As seen in the May issue of Uncaged Book Reviews.
Uncaged: Can you tell readers more about your Bounty Hunters series? How many books are you planning on for this series?
I’m currently only planning three books in this series, Ford, Lincoln which releases in September in a box set and January on its own and next April I’ll release Dodge, the final of the three.
Uncaged: What are you working on now?
Right now, I’m writing Lincoln. I love these books and this series. The characters are more salty and they’re different and yet so darned exciting. And sexy!!!!
Uncaged: What inspired you to write? Who were some of your inspirations?
I’ve always wanted to be an author. Trouble was I didn’t know what to write about. Then, Fifty Shades hit and I was in a place in my life where I felt strong enough to dip my toe in the water. The thing is, I’m not a twenty something and a billionaire has not swept me off my feet. Never will. I wanted to write stories about mature people without perfect lives finding love. That’s when it hit me that I had stories to tell and I’ve been writing them for five years now.
Uncaged: You started a charitable foundation called Authors4Veterans. Can you tell us more about that?
Yes, my friend and fellow author, Stacey Joy Netzel, and I both have children in the service. Stacey has her oldest son Cody, who just came back from Afghanistan and her husband also served. I have two sons who have served and been deployed, a daughter-in-law who served and most of my family, father, grandfathers, brother, all have served. We wanted to do something but weren’t sure what. Then we heard about Fisher House and loved the organization and what they do, so we started up our own non-profit, Authors4Veterans, Inc., then set out to work our mission. We gather 30 authors twice a year to donate a small monetary donation and books, swag, comfort items and anything else they are willing to donate. We purchase nice tote bags with the money, then fill them with the items the authors donate. We take them down to Fisher House and they hand them out to families when they check in. It’s a fabulous organization and your readers can check out our website and the generous authors who have donated there: http://authors4veterans.com
Uncaged: Do you read your reviews? What do you take away from them?
Sometimes I do. I’m very fortunate in that I get mostly good reviews, so that’s a positive. I look at the five stars and create teasers from some of them. I’ll glance through the negative ones, and if they’re constructive I’ll try to learn from them. If they’re nasty I quickly move on. No one wants that negativity in their life. Honestly, I know I’m not going to please everyone with every book, but I’d sure appreciate a constructive negative review besides one that is just hurtful and mean.
Uncaged: What is one of the nicest things someone has said to you about your books?
Oh, I’ve gotten a lot of emails from readers telling me how much they love my characters. Many mature ladies who are thrilled to find characters they can relate to. I’ve heard from readers who want their second chance at love and are encouraged after they’ve read one of my books. It makes me feel so darn good.
Uncaged: What is your favorite parts about being an author? What have you found to be the least favorite?
I love telling stories. And I’ve got tons of them rolling around in my head. I’ve found once I get them on paper, so to speak, I can move on with another story. It’s freeing in a way, to be able to put those thoughts on paper and not feel weighed down by those characters who want to come out.
My least favorite part is the same as most authors, the marketing. It’s draining wondering if I’m doing the right thing and trying to stay a step ahead of the curve.
Uncaged: What do you like to do when you aren’t writing? Where is one of your favorite places on Earth?
If the weather is nice, I like being on the motorcycle. My husband and I are bikers and we travel around a lot. We take a big trip each year (2 weeks) and then we take weekenders and day trips during the summer. If we aren’t on the bikes, I love being with the grandkids. They are such a joy to be around and honestly, I look at those little faces and I’m amazed and what wonderful people they are.
Uncaged: What is the hardest part of a book to write? What is the easiest? From start to finish, how long does it take to finish a complete book?
Hardest part is knowing where to start for me. You only have a paragraph or two to grab a readers attention and I struggle with where that part is.
Easiest, the sex scenes. I love the sex scenes.
Start to finish, if I’m being good, about 2 months for me. I still work part time and trying to fit everything in can be a struggle sometimes.
Uncaged: What would you like to say to fans, and where can they follow you?
First and foremost thank you. For every reader who has purchased one of my books to followed me on social media or on my blog, thank you from the bottom of my heart. Without readers, I can’t be a writer.
I’d also like to thank you for interviewing me, it’s been fun.
[symple_box color=”black” fade_in=”false” float=”center” text_align=”left” width=””]Writing has been a desire my whole life. Once I found the courage to write, life changed for me in the most profound way. Bringing stories to readers that I’d enjoy reading and creating characters that are flawed, but lovable is such a joy.
When not writing, I’m with my family doing something fun. My husband, Gene, and I are bikers and enjoy riding to new locations, meeting new people and generally enjoying this fabulous country we live in.
I come from a family of veterans. My grandfather, father, brother, two sons, and one daughter-in-law are all veterans. Needless to say, I am proud to be an American and proud of the service my amazing family has given.[/symple_box]
Ford
P.J. Fiala
Contemporary Romance/Military
Sometimes the flames of desire run hotter than a mere fire.
