Dragon’s Den Blog

Mason Harding – Character Interview

Today we have Mason Harding from Amber Daulton’s Arresting Mason. Let’s find out more about him and his story!

For the record, what’s your name, and where are you from?

Hey, Eileen. Thanks for the interview. I haven’t done one in a while.

I’m Mason Harding from Aurora, Colorado, but I moved to Denver to live with my brother. That’s where my story takes place.

Mason means “stone worker,” and Harding means “hardness.” It’s kinda funny. From the cradle, I had no chance to grow into a big softy of a man. Thanks, Mom and Dad. But, whatever. It worked in my favor since I’m as hard as they come.

Tell us a bit about Arresting Mason.

After ten years in prison, I’m now on parole and determined to live straight. Then I meet Mia Eddison. She’s the hottest woman I’ve ever seen and way out of my league, but I can’t stop thinking about her. We have an instant connection and things are going great, but then her brother—my parole officer—finds out about us. Things spiral out of control from there.

What is your occupation? Are you any good at it? Do you like it?

I’m a mechanic, and yeah, I’m pretty damn good at the job. I like it too. My dad taught me everything I know about cars, and even though we don’t talk anymore, I’m still grateful to him for showing me the ropes. In all honesty, I didn’t plan to be a grease monkey growing up—in fact, I never really thought about the future when I was a stupid teen—but then I landed in prison and everything changed. A few years before my parole, I participated in an automotive work/study program to brush up on my rusty skills.

What is your family like?

Alan is supportive but overprotective. After all the crap I’ve put him through, though, I understand why he watches over me like I’m still a kid. His son, Danny, is adorable. I love my nephew to death, and I’m determined to not set a bad example for him. My parents and I are estranged. Alan is pressuring me to make amends with Mom, but I don’t think it’ll happen any time soon.

What’s the most terrible thing that ever happened to you?

Most people in my situation would probably say going to prison, but not me. The most terrible thing I ever did was when I robbed a liquor store with some friends. I knew it was wrong, but did it anyway. That mistake affected the outcome of my life, and there’s a part of me that wishes I could take it back. Then again, I don’t think I would change anything I’ve ever done or had done happen to me because I’m happy right now. I have Mia and a great job, and I probably wouldn’t have either without doing the mistakes I’ve made.

Who was your first love?

I’ve had a lot of girlfriends before I met Mia, but never loved them. I cared about them, sure, but after being cheated on a few times, I’d learned to step out first before the girl I cared about stabbed me in the back. I regret doing so, and I’ve vowed to never hurt Mia like that. She’s my first love, and I know better than to throw away her trust.

How would Mia describe you?

That’s a loaded question. Mia would probably say I’m more stubborn than she is and that I have a temper problem. That’s true. I’m a hothead, and I let my emotions control me too often. She would also say I’m gorgeous and the best lover she’s ever had (at least I hope she would).

Why do you think your author chose to write about you?

Because I’m sexy. No, not buyin’ that? All right, well, let’s see. My author, Amber, chose to write about me because she believes everyone deserves a second chance at life and to right their wrongs. Color me surprised, though. I didn’t think anyone would care about my story. I went to prison for ten years for a stupid, drunken mistake, but now I’m free and determined to stay out of trouble. It’s difficult, yeah, but I’m a stubborn man. I also have a good woman in my life. Mia is everything to me, so I’ll do what I must to stay away from my past. Amber wanted to show my redemption, and I can’t thank her enough for it.

What do you wish your author had not told others about you?

That’s a loaded question. I like Amber a lot, but she deserves a spanking for revealing all my secrets. The main thing I wish she would’ve kept quiet is the incident in the shower room. I was still in prison at the time, and a few pricks attacked me. Though I managed to fight them off before they got what they wanted from me, it was the most humiliating experience of my life, and not something I wanted blasted all over the Internet. But since you can read about it in my book, I guess I’m all right with telling ya about it here.

What other character from your book do you think your author should write a book about? Care to tell us why?

