Character Interview Questions with Jim Borden, the hero from Arresting Jeremiah
What are your goals in this
story?
Surviving and convincing Calista to move in with me. I don’t know which one is more difficult.
What conflicts are you facing?
One of my parolees has rejoined his old gang and is now slinging drugs again. He’s gone missing while I’m on suspension from the office, so I can’t help the police in trying to find him. Of course, that doesn’t stop him from targeting me, Calista, and her daughter. On top of that, Calista’s violent ex-boyfriend is back and someone else is stalking her. Then there’s the mole in my office and the mysterious drug lord who promised to keep an eye on me. So yeah, I have five assholes to deal with. My life is just perfect.
What is your occupation? Are you any good at it? Do you like it?
I’m a parole officer in the city of Denver, Colorado, and I travel all throughout the tri-county area to visit my paroles. I have the highest rehabilitation rate for the officers in my district, but it’s no easy accomplishment. I don’t have much of a life outside of work. After some crap that happened a short while back, I’m no longer content with my job. Someone I work with betrayed me to the most powerful crime lord in the city. How can I keep working there when I don’t know who to trust?
What did you think or do the first time you saw Calista?
I’ve known Calista for about a year before our story begins. I was meeting one of my paroles at the greasy diner where she worked, which I hadn’t been to in years. I was struck dumb the first time I saw her. She was hustling about, taking orders and grinning at customers. Her blonde hair was up in a ponytail, and her mile-long legs were drawing my undivided attention. Then she came to my table and did the usual waitress bit—a greeting, introduction, offer of drinks. I barely heard her. I kept saying “Wow.” over and over again in my head like a broken record.
Then my parolee started flirting with her.
Oh, hell no. My temper jumped to the red-zone. It didn’t make sense—my possessive response and sudden need of her—but I still growled at the man, and he literally flinched. Calista cocked her eyebrow at me in what I later learned is a distinctive no-bullshit pose for her (kind of like her saying, “Seriously? You’re growling like a he-man?”).
Anyway, from that moment on, I rearranged my work schedule to eat at the diner a few times a week. I had to see her; I couldn’t not be around her. After a while, we became friends of a sort and flirted like crazy, but neither of us ever made a move.
What is your family like?
I don’t have much of a family. My parents died two years ago in a car crash, so it’s just me and my sister, Mia. She’s dating this hothead, Mason, and expects Mase and me to hang out together like we’re best buds. Not happening. He used to be one of my parolees, believe it or not. I flipped my shit when they first got together (read their story, Arresting Mason, and you’ll know how badly I acted), but I’ve gotten used to their relationship. Hell, I just want Mia to be happy.
What is the best piece of advice you ever received?
It’s from my dad—“Stop worrying about the ‘worse-case scenario.’ Live your life, son. You only get one.”
He was right, but it took me a while to admit it.
For years I shunned commitment. Starting a real relationship with a woman wasn’t in the cards for me, which is why I never acted on my feelings for Calista until she made the first move. It’s bad enough when my gangbanger or junkie parolees are shooting at me; I sure as hell never wanted them pulling that shit with someone I love.
What is people’s first impression of you?
That I’m a no-nonsense hardass. It’s partly true. My job doesn’t allow me to be a friendly person. Once you get to know me, though, I’m a pretty nice guy.
Do you see morality as black-and-white, or with shades of gray?
I used to see the world as black-and-white, but that’s changed. Now I’m swamped in a world of gray. Or maybe I should say red? One wrong move and blood could be all around me. I’ve done some illegal things for good reasons, so I have no right to act holier than thou.
What’s your quirkiest habit?
It’s not a habit per se, but I love blueberries. I’ll eat anything with berries in them.
Why do you think your author chose to write about you?
After she wrote Mia and Mason’s book, she saw how angry and frustrated I was. She wanted to give me a happy ending. Unfortunately, she has a thing for damaged, tortured heroes, so she put me through hell before slapping a big red bow on my life. I really should have a talk with her about that. What kind of crazy woman makes a man fight when he’s already covered in bruises and has a broken arm? Just not right.
What do you wish your author had not told others about you?
I don’t think there is anything. I’ve done things I’m ashamed of, sure, but I did them for good reasons. If I hadn’t done them, I wouldn’t be the man I am and things may not have worked out so well in my favor.
What other character from your book do you think your author should write a book about? Care to tell us why?
Amber has ideas for more stories, but most of those heroes and heroines weren’t featured in my book. There is a minor character, however—I won’t say who—that she’s pairing with a minor character from book one. It’s going to be a novella, book 2.5, currently titled Ryan’s Temptation. She’s hoping to publish it sometime in the summer or fall of 2021.
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One brand new Kim Rogers' brand wallet (value $45.00) plus a variety of bookmarks, postcards, and business cards from myself and other romance authors
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