Face of Danger Interview

Today we're welcoming Paige Bryant, the heroine of FACE OF DANGER, Texas Ranger Justice series, book #3, by Valerie Hansen, March 2011. Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.
1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense. I’ve been an artist all my life, I guess. Now that I’m an adult I use my talent to give faces and identities to victims of crimes who might otherwise never find the justice they deserve. 2. So, during the book you met Ranger Cade Jarvis. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love? That stubborn, bossy man is enough to drive any woman crazy. Yes, he’s good-looking but he sure can be hard to get along with. Of course I had to cut him some slack because I knew he was trying to track down the murderer of his boss, a well-loved senior Texas Ranger.
3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness? I like to think I’m sensible – and I usually am – unless it comes to insisting I know what’s right. Cade and I butted heads all the time over protocol and his hard-headed insistence that we had to do everything his way. My weakness? I suppose that would be the feelings of loss that I still grapple with over the loss of my baby sister, Amy, many years ago. I keep thinking that if only I’d been older when she was kidnapped, I’d have been able to save her.
4. What scares you? Every time the Rangers give me the skeleton of a child to work on, to recreate the face for, I wonder if it’s going to be Amy’s. There are times when I’m almost afraid to start. Then I remember what it was like to wait and wonder and I know I have to do all within my power to help others find closure and peace. 5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be? I sometimes wish I were more outgoing, but given what’s been happening between me and Cade, it’s probably just as well that I’m a little shy. 6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story? I’m struggling, wondering if I’ve really done enough and asking God why I’m able to give other people peace when I haven’t found it for myself.
7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story? I’m able to see that just because I’m a believer and a faithful Christian, that’s no guarantee my life will be nothing but roses. My trials and struggles have made me what I am, led me to use my artistic talent for the good of mankind, and I can see that I might have drifted off in another direction if I hadn’t experienced personal loss.
8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant. Isaiah 58:9 “You will call and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help and He will say, ‘Here I am.’” Really, that verse tell me that God hears my prayers, even when I don’t think He does. Like my childish pleas when Amy was kidnapped. Because He didn’t bring her back I used to tell myself that God hadn’t answered – but He had. He had said no, then given me a way to reach out and bless others who were also grieving. 9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why? A dessert? Me? Well, considering my background as an artist, it would have to be beautifully done. How about a delicate cake with real flowers as decorations? So, when can I expect it to be delivered?????

FEATURED BOOK: FACE OF DANGERS BY VALERIE HANSEN

Giving murder victims a face is forensic artist Paige Bryant's specialty. She can always put the pieces together. But her work turns dangerous when Texas Ranger Cade Jarvis brings her a special project related to the notorious Lions of Texas. Identifying the victim could help with the ongoing search for the murderer of Cade's boss…yet it also draws deadly attention to Paige. As she contends with attack after attack with only Cade's protection, the two of them draw closer together, learn to open their hearts…and struggle to identify the face of danger before it's too late.

Interviews from My Deadly Valentine

Today we're welcoming Eli Brody, the hero of Dark Obsession (one of the novellas in the My Deadly Valentine anthology) by Lynette Eason, released February 2010.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense. I came home to help take care of my dad who was hurt trying to break an ornery horse. He’d been trying to get me to come back to help him on the ranch, but I was living in New York and working as a detective with the police force. But once I came home, I was shocked to discover how much I actually missed it—and Holly Maddox.

2. So, during the book you met Holly Maddox. Tell us a bit about her. What was your first impression? My first impression of Holly was when we were in elementary school together and she punched the class bully for stealing my lunch money. I thought she was the greatest thing ever. When did you know it was love? Honestly? Not until my partner died from cancer. I watched his wife stay by his side, support him, love him right to the very end. It finally hit me that Holly was that kind of woman and I’d been a very stupid man for leaving her behind.

3. What scares you? Losing Holly forever. I used to be scared of commitment, but finally came to my senses. Only now, with Holly, it might be too late. I’m praying that I can hold on and be patient and show her I’m really a changed man.

4. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story and at the end of the story? ? I’ve just come to realize that God is who He says He is and that I need to trust him fully for all things in my life. On my knees thanking God for sparing Holly from a horrible death—and for instilling forgiveness in her heart.


5. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant. Proverbs 3:5-6 – “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding, in all your ways acknowledge him and he will keep your path straight.” I just think this says it all. Trust is very hard for some people and it sure was for Holly. I’d really messed things up with her and wasn’t sure if she’d ever forgive me, but she did. She followed God’s directive and forgave me. As a result, we found ourselves falling in love all over again and now are very happy together.



Today we're welcoming Rachel Hollister, the heroine of DANGEROUS ADMIRER, part of the novella, MY DEADLY VALENTINE, by Valerie Hansen, Feb. 2010.

1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.
Hey, it wasn’t my fault. I was just minding my own business and running my little shop when somebody started doing crazy things to me.

2. So, during the book you met Deputy Jace Morgan. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?
I had problems accepting him because of his profession, at first. After all, my dad was a cop and he was the bossiest human being on the face of the earth. Still is.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?
I admit it. I’m a softie. I really love others. Which is why it bothered me to have to admit that someone had a grudge against me. I had no idea that my father’s interference could be making the problem worse.

4. What scares you?
There was a time when I would have said, NOTHING. That all changed when creepy things began to happen to me and I realized that it was the unknown element of the attacks that was the most frightening. If I hadn’t been a Christian and been able to rely on my faith, I don’t know what I’d have done!

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
Right now, I’d probably wish that I didn’t have such a vivid imagination. Between the type of ongoing threats and the fact that Serenity is a small town, I figured I must know my stalker. That made me wish I were a better judge of character. If it hadn’t been for Jace…. I don’t even want to think about what might have happened to me.

Thank you Lynette and Val for sharing Eli and Rachel with us today. What an exciting collection!

No Alibi Interview

Today we're welcoming, Julie Ann Jones the heroine of NO ALIBI, a Love Inspired Suspense by Valerie Hansen for June 2009. Wow, you've just had quite an adventure.


1. Tell us a little about yourself and how you came to be in the midst of such suspense.

Hey, it wasn’t my fault. I was just minding my own business, literally my beauty salon, when I got a summons for jury duty. After that, my whole life was turned upside down – in more ways than one.

2. So, during the book you met Smith Barnett. Tell us a bit about him. What was your first impression? When did you know it was love?

I was in love with Smith from the time he escorted me to my senior prom, ten years ago, but don’t you dare tell him that. How was I to know that such a handsome Marine was just doing my brother a favor by taking me out? I made such a fool of myself over Smith back then, I was surprised when he started coming to my shop to get his hair cut after he left the service.

3. What strengths/skills do you have? What is your greatest weakness?

Have you been talking to Smith? He says I’m headstrong but he’s wrong. I’m just sure of myself. I learned the hard way to stand on my own two feet and I don’t need anybody telling me what to do or not do. I’m coping fine, thank you. Well, except maybe for the fact that somebody keeps trying to kill me. That’s a bit much.

4. What scares you?

Falling for Smith and showing my emotions scares me more than anything. That, and being wrong. Not that I ever am, you understand. I simply have a strong sense of fairness and will always try to do the right thing.

5. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?

Change? Why? I mean, I could use stronger faith. Who couldn’t? But if the Lord wants me to be different He’s going to have to show me how because I’m very resistant to any changes.

6. Where are you in your faith at the start of your story?

It’s a good thing I’m strong in faith or I’d never have made it through this “trial.” Pun intended.

7. Where are you in your faith at the end of the story?

Try flabbergasted. I never will understand why God puts us through such serious stuff just to make a point. Okay, so maybe I don’t listen to divine guidance otherwise, but I plan to do better from now on.

8. You've got a scripture at the beginning of the story. Tell us why this scripture is significant.

Psalms 56:3-4 says, “When I am afraid I will trust in you. In God, whose word I praise, in God I trust; I will not be afraid.”
I think that’s great advice for anyone at any time. After all, we’re not guaranteed another day, another breath, another heartbeat. If we weren’t trusting God to bring us through, what would we have left?

9. If you could be a dessert what would you be and why?

Anything chocolate. I want to be loved and everybody loves chocolate, right? :-)

Thank you so much Valerie for sharing Julie with us today. This sounds very exciting.