Books-n-Kisses is please to have Jacquie Johnson on the blog today. We are looking forward to getting to know Jacquie better and learning about her news release Angel on Fire.
Can you please share with us a little about yourself
My name is Jacquie Johnson and I am a jack of all trades. By day, I am a wife, mother, teacher to my homeschooled twins, cook, chauffeur and caregiver for my three elderly grandparents. But at night, when the house is quiet, I turn into a writer. I write mostly romantic suspense and young adult but am not willing to pigeon hole myself yet. Who knows what the muse might drum up?
I graduated from Harvard and Indiana University School of Law. I have lived on both coasts and currently reside in Northwest Indiana.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
My first foray into writing occurred when I was in elementary school and I entered the local short story writing contest. Although I didn’t win, the judges commented on my active imagination. While the other kids wrote about sports and playing at the park, my story involved a female orphan living in Victorian England who was run over by a carriage. Obviously, I was heavily influenced by what I was reading myself, (Jane Eyre and Wuthering Heights). I stopped writing fiction after high school, setting what I thought were childhood dreams aside to focus on college, law school and a legal career. Needless to say, I continued to draft essays, research papers and eventually legal briefs. My aspiration to write a novel returned a few years after I stopped practicing law to homeschool my daughters. I missed writing and realized that this was my chance to let my imagination run free and write what I wanted.
What is your most interesting writing quirk?
Sorry, I can’t share just one.
First, I research – a lot. Yesterday when I checked seventeen books on viruses, bioterrorism and cults, the librarian looked a little nervous. On the other hand, when I entered my first gun shop to learn more about guns for Angel on Fire, I was the nervous one.
Second, I always write the beginning of my novel and then the ending before tackling the middle. I know. It sounds weird but once I can see the ending I’m afraid I will lose it if I don’t write it down right away.
Finally, my creativity goes into overdrive just before I go to sleep. For some reason, 20 more minutes frequently turns into an hour or more.
Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
Angel on Fire is the story of Angela McKenzie, an FBI analyst, seeking to understand her father’s unexpected death. I’ve included the blurb, which describes the story better than any restatement.
All Angela wants is to understand why her father, security specialist Mac McKenzie, dropped dead on a sidewalk in Boston. Instead, she is thrust into the midst of an international conspiracy when she discovers that her father was working on a classified project for the government at the time of his death. Now, the FBI, a terrorist and a killer have her in their sights.
Former Navy SEAL turned undercover operative, Chase Romero thinks his boss is overreacting when he orders Chase to small town America to protect Angela. But he changes his mind when her home is burglarized and “accidents” begin to happen. The real question becomes, how can he keep her safe if he keeps tripping over his own heart?
After shooting an intruder, Angela flees the scene, and the FBI issues a warrant for her arrest. On the run for her life and her freedom, she places her trust in Chase. As they travel from small town New England, to the nation’s capital, to the shores of Lake Michigan, the trail – and their attraction – grows hotter. Together, they team up to prevent a global financial market meltdown and face a killer who will stop at nothing to get his hands on the project Mac protected with his life.
How did you come with the idea for this story?
I take a lot of my ideas from current events. The software in Angel on Fire is the product of a what-if game my mind played after the flash crash of the stock market in 2010. I also had an idea for a character similar someone I know. She’s very book smart but highly emotional and lacks real world experience in many ways. So I put the two together and came up with the plot for Angel on Fire.
Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
Which one? I have about six novels at various stages. My next release will most likely be Dilemma, another romantic suspense. It’s the story of Alexis Winters, a fresh from law school litigator, who has just started a new career and life in Chicago. As she learns that practicing law is about more than trust and justice, the young labor and employment litigator struggles to balance her ethical obligations to her client with her own values. When childhood friend turned investigative journalist Ryder Prescott insists that her client is involved in wrongdoing and that he needs her help to prove it, Alexis is trapped between a desire to help her childhood love, do the right thing and protect her career. Alexis walks a fine line to find out how far is too far and when rules are meant to be broken while she and Ryder grow closer in spite of the history between them.
Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?
I can only pick one? That’s so unfair. I’d have to say William Shakespeare first because his works are still so applicable today. My second choice is Tom Clancy. I love his books, especially his Jack Ryan novels.
What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
The best way to learn how to write is to actually put pen to paper or fingers to the keyboard and write. Then ask for feedback. It also helps to read. Read fiction. Read non-fiction. Read books on writing. Just read.
Can you share with us something off your bucket list.
I want to attend a summer Olympics in a foreign country. I want a chance to see the best in the world do what they do best. Gymnastics, swimming, and basketball are high on the event list.
What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
I’m waiting to read Victims by Jonathan Kellerman’s and Celebrity in Death by J.D. Robb until I finish the first draft of Sean and Emily’s story, the next in the Angel Investigations series. They’re my incentive to work faster.
Is there anything else you would like to add?
Thank you so much for having me here. It’s been a pleasure sharing my book and a little bit about myself with you.
Angel on Fire
Order : Amazon
Read Kimberly’s review here
All Angela wants is to understand why her father, security specialist Mac McKenzie, dropped dead on a sidewalk in Boston. Instead, she is thrust into the midst of an international conspiracy when she discovers that her father was working on a classified project at the time of his death. Now, the FBI, a terrorist and a killer have her in their sights.
Former Navy SEAL turned undercover operative, Chase Romero thinks his boss is overreacting when he orders Chase to small town America to protect Angela. But he changes his mind when her home is burglarized and “accidents” begin to happen. The real question becomes, how can he keep her safe if he keeps tripping over his own heart?
After shooting an intruder, Angela flees the scene, and the FBI issues a warrant for her arrest. On the run for her life and her freedom, she places her trust in Chase. As they travel from New England, to the nation’s capital, to the shores of Lake Michigan, the trail – and their attraction – grow hotter. Together, they team up to prevent a global financial market meltdown and face a killer who will stop at nothing to get his hands on the project Mac protected with his life.
Want a chance to win a e-copy of Angel on Fire? Please fill out the Rafflecopter below. Please note this giveaway is a quick one. You only have until Sunday to enter….. Good Luck!!
Thanks for a fun interview and giveaway!
What's sexy about military guys… hmmm… everything!!! 😉
Thanks for the interview, I enjoyed reading it. I am also a JD Robb fan! Hot about militairy heroes? They are heroes, they are willing to do whatever it takes to protect their country, and the people in it. They are loyal, and ofcourse strong and handsome in their uniforms. Mmm why do I get a craving to re-watch JAG now?
They are willing to put their lives on the line everyday for something they believe in, they're protective, loyal, strong, hot, sexy, and look great in their uniforms.
Thanks for the interview and giveaway.
It has to be the way they look in dress uniform!
Thanks so much for having me on your blog and for reviewing Angel on Fire. I love hearing from readers. Watching JAG sounds like an excellent idea. Harm has always been a favorite of mine.
Oooh, military uniforms are what sexy.
Their uniforms and their hot bodies.
The uniforms
Love their toned bodies and most of all, the sacrifice they make to protect and defend the country and the people.
Great interview and will definitely be checking out Jacquie's books.
Well the uniform for one & that their job is protecting people & keeping everyone safe.
Thanks for the interview, I enjoyed reading it.
About military,….hmmm, i think the uniform make they sexy:)
I read about military in novels Suzanne Brockmann, and really love them. And i am fans JD Robb to.