Books-n-Kisses is pleased to have JM Powers on our blog today. We are looking forward to learning more about JM and her new book Basket of Hope.
Hi JM, welcome to Books-n-Kisses..
JM: HI there! Call me Jeannie. J.M. is so formal. And I am the furthest thing from that.
Q1) Jeannie, can you share a little bit about yourself
JM Oh boy, you asked for it. I’m a bit of a nut, and laugh at inappropriate times. I find humor in just about anything.
I live on an island, in Upstate NY. Summer is my favorite season here. Well my only season. I just spend the rest of them waiting for summer to arrive again. Why do I reside in the north when I live for warmth? I fell in love with a northerner.
My hubby teases me when I say ya’ll, dang, or refer to grandparents as ma-maw and pa-paw. He says I have a southern accent.*rolls eyes* Listen, darlin’, I don’t have a dang accent! When I visit my family in the south, they say I have northern accent. I’m confused.
I tend to ramble too. And I can’t stop– even when I realize I’m rambling. Like now. No wonder I write. I have to get rid of my continuous word overflow.
Q2) When did you decide you wanted to be an author?
JM: I don’t think it was a conscious decision really. I think writing is so ingrained in me that I simply followed my bliss and ended up an author. (or… the word overflow thing.)
Q3) Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
JM: My all time favorite is Jean M. Auel. I’m very fond of Terry Goodkind too. My favorite romance author is Hannah Howell. I must admit though, I have a new favorite every week. I
The more I read, the more I learn, so I guess every writer influences my writing in one way or another.
Q4) Can you tell us about your book Basket of Hope
JM: Of course I will. What author wouldn’t promo given a chance? J
Kara, a scullery maid, is in love with Machias.*drool* ….His body is as sculpted as the garden statues at the castle. Oh, and when he takes his tunic off? Oh my… oh yeah….Machias.
Oh, sorry. I got distracted for a minute there. Okay, back to BASKET OF HOPE. .
Here’s the blurb:
All Hallows Eve looms near, and encroaching evil shall have its way if a marriage filled with true love and pure magic does not take place. Machias must choose a witch, something Kara never hopes to be.
Machias’s father will do anything to ensure his son chooses wisely—lies, beatings, and even an attempt to soil Kara’s innocence is not past the man.
Machias’s marriage announcement promises to burn Kara’s hope to cinders…unless something truly magical happens at the All Hallows Eve ball.
Q5) How did you come with the idea for this story.
JM: Originally, it was a short story for a contest. When it didn’t win, my characters led me around saying, “now expand on this” and “make her an orphan” then, “wouldn’t it be interesting if you added an evil father?” And wha-lah! The short story magically turned into a novella. (Silly pun. Humor me.)
Q6) Can you tell us about your current work in progress
JM: Right now my next book, Jewel of Ramstone, is in the editing process with a publisher. This historical romance is about a maiden without a past,–and a future full of intriguing twists. It should be out this fall or winter. I hope my readers will love the book as much I did writing it. (You can find updates for all my work on jmpowersromance.blogspot.com)
Q7) What are your writing habits. Anything you have to have while writing?
JM: My habits vary from quiet solitude with a cup of coffee in the morning, to afternoons with a fried bologna sandwich after my day job. But usually it’s on my couch with chaos around me in the evenings. However, my favorite time is a getaway to the cabin with my sister to develop new story ideas or work on our manuscripts. There is a constant though. I must write every day. It’s not a choice so much as a need.
My creations bud in my mind. It gets pretty crowded up there. New and old characters mingle, spilling drinks and leaving crumbs of information while they party non-stop in my head. Many times, I intend to jot down one of those character’s ideas. Then I look up hours later, wondering what my husband just said. Twelve times. God, I love that man. He married a writer and accepted it. Ha. I sometimes wonder if he knew what he was accepting.
Q8) I always want to know what authors are reading or looking forward to reading. So can you share with us what you are currently reading or the next new release you can’t wait to get your hands on.
JM: I read every genre. A friend recently loaned me Game of Thrones, by George R.R. Martin. (Why does he have two middle initials?) I’m reading it now. There’s everything in this book! Romance, secrets, fantasy, kings, knights, strong- willed women, mystery, backstabbing, honor—I could go on, but that would entail rambling. And I never ramble. *huge grin*
Q9) is there anything else you would like to add?
JM: I never have the opportunity to publicly thank my critique partners so I’d like send a shout out to the ones who always offers great suggestions, honest opinions and encouragement.
My sister, and fellow author, CE Hart, always reads my work before I send it anywhere. She calls me and suggests changes. Once I note her thoughts, we talk for hours on the phone. A lot of that time is spent laughing so hard we can’t understand what the other is saying.
Another author, my friend, Rain Chapman, has a knack for helping me find a perfect word to convey just what I mean. She’s also handy to bounce ideas off of.
These two are the best partners any author could wish for. *waves* Thanks, ya’ll!
Books-n-Kisses, JM it has been a pleasure to have you here today. I look forward to reading you book Basket of Hope. Please come back any time.
JM: I look forward to hearing what you think of it! *GRIN*
I had fun sharing a bit about myself. Thanks for helping spread the word about my latest release!
GIVEAWAY TIME:
Breathless Press is going to be giving away one E-copy of Basket of Hope.
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Giveaway ends Oct 15th
Winner will be announced Oct 17th
Basket of Hope sounds great and its cover is wonderful.
Did you work closely with the artist in creating it?
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
Hello Tracey!
Thanks for stopping by.
Yes, I worked very close with the cover artist. Victoria Miller sent me a worksheet with plenty of questions about the two main characters and once she created the mock up, she sent it to me, asking what I thought. After several tweaks, we had perfection. I think she captured Kara's innocent expression, don't you? I love the cover. However, the publisher has the last say, and in the end, he just wanted a purple misty foreground to show the paranormal aspect of the story. I am very happy with the outcome.
What a fun interview! Thanks to Books-n-Kisses for great questions, and to JM for the wacky answers. 😉
Fabulous cover and story.
Love it!
I can't wait for that dang Jewel of Ramstone to be released!! It's almost here… Yeehaw and Yipee.
((hugs))
C.E. Hart, yeah the wacky attitude runs in my family. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by! I can always depend on your support. 🙂
I just stopped by to say hello to Jeannie….Hi Jeannie!
Basket of Hope is great. I suggest everyone pick it up and read it.
Needless to say, You don't need to enter me into the contest.
Great interview Jeannie and Kelly =)
xoxo
Great interview. Sounds like a unique story.
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
Thanks for stopping by, Anon. 🙂
Great interview. Just enough of a tease. I'll look forward to future stories. Loved the flirtatious and seductive smiles that he gives ya.
Hi JM!
Just stopping by to remind everyone about my DIBS on some of your heroes in the upcoming Jewel of Ramstone…and to remind you of the sequel we need…grin
*Jumps up and down to be seen over the crowd* HI CASEY! HI CASEY! I've missed you! Did you bring the champagne? I have the raspberries.
OH Beautiful Trouble–are you stalking me again? lol…working on that sequel. *jingles chains* But did you really find it necessary to chain me to the desk?
Akashajess, love the screen name. thanks for stopping by!
Hi Jeannie,
I have a similar problem with accents, I live in the U.K. I am from up north and my hubby is from down south, so we live near to Wales kind of in the middle, LOL, whenever we go down south, I sound northern but when I go up north, I sound like I am from down south, me I think I sound a mix of the 2, Love the sound of Basket of Hope, It is now on my TBR list, Thank-you for a wonderful give-away
I am follower
julienewberry(at)btinternet(com)