Can you bring us up to speed with the characters in The Professional?

The Professional is the third book of four in my Dangerous in Dallas series for Harlequin Romantic Suspense. The Dallas Design District is an up and coming area of the city, full of history and a lot of really neat old buildings/loft spaces/warehouse spaces. The District has gone through significant change in the past ten years (in real life!) and I’ve always thought it would be an awesome place to set a book or series.

Cassidy Tate, Lilah Castle and Violet Richardson own a wedding firm, Elegance and Lace. Cassidy designs wedding dresses, Lilah cakes and Violet is the business mind behind their boutique.

In the first book of the series, the women discover gems hidden in the floor of their shop, which kicks off a series of incidents. By the time we get to Violet’s book the danger has escalated significantly and at the start of the book Violet is kidnapped from a wedding Elegance and Lace is putting on at a downtown hotel.

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What has the experience been like writing the Dangerous in Dallas series?

I have had an absolute blast writing this series. I’ve lived in Dallas for the majority of the past 18 years and it’s a city I love and have seen grow so much over the past two decades.

I used to work at an advertising agency in the Design District and I fell in love with the area. It’s got a great mix of bohemian chic and up and coming businesses and it felt exactly like the place three enterprising women would open a wedding boutique.

Oh…and don’t forget the very attractive men who own an architectural firm down the street….

What makes Dallas, Texas a great place to fall in love?

Dallas is a young, vibrant city. The weather is great pretty much year-round and there are a ton of things to do, both inside and outside. Our downtown has gone through a wonderful renaissance over the past decade as well and restaurants, parks & trails, museums and the arts really proliferate in the city. (a.k.a. – lots of great date places!!)

What is one thing that you absolutely need while writing?

Hot tea! I’m a coffee drinker in the morning but switch to tea by early afternoon and love to have a hot cup beside me.

Which sexy actor would you choose to play Max Baldwin?

I always love this question!!

Max is a big man – very broad and solid. He’s not easily ruffled and can handle himself in any situation. Build-wise he’s got a Nathan Fillion look or Russell Crowe when he was in Gladiator. I also think Chris Hemsworth is pretty perfect in everything he does and I have no doubt he’d play Max with the right mix of former soldier, softie-at-heart and slightly grumpy edge.

What was the first romance novel that you ever read?

I devoured teen romances like they were going out of style but the first adult romance I read was Night Into Day by Sandra Canfield. It was a Harlequin Superromance title in the late 80s and I still have a copy. I LOVED this book – he’s a quarterback about to retire from professional football and she’s got rheumatoid arthritis. The book is warm, sensitive and totally sexy and I absolutely fell in love with the genre!

Without giving away too much, what’s your favorite scene in The Professional?

I loved writing this book and really loved these characters. There’s a scene that takes place on a train that I enjoyed writing, both because it’s sexy and sensual and because we really see them grow in their perspectives of each other.

Max and Violet have a very push/pull sort of relationship where one is always sort of irritating the other. The train scene forced them into close proximity and I loved watching how they softened around each other.

What’s the best response you’ve ever received from a fan?

I truly don’t have one single experience, rather, I am always so touched when someone takes the time to tell me they enjoyed my work. I feel that’s such an honor and privilege as a writer and something I’m deeply grateful for.

Do you have any author conferences or book signings in the near future?

This coming weekend (10/4) I’m taking part in an event in the Dallas area called “Buns and Roses” – it’s an event for a local literacy organization. I’ve been a part of the event for the past 7 years and love the afternoon. It’s a tea and talk and then a book signing afterward. The best part – all monies raised go to adult literacy!

What are you working on next?

I just turned in the last book in the Dangerous in Dallas series – The Royal Spy’s Redemption. There’s a pretty big cliff hanger at the end of The Professional and one of Violet’s good friends, Gabriella, ends up spending time in very close proximity with an MI-5 agent who’s come to Dallas to investigate the jewels that were discovered in the floor of Elegance and Lace.

We meet Knox and Gabriella in The Professional and I thoroughly enjoyed watching the sparks fly between these two – AND finally solving the mystery of the gemstones.

ADDISON FOX can't remember a time when words weren't a part of her life. In addition to being an avid reader, she loves writing novels about strong-willed and exciting heroes and heroines—individuals who are meant for each other and who deserve their happily ever after.

After she makes them work for it, of course! Addison lives in Dallas.

Find Addison on her website | Facebook | Twitter: @AddisonFox