Writer's Window Thursday - Jami M. Brumfield

Welcome to Writer's Window Thursday. Today we get to meet Jami M. Brumfield and learn about her book "Lone Wolf Rising". Jami is not only an author of paranormal romantic thrillers, but an avid reader. She lives in Phoenix, Arizonawith her husband and two dogs. By day she hypnotizes people to work through obstacles in their lives and by night she creates obstacles for her characters to work through in her books. Let's take a peek into the world of Jami Brumfield.  

Tiffany:What is the title of your book and what message does it convey to readers?

 

Jami -Lone Wolf Rising is the title.  This is book one in a series of at least four books.  The message is that revenge only brings on more destruction in one’s life.

 

Tiffany: Give a short synopsis of your book. 

 

Jami -Rebecca Winters is an average teenager dealing with a deep level of guilt because she believes she is responsible for the death of her parents.  Her only lifelines are her twin sister, Savannah, her younger brother, Hunter and her best friend, Jackson.  They keep her from falling into a dark abyss of depression.  What Rebecca doesn’t know is that she comes from two powerful witch lines and she has amazing power coursing through her veins.  Power that was locked away when her parents spell bound all three of them for their protection.
The supernatural world is hidden to most humans, they choose to ignore it, but Rebecca’s DNA attracts the dangerous world.  Her best friend is psychic, her neighbor is a guardian (a branch of witches that specialize in the realm of the dead), and her grandmother is in deeper than anyone can imagine.  So when she stumbles upon a friend changing into a werewolf her mission in life is changed.  Suddenly, her only thought is to become a werewolf and avenge her parents’ tragic deaths.
Even the best laid plans have problems and Rebecca’s road to vengeance is littered with terrifying vampires, massacres, political responsibilities and other unimaginable obstacles.  Two guys join her journey, both intrigued and bent on claiming her as their own.  But Rebecca’s desire for vengeance creates turmoil and one of the most important people in her life will pay the ultimate price.

 

Tiffany: Why did you write this particular story?

 

Jami -I have been in love with the paranormal, supernatural, and mythological worlds for most of my life.  I have also been writing since I was a young girl in middle school.  It was only a matter of time that love for the unknown and my skills as a writer would combine to create this book.  It has some of the traditional beliefs in supernatural lore and also my own theories; like a werewolf suffering from multiple personalities; the human host and the wolf.  The idea of these two feuding internally while the world continues moving around them was the first area I wanted to tackle which is why this book came first.  Book two in the series takes a closer look at the myths around vampirism and takes a paranormal romantic science fiction turn with gene manipulation and multi-dimensions.  Book three will delve deeper into the science fiction aspect as well as the world witchcraft. 

 

Tiffany: Are there any characters in your books that are modeled from people in your daily life?

 

Jami -No particular character is modeled from people in my real life; however there are pieces of people I love and admire in the makeup of the characters.  If there are things I like about a person I like to take that admiration and immortalize them in characters I love.  It helps to keep the characters realistic and allows my readers to find a connection to them despite their fictional status.  You will find endearing characteristics in all the characters, even those that are antagonists.  The best baddie’s I have ever read about are those you “love to hate”.

 

Tiffany: How do you come up with your story lines?

 

Jami - I start with an outline on how I want a story to go.  It becomes a structure that I allow to be flexible.  If, as I am writing, I come up with a new plot twist I add it into the mix and go back and foreshadow it if necessary.  I also try and add current issues into my plots.  Survivor’s guilt, homecoming, drugs, depression, popularity, and a character trying to find a way to tell his father he is gay are all subplots in the bigger storyline of book one.  In book two I have already added post traumatic stress disorder and infertility.  My character’s face confidence issues and challenges involved in growing up and becoming an adult.    Mix in a little paranormal, supernatural, science fiction, fantasy and romance and you have a book that can entertain and also help people grow.

 

Tiffany: What was the point you realized that being an author was no longer a dream but a reality?

 

Jami - I think the first time I realized that writing was a reality was my first sale.  Then the second milestone was the first review.  As each milestone continues to build upon the previous milestones I realize that with each new achievement the dream has become the reality.

