Interview with author D.J. Davis about paranormal romantic suspense novel

I’m chatting with D.J. Davis today about her new paranormal romantic suspense novel, Summer Star.

During her virtual book tour, D.J. will be awarding a $25 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn winner. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit her other tour stops and enter there, too!

Bio:

D.J. Davis is a Colorado native and the rugged high country sets the scene for her stories. When she's not writing, she can be found hiking with her dogs, photographing the wildlife, or camping with her husband. A Great Dane runs her life.

A portion of each sale of her novel Courageous Cain will be donated to Big Bones Canine Rescue in Windsor, Colorado. Help us help big dogs in need.

Welcome, D.J. Please share a little bit about your current release.

Loner and history buff Troy Hart gets more than he bargained for when his psychic connection to the past leads him to the mountains of Colorado. The legend of buried treasure is nothing new, but falling in love is—and that’s the last thing Troy wants.

Troy’s visions of the old west are all fun and games, until the ghost of an outlaw forces Troy to fulfill his dying wish. To save his own life, and the life of the woman he loves, Troy must follow the trail of greed, betrayal and revenge on a treasure hunt for lost Civil War gold.

Now the fun is over and the game is survival as Troy battles the elements, a dead man, and his own heart deep in the remote high country. 

What inspired you to write this book?

I live in the mountains of Colorado. While exploring the back country, I sometimes find old relics, things people lost or threw away a century ago. I always wish I could touch them and see their past: who owned them, how they lost the item, what happened to them. My character, Troy Hart, can do just that. And it gets him into a lot of trouble.


Excerpt from Summer Star:
Protect her, now that was funny. How was he supposed to do that when he couldn’t begin to protect himself? And who said she wanted his protection in the first place? Probably slam her knee into his balls if he tried that hero shit with her. Which was a relief, really. Just thinking about Matthew was asking for migraine mania. She was the Knight, right? Maybe she could protect him instead. That was a stupid id—
The shadow was back, moving through the timber a dozen yards away.
“Troy, what is it?”
He pointed. “Do you see something in the trees? An animal maybe?”
She peered in the direction he was pointing, moving her head from left to right. “No, nothing.”
The shadow tracked the movement of her gaze, silently slipping to the right through the underbrush. When she looked back to the left, it went left. When she stopped, it stopped. Je-sus. “It’s moving, see?”
She squinted then shook her head. “Nothing. Anything moving in that thick brush would make noise.”
A branch—or an arm—rose from the shadow and pointed at her, then toward the road. His headache escalated to migraine status. Troy got the point and nodded at the shadow. It vanished and most of the pain went with it, but not all. Someone or something didn’t want Summer here.
“Are you all right? You’re pale.”
“Fine. Just a headache.”
“Is there anything I can do?”
“No. I get them from time to time.” He kept a close eye on the trees as they joined the others at the fire pit. Troy couldn’t see the shadow, but he could sense it, lurking and watching. Waiting.

What exciting story are you working on next?
I’m currently editing a modern day western in which a widowed rancher must battle to save his ranch from an unknown predator and his heart from the haunting memory of his lost wife. I’m also a third of the way through the first draft of a romantic suspense.

When did you first consider yourself a writer?
Sometimes I still don’t. Summer Star is my second published novel and the experience is all shiny new. Maybe tomorrow. 

Do you write full-time? If so, what's your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?

I write in spurts. I enjoy wildlife and landscape photography, I raise cattle, and I am the bookkeeper at my husband’s business. I squeeze in my writing time based on the weather, the animals, and so on.

What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I like to jot down story ideas and character sketches in a notebook outside. I wrote the premise for Summer Star while I was leaned against a crumbling old miner’s cabin at 12,000 feet elevation in the mountains near my home. I can think of no better way to capture the details of a wilderness setting than by putting myself into it.

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A veterinarian. I worked for many years as a veterinary assistant and that was close enough. I also wanted to be a dog trainer. Dogs are a huge part of my life. I have three at the moment so I am a their trainer. On the other hand, a Great Dane runs my life, so maybe I’m the trainee instead when it comes to her. 

Anything additional you want to share with the readers?

I would like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart. The support I’ve received has been overwhelming and humbling.

Links:

Website | Amazon author page | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | Champagne Books

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