Ford Montgomery is working the case of his life. Trailing the arsonist who killed his parents, the former bounty hunter will soon make this guy pay for his crimes. After that, Ford plans to reclaim his house from his ex-wife and retire to his home in the mountains.
Megan Marshal thought she’d ditched her ex husband, until she finds out the lying scumbag stole from a man nobody steals from. Megan has no clue where he is now, but the cartel is convinced she’s the key to getting their product back and they’re determined to make her talk.
When Ford rescues Megan from a burning building, their paths abruptly align. However, Ford keeps secrets from her, and she’s had enough of men and their secrets. Can they work together to accomplish their goals? Or will they get scorched by the blazing passion sparking between them?
Excerpt
Rummaging in the cupboards to find something to scrounge up for dinner he tried relaxing his jaw. If he kept it clamped tight like he was doing now, he’d end up with lock jaw, or arthritis or something equally awful. But, he was irritated that he was here, in this house, that he swore he wouldn’t come back to until it was his, completely, lock stock and barrel. Trouble was, when he tried to think of a safe place to keep Megan, this was the first place that came to mind. He knew it was safe, he’d built it with safety in mind. In his line of work, it wasn’t uncommon for some of the people he had to locate to have angry family members or associates and he didn’t want to be taken unawares. Which reminded him. Walking to the desk in the corner of the living room, he unlocked the top drawer. Lifting the lid on the laptop he kept in there he waited for it to wake up, logged in, pulled up his security system. Turning all the cameras on and monitoring the entire property via closed circuit monitors, he went back to the kitchen to finish looking for something to eat. Tomorrow he’d have to see if Emmy could bring some food up here.
A few cans of soup, some crackers, and some cans of peaches would be lunch. Pretty bleak, maybe he’d call Emmy to bring supper up here. Turning he spied the wine rack, ah things were looking up. Selecting a nice, full bodied red sangria, he set it on the counter as he pulled a pan from the drawer below the stove to heat the soup in. Setting to the task of pulling bowls and spoons from their respective spaces, he set their eating places at the counter. Wiping the dust from the wine glasses he set them in front of the bowls and opened the shallow drawer that held the wine opener.
Popping the cork from the top, Megan entered the kitchen, a soft smile on her face. “How long have you lived here?”
“About eleven years.”
She walked to the french doors and looked out over the scenery. “But, you don’t live here now?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“It’s a long story.” Pouring their glasses of wine. “It’s also temporary.”
She turned toward him, crossed her arms over her chest and stared at him. “Where do you live since you’re not living here?”
He took a deep breath. Figures she’d want to know all about him. He didn’t usually share much of his life. Still too much up in the air.
“I have a little cottage down the mountain by my sister’s house. I stay there when I’m not working.”
He watched her move toward him, the sun streaming in the French doors perfectly outlined her body in those sexy jeans and pink t-shirt. Purely sexy from head to toe. He’d bet she didn’t even know it. Her full breasts jiggled as she walked and his mouth went dry. It’d been far too long. Unfortunately he hadn’t thought this through completely. Staying here with her just might be harder than he thought.
“So, you work so much you have a house in the mountains you don’t want to live in because it’s a long story so you stay in the cabin down by your sister. And then you go to work. Is that about right?”
“About.”
She chuckled. “Well, I don’t know how I’m going to get any peace here what with you talking so much and all.”
Turning to the stove, he stirred the soup, twisted the knob on the stove to turn the burner off and filled both of their bowls.
“Vegetable soup and crackers and wine. It’s not much, but it’s all I have. I’ll call Emmy to bring up some food later. I also have some meat in the freezer downstairs that I can thaw if Emmy’s busy.”
He sat next to her at the counter and they began eating in silence. Or so he thought.
“What does Emmy do for a living?”
“She’s a defense attorney. A damn good one too.”
“Is your whole family involved with criminals?”
He chuckled, “Nah, just Emmy and me. Dawson is a plumber and owns his own company. He deals in shit, just not the same kind as Emmy and I.”
She giggled. “That’s a good one.”
“So tell me about Waylon. Why did you marry a piece of scum like him to begin with?”
She bit into a cracker and stared straight ahead. “Gosh damn, but isn’t that the million dollar question right now? I’ve been kicking myself since the first year.”
She sipped her wine and he watched her swallow, the graceful curve of her neck, her unblemished skin, her auburn hair looked thick and shiny and he wanted to touch it. Run his fingers through its softness. Tuck the strands that had escaped her ponytail behind her delicate ear.
Uncaged Review
One of the things I really liked about this book is that the characters are not the average younger adults, instead the author has given us mature, older adults and showing that love can be even better the second time around and just as hot. With both Ford and Megan, two people that have already have well-tuned backgrounds to draw from and can really believe that their less-than-perfect lives have made them who they are today.
This is a book with well written descriptives that doesn’t distract from the story, with just enough suspense, action and a heavy dose of hot romance. Reviewed by Cyrene
5 Stars
