I love having debut authors on the blog, and I’m especially excited about today’s guest. She’s Carey Baldwin, and she’s a practicing physician who also happens to write edgy romantic thrillers. How cool is that? Carey’s first book, First Do No Evil, was recently released by Samhain Publishing to great reviews, including this one from New York Times bestselling author, Cindy Gerard:
“Engaging, witty, intelligent and fresh. Add in hot romance and scintillating suspense, and Carey Baldwin has penned a winner!”
I’m turning the blog over to Carey, so she can tell us about her book.
Sex and the Single Dad
I love an alpha hero. There’s nothing hotter than an alpha…except maybe an alpha with a child. A friend of mine asked me if I modeled Danny, the hero in FIRST DO NO EVIL, after my new husband Bill. I didn’t! Danny was written just prior to the time I met Bill in a coffee shop. It’s a case of life imitating fiction.
I was immediately drawn to my own sexy alpha male from the very first date, but what really sealed the deal for me was watching him in action with his teenage daughter. There is nothing sexier (to me) than a hot, handsome, confident male who gets tears in his eyes when he sees his daughter in her prom dress.
That’s exactly the kind of man Detective Daniel Benson is, and it’s also the kind of man I married! Lucky me!
Danny Benson is as alpha as they come. He’ll charm your skirt…er…your socks off in a heartbeat and take down the bad guy with one hand tied behind his back. But when it comes to his daughter, Katie, well, that’s a whole different ball game.
Here’s a brief excerpt from FIRST DO NO EVIL that shows Danny’s vulnerability where Katie is concerned. The scene also features my heroine, Sky, and Danny’s brother, Christian:
Christian gave Sky a devilish wink that reminded her of how lighthearted Danny had been the morning she first met him. And she couldn’t help thinking that if Danny’s path had never crossed hers, he still would be. He looked so serious now, watching his daughter cross the room.
Gathering her silky auburn waves into a ponytail, Katie stepped in front of the entry-hall mirror, glanced defiantly in her father’s direction, and cranked up a tube of jet-black lipstick. A muscle vibrated in Danny’s jaw, and Christian shot him a stay-cool look.
A look that went unheeded.
“Don’t even think about it,” Danny barked.
Katie brought the lipstick to her mouth and paused. A taunting move that shouted: I dare you to stop me. In her office, Sky had seen such battles between parent and child played out time and again, and they usually ended badly. Clearing her throat, she said, “Since your father seems to have forgotten his manners, I guess I’ll introduce myself. I’m Sky.”
“I’m Katie.”
“Nice meeting you, Katie. May I offer a word of advice?” Without giving her a chance to decline, Sky walked over and placed two fingers beneath the girl’s chin, lifting her face up. Katie’s green eyes—so fresh and dewy they called up an image of meadow grass on a spring morning—widened in surprise. “Nothing wrong with black lipstick. There’s such a thing as freedom of expression, you know.” This Sky directed at Danny, before turning Katie’s face to the mirror. “But your eyes are stunning. If I were you, I’d want to keep the focus here.” She touched Katie’s temple. “I wonder if that dramatic lipstick will draw attention away from your eyes. Don’t you have a color that would complement them without stealing the show?”
“She’s got a point. Your eyes are a knockout,” Christian put in.
“You have your mother’s eyes,” Danny said softly.
“I do?”
Danny nodded. “I’ve said so before, haven’t I?”
Single dad heroes aren’t common, and though a few notable exceptions spring to mind such as Sleepless in Seattle and To Kill a Mockingbird, they seem few and far between.
True Alpha Dad’s are even more rare. I’d love to see more sexy dads! How about you? What turns you on in a hero? I’ve got an e-copy of FIRST DO NO EVIL for one random commenter!
Vanessa, here. Carey, I totally agree that Alpha Dads make great heroes! And here’s the blurb for First Do No Evil:
There’s a killer lurking in Dr. Skylar Novak’s family tree: the gene for breast cancer. That’s why her brilliant brother invented the Bella vaccine. But even if the miracle drug protects her from the cancer that took her mother’s life, it can’t save Sky from the flesh and bone evil stalking her in secret.
When the killer strikes, detective Daniel Benson finds himself in the wrong place at the right time. The bold detective manages to save Sky’s life…just in time for her to return the favor. Survival leads to seduction, and Danny risks everything—his career, even his life, to keep Sky safe. But will the buried sins they uncover cost him her heart?
Danny’s strong arms may hold her close, but only Sky can stop the terror that’s coming next…
Product Warnings
Contents include: One heart-melting hero—good luck getting this delicious detective out of your head. One reluctant heroine—wielding a Glock was never on her to-do list. One crazed villain—an entire flock of baa baa black sheep won’t be enough to put you to sleep. And a lifesaving vaccine with one deadly side effect—murder.