Jim Borden, Mia’s arrogant brother and my parole officer, needs a lady love to knock him down a few pegs. Alan deserves a story too. He’s raising his son alone after his ex-wife skipped town, and I would do anything to see Alan happy with a good woman at his side.

About Amber Daulton

Amber Daulton is the author of the romantic-suspense series Arresting Onyx and several standalone novellas. Her books are published through The Wild Rose Press, Books to Go Now, and Daulton Publishing, and are available in ebook, print on demand, audio, and foreign language formats. She lives in North Carolina with her husband and demanding cats.

https://linktr.ee/AmberDaulton

Excerpt

“Which one is your car?” She glanced around the crowded parking lot. A few streetlights pushed back the darkness and shadows. The restaurant served customers until midnight on the weekends, but no one loitered in the lot, at least from what Mia could see.

“Don’t have one at the moment.” Mason hooked his thumbs in the belt loops of his jeans. “I took the bus. It stopped a few blocks from here.”

“Would you like a ride?” She pulled the car keys from her purse. “I feel a little ridiculous we met here tonight. I just wasn’t sure if you were some kind of freak.”

His eyebrow lifted, and he closed the distance between them as a tiger would zero in on its mate. A sexy, masculine smile curled his lips. “Have you made up your mind yet?”

“I’ll let you know in the morning.” Desire trickled down her spine. Mia nodded toward the passenger side of the car for him to hop in.

He confiscated her keys instead to unlock and open the driver’s side door for her like a gentleman. Then he leaned closer and nuzzled her temple with his nose.

Not sure if he planned to seduce her in the parking lot or if he merely wanted to tease her, Mia pressed her hand to his chest and tried to think straight. “You’re the first guy I’ve gone on a date with since my divorce. I haven’t slept with anyone since Evan.”

He tunneled his fingers through her wavy, chestnut-brown hair. “I haven’t dated anyone in a long time either. We’ll take it slow or fast, whatever you want, but I promise you one thing. After I’m done with you, you won’t even remember that bastard’s name.”

Oh, God. She almost melted right then and there. “Fast. I want you, Mason.”

“Take me to your place and you can have me.”

Blurb

Once you’re in a prison gang, you’re in it for life. That’s what Mason Harding thought until the boss accepted his resignation. After the State releases him on parole, a sexy divorcée behind the wheel of a car almost ends his life quicker than a shank. His chance encounter with Mia Eddison results in a night of passion, but her brother—his parole officer—catches them together and doesn’t approve.

Mia falls hard for the cocky ex-con, but not because of his chiseled body. She vows to break through his walls and discover his secrets, but never expects those secrets to threaten her life.

When members of an organized crime ring kidnap Mia to force Mason’s return to the gang, he goes up against an old friend to save the woman he loves. Will his sacrifice be enough or will everything fall apart in a blaze of gunfire?

Add to Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/39005064-arresting-mason

Check it out on BookBub – https://www.bookbub.com/books/arresting-mason-by-amber-daulton

Download Links

Universal link – https://books.amberdaulton.com/arrestingmason

Amazon – http://amzn.to/2ppcmEJ

Barnes and Noble – https://bit.ly/2uOj90J

iBooks – https://apple.co/2FVAQMP

Kobo – https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/arresting-mason

Google Play – https://bit.ly/2Izu3cZ

Audiobook Links

Amazon – https://amzn.to/2Nbwr03

Audible – https://adbl.co/2CV6oVU iTunes – https://apple.co/2NHwMqA

Maiden of Belial: Ascent of the Witch Trilogy

Becca Kabelis & Anne K Whelan

This is truly happening, she thought, and I’m the sacrificial lamb.
But she didn’t belong here. She wasn’t one of them. She didn’t want to be a Maiden, a devil’s paramour.

Her parents kept secrets from her. But until Mel Morgan travels to Creek’s Hollow, those secrets stayed hidden away. Now, Mel discovers she comes from a long line of witches, and she’s been chosen to battle the evil that has invaded this tiny town and her life. As she uncovers shocking family secrets, Mel finds herself falling fast for the handsome sheriff and she forges friendships with a clairvoyant and a professor of the paranormal. But will Mel’s newly discovered witch powers be strong enough to defeat an evil relative and an even more sinister demon named Belial? She’s about to find out when all hell breaks loose.

