her husband’s grave, and begins a campaign to make her into a friend–with benefits.
What starts as a simple affair evolves to something more, something that changes the soundtracks of both their lives…the beating of two hearts in harmony.
CONTENT WARNING: Contains strong language, hot sex and a spicy hero. A Lyrical Press Contemporary Romance. Genre: Contemporary romance. Publisher: Kensington Books/Lyrical Press, Inc. Date of Publication: May 5, 2014. ISBN: ASIN: B00J7XE8H2. Number of pages: 300. Word Count: appox. 80,000. Cover Artist: Renee Rocco
Excerpt:
Pippa opened her mouth to retort, when the irony of his words hit her. Yes, he did have a right to speak his mind. It was a privilege her husband had fought and died for. She just wished he wasn’t so crude about it.
Clay eyed her and crossed muscular arms over his chest, daring her to respond, waiting for a chance to chastise her again for her stupidity.
She swallowed the words she’d intended to use to put him in his place. “You’re right. Thank you for helping me.”
Shock and confusion rippled across his strong face, and laughter tickled the back of her throat. She’d managed to shut him up. The same way she might have with one of her kids when they needed to listen to reason. It was a little fun to take the wind out of his sails this way. She’d done it all her life with her brothers and had seen the same look of consternation floating on their faces.
But she’d never wanted her brothers to keep arguing with her. If this green-eyed hunk wanted to go another round with her, she’d relish it—welcome it. There was something about him…
Buy Links
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Hearts-Harmony-Senses-Gemma-Brocato-ebook/dp/B00J7XE8H2
Barnes & Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/hearts-in-harmony-gemma-brocato/1119002487?ean=9781616505523
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/hearts-in-harmony/id847718291?mt=11
Kobo: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/hearts-in-harmony-1
About Gemma:
Gemma’s favorite desk accessories for many years were a circular wooden token, better known as a ’round tuit,’ and a slip of paper from a fortune cookie proclaiming her a lover of words; some day she’d write a book. All it took was a transfer to the United Kingdom, the lovely English springtime, and a huge dose of homesickness to write her first novel. Once it was completed and sent off with a kiss, even the rejections addressed to ‘Dear Author’ were gratifying.
After returning to America, she spent a number of years as a copywriter, dedicating her skills to making insurance and the agents who sell them sound sexy. Eventually, her full-time job as a writer interfered with her desire to be a writer full-time and she left the world of financial products behind to pursue an avocation as a romance author.
Her gamble paid off when she was a 2012 Finalist in the prestigious Golden Pen contest for Romantic Suspense and she received contracts for her first and second book.
Social Media Links:
https://www.facebook.com/gemma.brocato
https://twitter.com/GemmaBrocato
https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7229886.Gemma_Brocato
http://www.wattpad.com/user/GemmaBrocato
https://plus.google.com/+GemmaBrocato/posts
Hope you enjoyed this week’s edition of Cocky Confessions. Next week we have Steven Mitchell’s hero, Jord Thorson, of Son of Thunder.
Dani Jace. Romance Author 