Thank you for your interest in my books! I'm Tessa and I live in the crazy, loud, overcrowded borough of Brooklyn, New York. I love it here. This city is a constant source of inspiration, which is why I've decided to set my most recent books in the Line of Duty Series here.
I moved to New York when I was eighteen, the day after I graduated high school. Threw my suitcase in the back of a Chevrolet Cavalier and drove across the country to find my adventure. I'm still finding it, little by little.
Thank you for being a part of it.
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Interview
1. How did you feel after the positive response you got for your book Protecting what's His?
Flummoxed! As a debut author, I was hoping for a positive response, but it’s always in the back of your mind that you might not hit the mark on the first time around. When some of my favorite authors started tweeting me that they’d read it, that was a really amazing moment.
2. Derek Tyler has been one of the most enjoyable alpha book men I have read all year, the words that came from his mouth were pure perfection. I mean seriously, phew, he was slide off my chair material. Do these characters live in your head fully formed or do you just make them up as you go along?
Thank you so much! I hope you didn’t injure yourself I usually begin the first chapter with a basic idea of the character. His background would play largely into that, where he’s at in his life, his past experiences with women. But as I’m writing their thoughts, their personalities become more defined. They begin to develop quirks. As for what comes out of their mouths, it’s always in the moment. Sometimes they shock me a little, too! I like them to be so out of control with lust for the woman that they don’t filter themselves. That’s just the sexiest thing I can think of
3. How many books do you have planned for the Line of Duty series?
In addition to Officer Off-Limits (released June 10th) there are two more full-lengths planned and one or two novellas. I have no idea, though, how far I could take it. The possibility of adding more characters might become irresistible.
4. Do you have a thing for cops or men in uniform? Fireman, Defense Force or Policeman, what is your weakness?
All of the above! I think there’s something about a man in uniform that proves he’s willing to work hard. That he’s driven and has a positive work ethic. I’ve obviously got a soft spot for cops, though, especially since I’ve started writing this series. I’ve been “noticing” them a little more frequently.
5. When you sit back and read a book, what do you pick up? What author do you love and what characters draw you in?
In any book I read, if the heroine isn’t someone I can connect with in the first few chapters, I’ll put it down. I have to be able to root for her, otherwise the happy ending doesn’t mean anything to me. I love authors like Karen Marie Moning, Kresley Cole, Tara Sivec. They write strong heroines with multiple layers to their personalities.
6. What are some of your favorite 30 minute recipes?
LOL. You’ve been reading my bio! I’m famous for my chicken stir fry. My spaghetti bolognese. I have this killer beef tips with noodles recipe as well. I feel like I barely even get 30 minutes anymore to cook! Now I consider ordering take-out that comes 30 minutes later to be a 30 minute recipe.
7. Your favorite place in New York?
Ooooh. There’s so many. My favorite restaurant is called Henry’s End. It’s located in Brooklyn Heights and it’s a tiny little rustic room where you can watch your dinner being cooked. My husband gave me a Tiffany necklace there – so very good memories. I also love a lot of music venues, like the Beacon Theater, Town Hall, Prospect Park Bandshell. I don’t know if I can peg one location. I guess I would say – anywhere my friends are (usually in the East Village) is my favorite place to be.
8. Do you plan on doing a book about Lenny's son Bowen?
I could not be happier to be asked this question. It means people are interested in Bowen. I’m secretly, hideously in love with Bowen. When I dreamt up his character, before I’d even began writing HIS RISK TO TAKE, I was pitching his book to my editor. She was hesitant at first because - how are we going to fit a bad-boy criminal (for all intents and purposes) into an NYPD series where the heroes are cops? WELL, with a little help from author Seleste Delaney, who threw out an idea on my street team Facebook page, I’ve got the perfect plot. I’ve been building on her initial brainstorm since then and I’d love to start that book very soon.
9. Will we be hearing from Ruby and Troy again? Will the books have old characters cross paths with new characters?
YES. I’m introducing new characters in Officer Off-Limits, but Troy and Ruby will definitely be around. And I’m *hoping* to bring back Ginger and Derek (and Willa) in Bowen’s book. We’ll see if I can make it fly!
10. Are you planning on writing any other book series?
Not at the moment. I’m part of a super secret project (coming in June 2014 from Brazen) that is not part of the Line of Duty series, but I’m not sure if a series will stem from it.
11. How do you come up with the physical descriptions of your characters?
I start with their personality and build from there. For the heroines, I like to have an element of girl-next door because my heroes are always very protective and the girl-next door look would only heighten that need to protect. As for my heroes, I don’t like to come right out and list his stats. To give someone a really good image in their mind, I try to be specific. Such as Derek in PROTECTING WHAT’S HIS, I described him as having the body of a bar room brawler who could fight half the room and still pleasure two women afterward. Packs a punch, right? Daniel in Officer Off-Limits is described as having a ladies ladies there’s enough of me to go around vibe. I’m not exactly sure how I come up with them, but I aim for specificity.
Books
Line of Duty Series
She’s running from the law, and the law wants her bad.
The opportunity was just too damn delicious for Ginger Peet to pass up. The purse full of money she finds—$50,000 to be exact—could give her and her teen sister the new start they need. So she grabs the cash, her gothy sibling, and their life-sized statue of Dolly Parton, and blows outta Nashville in a cloud of dust. Chicago, here we come...
Turns out, Chicago has some pretty hot cops. Hot, intense, naughty-lookin’ cops like Derek Tyler, who looks like he could eat a girl up and leave her begging for more. And more. Tempting as he is, getting involved with the sexy homicide lieutenant next door poses a teensy problem for a gal who’s on the lam. But one thing is certain—Derek’s onto her, and he wants more than just a taste.
And as far as he’s concerned, possession is nine-tenths of the law.
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The greater the risk, the hotter the reward…
Homicide cop Troy Bennett had a reputation on the Chicago PD for being fearless and in control—until the night his daredevil partner is killed during a raid. From that moment on, he swears he’ll never again be responsible for the loss of a loved one. To escape his demons, Troy transfers to the NYPD, bringing him up close and personal with Ruby Elliott, a beautiful, street-savvy pool hustler.
Reckless and stubbornly independent, Ruby embodies everything Troy’s avoiding, but when she walks into O’Hanlon’s Pub and blows his carefully laid plans to hell, Troy knows he has to have her—risks be damned. But there’s a connection between Ruby’s shadowed past and a case Troy’s working involving a notorious Brooklyn felon, throwing her safety into jeopardy. Confronted with his biggest fear, will Troy push Ruby away to keep her safe or fight to keep her in his arms where she belongs?
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His need to possess her is non-negotiable.
Story Brooks’ fiancé just called off their wedding two weeks before the happy day. As if that isn't bad enough, her semi-estranged father, an infamous NYPD hostage negotiator, has suffered a heart attack. Not wanting to examine her lack of emotion over the broken engagement, she hops on a plane to reconnect with her father before it’s too late.
Playboy hostage negotiator Daniel Chase has never, not once, been refused by a woman, so when a debate over hospital snack foods with a delectable kindergarten teacher ends in flat-out rejection, he makes it his mission to seduce her. His only obstacle? She’s the daughter of his mentor who implicitly forbade Daniel from pursuing her.
Despite her father’s warnings and Daniel’s troubled past, Daniel and Story can’t resist their intense attraction to one another. But when the reason for her fiancé’s abrupt wedding cancellation comes to light, can Story and Daniel's already forbidden relationship survive?
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