Welcome to the blog tour for Seducing the Fireman by Jennifer Bonds! I absolutely adored Seducing the Fireman, and the previous book in the series (Once Upon a Power Play). Today, I have Jennifer Bonds on the blog, and a steamy excerpt!
Writing a Unique Fireman Hero in a Romance Novel
By Jennifer Bonds
Hi, Alyssa! Thanks so much for hosting me at The Eater of Books! I’m thrilled to be here dishing on Seducing the Fireman and chatting about the challenge of writing a unique, Halligan toting hero in a romance novel. I should probably start off by admitting I’ve never actually read a romance novel featuring a fireman.
Scandalous, right?
The good news is that when I set out to write Seducing the Fireman, I had no basis for comparison and no expectation of what a romance hero rocking turnout gear should be.
In fact, the only time I’ve encountered a real, live firefighter was when a team of them showed up at my house in the middle of the night to bus me and my newborn son off to the hospital. Unfortunately, I wasn’t exactly in the right state of mind to have a legitimate conversation (so not how I imagined my birth plan or meeting the local fire department), but that’s a story for another day. ;-)
Nope. No preconceived notions here. Which is why I like to think my challenge wasn’t writing a unique fireman, but writing an authentic one. It was incredibly important to me that Jax was legit from the top of his helmet to the tips of his boots. In the way he perceived his job, his training, even the way he spoke and interacted with his crew. Accurately depicting the comradery, fears and challenges of the men and women of the FDNY (or any firehouse) was front and center in my mind as I researched ‘the job’.
And I did a lot of research. Seriously. If you ever get stuck in an elevator, I’m your girl because I have literally memorized the primary removal procedures of the FDNY. As a writer, it was fascinating, but it was also necessary to give Jax’s thoughts and actions an organic feel. The trick was integrating all that research seamlessly to create a hero who was not only passionate about his work, but kick-ass at leading his crew even, when the odds were stacked against them. I hope readers will see Jax as I do—inspiring and sexy.
Throughout my research I read so many stories about firefighters making incredible sacrifices and it was clear to me why the men and women of the FDNY are known as New York’s Bravest. It’s also why I’ve committed to donate 10% of the first month’s sales for Seducing the Fireman to the FDNY Foundation.
About the Book:
Seducing the Fireman by Jennifer Bonds
Book Three of the Risky Business series
Publisher: Entangled Brazen
Publication Date: May 2, 2016
***Warning: this is an adult book, and for the eyes of mature readers***
Summary (from Goodreads):
Firefighter Jackson Hart is back in Brooklyn and on the hunt for the girl who’s kept him burning for ten long years. The girl he left, in a total prick move, without saying goodbye. Now he’s determined to make it right, to hell with her three-date rule.
But Becca’s not ready to forgive and forget. In fact, she seems determined to stoke his fire every chance she gets. She wants to avoid sexy distractions like him? Fine. Because what she doesn’t know—yet—is that Jax isn’t the kind of man to give up when he wants something. And he always gets what he wants.
Goodreads | Amazon | Barnes and Noble | Kobo
***10% Of First Month’s Sales Go to the FDNY Foundation***
About the Author:
Jennifer Bonds writes sizzling contemporary romance with sassy heroines, sexy heroes, and a whole lot of mischief. When she's not writing or wrangling toddlers, she can be found curled up with a good book and a bottle of wine. Jennifer lives in Carlisle, Pennsylvania, where her overactive imagination and weakness for reality TV keep life interesting. She's lucky enough to live with her own real life hero, two adorable children, and a pair of rambunctious dogs. Loves Buffy, Mexican food, the Winchester brothers, and all things zombie. Sings off-key.
The Excerpt:
Although Becca’s made it clear she has no interest in rekindling the past, Jax is determined to turn up the heat. And when he crashes Becca’s set in the scene below, the sparks fly…
When he finally found her in a supply closet, she was bent over with her rear in the air, her dark leggings showcasing the perfection of her ass. Not quite what he was expecting, but damn if his cock didn’t swell at the sight. The mental picture of taking her from behind was front and center in his brain as he watched her, eyes glued to her backside.
“Stop staring at my ass,” she said, twisting to confirm her suspicions, “and help me find my phone. I thought I left it on the shelf in here, but I can’t find it. Maybe it fell on the floor?”
She continued to rummage through the boxes and bins on the lower shelves, so he joined her, using his own phone to brighten the dim room as he looked under the rusty shelves. Crawling around in a dirty supply room wasn’t exactly how he imagined spending an evening with the sexy woman beside him, but better him crawling around on the floor than her. Spotting a dark lump beneath the shelving unit, he reached under, hoping like hell he wasn’t about to catch a case of lockjaw for his trouble, and pulled out the phone.
“Got it.”
When he turned to stand, he found Becca right behind him. They collided, his face going straight to her lady bits as her hands tangled in his hair, holding him tight.
They both froze.
The sexual tension in the room was so damn thick they’d need the Jaws of Life to cut through it.
Fuck it.
He gripped her ass, cupping those round cheeks and using them as leverage to pull her close. She remained silent, as if waiting to see what he’d do next. Keeping their bodies flush, he climbed to his feet slowly, savoring the feel of her soft curves against his chest. Their eyes met, and damn if he didn’t want to lose himself in those dark depths. The way she was looking at him, like he was the answer to a prayer she’d never voiced aloud? It nearly stripped him of his restraint. A lesser part of his brain told him to take it slow—the last thing he wanted to do was spook her—but he ignored it, letting instinct take over. Their attraction? It wasn’t cerebral. It was primal.
“Don’t even think about it,” she warned, making no move to separate their bodies, although they stood so close he could feel the rise and fall of her breasts with each breath.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“You know exactly what I’m talking about.” She rolled her eyes and shifted her weight. Was it wishful thinking or had she actually gotten closer? “Don’t be coy.”
“Are you seriously going to pretend you don’t feel that?” He smirked. “The sexual tension in this closet is so thick we’re both drowning in it.”
“I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“Now who’s being coy? One word, Becca.” He paused. “Yes. That’s all you have to say.”
The Giveaway:
CELEBRATE THE RELEASE WITH A GIVEAWAY!
Grand Prize: A Kindle Fire!
3 Runner-Ups: A FDNY 2016 Calendar & 1 digital backlist title from Jennifer Bonds