Elizabeth

Welcome Estelle!

Tell us about Elizabeth!

I wrote the novella Elizabeth, published by Magnolia Blossom, because it is about a city journalist who must adjust to a small town in rural Australia. She deals with lifestyle differences and learns to adapt, make friends, and find true love where she least expected it.

Set in the fictional town of Bandara in western Queensland in 1996-1997, the story focuses on a love triangle between Elizabeth, city lawyer Paul Ricci, and handsome farmer Keith Starling. Elizabeth must choose between Paul and Keith, but she doesn’t see things clearly until a few hidden truths start to pop out in the novella.

The story is fun and flirty – it’s the prequel to the Starling Sisters series, a trilogy coming soon.

Much of the novella’s setting is based on a country town I lived in when I was a reporter for a rural newspaper. A few elements in the story are based on real memories , including stumbling around in the cattle saleyards, interviewing the football team (and not reading their names aloud after), and living in an apartment where there were King Brown snakes in the backyard and poorly designed doors.

Writing Elizabeth brought light into my world, reminding me of the beauty of rural Australia. I hope that romance readers wanting to know a bit about the outback will enjoy the story.

Here’s a peek at the story:

I tried getting up from the ground, but my sneakers’ rubber soles glided into the mud again, and my body caved into gravity for the second time. I got on all fours to balance myself as the cattle grunted and shook their heads while their tails swung the pesky flies away. My notepad was soiled, and only God knew where my pen went—it disappeared somewhere in the smelly mud. The camera was protected inside its hard case, but I would have to check it later.

“What are ya’ bloody doing in here?” a deep, masculine voice boomed as a strong hand grabbed my arm, pulling me off the ground.

“I plan to get a close-up photo of the cattle for a story I’m writing,” I explained, squinting at the man’s sky-blue eyes. “I’m Elizabeth Martin from the Maranoa Herald.”

“Keith Starling.” The man shook my hand while his eyes sparkled with friendliness, betraying his otherwise stern face.

Dressed in jeans and worn leather boots, Keith reminded me of “The Man from Snowy River,” a poem by Australian bush poet Banjo Paterson. He adjusted the collar of his blue cotton shirt and tilted his felt Akubra® hat, which pressed down his blond curls.

“Well, you don’t belong here,” he growled. “Next time, you better bloody ask one of the staff instead of sneaking around—”

“I don’t belong here?” I started to feel rage crawl up from my gut, ready to explode. “How am I supposed to get a story when no one wants to talk to me? I tried interviewing your cowboy mates out there, and do you know what?”

“What?” Mister Cowboy placed his hands on his slender hips.

“They all ignored me!”

We stared at each other. Our bodies paralleled one another with dominance, feet wide apart, chests out, and shoulders straight. Neither of us relented.

“Oi, Starlo! Get the girl outta there!” one of the farmers called out from the platform above us.

“She’s all good, mate!” Keith yelled back, then turned to me. “I’ll give you an interview.”

Blurb

It’s 1996 and Elizabeth has to choose: work for six months at a country newspaper, Maranoa Herald, or lose her job. Convincing herself this is just another stepping stone, Elizabeth leaves the city and her fiancé, lawyer Paul Ricci, for a small town in rural Australia. Despite the scorching heat and pests, Bandara holds a charm of its own—Keith Starling, a handsome farmer with sky-blue eyes and a spellbinding smile.

It’s 1996 and Elizabeth has to choose: work for six months at a country newspaper, Maranoa Herald, or lose her job. Convincing herself this is just another stepping stone, Elizabeth leaves the city and her fiancé, lawyer Paul Ricci, for a small town in rural Australia. Despite the scorching heat and pests, Bandara holds a charm of its own—Keith Starling, a handsome farmer with sky-blue eyes and a spellbinding smile.