 

Tiffany: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

 

Jami -The turning point for me was to realize that I couldn’t please everyone.  I wrote book after book; year after year and never finished or published because I worried what others would say once it was done.  What I have realized now that I am published is that not everyone will like your work.  You have a voice and they may not be able to connect to that voice, however, there will be some people who connect to that voice and they will appreciate what you did for them; whether it was helping them learn a lesson or simply allowing them an escape from reality for a short time while they read your book.
To sum it up; “take that chance!  Don’t give up!”  You will never really know until you try.

 

Tiffany: What warning(s) would you give them?

 

Jami -Not everyone is going to like your work.  Keep in mind the audience you are writing for and strive to put out the best product you can.  Accept the constructive criticism as a learning experience and use it to help create an even better product next time if you agree with the feedback.

 

Tiffany: What do you enjoy the most about the writing process?

 

Jami - My favorite part of the writing process is creating something out of nothing.  Taking an idea, building a world around that idea and creating amazingly endearing characters that will help push the story along, there is nothing like it. 

 

Tiffany: How did you go about getting your book published?

 

Jami - When I started writing the book I wrote down my strengths and weaknesses.  Then I sought out help from people that would help bring my weaknesses to the strength pile.  For example, I am not an editor so I hired an amazing editor, Michele Gwynn, who is also a published author.  Once I had my story written and my weaknesses turned into strengths I sent out a few query letters to agents.  I set a date to publish and if I didn’t hear back from an agent by that date I decided I was going to self publish.  I self published and had over 3,000 downloads in the first month!

 

Tiffany: If you were given one day to live, what would you do that day?

 

Jami -Wow tough question.  Most of us don’t have one more day to say goodbye because death comes without warning for many.  So I guess I would be thankful for the tiny warning.  I would use that time to spend with family and friends.  I would also spend time writing letters or recording videos for those important people in my life that I will not see again. 

 

Tiffany: If you could meet one of your favorite authors, who would it be and why?

 

Jami - I have many favorite authors and it is hard to bring it down to one.  But if I had to choose one it would probably be Sherrilyn Kenyon.  She made an amazing impression on me at such an important age.  Her dark hunter series really reinforced my writing urban fantasy and paranormal romance.  The way she created a world that lived under human society and spanned mythology and supernatural was and is still amazing. 

 

Tiffany: Who inspires you?

 

Jami - My husband.  He is my anchor, without him I would be in the sky with no way to touch the earth.  He keeps me grounded. 

 

Tiffany: If you could go back in time, what would you say to your younger self?

 Jami - Good job!  You made the best out of difficult situations.  I’m proud of you.  Being a hypnotherapist I firmly believe that our past helps shape us but doesn’t dictate how we turn out.

 

Tiffany: What’s next for you?

 

Jami - Book two “Vampire Princess in Training” is weeks away from going to the editor and the rough draft of book three “Fire Master” is already being written.  When the Winters series is complete I have two other book series that I have already started on and will be working on as well.  One is called “Letters to my Vampire Prince” another YA paranormal romance and the other is an Adult paranormal romance with the working title “Psychopaths and Telepaths”

 

 

Thank you Jami for stopping by today! If you are interested in learning more about her books and where to find them please drop by the following links:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JamiMBrumfield

Facebook:

Book Page:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Lone-Wolf-Rising/509657379133192?ref=hl

Author Page:https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jami-Brumfield/678670618818695

GoodReads:

Book Page:https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/18885092-lone-wolf-rising?from_search=true

Author Page:https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7414345.Jami_Brumfield

Book link on Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Lone-Wolf-Rising-Winters-Series-ebook/dp/B00GSFQ5NM/ref=pd_rhf_ee_p_dnr_2

Book Trailer link on YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPUQj_hkavk&feature=share

 

 

 

 

 

Double the Fun - Writer's Window Tuesday introduces Amalie Jahn

Welcome to a special Tuesday Writer's Window. Today we will meet Young Adult author Amalie Jahn. She has numerous works of fiction and is a wonderful writer. Let us take a peek into this author's imagination.

     Tiffany: What is the title of your book and what  message does it convey to readers?

