I'm delighted to welcome D.V. Stone back to my blog. She has shared with us a little about her books, the characters, and her hobbies. Plus, there is a Two Truths and a Lie at the end of the interview. Can you guess which is the lie?
Welcome back D.V. Stone! Thanks for being here with us.
What inspired you to write this book?
Jazz House is the second book of my Impact series about First Responders. As a former EMT, my goal is to present them as the heroes they are.
What are you working on now?
I have several works in progress including a third Impact book about firefighters. As a multi-genre author, I’m also working on Shield-Mates of Dar a fantasy series.
How did you come up with the concept and/or characters for the book?
Many readers of Rock House Grill fell in love with Michael Machau a police officer. Michael needed his own happily ever after. Jazz House is the second restaurant owned by the House family and Jordon, who had only been referred to in RHG fell in love with him too.
Tell us about your main character.
Michael is a gentle soul. He rescues animals and people too. I know the readers are going to adore him. He loves greatly and protects those he loves.
Tell us about the antagonist.
Kyrios is as Jordon tells Michael, “A very bad man.” He’s rich, entitled, and has ties with international crime syndicates.
Tell us about the research you did before writing this book.
I’m familiar with first responder things but I had a telephone interview with a local police sergeant (now retired) who helped me with showing a night in the life of a small-town beat cop. The scene with Michael patrolling the town and finding Jim Crawford and Mutt is one of my favorites.
Tell us three things we’d find if we looked under your heroine’s bed?
A book, specifically a cop romance, a sewing kit, and a go-bag.
How about the hero’s bed?
A dog bone, a tumbleweed of dog hair, a box of pictures and memorabilia from his deceased mother.
Tell us about a book that stayed with you long after you finished reading it.
My inspirations for writing are JRR Tolkien and CS Lewis. Their writing continues to inspire and want to emulate. Then during my teen years, I found romance novels. Kathleen Woodiwiss, Victoria Holt, Rosemary Rogers, etc. Many of those novels wouldn't fly in today’s world but in my time they were the bomb.
What is your favorite genre and why?
A read across genres. Fantasy, Romance, and Young Adult are my favorites but Sci-Fi and bios also line my shelves.
What do you do when you’re not writing?
I’m a glamper! I love to travel the country and meet people. Cooking over the open fire and sharing meals with those brings me great joy.
Describe yourself in 5 words or less.
Persistent, empathetic, optimistic, wry humor.
Where were you born/grew up?
I’m a Brooklyn NY native but have lived in many places. I’ve gone to 12 different schools and I’m not an army issue.
What are you passionate about?
Animal Rescue. It’s one of the traits I wanted to give Michael.
Describe yourself in 5 words or less.
Persistent, empathetic, optimistic, wry humor.
Where were you born/grew up?
I’m a Brooklyn NY native but have lived in many places. I’ve gone to 12 different schools and I’m not an army issue.
What are you passionate about?
Animal Rescue. It’s one of the traits I wanted to give Michael.
Now for a fun game. Below DV Stone provided two truths and a lie. Can you guess which is the lie?
- I met my husband while in a woman’s state prison.
- I’ve been on the receiving end of the delivery of two babies.
- My favorite foods are lima beans, coconut, and jello.
About the book
Jazz House
Author: D. V. Stone
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Heat level (if over PG13): PG
Blurb
Jordan Vasilakis is on the run, living under an assumed name. After a disastrous marriage to a notorious Greek business tycoon, she flees to the States and starts rebuilding her life. But her ruthless husband is determined to destroy her…once he finds her.
Michael Machau is drawn to the new singer at Jazz House restaurant, but the guarded woman is harboring dangerous secrets. The dedicated police officer may have to risk more than just his heart to forge a connection with the woman he knows as Madeline Cielo, especially when he discovers she’s living a lie.
Worlds collide. Lies entangle. Survival, much less love, is in question. They must quickly distinguish friends from enemies or risk losing everything—including a future together.
Grab your copy today!
Jordan scrambled to the other side of the limo.
“You sing good tonight.” He scrolled through his phone.
“Yes, Kyrios.”
