Interview Tricia Jones

by

Sherry Derr-Wille

1) I checked the Wings Website and saw that you have no other books with them. It’s exciting to have your first book come out from a new house. First let me say congratulations and second is this your first book ever or only your first book from Wings?

Thank you, Sherry. The Diamond Virgin is the first book I had contracted, which makes it very special to me but, as things have worked out, it will be my second book published.

2) Can you give us a little background of how this story was born?

I wanted to explore how a romantic relationship would fare if one of the characters held a secret that could shatter the other’s happiness and emotional security. How would that relationship develop? How would it survive? Would the character do what was morally correct, or would they lie to protect those involved?

3) The blurb is interesting, but can you give us more of a hint about what will be going on?

Paige Frasier is an idealistic photojournalist who puts her career on hold to nurse her war-correspondent father. After his death, and reeling from the discovery of her father’s secret life, Paige is blackmailed into covering the story behind the latest tabloid frenzy involving a press-hating billionaire and a troubled young starlet.

Lucas McCord’s illustrious name has been dragged through the mud by the press, yet he refuses to defend himself. But when Paige tricks her way into his life, he realizes that keeping her close and allowing her to write his story may well protect more than his own reputation. Considering what is at stake, her broken heart would be a small price to pay.

4) If you could take a dream vacation with your hero, where would you go?

Oh, that’s an easy one. I’d head for my favorite place in the world--the glorious South of France.

5) Can you describe your hero and heroine for us?

Lucas McCord is a self-made billionaire. He came from a poor, but loving, family and worked his way up wheeling and dealing until he eventually founded Diamond Industries. He’s part Irish, part French. Ruthless, determined, tenacious and all tied up in a tall, dark, muscular package…

Brought up by her widowed father, Paige Frasier is idealistic and trusting. Her red hair hints at the fiery nature she tries to control, especially when her carefully constructed world is shattered by the revelations that follow in the wake of her father’s death.

6) Is your family as excited about this book coming out as you are?

Most certainly. My wonderful husband is my biggest supporter and he tells everyone who’ll listen that his wife is a published writer. Bless him, he actually puts my website on correspondence he sends out--even Christmas cards! I’ve dedicated The Diamond Virgin to him.

7) The Diamond Virgin is an interesting title, how did you come up with it?

I wanted Diamond in the title because it’s the name of Lucas’s company, and as Paige is a virgin when she meets him… well, the two sort of went together.

8) How much of yourself is in your heroine?

Paige is a perfectionist and likes everything out in the open, so we’re alike there. Lucas is shades of grey; guarded and enigmatic. He’d drive me as crazy as he drives Paige--but hopefully in a good way.

9) Will we be seeing more books from you coming out from Wings?

I hope so, as I’ve loved working with Wings. It’s a great place for a writer to land, especially a newbie, as the support here is great. I’m currently working on what I plan to be a series featuring four brothers who were separated at birth, and hope Wings will be interested in taking a look.

This last question is for fun. When you and that special person in your life go out for a night on the town, what is your favorite thing to do?

My, this will be a boring answer… pizza and a movie. We’re contented little souls.

Thanks for some great questions.