Last year when we did the RomCon Reading Challenge we discovered Melissa and I have to say that I have been hooked ever since. I LOVE her Harmless series so much that when Melissa asked me to read A Little Harmless Addiction I immediately said YES! I was already in love with this series but oh my Kai and Jocelyn made me sigh.
When Melissa told me that she had the opportunity to meet Jocelyn on her recent trip to Hawaii and was able to interview her, and wondered if we would be interested in posting it, well I of course said yes.
With that I turn the blog over to Melissa
INTERVIEW JOCELYN DUPREE
I met with Jocelyn after she had finished work at Cynthia’s Bakery. She brought me one of her fantastic malasadas and a cup of Kona as she sat on a bench at the pier waiting for Kai. For those of you who read Kai’s interview, this is a few days earlier. Jocelyn is a stunning woman. Creole, she has amazing skin and reminds me a bit of Halle Berry. Which is why I didn’t bring my husband with me.
MEL: Jocelyn, thanks for making time to chat with me. I know you are really busy with the bakery.
JOCELYN: nods I am trying to take some stuff off of Cynthia in her condition.
MEL: And thanks for the mallasada. I bite into it and the taste of cinnamon and flaky crust fairly melts in my mouth. One of the best I’ve had.
JOCELYN: Thanks. It took a while to get it just right.
MEL: Which says a lot because you have a lot of schooling. Aren’t you considered one of the top pastry chefs in the country?
JOCELYN: Yes. Although I am going in a direction I never thought I would go, but yes.
MEL: Direction? How is it different than what you wanted?
JOCELYN: Looks out over the water. I thought I wanted to be in that big celebrity chef status. I wanted all the attention. Or, well, people made me think I did. When things sort of fell apart, I realized that it wasn’t what I wanted. The real joy for me was that I was the baking, the creating. All the other stuff just became not important.
MEL: How did Kai factor into that?
JOCELYN: He didn’t at first. I was so not ready to fall in love. I didn’t even want to date. But, I met him the first night and there was that… I don’t know…flicker of interest. After the problems with my boss, I didn’t know if I would ever be able to handle another relationship. I wanted to. But, it was iffy, especially so soon after the incident.
MEL: What drew you to him?
JOCELYN: smiles Well, he looks tough, right? All those tats and piercings, and he is. He will be the first to tell you he was working on the docks as a teenager. I wouldn’t doubt he could probably kick some serious ass, although I have never seen him in action…that way. But he has this cuddly softness within him.
MEL: How did you know that? I mean it sounds like you had issues with trust so how did you know you could trust him?
JOCELYN: His eyes. He might be a hard ass, but he has kind eyes. He is gentle with me. But, he also does what his sister asks him to. You can tell he is solid. Not perfect but solid.
Her attention is on the water and I see a boat pulling in. I know then that she has been waiting for Kai
MEL: I’ll let you go.
JOCELYN: Oh, no, stay.
MEL: I would love to, but we were up early to go to Sea Life Park for the dolphin thing and we have a meeting tomorrow.
Thanks again!
JOCELYN: No worries.
She walks toward the docks with a lighter step another bag of malasadas in her hand as she goes to greet her love.
We want to thank Melissa for being her today, and for the great interview. If you have not read this series I STRONGLY suggest that you remedy that immediately. Here is the link to Heather’s review of A Little Harmless Addiction.
****As as added bonus we are giving away 1 ebook of A Little Harmless Addiction to a commenter. All you have to do is tell me What kind of story draws you in and keeps you coming back for more. Is it the plot, the characters, or the author? Open to International as this is an ebook.
Falling in love might not be the smart thing, but it might be the one thing they both need.
Jocelyn Dupree has come to Hawaii to heal. After a horrific experience with her last boss, she is on the mend and ready to start again. She is focused on rebuilding her life and her career as a pastry chef. She definitely doesn’t need a man in her life, or so she thinks.
Kai Aiona has always been the guy to mend a broken heart. Unfortunately, the last heart that was broken was his. He has sworn off damaged women, but he can’t resist Jocelyn’s sad eyes, not to mention her determination to succeed.
One little date turns into several and soon, Jocelyn finds herself easily addicted to Kai’s sensual nature. Resisting him becomes impossible, but Jocelyn isn’t ready to trust completely. When Kai discovers she hasn’t been telling him everything, Jocelyn is left with two choices: trust her heart, or let the one man she has ever loved go.
Product Warnings
Scenes from Hawaii, nosey friends and family, two people who are right for each other but too stupid to realize it, a tattooed and pierced hero, a sassy Southern heroine, one drunken night, and love scenes that will curl your toes, warm your heart and leave you panting for more. Remember, Harmless stories are not for the weak.
The plot itself is very important but it’s the realistic or reasonable qualities of a character. I want to know what they think, how they feel, what they see, smell & etc. A story is bland if all I get is their speech to other characters.
Wow, this sounds like a great book. I love reading about women chefs and am due for some contemporary romance on my shelves again.
What kind of story draws me in? pfff. I love those Warrior series, like Christine Feehan and Alyssa Day and Alexis Morgan, J.R. Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and so many more. But it is the writing style and the author that keeps me coming back for more. Once I love/like an author’s books, she is autobuy for me forever. Yes, I am totally a glommer. There must be action, a believable romance, not too many lovescenes please, and especially a dash of humor.
Definitely the characters first. I love series that involve families the most. Second would be the author. I am new to the genre, so my first authors have a special place in my reading heart. But who they recommend is important too.
What brings me back? Strong, believable characters and a hint of humor, if u make me laugh im hooked!
Terrific interview!! Really. But dont put me in the drawing, no ebooks for me. Even though this one sounds lucious and I would love it! Will have to look her up and see if she comes in books too. Wonderful cover!
Lisa, she does have print books…which is where I discovered her..
It’s a combination of plot and characters that make me buy again and again. Plots can afford to be a bit common if the characters are well drawn with fun or interesting quirks. Even so, I appreciate quirks in the plot. Once I find an author who delivers a good story, then I tend to buy their books automatically.
What brings me back first and foremost is the author number one especially if I’ve read several of her book. Her covers and synopsis may draw me in but if she is true to her characters, the love of respect and intensity of emotion for one another is another hook. The passion between the two being equal to the relationship between the two people, and not sex just for the sake of sex.
Hey, everyone. Thanks for all the comments. Lisa, the first two Harmless books are in print right now, Obsession is on preorder and will release this coming August.
It is a combination of characters and plot that keeps me coming back. Melissa’s book sounds good.