What happens when Elizabeth returns to the city and discovers what Paul’s been hiding from her? Will she choose her career or everlasting love in the country with Keith? Find out in this steamy Australian romance novella, a prelude to the Starling Sisters series.

Katarina: The One Goddess

Anne Whelan

An orphan. A deity. And a kiss that breaks hell loose.

And it was a scorching hot kiss, too. My name is Katarina. Last week I was stuck in a dead-end life with a soul-sucking government job as my only future. I figured I’d die there.

Then Kaden blitzed into my life with those golden, all-seeing eyes of his. I should have been suspicious. Instead, I was swept away in a glorious tide of Kaden’s affections. With one kiss, he ignited my world; and not just in a good way. Becoming a goddess comes with risks. With the government chasing me and a rebellion hounding me… everybody suddenly knows who I am — and I don’t like it. And that deity who started all this trouble?

Well, he’s also a shifter. Three shifters, to be exact, and they’re all mine. Or I’m theirs; depends who you ask. Oh. And I have to master my magic. If I don’t figure out my new powers fast enough? I’ll die. No pressure, right?

Reborn

Anne K Whelan and Liz Cain

Imagine waking up on the edge of the woods with no memory of who you are or how you got there.

Aine doesn’t know where she came from or who she is. Her memories soon claw their way out and who can blame her for thinking herself a monster? Lachlan was trained by his father to hunt her kind but can’t bring himself to harm her. Together they must figure out her past, before the life she can’t remember is destroyed.

The CEO’s Outback Gal

by USA Today Best-Selling Author Susan Horsnell

Elizabeth loved the wide open spaces, isolation, and cattle station she had grown up on in the top end of Australia, but she was ready for a change.

She wanted to dip her toes into the waters of the big city, so Sydney, NSW, was where she headed on her adventure.

Hudson was busy running a multi-billion dollar corporation and had no time for anyone serious in his life.

Or so he thought.

He was frozen in place when the gorgeous brunette appeared in his life and was, for the first time ever—speechless.

But, there is more than what meets the eye with this pair and things are about to get a whole lot more interesting when the CEO finds out he’s the new boss of his outback gal.

The shortened version appeared in Dating the CEO anthology.

Excerpt

HUDSON

Owen and I walked side by side to the lift and took it down to the third floor. I couldn’t believe the stunning brunette was now one of my staff. Eyes widened and employees wished me a good morning as we passed through the data area towards Owen’s office. I wasn’t a stranger to my staff, but work prevented me from spending much time wandering through each department. Approaching the doorway, I noted the tops of two ladies’ heads above the chairs where they sat facing the desk. We walked in and the sound of our footsteps on the tiled floor had the women turning around to see who had arrived. 

I’d heard the expression—blood drained from her face—many times, but I’d never been witness to it happening. Until now. Elizabeth had turned as white as the tiles on the floor. 

“Raya, can you leave us to speak with Elizabeth, please?” I asked.

Raya glanced between the three of us, stood, and made her way to the door, closing it on her way out. 

Owen and I stood in front of Elizabeth, both of us leaning back against the desk with our arms crossed. 

“Shit!” Elizabeth exclaimed.

Susan Horsnell Bio:

Susan Horsnell writes romance from sweet to hot. She features strong social themes in her books.

She grew up in Manly, NSW, Australia, and has traveled Australia and the world on postings with her Naval Officer husband of 48 years.

She lives with her husband and fur baby – Gemma-Jean, a young Jack Russell Terrier, in a small village in the mountains in Queensland, Australia.

Since retiring from a nursing career of 37 years, she indulges her passion for writing. The family enjoys traveling the country with their RV when not at home renovating.

