A Day in the Life of Don Rogers by J.J. Cook

Jan 28, 2015 | A Day In My Life

In Hot WaterOccupation: Sweet Pepper Police Chief

I know this is gonna sound like whining- and I hate whiners – but Sweet Pepper shouldn’t have gone outside our small town in the Smoky Mountains to hire a fire chief. We have plenty of talent right here. I would have chosen my best officer, John Trump, for the job. He’s a good man who has proven himself over and over again.

So now who do we have? A woman from Chicago who has never lived in this area and never been part of a volunteer fire department. She’s sassy, speaks her mind without much provocation, and is a general pain in the butt! Is that what we wanted?

I know – we hired her because Ben Carson wanted her. Then we found out she’s his granddaughter. Ben’s rich and owns most of Sweet Pepper. I know he expects things to be done the way he wants them. Being fire chief shouldn’t be part of that.

Now she thinks the town needs a fireboat! What next?

But what really bothers me is not knowing if I can trust her or not, you know? I’m the police chief. I need to be able to work with her. Right now, I can’t tell if she’s on my side or not. It scares me sometimes, thinking what she might do to our town. She has no respect for our traditions or our people or she’d never think a good man like Rep. Barney Falk could be involved in drug dealing.

I’d quit being police chief tomorrow rather than work with her, but I’m afraid Sweet Pepper needs me more than ever now with Chief Stella Griffin here. You mark my words – she’s trouble – and I know everyone will agree with me before it’s over.

You can read more about Don in In Hot Water, the third book in the “Sweet Pepper Fire Brigade” mystery series, published by Berkley Prime Crime. The first two books in the series are That Old Flame of Mine and Playing With Fire.

GIVEAWAY: Leave a comment by 6 p.m. eastern on February 4 for the chance to win a copy of IN HOT WATER. The giveaway is open to U.S. residents only.

About the authors
J.J. Cook writes award-winning, bestselling mystery fiction as themselves, Joyce and Jim Lavene, and Ellie Grant. They have written and published more than 70 novels for Harlequin, Penguin, Amazon, and Simon and Schuster along with hundreds of non-fiction articles for national and regional publications. They live in rural North Carolina with their family. Visit them at www.joyceandjimlavene.com

96 Comments

  1. Taryn Lee
    Taryn Lee on January 28, 2015 at 1:05 am

    Love all their books!!! Great authors, always excited for the next installment in every series!!!

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:28 pm

      Thanks Taryn! You’re always there!

      • Taryn Lee
        Taryn Lee on January 28, 2015 at 7:52 pm

        If you can’t tell, I’m a huge fan.

    • jamlambert
      jamlambert on February 3, 2015 at 11:30 am

      This series is such fun! Would love to win the new installment!

  2. mary robinson
    mary robinson on January 28, 2015 at 1:29 am

    Would loveto win this book! Thanks!

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:29 pm

      Nice of you to come by, Mary!

  3. candace knight
    candace knight on January 28, 2015 at 1:48 am

    This book sounds great. I live in Tennessee and I love books about the state. Thanks for the chance.

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:29 pm

      Hi Candace! We LOVE Tennessee too!

  4. MaryB
    MaryB on January 28, 2015 at 1:55 am

    I’m not familiar with this series. Sounds interesting!

  5. Jen
    Jen on January 28, 2015 at 2:02 am

    I haven’t read this mystery series yet but “In Hot Water” sounds intriguing! Thank you for the giveaway. myrifraf(at)gmail(dot)com

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:30 pm

      Thanks, Mary!

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:31 pm

      Thanks for being here, Jen!

  6. Lynette K
    Lynette K on January 28, 2015 at 4:15 am

    This series has become my favorite. They can’t be written fast enough.

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:32 pm

      We appreciate that, Lynette!

  7. sarah
    sarah on January 28, 2015 at 6:03 am

    I would love this!

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:32 pm

      Thanks for being here, sarah. Love your name. So pretty!

  8. Deb Forbes
    Deb Forbes on January 28, 2015 at 6:13 am

    I haven’t read this series yet but now after reading this I want to. Sounds like.a good series and book

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:33 pm

      Eric the fire chief ghost appreciates that, Deb!

  9. Jane R
    Jane R on January 28, 2015 at 6:54 am

    This series has been lingering on my book list for awhile. I think it’s time to start reading. Thanks for the reminder! And the giveaway too!

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:33 pm

      Lingering? Jump in, Jane! The Hot Water is fine!

  10. Brenda Handy
    Brenda Handy on January 28, 2015 at 6:59 am

    I really enjoy this series and am definitely looking forward to reading this one. Thanks for the giveaway opportunity.

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:34 pm

      Thank you, Brenda!