Sounds great, doesn’t it? I love romantic suspense, so I can tell you that Carey’s book is moving to the top of my TBR pile. And after you’ve answered Carey’s question, be sure to visit her website for more info and to check out her blog and all her extras.
Hi Vanessa! Thank you so much for having me today and for your kind words. I want to let you guys know that I’d love to hear from you and will be checking back throughout the day for questions or comments. This is a travel day for me- hey would life have it any other way? So thanks for your patience!
BTW: Is it just me or is that VK Sykes HOT NUMBER cover HAWT?
Hi Carey! So glad you could be with us today! I do have internet, so I’ll be able to join in on the fun today, too.
Yep. The guy on Hot Number is another of Kim Killion’s smoking hot dudes!
I love the exerpt you chose to share with us today, Carey. It shows very real perception in dealing with young girls and that is a difficult thing to come by. If the rest of your book shows this kind of promise, I’ll look forward to reading it!
Hi Flora! So happy to see you here on the blog!
Hi Flora! Thanks so much for the compliment. Danny’s relationship with Katie was one of the most fun -and challenging- aspects of the story to write. Thanks again!
Carey
I love romantic suspense and heros with kids are great. You can get a feel of a man when you see him with his kids. Kind of like seeing how a man treats his mother. I am excited about reading a new author and the fact that you are in the Medical field is neat. I have worked in EMS for over 20 years so having a doctor write the kinds of books I love is exciting. I would love to win your book on NOOK. Thanks…lsscarchuk@att.net
Thanks for stopping by, Linda!
Hi Linda!
Thanks for your comments! That’s a great observation about how a man to treats his mother, too. Says a lot, doesn’t it?
Hi Carey! You already know how much I love this book and especially how much I love Danny! I’ve been shouting it from the rooftops to anyone who will listen. lol!
I read the entire story in one day. The suspense kept me on the edge of my seat and pulled every emotion possible out of me. It’s a winner and one I highly recommend. Can’t wait for Book #2!
PJ, I just downloaded it to my kindle. First Do No Evil will be one of my vacation reads!
Aww. I’m blushing over here. That means a lot to me PJ! Thanks Vanessa!
What melts me about a romance novel hero is a combination of alpha-ness, cold steel armor, with a core of kind-heartedness and protective instinct toward women, kids, weaker and defenseless people in general. First Do No Evil has been in my TBR list since I spotted it on the web. I would LOVE to have the chance to read it!
minadecaro@hotmail.com
Thank you, Mina! We have the same weakness for alpha men with a heart of gold. Good luck with the contest and thanks for your comments!
What I loved most about FDNE is the emotional depth of the characters. Danny and Sky are both compassionate, resourceful and resilient. For me a great hero is someone who has passion for his work, his family and his friends. Whether the hero(ine) is a mechanic or a brain surgeon, it’s the pride taken in doing a job well, being a caring parent or a loyal friend that is enormously appealing to me. Brava, Carey!
Thank you Krista! I really appreciate that! Agree that the passion and compassion make for awesome heros and heroines. Oh, and those are some excellent qualities in real people too!
Loved Danny in FDNE! Especialy how you introduced us to him. 🙂
I always melt for the strong, silent types that are resolved to go about their business, but the protectiveness gene in them forces them into ‘the hero’s journey’ without them thinking twice.
Very thrilling novel, Carey! Can hardly wait for your next one.
Thank you so much, Sarah! And I cannot wait for yours!
I want a hero who takes care of the people he loves.
Me too, Phyllis! Thanks for commenting!
For me it would have to be him being able to admit he is wrong. It really bugs me when men are incapable of admitting they are wrong about something. It’s like “C’mon guys, are you really so immature that you can’t man up and admit when you made a mistake?”. A man that can admit his faults is a man that is all the more of a man for it.
Love that answer, Lora! The wheels are turning to work that in with my next hero. Have the guy acknowledge his mistakes
…and it doesn’t hurt if they break down and ask for directions! I cannot get my guy to look at map, ask directions or do anything unless it is related to the navigation system!
Oops. Got off track there. Thanks for the comment!
Carey
Nice post. I like reading about alphas.
Hi Bn! Great to see you! Thanks for your comment!
Carey
If only the doctors I worked with were as fun as you! Of course I work in a cancer center, so not a whole lot of happy going on usually. Guess that is why a good book, or alpha male =), hits the spot after a long day!
Congrats on your book!
Congratulations on your book. I like a hero that cares about his family and friends. He may be an alpha in business, but he takes care of the people that he loves.
Great discussion, ladies! Carey, thank you so much for joining us today, and please come back any time!
Vanessa thanks so much for having me! I have been traveling so please excuse the tardy note- Phyllis congratulations for being the winning commenter!