The Deputy's Duty Interview

Today we're welcoming Ryan Fitzgerald, the hero of The Deputy’s Duty by Terri Reed, book six of the Fitzgerald Bay continuity series, released June 2012. 

Wow, you've just had quite an adventure. 

1.  Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.  Six months ago a murder rocked out small east coast village and one of my younger brothers was the prime suspect.  Our whole family worked diligently to clear my brothers name but the real murderer was still at large.  AS Deputy Chief of the Fitzgerald Bay police department it was my job to do solve this crime.  Doing so led to more murder and a missing child.

2.  So, during the book you met Meghan Henry. Tell us a bit about her.  What was your first impression?  When did you know it was love?

Meghan, ah, Meghan.  Pretty with long blonde hair and big green eyes.  She was a pain in my side from the moment she hit town.  Not only was she a reporter, sticking her nose in my investigation, she was the cousin to the deceased.  She kept pushing for answers and I thought she’d destroy my family in her quest for justice.  I’m not sure exactly when I recognized I loved her.  It sort snuck up on me. But once the realization came, I knew I’d do anything to keep her by my side.       

3.  What strengths/skills do you have?  What is your greatest weakness?  I’m usually a good judge of character.  My greatest weakness is probably my cynical side.  I have a hard time letting in anyone get too close.    

4.  What scares you? Losing my family.  

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I’d be less judgmental.  More trusting.

6.  Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?  My faith is more for show than deeply felt.  Mostly I have a hard time trusting God or anyone else.  

7.  Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?  I had to learn to let go of thinking I could control anything and trust God to come through.  Trusting Him is very freeing.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story.  Tell us why this scripture is significant.  This verse in Colossians really speaks to me about the need to forgive.  It reminds me that God has forgiven me over and over again.  How can I do any less for others?

    

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

A lemon square.  Tart, sweet, gooey with an outer crust that protects the center and a firm foundation. 


Ps. On June 4th Terri is over at Savvy Authors talking about writing the inspirational novel.  And at Roxanne Rustand's blog talking about her dog Simba, the little lion king.  Stop on by!




Pss.  To celebrate Love Inspired Suspense's 15th Anniversary there's Bonus Novella at by Jillian Hart at the end of the book!!  

Featured Book: The Deputy's Duty

Fitzgerald Family Secret

As the eldest of six siblings and deputy chief of the Fitzgerald Bay police department, Ryan Fitzgerald is a protecter.  Of his family.  Of his community.  But staying in control means keeping his distance...until Meghan Henry comes to town.  Seeking justice for her murdered cousin, and safety for an orphaned--and missing--child, the daring journalist is not afraid to face danger head-on.  And when she uncovers a dark Fitzgerald secret, Ryan's left with a devastating choice. Which will he protect--his family, or the woman he's started to love?

Fitzgerald Bay:

Law Enforcement siblings fight for justice and family.

An added bonus in honor Love Inspired Suspense's 15th Anniversary a bonus novella by Jilllian Hart!

Wyoming Sweethearts Interview

Please welcome Eloise Tipple from Wyoming Sweethearts by Jillian Hart, an August 2012 Love Inspired Romance.

1. Eloise, tell me the most interesting thing about you.

Okay, I have a confession to make. I'm not Eloise. I'm her grandmother, Edie Tipple. Eloise is not one to wax on about herself, so I've taken over the job. Let me tell you about my wonderful granddaughter. She thinks the chance for love has passed her by and all because her ex-fiancé dumped her when she was seriously injured in a car accident. Now she thinks because of her cane (she's recovered from a spinal cord injury) no man is going to fall in love with her. Well, between you and me, I have a plan. I'm going to fix her up with eligible young men until romance happens. I have a lot of friends, and they all have grandsons who need to get married. Problem solved, right?

2. What do you do for fun?

Eloise loves her job managing Cady's country inn. She loves riding her horse. And lately she seems to be having a whole lot of fun hanging out with that Granger boy come to work on Frank's ranch.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?

My granddaughter keeps trying to talk me out of fixing her up on dates. Can you imagine? How is she going to find a nice man to marry if she doesn't? And what could be unpleasant about meeting a nice young man over dinner? Unless this has something to do with that dashing young Sean Granger. Hmm. I'll have to keep an eye on those two. Maybe romance is blooming!

4. What are you afraid of most in life?

I think Eloise is afraid of getting her hopes up and falling in love with someone who might reject her because of her spinal cord injury. It breaks my heart because I think she's pretending to be just friends with Sean instead of letting her true feelings show.

5. What do you want out of life?

Well, I want all my grandchildren to be settled and happy, but I think Eloise especially deserves a great love and a happy family. She's such a good person. Then again, I'm her grandmother. I could be just a tad bit biased.

6. What is the most important thing to you?

Family. Eloise has been visiting me since she was a wee thing, and through the years we have remained close. Even now she comes over to check on me most evenings. When we aren't working in the garden, we share lemonade on my shady porch.

