We’re so pleased to have author Sidney Bell dropping by TNA today to share a fun chat with Duncan Rook, the cop who just so happens to be the love interest for Ghost in her latest Woodbury Boys novel, Rough Trade. Sidney also has a great giveaway to share, so be sure to check out the Rafflecopter widget for all the details.

Welcome, Sidney!

The Interview

Bachelor number 6 interview. Officer Duncan Rook…whoa, you’re a big guy! I can work with that. Rugged, flannel, the strong, silent type. They’ll eat it up. I’m Jose. So the way this works is I’ll ask you some questions for the department website and at the end of the month they’ll do the auction. You mind if I tape this?

Did you say bachelor auction?

Sure did!

I think I’m in the wrong place. I was told this was an interview for the department charity—

Yep, that’s us! We’re auctioning off a date with eight bachelors in the department, and you’re—

No.

What? But you signed up.

No, I didn’t.

There’s a shuffle of papers. Isn’t this your signature?

Do I look like someone who puts a smiley face in the O’s in my name?

A pause. No?

No.

Um. I don’t…you’re still signed up, though?

Rook sighs. I think we’ve been pranked by my fellow officers. You can cross my name off the list.

Um. It’s for charity?

Is that a question?

No? I don’t know what’s happening.

He sighs again. What’s the charity?

Widows and Orphans. A chick pays to go to dinner with you, and then…that’s it. The money goes to widows and orphans.

I’m not kissing anyone.

You don’t have to.

What happens now?

I have a list of questions.

All right.

Right. What made you decide to become a police officer?

I’m good at hurting people. I figured I might as well do it in a way that helps society.

Dude, you can’t say that.

Why not?

It’s creepy. You’re supposed to say that you like helping people. So people will want to go out with you. That’s the whole point.

Fine. I like helping people.

Good! Great! That’s great! Let’s talk about girls. There’s a long pause. And then a very slow smile. Hey, that’s a nice smile, Officer Rook. I can use that! Tell me about your dream girl.

I like muscles.

Huh. That’s…nice. You don’t often get that one.

And height.

That makes sense! You’re the size of a mountain! Tall girls, step right up!

His smile gets a little sharp. And I like the natural look. No makeup. Nothing with flowers. Hairy legs. That sort of thing.

Hairy legs?

He nods.

That’s…look, if you’re not going to take this seriously, we might as well…

I’m not lying to you.

But…ew.

He shrugs. You asked.

Okaaaaaay. Describe your dream date.

I don’t know.

Sure you do!

Is this a thing people do? Sit around thinking about the dates they want to go on?

Jesus. Just say what you like to do.

I like to debate philosophy. Read. Go fishing.

Help me out here a little bit, man. I’m trying to hook you up.

I’m being honest.

Fine. Whatever. What’s your most embarrassing middle school memory?

I’m not telling you that.

For crying out…just make something up, dude.

No.

No?

I try not to lie to people.

So you value honesty in a relationship?

Doesn’t everyone?

Sure! That’s great! Hey, girls! He’s a rugged officer who likes to read, won’t lie to you and, uh, doesn’t expect you to shave! Make a wager today!

Officer Rook sighs.

About the Book

Title: Rough Trade

Series: Woodbury Boys: Book Three

Author: Sidney Bell

Publisher: Carina Press

Release Date (Print & Ebook): Ebook: Monday, December 3 || Print (mass market): Tuesday, December 25

Length (Print & Ebook): 496 Pages

Subgenre: Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense, Male/Male Romance

Reader warnings: Childhood sexual abuse, angst

All Buy/Preorder Links: Carina Press || Harlequin || Amazon || B&N || Google Play || iTunes

Blurb: Quick-witted hustler Ghost is no stranger to living dangerously; survival has always been the name of the game.

He’s just always gone it alone.

Now he’s got the wrong people breathing down his neck, and the only way out demands placing his trust in the unlikeliest of heroes: Duncan Rook, a gruff cop whose ethics are as solid as his body.

Cozying up to a criminal is hardly what Duncan’s reputation on the force needs—especially when that criminal is temptation personified. Ghost is Duncan’s polar opposite, and the last person he expected to fall for.

So then why does every imaginable scenario for taking down their common enemy end with Ghost in his arms?

About the Author

Sidney Bell lives in Colorado with her amazingly supportive husband. She received her MFA degree in Creative Writing in 2010, considered aiming for the Great American Novel, and then promptly started writing fanfiction instead. More realistic grown-ups eventually convinced her to try writing something more fiscally responsible, though, which is how we ended up here. When she’s not writing, she’s playing violent video games, yelling at the television during hockey games, or supporting her local library by turning books in late.