Amalie - Among the Shrouded is the title and it refers to the fact that my main character, Mia, can see people’s auras.  When she looks at others, she sees them as if they are “shrouded” in either light or dark.  So she literally lives “among the shrouded.”  Figuratively, however, it refers to the subject of human trafficking which is often hidden from sight by the mainstream media.  I aim to bring it to light.

Tiffany: Give a short synopsis of your book.

Amalie -It was February.  Through the eyes of the average person, it was an ordinary Tuesday, unremarkable in every way.  Around the world, approximately 370,000 babies were born on that ordinary day.  However, there was nothing average about three of the children born on that day who happened to be blessed with extraordinary abilities. 

Thomas Pritchett was born in a bathroom stall at a rest stop along I-40, just west of Flagstaff, Arizona.  It would take years for him to understand his ability to sense coming danger could be used to protect him from the abuse he sustained within the foster care system.

Yekaterina Malinov was torn from her mother’s womb by a local midwife via emergency cesarean in the Ukraine, outside the capital city of Kiev.  She was always aware of her power to manipulate people into doing what she wanted, and she used her ability to assure that her needs were always met.

Mia Rosetti was delivered into the world in Baltimore, Maryland at Union Memorial Hospital at 9:46 AM to Mr. and Mrs. Carlos Rosetti.  By the time she was four, she realized the auras of light or dark she saw around those she encountered signified whether they were inherently good or inherently evil.

Growing up, they could not begin to comprehend the importance of the gifts they were given, and as adults, they are unaware they are on a collision course with one another as well as their common destiny.

Tiffany: Your story sounds like it would grip young readers. Why did you write this particular story?

Amalie- I decided early on that if people were going to spend their valuable time reading what I was writing, I was going to make sure to use that platform to help make the world a little bit better.

Tiffany: Are there any characters in your books that are modeled from people in your daily life?

Amalie -Of course.  I think we can’t help that as authors.  In my first novel, The Clay Lion, the relationship of Brooke and Branson are loosely based on my own family.  There are other pieces of people, here and there, but nothing earth shattering.

Tiffany:   Every author has a different means or way a story is born in their minds. How do you come up with your story lines?

Amalie - In my sleep or in the middle of the night.  I just let them take me over while the rest of the world is at peace.

Tiffany: What was the point you realized that being an author was no longer a dream but a reality?

Amalie -Having a bound book in your hands that you wrote… that’s pretty amazing.

Tiffany:All writer's need advice, what advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Amalie -Keep writing.  Keep reading.  Don’t dismiss yourself as too old or too young or too busy or too naive.  It’s never too late to follow your dreams and there’s never been a better time to do it.  Also, talk to other authors.  Learn from them.  Listen to their journeys.

Tiffany:  The world of writing has many predators or "trolls" lurking under bridges that will devour novice writers; so what warning(s) would you give them?

Amalie -Writing the book is the easy part.  There’s a ridiculously steep learning curve with regard to formatting, editing, publication and marketing.  And there’s no one “right way.”  No magic potion.  Just you and your gut trying to navigate the treacherous waters of publishing. 

Tiffany: What do you enjoy the most about the writing process?

Amalie -Bringing a character to life out of nothing and having a real person connect with that character.  It’s amazing.

Tiffany:  Enough of shop talk, let's have a bit of fun. If you were given one day to live, what would you do that day?

Amalie - Spend it with my family in Disney World!

Tiffany:   If you could meet one of your favorite authors, who would it be and why?

Amalie -It would be Dean Koontz.  He’s so prolific and I enjoy his books.  I think I could learn a lot from him about what’s really important in the industry.

Tiffany: Who inspires you?

Amalie -My husband, every single day.

Tiffany: Sadly, I have many embarrassing moments, and I always am cheered up when I hear other people's stories of awkwardness. Amalie, what was your most embarrassing childhood or adult moment?

Amalie - I have a million.  I’m very awkward and tend to have issues with gravity.  I once fell down an entire flight of steps in a ball gown in front of several hundred people because my heel caught the hem of my dress.  Good times.  My husband demanded I wear sneakers on my wedding day after that.

Tiffany:  If you could go back in time, what would you say to your younger self?

Amalie -YOU CAN DO IT!!!!!  So quit making excuses.

Tiffany:   What’s next for you?