Vortex of Desire – Moon Colony

Vortex of Desire is Black Velvet Seductions’ latest Sci-fi Romance Anthology. It contains an amazing group of authors who journey beyond space and time to prove love has no boundaries. Join us as we venture into perilous worlds and explore hidden desires which lie beyond the wormhole; or discover a torrent of adventures here on earth and experience love that will not be denied. Whether it’s a trek through the stars or an escape into new realities close to home, Vortex of Desire has something for everyone: mystery, humor, sweet to spicy romances, adventure and suspense. These diverse writers will transport you to new realms and introduce you to intriguing life forms, aliens, exotic creatures, mad scientists, and monsters. Buckle up and get ready to experience the twists and turns of Vortex of Desire. We hope you enjoy the voyage.

Moon Colony

F Burn

Raven is an inmate sentenced to mining rare earth minerals in a colony based on the Moon. She dreams of escaping and returning to Earth, but her plans are turned upside down when she falls for Fox, an attractive young guard. After she reveals her plan to him and her friend, Dahlia, disaster strikes in the mining tunnels. Fueled by grief, Raven is even more determined to escape. It’s a matter of life and death…

Tagline

It’s a matter of life and death…

Puma Pride

A shifter fated mate romance with a touch of mystery, danger, and intrigue.

Bears and Panthers; Hounds and Horses

Shifters don’t trust humans. Humans have experimented and tortured them. They’ve taken their children. Now the shifters are in charge, things are better except shifters don’t trust humans.

Jolyn, a human, finds teens hurting a shifter girl and stops them. Taking her home, they are attacked again but this time by another shifter group. When Minnie’s parents show up, Jolyn knows the Puma Pride could blame her for what happened to the alphas’ daughter. The black panther, the Pride’s enforcer, winds around her but she knows to stand up for herself. She’s not prey.

Brady, enforcer to the Puma Pride, is drawn to the woman who had his niece, Minnie. She smells of lilacs and Brady wants her. If his alphas order it, he’ll be the one to put her down. But his cat doesn’t want to hurt her, he wants something more.

Vortex of Desire – Repo My Heart

Vortex of Desire is Black Velvet Seductions’ latest Sci-fi Romance Anthology. It contains an amazing group of authors who journey beyond space and time to prove love has no boundaries. Join us as we venture into perilous worlds and explore hidden desires which lie beyond the wormhole; or discover a torrent of adventures here on earth and experience love that will not be denied. Whether it’s a trek through the stars or an escape into new realities close to home, Vortex of Desire has something for everyone: mystery, humor, sweet to spicy romances, adventure and suspense. These diverse writers will transport you to new realms and introduce you to intriguing life forms, aliens, exotic creatures, mad scientists, and monsters. Buckle up and get ready to experience the twists and turns of Vortex of Desire. We hope you enjoy the voyage.

Repo My Heart

Zia Westfield

Accused of selling company secrets, Kira Rikiyama begins a new career as a repo agent. But when her old flame tracks her down asking for help to rescue a trapped research team, she’ll have to put her heart and her life on the line. Jace Beaumont let Kira get away from him once. Now that she’s back in his life, can he persuade her that she’s the only woman in the universe for him?

Tagline

A feisty repo agent teams up with her take charge ex-lover on a risky rescue mission that puts everything on the line!

Scarlet Peacock

Scarlet Peacock was a bastard child, stripped from her birth mother, and unwanted by the father’s wife, Queen Petra Peacock.

When shame was brought upon the Peacock Kingdom, Scarlet was sent with two of King Gunther Peacock’s servants for protection.

She grew up only knowing one name, Lucia Faust and had no idea of her birthright until she was bought by the highest bidder at the Fair Maiden Proffer.

Lord Duncan Busick was considered an eligible bachelor, wanted by many and all women. He was a vampire and accustomed to being choosy. Yet, there was only one who was deemed the perfect mate by the Lord and his maker, Countess Yvette Cotê, the mysterious bastard daughter, Princess Scarlet Peacock.

Was the princess the perfect eternal match for the Lord of Darkness?

Will she be made to become vampire queen of her late father’s tarnished reign?

L. D. Wosar Bio:

LD Wosar is a bestselling multi-genre author, but writes predominantly PNR. She lives in Las Vegas where she soaks up the sun in the blistering heat…not really. She prefers to stay indoors and write….write…write, while listening to her vast collection of vinyl records.