  11. Lisa Brown
    Lisa Brown on January 28, 2015 at 7:05 am

    Thank for the chance, the series looks good 🙂

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:35 pm

      Thanks, Lisa! Hope you try one – or two!

  12. Dru
    Dru on January 28, 2015 at 7:15 am

    Hi guys, please bear with us. Joyce will respond to your comments once we can figure out why wordpress won’t let her comment.

    She did say: “Thanks for having us here, Dru Ann! It’s always fun to visit!”

  13. marylouh
    marylouh on January 28, 2015 at 7:25 am

    Should be a good read – two cultures clashing.

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:36 pm

      You know, we are North and South in our families too. Both of us were born in the South and raised in the North with Southern mothers and Northern fathers.

  14. griperang
    griperang on January 28, 2015 at 7:28 am

    Thank you for the chance to win this. It looks like a great book.

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:37 pm

      Thanks, G!

  15. Gram
    Gram on January 28, 2015 at 8:01 am

    All their series are fun reads. This book sounds like it fits right in.

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:37 pm

      Thank you, Gram! You’re the best!

  16. Patricia Allen
    Patricia Allen on January 28, 2015 at 9:01 am

    A new, to me, author to check out, yay! This book looks great, thanks for the giveaway 🙂

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:38 pm

      Thanks for coming by, Patricia!

  17. Nancy Funkhouser
    Nancy Funkhouser on January 28, 2015 at 9:27 am

    This looks like a fun series and I would love to win a book. Thanks for the offer.

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:38 pm

      Hi Nancy! Thanks for coming by!

  18. carolee888
    carolee888 on January 28, 2015 at 9:47 am

    I really want to read this book! The story and the cover are great. Thank you so much for the chance!

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:39 pm

      Hi Carol! We can’t take credit for the cover. Berkley artists are the best!

  19. Robin Coxon
    Robin Coxon on January 28, 2015 at 9:51 am

    J.J. Cook, aka Joyce and Jim Lavene, have written an excellent series in the Sweetpepper Fire Brigade. I would love a copy of this book to read.

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:39 pm

      Hi Robin!

  20. Betty
    Betty on January 28, 2015 at 10:05 am

    Sounds like a great story! I love the cover! Thank you for the contest!

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:40 pm

      Thanks Betty!

  21. Patricia
    Patricia on January 28, 2015 at 10:15 am

    Sorry, Chief Rogers…don’t agree with you (and neither does most of the town)! Thanks, Dru and J.J. (Joyce & Jim). I LOVE this series! “In Hot Water” will leave you begging for the next book!

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:41 pm

      Wow! Thanks Patricia! Stella says to tell you hello!

  22. Barbara Hackel
    Barbara Hackel on January 28, 2015 at 11:02 am

    I enjoy reading this series and am ready to read “In Hot Water” as soon as I can. Thanks to the Cooks and Dru for the opportunity to enter the contest. I hope Stella gets her boat!

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:41 pm

      Hi Barbara! You know Stella likes to hear that.

  23. Libby Dodd
    Libby Dodd on January 28, 2015 at 12:43 pm

    What a grumpy pants! He’ll find out, won’t he!?

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:42 pm

      HE will indeed.

  24. Jenne
    Jenne on January 28, 2015 at 1:20 pm

    Good luck to everyone who enters 🙂

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:42 pm

      That was nice. Good luck to you too, Jenne!

  25. Rita Wray
    Rita Wray on January 28, 2015 at 1:48 pm

    Sounds like a great series.

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:43 pm

      Thanks, Rita!

  26. Barbara Hawk
    Barbara Hawk on January 28, 2015 at 1:53 pm

    Sounds like a great book! Thanks for the opportunity!

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:44 pm

      Thanks, Barbara!

  27. Debbie S
    Debbie S on January 28, 2015 at 2:24 pm

    Sounds great, thanks for the chance to win this.

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:46 pm

      Thank you, Debbie!

  28. Wendy Lee
    Wendy Lee on January 28, 2015 at 3:45 pm

    Would love it!

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:46 pm

      Glad you could be here, Wendy! Good Luck!

      • Wendy Lee
        Wendy Lee on January 31, 2015 at 1:54 pm

        Thanks Jim!!

  29. suekey12
    suekey12 on January 28, 2015 at 4:22 pm

    This is a fun series—but will the police chief and the fire chief be able to get along with each other???
    Thanks for the contest.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:44 pm

      We’ll find out, Sue! Just sent in book 4 – Fire on the Mountain!

  30. Heather S
    Heather S on January 28, 2015 at 4:51 pm

    I would la la LOVE to win and read this! 🙂

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:47 pm

      Best of luck, Heather!

  31. Jeanie Dannheim
    Jeanie Dannheim on January 28, 2015 at 6:17 pm

    This already sounds like fun! I haven’t read anything from this series, but I think I’m missing out on a fun time with the new gal on the block! Would love to read it!!