Amalie - I’m working on a sequel to The Clay Lion.  It was supposed to be a stand-alone book but so many readers have requested MORE, that I can’t deny my adoring public!  Luckily, even with all the loose ends I made sure to tie up by then end of the book, I did leave myself one tiny opening.  Good thing that’s all I needed!  When I’m not writing, I’m training for an Ironman triathlon that I will be competing in the middle of April.

Amalie, thank you so much for dropping by today and letting me get to know you better! If you are interested in learning more about Amalie Jahn and her works you can find them here:

Amazon The Clay Lion http://amzn.to/Ztvzj7

Amazon Among the Shrouded http://amzn.to/16s6ADF

Amalie Jahn Amazon http://amzn.to/17NSyKr

Goodreads Author Profile https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6995709.Amalie_Jahn

Author Website http://bit.ly/claylion

Amalie Jahn Author Facebook Page http://on.fb.me/172W8AB

Writer's Window Thursday - BIG FOOT DOES EXIST

Welcome to writer's window Thursday! Today I have the amusing pleasure of introducing you to lively writer, Simon Okrill. After writing scripts for many years, Simon decided to convert them to novels. His screenplay Bloodbath about an eternal vampire was published last year as Luna Sanguis and Luna Aeturnus, very dark Gothic romance strictly for adults. During 2013, He began to recreate Bigfoot as a teen adventure much like Scooby Doo with more of an adult theme to it. Now his writing world is taking off so watch out for Bigfoot. Get out your binoculars, put on your camo, and let's take a peek in to Phantom Bigfoot's imagination.

Tiffany: What is the title of your book and what message does it convey to readers?

Simon - The title of my book is Phantom Bigfoot Strikes Again.  It teaches kids to respect nature, love animals, and protect them.

Tiffany: Give a short synopsis of your book.

Simon- At the age of 18, Duane Dexter had to use the toilet real bad first thing in the morning. What he discovered in the bathroom made him forget why he was there. Before him stood his father, all 7 feet of him and somewhat hairy to say the least. Duane’s father, Sam explains to his son that it is time to leave him for the forest and pass on the role of Guardian to him. This Duane accepts and soon becomes superhero and animal protector - Phantom Bigfoot. A year later Duane is happy with his lot until his idiot friend, Beau goes missing, apparently abducted by Bigfoot. Geez Louise! Now Duane has to stop the authorities from discovering his big secret - Bigfoot - or The Elders (aliens who altered his DNA to protect the Bigfoot) will strip him of his superpowers and banish him forever from the forest.

Tiffany: Your book sounds like it will keep readers entertained! Why did you write this particular story?

Simon- There’s a lot of me in Duane and Phantom Bigfoot and the story needed telling as perhaps it might stop hunters shooting Bigfoot.

Tiffany: It has been said that writer's will often immortalize real friends and foes in their stories; so be honest are there any characters in your books that are modeled from people in your daily life? 

Simon- Duane is basically me, Tiffany, but sadly I don’t roam the forests of S Wales UK as I’m just too small and can’t fit into a Bigfoot suit. There’s a Bigfoot Babe or two modeled on certain ASMSG  babes, hee.

Tiffany: Your book has a ton of imagination stomping through it. How do you come up with your story lines?

Simon- No idea, well my favorite TV series help - Star Trek, Psych, Scooby Doo and then there’s my weird dreams that sometimes stay with me and give me time to jot them down. Guess I’m one of those who tune

into the cosmosnet and pluck ideas floating around out there.

Tiffany: What was the point you realized that being an author was no longer a dream but a reality?

Simon- When I lost my job for being disabled, I turned to writing as it enabled me to hide in another world of my own creation. Things sort of snow-balled from there.

Tiffany: What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Simon- Don’t do what I do! Seriously, get known on social media first for at least 6 months before publishing that way you have a fan base.

Tiffany: What warning(s) would you give them?

Simon- Don’t ever give up and never ever reply to a bad review.

Tiffany: What do you enjoy the most about the writing process?

Simon - Losing myself in my worlds and creating a new me where I can be more than I am and save the damsel in distress.

Tiffany: How did you go about getting your book published?

