Can you please share with us a little about yourself
Jamie K. Schmidt has over thirty short stories in publication. Her romantic suspense novel UNDERCOVER LOVER, published by Musa Publishing, will be released September 13, 2013. THE QUEEN’S WINGS, book one of the Emerging Queens series, a paranormal dragon romance will be published by Entangled’s Edge line this fall. Book One of her contemporary romance series, INNER GODDESS, will be published by Random House’s Loveswept line June 2014.
Jamie holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the State University of New York at New Paltz in Secondary Education English. She’s also held various jobs as a call center manager, a Tupperware consultant, a paralegal, and finally a technical writer for a major corporation. She is an active member in the Romance Writers of America (RWA), serving as the President for her local chapter Connecticut Romance Writers of America (CTRWA).
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Have you always wanted to be an author?
Yes, ever since I was a little girl. My first novel attempt was in the fifth grade. I wrote about a family of dryer lint named The Fuzzies. I did my own artwork too. I self published a nonfiction book on Switzerland—also self illustrated. I was tickled to see my own catalog card in the library. When I was in middle school, I tried to tackle a Vietnam war novel called Blood and Brothers, about twins going to Vietnam. The first romance novel I wrote was “Sweet Southern Revenge.” It was heavily influenced by V.C. Andrews Flowers in the Attic Series. It’s probably best that manuscript has been forever lost.
What is your most interesting writing quirk?
I’m a big procrastinator. I work best when I have a deadline otherwise I start a bunch of books, get distracted or bored and never finish them. I’ve got at least five novels in different genres that I should finish. But I’ve got to finish the two books I’m contracted for first.
Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
Undercover Lover: Her lips are sealed
When Reiki therapist Pamela Krupin is attacked by thugs who work for her client, a Russian mob boss, the boss orders his godson, Detective Drake Logan, to protect her. Their attraction flares across Pamela’s line in the sand: She will not violate her patient’s confidentiality. But when Drake’s godfather is murdered and Pamela is targeted, together they have to find out what the mob is really after.
Here’s an excerpt from it:
They stood up to leave when Vera brought over their checks. Drake took both of them and pulled out his wallet.
“You don’t have to do that,” she protested and tried to take her check from him.
“It’s the least I could do. Besides, it’s my pleasure to treat a beautiful woman to lunch. I usually get to buy hot dogs from the street vendor for me and my partner.”
“Well, thank you,” she said graciously and then impulsively kissed him on the cheek.
His face was smooth and warm. His cheek just having the slightest brush of whisker, unlike Ralphie whose beard was as riotous as the rest of his blond curls. Drake turned his head and their lips just missed brushing each other. There was a flicker of desire deep in her belly and her fingers itched to slide into his jacket and see if he had muscles to go with that suit.
Staring at his jaw, she wondered again why she was comparing him to Ralphie. Ralphie was her patient. It wouldn’t be ethical to be anything more. And this detective was a little too slick for her. Maybe it was the ponytail or him not taking off his sunglasses, but warning bells started to go off when he slid his finger down her chin and tilted it up so she was looking at her dual reflection in his sunglasses.
“Are you doing anything Friday night?” he asked.
“I’m working,” she said and stepped back. Just like that the spell was broken. She slung her purse over her shoulder. “Thank you again for lunch. Good luck with your search.”
“Stay safe,” he said and she felt his eyes on her as she walked out the back door
How did you come with the idea for this story?
I had a dual inspiration. The first was the movie Eastern Promises with Viggo Mortensen. I thought his Russian accent was mesmerizing and I was intrigued by the history of the Russian mob, most notably the vor v zakone. The other inspiration was the Reiki treatment I was undergoing. I found the mysticism and the energy work to be fascinating and it inspired my creativity.
Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
I have a dragon paranormal romance series coming out from Entangled Publishing this fall, in which the fate of the dragon race revolves around a human woman who dreams of shifting into a dragon. The first book is called The Queen’s Wings and it’s due out in November 2013. I also have a contemporary romance series coming out early next year with Random House’s Loveswept line. The Couture Series revolves around an ex-stripper named Colleen who after inheriting a lot of money starts a secret sex society. In book one, Inner Goddess, Colleen’s strait-laced sister hides from her abusive boyfriend at what she thinks is a fashion house, but when she finds out the real purpose of Couture, she is shocked to discover that she can find true love amidst the bawdiness.
Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?
I’d like to meet Ilona Andrews (husband and wife writing team, Gordon & Ilona Andrews) because I love all of their series. The Kate Daniels one is my favorite. I was sorry to see the Edge series end. Their online serial novel was something to look forward to every week. And their holiday novellas are always a treat.
What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
Write. Finish the damn book. Then start a new file on the computer and write a new story. Don’t ever stop writing. The more you write the better you get. Join a writer’s group. Writing is a lonely job and it helps to have friends and colleagues to go to for advice or even a shoulder to cry on.
Can you share with us something off your bucket list?
I would like to take my son to Disney World. I want to go on a Hawaiian cruise. I want to quit my day job and write full time. Those are the top three items on my bucket list.
What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
So. Many. Books! I’m looking forward to Duke of Midnight by Elizabeth Hoyt, Up from the Grave by Jeaniene Frost, Republic of Thieves by Scott Lynch, The Descent by Alma Katsu, and Barefoot by the Sea by Roxanne St. Clair.
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