Outside the window, massive cruise ships docked in the port. Happy older people made their way up the gangplanks toting bags filled with souvenirs, while the younger ones debarked dressed for the nightlife. Sparkly sequins flashed like diamonds as one young woman twirled on the pier.
God, how had she come to this life? She willed her hovering tears not to fall. Kyrios wouldn’t approve.
When she was offered a place in the touring group ten years ago, she thought it was the beginning of great things. Standing in the cabaret with the lights shining down was her dream come true. When she was the woman in the sparkly dress.
Until he showed up.
Each night, Kyrios Vasilakis, Greek business tycoon, sat at the front table watching her. Yes, he was older but so very handsome. Dark hair with silver at the temples, he cut a dashing figure in his black suits.
Jordan began to sing to him. It was the beginning of the end. After a whirlwind romance, she found herself a prisoner in marriage to a brute.
About the author:
D. V. Stone is an award-winning, multi-genre, traditionally and independently published author. She writes books people want to read. Whether romance or fantasy, her stories are about the importance of friends and family. About overcoming obstacles while doing it with humor.
Around the Fire is a popular weekly blog where she introduces both established and new authors giving an insider’s look into their lives and books as well as tidbits about her own life.
After retiring, she is now a full-time author and incorporates her life experiences into her books.
A former Emergency Medical Technician, she volunteered in both New Jersey and Pennsylvania. At the same time, she worked as a professional EMT in a women’s state prison. She was the proprietor of a coffee shop and a small restaurant/ice cream stand in the years that followed. The years following were as a manager in an animal emergency hospital, while her last position was in a human medical office.
When not behind the wheel of 2Hoots—a 41 foot long 13.2 feet high 5th Wheel camper, she rambles around town in Northern New Jersey in a white Camaro. She also loves travel and history.
D.V. is wife to an amazing husband, mother to one son, and not your average grandma to three beautiful grands. A woman of faith, she believes and trusts in God.
“My greatest pleasures are spending time outside with friends and family, cooking over the open fire, sipping a glass of wine, and reading.”
“My greatest pleasures are spending time outside with friends and family, cooking over the open fire, sipping a glass of wine, and reading.”
Hali, her rescue dog, always reminds her to let readers know, “Woof, woof.” Which is loosely translated as support your local animal rescue.
You can find out more about D. V. by following her on Social Media.
You can find out more about D. V. by following her on Social Media.
Connect with D.V. Stone
Thank you for having me here! My rescue dog Hali says, "woof. "
ReplyDeleteIt was my pleasure!
DeleteI hope the third HAE goes to Zack. If my vote counts for anything. Michael's fur babies are a sure babe magnet!
ReplyDeleteZach is a contender. My hubby would agree about the dogs. Hali goes everywhere with him and everyone loves her then chats him up about her.
DeleteHappy September, ladies! What a great interview!
ReplyDeleteThe two truths and a lie -- I'm thinking #3 is the lie! Number One seems too obvious a choice (and that truth would surely be a great story) and EMTs certainly might deliver a baby or babies in the course of their careers.
Donna, Jazz House looks to be a fabulous read! Wishing you much success.
It's a running joke in my family concerning gelatin. 🤢
ReplyDeleteThank you about the book. D.
What a fabulous and fun interview with Donna! I am halfway through Jazz House and loving it! As for the truth and lie—I'm going to have to go with #1, although considering her background in charity work, I'm probably wrong. :) Fun!! Congrats to Donna, and thank you for hosting, Cherie!
ReplyDeleteLOL! I actually got engaged in prison. Pete was a correction officer, and I was an EMT in the medical dept. I'm glad you are enjoying JH. D.
ReplyDeleteIf you loved Tolkien and Lewis, then no surprise you are working on a fantasy right now.
ReplyDeleteHi Alex! It's funny. I started as a fantasy author but when the NaNoWriMo challenge came up, 30 days 50,000 words, I wrote what I knew and that's what was contracted with my publisher. Couldn't pass up the opportunity and now here I am. Thanks for stopping in.
ReplyDeleteThanks everyone for stopping by! This really has been a fun interview!
ReplyDelete