Simon- Published it myself, which after creating my own kindle formatter was a piece of cake. Cake! Where’s the cake? Of course editing and endless proofing came first, getting the right cover made and the perfect title too.

Tiffany:Now for something a little less formal.   If you were given one day to live, what would you do that day?

Simon- Don my Bigfoot costume and frolic with my Bigfoot Babes until I drop.

Tiffany: If you could meet one of your favorite authors, who would it be and why?

Simon- Stephen King, because he inspired me to write and my fave book is Salem’s Lot.

Tiffany: Writer's always have something or someone that inspires them, so who inspires you?  Simon- My muse inspires me now.

Tiffany: Most embarrassing childhood or adult moment?

Simon - On holiday, I climbed a 5 bar gate which collapsed under Bigfoot’s weight, throwing me into a dung heap. With all the aplomb of Phantom Bigfoot I sat in a pub and had a meal covered in cow doodoo!

 

Tiffany:  What’s next for you?

Simon- Next up this Spring is Phantom Bigfoot & The Vampettes from Venus, followed by Phantom Bigfoot & The ….. that’s a secret. After that my alien abduction comedy - Bigelow - will be published hopefully around Xmas.

 

Simon, I have truly enjoyed our interview today. You are such a fun personality and I know readers will love your writing! Good luck on all your future stomping around in the evergreen forests of the writing world! If you would like to know more about Simon and Phantom Bigfoot you can find the bigfoot tracks here...

Info Links:

http://facebook.com/simondokillwriter

http://twitter.com/simonokill

https://www.amazon.com/author/simondokillwriter

http://goodreads.com/tassyoneill

 

Buy Links:

 

http://amzn.to/IKmss0 uk kindle

http://amzn.to/1ctMZp3 us kindle

http://amzn.to/1c41xvI uk paperback

http://amzn.to/1c41ksr us paperback

 

Writer's Window Thursday - Casey Clipper

     Welcome to Writer's Window Thursday! It's the day before Valentine's Day, and I had the pleasure of interviewing Casey Clipper who is a contemporary romance author. She's a member of the Romance Writers of America, the Three Rivers Romance Writers, ASMSG, IAN, and IBPA. Casey was born and raised in Pittsburgh therefore she's naturally a football, hockey, and baseball fan. Everybody loves a little bit of romance, so let's take a peek into the alluring mind of Casey Clipper!

 

 

     Tiffany:  What is the title of your book and what  message does it convey to readers?

 

 

Casey -The titles of my 3 prequels are Darren - a prequel to The Boss's Love; Derrick - a prequel to The Boss's Love; and Courtney - a prequel to The Boss's Love

The prequels convey the message you never know what life has in store for you. That a simple, seemingly inconsequential meeting can change your fate.

 

Tiffany:   Give a short synopsis of your book.

Casey - The 3 prequels are back stories of the three main characters of The Boss's Love. They give a more in-depth insight into their lives before you meet them in the novel. Readers get to see the characters struggle with love before their worlds come together in the novel.

Darren's story is his struggle with finding the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with. Courtney's story is her struggle with being sheltered her entire life by those closest to her, which unknowingly helps lead her into a relationship she can't break free from.

Derrick's story is his realization that he's actually fallen in love with a woman who he'll spend the rest of his life trying to protect and shelter from all that's harmful in the world.

All of their back stories leave off at a particular scene in The Boss's Love.

 

Tiffany: Your stories are about love and relationships. Is there any particular reason you wrote these stories? 

Casey - To be honest, I can't tell you why I wrote this particular story. The best way I can answer this question is to say that I wanted to write a story that was a twist on the happily-ever-after.

 

   Tiffany:  I would guess that it would be easier to write Romance if some of the characters were familiar to you. So tell me, are there any characters in your books that are modeled from people in your daily life?

Casey - Every character is modeled in some manner after everyone in my life. Maybe not 100% personality wise. None of my friends or family are able to say, "Hey, that's me or that's my husband." But I do take a trait I love or even can't stand and place them into my characters. I tend to borrow the first names of those I know for my characters. My friends get a kick out of finding out if I've used their children's names. They've even petitioned me to use their kids' names. Lol. As for the male characters' physical traits, I always envision Hollywood actors and throw together what I would want in the perfect guy.

