Welcome! Please share a little about yourself, your genre, and any other pen names you use. 

It’s so wonderful to be here with you today! I write romantic suspense as P.J. O’Dwyer and have loved reading romance ever since my mother gave me my first historical as a teenager. Back then, the voice that said “you should write” was ignored, unfortunately. Instead, I opted to travel the world as a travel counselor. But the yearning to put words to paper resurfaced years later.My choice of genre was a given after I met and married my husband. It seems his dreams and aspirations had always been focused on law enforcement. Twenty-five years later, married to a state trooper, it was hard to avoid hearing about the day to day police work he was involved in (very exciting stuff), not to mention the camaraderie and hilarious stories, especially the interactions cops have with each other. So it was inevitable I would combine both of our passions: romance and murder. (Not that murder is his passion, only solving them.) It also helps to have a go-to guy (my husband) to assist me on the law enforcement side 

Tell us a little about your latest or upcoming release. 

This is a very exciting time for me. My debut novel Relentless will be released April 15. This is the first book in the Fallon Sisters Trilogy where we meet Bren Ryan who is widowed, jaded, and searching for her husband’s killer by herself. That is until she meets up with sexy cowboy Rafe Langston who seems quite interested in her theory of murder—maybe a little, too, interested. EXCERPT Excerpt from RELENTLESS: He cocked his head and studied her. His dark brown brows knit together over a pair of emerald eyes. “You’re the horse freak.” 

“Pardon?” “Horses. The room with the painted horses.” He motioned toward the ceiling. “Guess that’s why I have a horse farm.” “Right.” He took a step closer. “I like the room.” Bren pulled her hands apart and stepped back, eyeing the entrance to the hallway. “Good. You ever have a daughter, she’d love it.” “Family’s not something I’m looking for.” Bren bit down on her lower lip. He towered above her. The shape of his Stetson, since removed, still molded against his head and made the black locks curl up at the ends around his ears. His face chiseled and rough with a light black beard gave him a dangerous appearance. He took off his black suede jacket and laid it on the counter. Bren’s every nerve ending tingled, and that voice inside screamed for her to hotfoot it out of there. But there was something about him, a familiarity she couldn’t quite place. “I should go.” Bren motioned toward the entryway of the kitchen. “Enjoy the house, Mr. Langston.” 

He leaned in over the counter. “Mr. Langston’s my father. My name is Rafe.” “Fine, Rafe.” He came around the counter. Leaning against the edge, he crossed his arms. “Can I call you Bren?” Bren nodded. “Sure. We’re neighbors now. We share a common driveway. You might want to think about purchasing a tractor with a bucket. It’s still winter, and February in Washington County is heavy snowfall season.” “Don’t see much snow in Texas.” “No?” “Nope. Too warm.” Definitely too warm. Bren inched back toward the cabinet behind her. 

“I’m sorry about your husband.” “Thanks.” Not at all what she expected him to say. Nor did she expect the way it made her feel. He seemed to genuinely care that it was upsetting to her. “I heard Bernie’s crack. I’m not unpredictable. Bernie forgot to mention my husband was murdered.” “What’s the sheriff doing about it?” “Kevin? Not a damn thing. He believes Tom’s death was an accident, just like everyone else in this narrow-minded town.” “How do you know it wasn’t?” The one-year anniversary of Tom’s death had come and gone. She’d given up sharing her theory with anyone. She knew the truth. But for the first time in a long while someone actually wanted to talk to her about it. “This is probably upsetting for you. It was insensitive for me to ask. I’m sorry.” “Are you kidding? I could talk about it until lack of breath. That’s the problem. No one takes me seriously. Tom knew his way around a barn. He didn’t wrap himself up in the pulley system and say a Hail Mary and jump out the hayloft.” 

“Hayloft?” “It’s complicated.” Bren reached in her pocket and grabbed her hair tie and pulled her hair up into a loose bun. She pointed in the direction of the front door. “I could show you. It’s the red barn as you come in. Right before you get to my house.” He remained quiet, the expression for a split second in his eyes hard, almost angry, and then it disappeared. Jeez, Bren. You sound so needy. Rafe Langston would have no interest in helping her sort out Tom’s death. This guy probably thought she was a total fruitcake. Self-consciously she brought her hand down, nervously scratched the back of her head, and let her hand waft down to her side. “You’re not interested. It was silly, anyway. I just thought . . . you seemed . . .” He pushed off from the counter. “How about I take you home? I didn’t see your truck when I pulled up. It’s getting dark.” He was just like everyone else. She fisted her hands. And here she’d thought he might be different.“I’m perfectly capable . . .” He stepped forward. His green eyes smiled at her while he reached back to grab his jacket. “Are there lights in this barn?” 

