Meet Josephine Burton-Smitten

Introducing: Josephine "Jo" Button
Book: Smitten by Silke Juppenlatz

What makes you happy now?
Ash. Ash is the source of my happiness. He tries so hard to make me smile and laugh, coming up with all sorts of stunts and silly things. I love the way he treats animals, makes them whole. Just like he made me whole. Having friends who don't judge me. That also makes me happy, because I never had it before.

What is your greatest fear?
That everything goes back to the way it was. I’m afraid Ash is just a wonderful dream I’m having. It’s hard to deal with people when they see only what they want to see, believe only what they want to believe. I’m still terrified it’s all a fluke.

What would you change about yourself if you could?
Because of all the negativity aimed at me for so many years, I’m very shy with people. I often hide behind Ash and while he understands, I think he’d like me to be a little more trusting, a little less reserved toward people in town. But it comes back to the worry that it will all change again. *she smiles a little* I’m really just a big scaredy-cat, but I’m working on that.

What’s your favorite color?
Brown. *she grins* It used to be yellow, but then I looked into Ash’s eyes and now it’s brown.
What type of vehicle do you drive?
I used to have a Honda Camry. It was really old and decrepit, but it got me from A to B. Most of the time. Ash scrapped it after it died in his parking lot, and I’m driving his F150 at the moment. Nice truck, even if it does smell a little of dogs and cats. I guess that’s what I get for being in love with a veterinarian.
Describe yourself to me.
I’m five foot eight and blond, with blue eyes.
How would the hero describe you?
He’d probably tell you I’m tall, elegant, slender, but with an hourglass figure, have long blond hair, blue eyes and the face of an angel. *she sighs* He is the angel, but honestly, sometimes I want to shove a sock in his mouth when he describes me to someone.
You know how they say love is blind, right? Well…He’s biased. I’d take anything he says with a grain of salt. He keeps telling me I’m beautiful, and encourages me to wear pretty clothes, when I want to hang out in a wooly jumper, leggings and slouch socks. I’d rather not look sexy, as it’s been the bane of my life. It’s embarrassing and uncomfortable when everyone stares at you, wondering what you might be like…in certain situations.
What really moves you, or touches you to the soul?
Kindness. From anyone, toward anyone. A kind word goes a long way, you know? Doing something selfless -- and Ash is a prime example for that -- even when you don’t like the person. That touches me.
Seeing the way he deals with the animals at his clinic is remarkable, but sometimes a pet is beyond help. The way he makes it easy for the animal, and how he deals with the owner…that moves me. He makes it less painful, and is very gentle when he has to give bad news. It’s because he is grieving too, but he’d never show it.
And *her voice lowers* that big lug dresses up as Santa and hands out presents to needy kids. He’d never admit it, but he does. Besides, he loves all the human traditions. If he has an excuse to dress up -- Halloween or Christmas -- he’s all for it. That’s his part of the fun. Making kids smile? Oh yeah, he’s very, very good at that.
If you were granted three wishes, what would you ask for?
My first one is very selfish. I want Ash to never stop loving me. My second one would be that he is always happy and content, even if it meant I’d have to let him go. My third one would be that Five Oaks and it’s people are always healthy, happy and never at odds with each other.
What three things would you take to a Desert Island?
Ash, my sewing machine, and his life size model of Yoda. Where one goes, the other follows. Can’t have the man anywhere without his Yoda, and if I didn’t bring the darn thing, he’d probably swim all the way back just to fetch him.

Silke grew up in Germany and is used to things going bump in the night -- and it wasn't always the acrophobic cat, or someone hitting their head on a low beam on the ceiling.
She writes paranormal romance, usually at night, and blames Anne Stuart to this day for all her ambitions and strange stories, after reading one of her books.
These days the only thing going bump at "oh-dark-thirty" is her -- usually when she smacks into the sofa while creeping to the kitchen for another cup of coffee.
Silke likes to hear from her readers.
Feel free to contact her via her blog at http://www.evilauthor.com, follow her on Twitter, look her up on Goodreads or become a friend on Facebook and G+.

 Her books Howl and Smitten are available at all major ebook retailers.