BookLover Sue: Author Interview w/Excerpt & Giveaway

Summer Star

by D.J. Davis

GENRE: Paranormal romantic suspense

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BLURB:

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.

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EXCERPT:

As the last light crept out of the sky Troy asked the truck for a little more. It skidded over rocks, jolted over roots. He rammed it through the creek and parked in front of the cabin. The hissing radiator and antifreeze pouring on the ground confirmed it. They’d be hoofing it from here on out.

Troy sprinted to the cabin. He threw his canteen, a few bottles of water, beef jerky, and candy bars into his pack. He added two flashlights, batteries, and Eric’s hardhat. He rushed to the tipi for a denim jacket and the map. The piece of oiled canvas, made to be laced over a sleeping bag in bad weather, caught his eye. He pushed it down on top of everything else.

He shined the light into the trees, hoping beyond hope to see Eric’s tent. It was gone, all that remained was a smooth spot on the ground. Troy put a hand on Dean’s shoulder. “Wait here.”

“Screw that. I love her, too.” Dean put his own hand on Troy’s shoulder and squeezed it hard. “Let’s go get her, bro.”

Troy gave Dean the second flashlight and set off at a grueling pace. It wasn’t long before he could no longer hear Dean behind him or see Dean’s light bobbing in the dark timber. His jaw hurt and a stitch nagged in his ribs. His bear-bit hip joined the chorus. He thought of Summer in crazy Charlotte’s jealous clutches and pushed himself harder. Troy Hart ran for her life.

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Talking with author DJ Davis!

What is your writing environment?

I like to jot down story ideas and character sketches in notebooks outside. I wrote the premise for Summer Star while I was leaned up against the crumbling logs of an old miner’s cabin at 12,000 feet elevation in central Colorado. Nothing like capturing a setting by putting yourself into it. When writing the actual story, my desk is near big windows looking out at the mountains of the Sawatch Range.

Who is your perfect hero/heroine and why?

There are many, but the first one who comes to mind is Jimmy Tock, from "Life Expectancy" by Dean Koontz. The story is set in Colorado, so maybe I’m a little biased, but Jimmy appeals to me because he’s not the typical hero type (he’s a baker of all things). He’s flawed, he’s bit clumsy, he’s funny, and he just doesn’t quit. That’s a hero.

What authors have caught your interest lately and why?

I admire Harlan’s Coben’s gripping style, Gillian Flynn’s wonderful plot twists, and Joe Abercrombie’s unique voice. Louis L'Amour and Stephen King are life-long favorites.

What type of book have you always wanted to write?

Modern day paranormal westerns with a strong romanic twist. Is that a genre? I hope so.

Top 3 things on your bucket list?

To have a quintessential cabin in the woods for my writing studio.

To go on safari in the Kruger National Park, South Africa.

A five month stretch, from May to September, in Alaska would be nice.

How did you get the idea for this particular novel?

I enjoy hiking into remote areas. I often find things left behind a century ago and wonder how they came to be there. My main character, Troy Hart, is a psychic with the ability to touch certain relics and see their past.

What is your favorite scene in your new release?

One of them is when Troy finally gets up the courage to tell Summer how he feels. Here’s a short excerpt:

He decided the best option was turn his brain off and let his heart do the talking. “I have something to say to you.” He put his hands on her upper arms and brought her to her feet. He tapped his chest over his heart. “It’s coming from here,” and then he tapped her chest, over her heart. “And I want you to listen from here.”

“I’m listening.”

He slipped his arms around her waist, bent down, and touched his lips to hers. Her arms went around his neck and her mouth softened, opened. He held her tighter. Tasted her gums, her teeth, her tongue. When he let her go, she was breathless. Hell, so was he.

Summer pressed her ear to his chest. “I heard.”

“I know.” He stepped back. “Can I use your copy machine?”

She opened her mouth twice before anything came out. “You’re a strange man, Troy Hart.”

“You’ll get used to it.”

What are you working on now and when can we expect it to be available?

I’m currently in the editing phase of a story about a widowed rancher who is fighting to save his ranch from unknown predators and his heart from the haunting memory of his lost wife. Hopefully it will be available late this year or early next year.

What do you like to do when you are not writing?

My favorite hobby is wildlife and landscape photography. I love hiking and camping with my husband and our dogs.

What is one interesting fact about you that readers don’t know?
I graduated from the Colorado Institute of Taxidermy. And no, I’m not a hunter and I no longer do any taxidermy. I was also a veterinary assistant for many years. I think the polar opposites of working with deceased animals vs trying to save them did a number on me. I’m proud to admit I’m the world’s worst taxidermist.

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AUTHOR Bio and Links:

DJ 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.

LINKS:

https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14255452.D_J_Davis

https://twitter.com/djdavisauthor

http://www.amazon.com/DJ-Davis/e/B014E0OZE8/

https://www.facebook.com/djdavisauthor/

Buy Links:

http://amzn.to/1OkUY87

Champagne Books: http://champagnebooks.com/store/index.php?id_manufacturer=171&controller=manufacturer

B&N: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/summer-star-dj-davis/1123750333

ibooks: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/summer-star/id1109658001?mt=11

Allromanceebooks: https://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-summerstar-2031379-149.html

Kobo: https://store.kobobooks.com/en-us/ebook/summer-star