As an author, what surprises you about this story? Well . . . I’d have to say, as in every story, it’s the characters themselves. It’s interesting, but as a writer you find the characters take on a life of their own, most times they dictate what’s going to happen next, and sometimes they even surprise me.   

Whose head do you like being in the most when you’re writing, the heroine or the hero?  I enjoy the heroine. I get to live out my hopes and my dreams with her. But I find the hero is the most fun.Let’s face it, when do you get to be in your man’s head? Well . . . you hope he’s always thinking of you. But to know those intimate thoughts they don’t normally share is a rush. 

What is the process like for you when choosing a title? 

Personally, I like one word titles. To find that one word that describes my heroine and the book is a challenge. But when I find it, it’s an amazing feeling of accomplishment. With Bren’s story, I had gone through quite a few titles.I know with every author we have our vices and methods to shed writer’s block. For me, it’s a good run. After three miles of just myself and the open road, my brain seems to unfurl and everything is so much clearer.It was just such an occasion when Relentless popped into my frazzled brain. It was like . . . Eureka! It was golden; and I loved it.  The other two titles came naturally, and I fell in love with them with just as much enthusiasm. What was the hardest thing for you about writing this story? 

On a serious note, Relentless centers round a very controversial topic—horse slaughter. As a writer, there is a lot of research involved in any story, and this one was no exception. But I owed it to every horse rescuer and animal advocate to get it right. The hardest part for me was watching the barbaric slaughter of healthy, majestic horses on YouTube and interviewing horse rescuers. They made me cry with their loss, and laugh at their wit and the lengths they will go, especially, to outsmart their nemesis “the kill buyer.” What are you working on right now?  The second book in the series Defiant, which is Kate’s story, will be released in September. Gorgeous as she is idealistic, she wants more than just horse pastures. Only she gets more than she bargains for with the man who charmed her, because now he controls her.But she’s a Fallon and resourceful. She’ll find a way to escape multi-millionaire husband Jack Reynolds, even if he is the U.S. Attorney for Maryland.Currently, I’m working on the third and final book of the series Forsaken. Dani is the sister neither Bren nor Kate know about, yet. That is until the beautiful Irish barmaid Dani Flynn finds her homeland just a spec on the horizon behind her and open seas dead ahead.She’s poised to change everything Bren and Kate believe to be true. And they’re not the only ones. There was no way I couldn’t write a book about Bren’s best friend Kevin Bendix. More like the brother Bren never had, eventually, they would become family—even if it was by law.I loved writing Kevin. Maybe it’s because I have one just like him at home. It was fun to ruffle this guy’s serious exterior. Here’s a sneak peek into the life and times of Mr. Law-and-Order.Sheriff Kevin Bendix’s life is orderly and free of complications. That’s the way he likes it. But that’s all about to change with one gorgeous, blue-eyed brunette who can’t prove she’s in the U.S. legally. It’s his job to have her deported. Only his attraction to Dani Flynn is clouding his judgment. She isn’t your average law breaker. All of about five foot two with a face of an angel and a body of a sinner, she will be his undoing. It’s not only his heart she’ll steal. Loving this woman could cost them both their lives.Is there anything else you’d like to share with us about RELENTLESS?

I’m so glad you asked. As a writer, I believe we are entrusted to entertain as well as educate. Relentless gave me the opportunity to do both. Relentless became a reality for me due to the gracious nature of horse rescuers who took a call from a stranger, listened and agreed with enthusiasm to read Bren’s story, and offer their insight and knowledge.As a way to thank them for their kindness and because their fight has become mine, I am donating 5% to horse rescue for every book sold in the trilogy and any other future works.The only catch—you must purchase the books on my website at www.pjodwyer.com. There is a list of rescues to choose from including most states, a fair amount of provinces in Canada, and a few in the UK to include my homeland of Ireland, as well as, Australia and New Zealand.  Book Title & Blurb:              RELENTLESS

Headstrong horse rescue director Bren Ryan has been a red-headed streak of trouble for more than one man in Clear Spring. She’s grown up needling local “kill buyer” Wes Connelly, and since the sheriff ruled her husband’s sudden death an accident, Bren’s been investigating things herself. She’s certain Tom was murdered, and she’s hell-bent on cornering his killer the only way she knows how—by tempting him to do it again. And she’s the bait.Rafe Langston came to Maryland looking for land and a fresh start. Or so he says. The sexy cowboy isn’t generous with details, but Bren couldn’t care less—until he buys half her farm at auction and moves into her childhood home. Suddenly, the last man she should befriend becomes her only ally in solving her husband’s murder.

Soon their cozy stakeouts sizzle with unexpected desire neither one can ignore, threatening his mysterious plans and her promise to never fall in love again—especially with a handsome stranger whose secrets could shatter what family she has left.

Website:         www.pjodwyer.com

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