7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?

I read romances and when I'm done, I hand them to Eloise. I'm hoping she'll get the hint!

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Not one thing--my Eloise is just perfect they way she is, cane and all.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?

Eloise's beloved horse Pixie is pastured on my land. That pretty white horse has been her friend since she was a girl.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?

I would go back in time and take the keys away from the drunk driver who hurt my Eloise. She lost more than her fiancé that night; she also lost her skating career. She was an accomplished ice dancer and won many international competitions. I'm proud of the way she's rebuilt her life. I know God has a way of turning sadness into joy. I keep thinking maybe Sean might be Eloise's joy. It's about killing me waiting to see what is going to happen between those two!

FEATURED BOOK: WYOMING HEARTS BY JILLIAN HART

Where Do Lonely Hearts Go?The chance to rescue abandoned horses has given Eloise Tipple the fresh start she needs. After losing her skating career and fiancé, she returns home to Wild Horse, Wyoming, to work at a beautiful inn and man the stables. Sean Granger has also come home to nurse some emotional wounds and would like nothing more than to pursue life as a lone wolf. Both say they want nothing more than friendship. But while saving homeless horses, can Sean and Eloise save each other and heal their wounds?

His Country Girl Interview

Tucker Granger, from His Country Girl a January 2011 release by Jillian Hart.
　
1. Tucker, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
I'm recovering from being trampled by a bucking bronco. I've made a name for myself on the rodeo circuit, but now I'm mostly glad I'm up and walking with a cane. It was touch and go for awhile there, and I gave my dad quite a scare. My dad, Frank Granger, is a good man, and I don't want to give him more grief. That's why I've moved home to Wyoming to recuperate. Will I head back to riding broncs and bulls for a living? Well, I'm not sure about that just yet.

2. What do you do for fun?
When I'm not on the back of a bronc, I like to spend my time with my best buddy, Jack. Jack's my horse. Lately I've been hanging out with little Owen Baker, I was his charity wish when he was in the hospital for heart surgery. I'm teaching him to mutton bust, that's riding sheep. His mom is named Sierra. Don't tell anyone this, but I've had a crush on her for as long as I can remember.

3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
Being serious. I like to avoid those mushy talks families have that involve a lot of feelings and end in "I love you." Which is probably why I'm still a bachelor.

4. What are you afraid of most in life?
Disappointing the people I love, mostly my dad, and I miss him. I've spent a lot of time away from home competing, partly because I like doing it but also because it helps me keep distance from those serious issues I don't like to face.

5. What do you want out of life?
I used to think it was to stay carefree and unattached, to let nothing and no one tie me down. But spending time with Sierra has changed all that. I'm falling in love and I can see a different future with marriage and putting down roots that last.

6. What is the most important thing to you? Family.

7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?
Westerns, cowboy and rodeo tales, suspense and mystery. I read a lot when I'm on the road. Jack likes me to read aloud to him. He enjoys mysteries the best.

8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
That I dealt with my issues long ago and married Sierra when I had the chance.

9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
I'm not sure Jack qualifies as a pet. In his opinion, he's far too important to be just a pet. So out of respect to him, I'll have to pick another animal. Buttercup is my family's pet cow. She's one sweet talking heifer. She's got me wrapped around her hoof. What a cutie.

10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
I used to think I would go back to the point in time right before I got trampled by that bucking bronco so I could land on the other side of the horse and avoid dying on the arena floor for almost three minutes. But now I see that moment changed my life. I never would have been home to reconnect with Sierra or to come to love her son. I guess that means I would stay right where I am since my present is and my future looks like everything I could want.

One blessed commenter will recieve a book. Please leave an email address for Jillian to contact you.

Jillian grew up on her family's homestead in Washington state, where she raised cattle to pay for her college tuition, rode horses through the pristine foothills of the Cascade Mountain range and scribbled stories in her spare time. After earning an English degree from Whitman College (what better way to go through college than to constantly read books?), she traveled, worked in advertising, taught Sunday school and volunteered before becoming a writer. When she's not hard at work on her next story, Jill can be found chatting with a friend, stopping for a café mocha with a book in hand and spending evenings at home with her family.

FEATURED BOOK: HIS HOLIDAY BRIDE BY JILLIAN HART

Big-city sheriffs don't belong in tiny Wild Horse, Wyoming. At least that's what rancher Autumn Granger thinks when handsome Ford Sherman sweeps into town and sets his sights on her. A country cowgirl, she can't possibly be his match. Like most newcomers, he'll eventually get restless with small-town life and leave it—and her—behind. But when rustlers attack her family's ranch, Ford helps her protect Granger territory. She finds herself hoping that he really is in Wild Horse to stay. Could her holiday wish of a happily ever after with this handsome lawman come true?