What a TREAT! What an honor to have One of my New Favorite Authors here at A Tasty Read...For those of you who don't know, Jennifer has written a Smokin' Hot series about a Firehouse Full Bachelors and the Newest Book, Sex and the Single Fireman, has just been released on January 29th!
A Tasty Read: So Jennifer, my favorite
character from The Bachelor Firemen Series hands down is Harry
"Brody" Brod, who was voted One of the Top Five Heroes of 2012 here
at A Tasty Read. Who is your favorite character from the series to
write, either published or upcoming?
Jennifer Bernard: First of all,
speaking on Captain Brody’s behalf, he definitely appreciates the love! I was
thrilled that he won a spot on your Top Five Heroes list, what an honor! I
don’t like hurting anyone’s feelings, even if they happen to be fictional, so
it’s hard for me to pick a favorite character. I will say that I fall madly in
love with every single one of my heroes. It’s a good thing my husband isn’t the
jealous type. In the book I just finished writing, HOW TO TAME A WILD FIREMAN,
I not only fell for the hero, nicknamed Psycho, but also for his younger
brother, who’s deaf. I found the
relationship between them very moving, so writing those characters meant a lot
to me.
ATR: Oh Psycho...one of my favorite characters...can't wait for his book. So, ideas for a romance sometimes appear out of nowhere. Where did the idea for the Bachelor Firemen Series sprout from?
Jennifer: Oddly, it didn’t start with a firehouse full of hunky guys.
It started with Nelly McGuire, Melissa’s grandmother in THE FIREMAN WHO LOVED
ME. She’s based on the grandmother of a friend of mine who works with
firefighters. I started that first book with no thought of future books. But as
soon as I wrote the firehouse scenes with all the hot fireman side characters,
I knew there would be more. All those heroic, sexy, single firemen just begging
for their happily ever afters! How could I resist?
ATR: How funny is that? Guess you can't write a series of romances based around one old lady! What are your plans for the series? I know you got signed on for three more books...Can we get any sneak peaks??
Jennifer: The 4th book will be out in October, and it takes
place during a huge wildfire that’s threatening Patrick Callahan (Psycho’s) hometown
back in Nevada. It was a blast to get to know more about wildland firefighting
and helirapellers and that sort of thing. The next book will be about Vader,
the somewhat goofy firehouse muscleman, because I’ve had more requests for his
story than anyone else’s! Besides, he deserves a good romance. And the 6th
book will likely be about Fred “the Stud.” Everyone is going to finally find
out how truly heroic he is.
ATR: Oooooh....Psycho, Vader and Stud...I am a HAPPY LADY!! Do you have any plans for Stand Alone
Romances in the near future?
Jennifer: Right now I’m
so wrapped up in firemen that I haven’t allowed myself to explore other ideas.
And I really love writing series. But I wouldn’t rule anything out. I have a
completely plotted out historical pirate/single father romance that I would
love to finally write. And there’s a gecko-shifter idea I’m toying with …
Basically, you never know!
ATR: A Gecko-Shifter....Interesting!! As a writer and a mother, what advice can you give to other Aspiring Writers, especially ones with a two-month-old hanging from her boob...sorry TMI...who are looking to break out into the publishing world?
Jennifer: Oh wow, congratulations on your little sweetie! I don’t know
how new mothers manage to get anything done, let alone complete a novel and
sell it to a publisher. But it can be done! The only way I know to break in is
to keep writing, keep learning, and don’t get discouraged. The publishing world
requires a lot of patience, in my experience, no matter what route you take. I
can’t tell you how many times I’ve reminded myself that it’s a journey, not a
destination. But if you keep writing, you can’t go wrong! And don’t stint on
your sleep.
ATR: Sleep? What Sleep? So Alaska vs. Hawaii...which has hotter men??
Jennifer: Oooh, tough
one! Alaska has some very fit, strong men, but they’re often hidden behind
abundant facial hair and layers of polar fleece. Whereas it’s hard to top a
tanned, ripped guy in board shorts emerging from the surf. But if you gave that
Alaska guy some time in the sun and a shave, he’d be right up there. Both
places have their fair share of gorgeous men.
ATR: Yes, some of the police men in the show Alaska: State Troopers are quite handsome, I have to agree! What was your favorite romance of 2012? What romance are you looking forward to in 2013?
Jennifer: I read a lot of
historical, and I loved Loretta Chase’s 2012 release, Scandal Wears Satin. I
also really enjoyed Candis Terry’s Sugar Shack series (I think that was mostly
from 2012) and Kristan Higgins’ Someone to Love. I have a big soft spot for
Lizbeth Selvig’s Rancher and the Rockstar. I also discovered Tessa Dare this
year, and absolutely love her Spindle Cove series. This is just scratching the
surface, though – there’s so much great romance being written these days! We
romance fans are very fortunate.
ATR: Yes we are! You are a girl after my own heart, Candis and Higgins are TWO of my favorite people!! Thank you SOOO much for hanging out with A Tasty Read today. It was such a pleasure to have you here and I hope you will come back again to chat!
Jennifer: Thank YOU! It was my pleasure to be here. I’d like to
mention a fun sweepstakes going on right now. It’s a chance to show your
hometown pride by winning a spot for a firefighter from your area in my next
book! It’s easy to enter. Just like
my Facebook page or sign up for my newsletter.
I’ll also offer signed books to two more winners. All the details are on my website. Enjoy!
A Tasty Reads Reviews on The Bachelor Firemen Series
As a Thank you to Jennifer and My Tasty Readers, I am going to Giveaway ONE (1) digital copy of ONE FINE FIREMAN, the novella that starts the series off right!!