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:47 pm

      Always fun finding something new, isn’t it, Jeanie!

  32. Anita Miles
    Anita Miles on January 28, 2015 at 6:49 pm

    can’t wait to read more

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:48 pm

      Thanks Anita!

  33. Robin Driscoll
    Robin Driscoll on January 28, 2015 at 6:59 pm

    Would absolutely love a copy of this!!

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:45 pm

      Hi Robin! Why didn’t you say so?

  34. Nancy Roessner
    Nancy Roessner on January 28, 2015 at 7:26 pm

    This sounds like a fun series that I will have to read.

    • Jim Lavene
      Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:48 pm

      Thank you, Nancy! We love fun mysteries!

  35. Jim Lavene
    Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:27 pm

    Thanks so much for being here today. Sorry our computer was wacky.

    • Dru
      Dru on January 28, 2015 at 7:46 pm

      Nice to see you Jim.

      • Jim Lavene
        Jim Lavene on January 28, 2015 at 7:49 pm

        You too, Dru Ann! Sorry we couldn’t be here sooner.

  36. Victoria
    Victoria on January 28, 2015 at 7:54 pm

    This sounds SO good! Especially since my husband is from the Smokies and I am from Chicago. We have the same problems! LOL

  37. kayekillgore
    kayekillgore on January 28, 2015 at 9:52 pm

    I love this series.

  38. Dotty Kelley
    Dotty Kelley on January 28, 2015 at 10:51 pm

    Love their other books. This sounds like a great series.

  39. Marilyn Watson
    Marilyn Watson on January 28, 2015 at 10:55 pm

    I love this Cover…
    Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

  40. Melissa Basnight
    Melissa Basnight on January 28, 2015 at 11:39 pm

    Love to read some books from an author I have not read anything yet.

  41. sallycootie
    sallycootie on January 29, 2015 at 3:35 am

    Doesn’t sound like things will work out too well between the police chief and the fire chief. Should be a fun read.

  42. Anita Yancey
    Anita Yancey on January 29, 2015 at 2:03 pm

    I love the name and the cover, and the story sounds so good. Thanks for this chance to win it.

  43. Jim Caroline Russell-Owen
    Jim Caroline Russell-Owen on January 29, 2015 at 2:28 pm

    I can’t wait to read it. I know it will be great like the rest of them. Don just doesn’t like “Stella” because she is a woman and speaks her mind.

  44. Vivian Shane
    Vivian Shane on January 29, 2015 at 8:58 pm

    I have really enjoyed this series so far and am looking forward to the new release! Thank you for the giveaway opportunity!

  45. tlwalcher
    tlwalcher on January 29, 2015 at 10:20 pm

    I would like to try this series. Thank you for a chance to win a copy of In Hot Water.

  46. Meg C
    Meg C on January 29, 2015 at 10:54 pm

    I admit I haven’t read anything in this series yet, but looks like when I do, it’ll be a great time. Thanks for the chance to win.

  47. holdenj
    holdenj on January 30, 2015 at 2:32 pm

    Love the fireboat on the cover! Glad it plays into the story! Thanks for the chance to win!

  48. Anne MacEneaney
    Anne MacEneaney on January 31, 2015 at 3:13 pm

    Another wonderful cover. This series is on my to read list.

  49. Kathy Meik
    Kathy Meik on January 31, 2015 at 5:10 pm

    I would love to read this series. My to be read pile gets deeper….

  50. Richard Mann
    Richard Mann on January 31, 2015 at 5:16 pm

    I love the Levine’s work. I didn’t realize they were J.J. Cook, so I haven’t started this series yet. Looks like I have a couple of books to track down. Would love to win this one.

  51. Brooke
    Brooke on January 31, 2015 at 6:07 pm

    I have the earlier books in this series and I love them. Thanks so much for the chance!

  52. Margret
    Margret on January 31, 2015 at 6:34 pm

    I will like to read this series…good luck to everyone

  53. Ellen Irwin
    Ellen Irwin on January 31, 2015 at 7:08 pm

    I love this series and would love to have this book!

  54. cjreynolds52
    cjreynolds52 on February 1, 2015 at 5:38 pm

    Would love another book by these authors.

  55. jagjhd
    jagjhd on February 2, 2015 at 10:03 pm

    Familiar with Spell Booked, but not with this series. Have to catch up with the first two and hopefully win the third.

  56. Cat
    Cat on February 3, 2015 at 4:32 pm

    This sounds like it will be a great book that I’m looking forward to reading. Thank you for the chance to win.

  57. Karen Terry
    Karen Terry on February 4, 2015 at 12:11 pm

    Sounds like a fun read.

  58. Dru
    Dru on February 4, 2015 at 6:23 pm

    Thanks Jim for interacting with my readers.

    Contest is closed.