 

Tiffany:  How do you come up with your storylines?

Casey - I'm a pantser. So a story comes to mind and I immediately sit at my laptop and start to write. Or at least record my ideas until I'm finished with my current project. I go to where my mind takes me and the story leads.

 

 

Tiffany: What was the point you realized that being an author was no longer a dream but a reality?

Casey - When I self published my first novel. After that, I got the bug. Up until then my writing was a way to lose myself from the daily grind. Now, I want my stories out there for others to enjoy and get lost in. I love to tell a story. You see, I, myself, absolutely love to read. Losing yourself in a book and characters is a way for all of us to escape for that brief period of time. When I find a story I fall in love with, that author has a new fan. I want to bring that connection to readers.

 

Tiffany: All of us could use a little advice when starting off. What advice would you give to aspiring writers?

Casey - If you're passionate about what you're writing, no matter what the subject or genre is, keep at it. But write within your means. In other words, find and use your own voice. You don't have to put pressure on yourself to write the next Gone with the Wind, Great Gatsby, Great Expectations, or Pride and Prejudice. The Boss's Love is my third release and it wasn't until then that I truly found my voice. My editor is championing me to stick with that sub-genre and continue down that path. Find an editor who will help and inspire that voice. A good editor will. Entertain your readers, and yes, make it a good read by finding a proofreader and editor, but entertain with your voice. That's what will make you unique and gain you a following.    

 

Tiffany: I have heard a lot of people say that the writing world is like shark infested waters. It can be daunting and frightening. If you could give young writers a warning, what would it be? 

 

Casey - Always, always, always keep this in mind. We're in the entertainment industry. Since we've chosen this path, it opens us up for ridicule and wickedness. That's the price we pay. Just like the movie, television, and music industry opens themselves up for review, so do we. It's hard to say to develop thick skin, that's impossible. Your work is your sweat and tears. When someone tries to demean that, it stings. Badly. Find yourself a group of writers/authors and friends that are supportive and will help you through those times. Because every single one of us will experience those moments.  

 

Tiffany: What do you enjoy the most about the writing process?

Casey - What I enjoy most is when I hand my manuscript over to my betas and my editor and they come back to me excited over the story. Especially when my editor is pleased. I love my betas, who are close friends, because they give me honest reviews from a reader standpoint.

 

Tiffany: How did you go about getting your book published?

Casey - I self publish. After completing my first novel, I researched on how to get published. After a handful of rejections from agents and publishers I looked into self publishing. One of my defaults is I'm extremely impatient. I refused to sit around and wait for the many "no's" that are guaranteed to come my way because the industry is so saturated. I've kept submitting and pitching to agents and publishers, but found myself losing focus. So part of my 2014 New Years resolution was to go full throttle, committing 100% into self publishing. 

 

Tiffany: If you were given one day to live, what would you do that day?

Casey - I would definitely spend it with my family. Give my husband and two boys the reassurance of how much I love them. Then my three crazy Irish sisters and father would help bring the entertainment with their witty banter and in-family fighting.

 

    Tiffany: Who inspires you?

Casey - All authors. I'm inspired by their drive, determination, creativity, and dedication.

 

Tiffany: Most embarrassing childhood or adult moment?

Casey - To be honest, I can't really come up with one off hand. I'm sure I do have one, but in my early twenties I grew into myself and now don't really become embarrassed. I shrug and take each event or occurrence in my life as a learning tool. Plus, I'm the oldest of four Irish sisters. We tend to battle before submit to embarrassment.

 

Tiffany:  If you could go back in time, what would you say to your younger self?

Casey - Take creative writing classes and marketing classes!  You'll need them.

 

Tiffany: What’s next for you?

Casey - I'll be writing a spin off novella from The Boss's Love (at my editor's suggestion). I have a stand alone novel that's waiting to go through my first rewrite that I'll be releasing this year. A series I have notes and ideas on I'm also going to get underway. Along with all this, I'm going to start on marketing, which is a new, terrifying undertaking.

 

Thank You so much Casey for dropping by today and teaching us about your books! If you wish to learn more about Casey and her contemporary romance novels you can find them here:

 

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