#Character Interview ~ Jennifer Cruz Jones from Broken Build by @AyalaRachelle

I'm here with Jennifer Cruz Jones, star of the exciting new romantic suspense, Broken Build, by Rachelle Ayala. Thanks for coming here today, Jen!

First off, I have to say that you look fantastic! How did you lose all that weight?

Jen Cruz Jones

Jen: It was hard, but I wanted to shed my past, and a lot of it had to do with unhealthy habits. I joined a gym and watched what I ate. But hanging around Dave is a hazard. He doesn’t know it yet, but I’m going to cut his Burger King allowance soon.

Oops, he’s not going to like it. I thought one of the reasons he was attracted to you was because you asked him to buy you a Whopper.

Jen: Whopper Jr. Ha, no worries. I’m not a control freak like Jocelyn, at least not until he says, “I do.”

Hmmm…. I hope he doesn’t read this interview.  I understand you work as an engineer for David Jewell's new software company.  He is one hunky man.  Want to tell us a little bit about him?

Jen: This is under nondisclosure, right? Actually, I don’t really want to talk about him other than he’s an awesome guy and he’s the boss.

I heard a rumor you and Dave have a connected past. Anything you want to say about that?

Jen: Definitely no comment. It was not one of the better moments in my life and I’m sure it’s all been rehashed in the gossip blogs already.

Darn the gossip blogs! Is there anything you want to set straight?

Jen: Yes, that I’d give my life if I could have a do-over.

Sounds pretty serious... 

Well, moving right along - what is it you like about Dave so much?  What about him drives you nuts?

Jen: Still trying to get my opinions on Dave? You’re pretty persistent. But Dave is a better man than most people think. He’s got a soft heart and cares about the underdog. That’s why he spends time in the Big Brother program. He also finds it hard to say “no” and deny people requests, which sometimes gets him into trouble, especially since he is the CEO and has to make the hard calls. For example, the alarm company we contracted was not doing their job maintaining the equipment. Dave kept paying them and letting it slide because the owner was a disabled Vietnam veteran, a friend of his father. And of course, he felt guilty that his former roommate was not hired as lab manager. I mean, the guy showed up half-stoned at the interview. So Dave lends him his car to go job-hunting. But all this was not any of my business since I’m just the lowly build engineer.

Sounds like he's a pretty giving man and has a big heart. I can see how that would attract many women.  However, no matter how caring and giving a person is, sometimes it's hard to look past the really bad stuff. Do you think people can be forgiven for making a mistake that ends up destroying another person's life? Can you?

Jen: I’d like to be able to say “yes.” But it’s a tough one. If someone destroyed my life, particularly if it involves a family member, I’d want to hate them for the rest of their life. But part of healing and letting go is to forgive. I do hope my heart is big enough to forgive someone who ruined my life. But even if I forgive them, I might not want anything to do with them, you know what I mean?

Yes, I do. We should all strive to move past the bitterness of any times we've been wronged.

Tell us a bit more about you, Jen. What is it you really want? What's your fondest wish?

Jen: I’ve always wanted a big happy family, mother, father, kids, pets, a backyard, and family traditions that are handed down. I grew up with a single mother and a sister and felt like I was always on the outside looking in. I wanted to be surrounded by people who I love and who love me. My fondest wish is to someday be the great-grandmother and sit in a rocking chair in front of a fire smiling at a full house of adults, children, and pets while they enjoy each others’ company.

Sounds nice. I hope you get that wish. You’ve had to deal with a murder investigation, blackmail, kidnapping, extortion and still keep Dave’s company from folding. How did you keep your head together?

Jen: *laughs* I didn’t. But I had a goal to redeem myself and as long as I focused on what was really important, the rest seemed to blur by.

Sure was horrible and exciting at the same time. So, I know you are really good friends with Rachelle Ayala. Can you give us a hint about what she is doing now that she's not hanging around you and Dave anymore?

Jen: She’s onto a story possibly more emotionally wrenching than mine and Dave’s, although what went on with Dave was beyond what most people could have tolerated. I’m secretly cheering for her two lovers, Maryanne and Lucas, but they have a tough road ahead of them.

I look forward to hearing more about Maryanne and Lucas in the future.

To read more about Jen and Dave Buy Broken Build on Amazon!

Thanks again for agreeing to be here today, Jen. It was nice chatting with you. 

While you are reading Broken Build, don't forget about Rachelle Ayala's first book, Michal's Window.  Enter for a chance to win it as a free ebook. Or, if you don't want to wait for the giveaway, buy it from Amazon here.

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Happy reading!

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