The author hot seat specials are designed
to help readers get to know both popular, and up and coming authors, a little
better. The questions are broken into sections - About your writing, about you,
fun stuff and finally. Some of the questions are easy, other may need a little
more thought and some may cause our author friends to hesitate before answering—still, they all
answer.
We haven't had a hot seat guest for a while so I'm really excited to introduce you to J.M. Adele, a wonderful author and brave woman for taking on the Hot seat challenge. As part of her appearance J.M. is giving you all a chance to win a copy of her book, Sensing You. Entry details can be found at the end on this post.
So without further adieu, take it away, J.M.
Getting Started:
Tell
us about your latest book. What was your inspiration for writing it, is it part
of an ongoing series, the characters, the genre etc?
My
latest book, Sensing You, is the first in a three-part series of standalones. I’d
describe them as romantic suspense with a paranormal/supernatural flavour, with
the heroines in each book having extra abilities.
I
guess I have a fascination with all things paranormal after some weird
experiences working as a nurse on night duty. Ronnie’s character started to
take shape and tell me her story. I had to write this book.
About your writing:
How many books
have you written during your career so far and which is your favorite?
I’ve
written five so far, but not all are published. I have another five in the
works. I have so many ideas it’s hard for me to keep up with them all.
I will
always have a soft spot for Remembering Home. It wasn’t supposed to start a
series, but the supporting characters kept evolving after I’d finished and I
had to tell all their stories, too.
Have any of your books received negative reviews and how did you handle the situation?
No.
I’ve had a three-star review (totally respectable in my opinion) where the
reviewer brought up some valid points. I know it’s inevitable. If the review is
constructive then it’s going to help me grow as an author. I’m okay with that.
No one will ever be a harsher critic of my work than I am. If the reviewer just
wants to have a go then I’m okay with ignoring it. Everyone is entitled to
their opinion, and I don’t have to take all of them on board.
Do you believe in writer’s block and if so, how do you overcome it?
Yeah.
Writer’s block happens when I haven’t done enough research, or I’m trying to
force the characters in a direction they don’t want to go. Or I’m just so brain
fried that I need a break!
Best
thing to do is keep working. Just write whatever garbage comes out, and maybe
some clarity will ensue.
What is the one genre you would never
write and why?
I
can’t see myself writing horror. I’d freak myself out!
Have you ever
written a book that you’ve regretted publishing and why?
No.
Hopefully I never will.
If a reader
said they wanted to write a book, what advice would you give them?
Do
it. Sit your butt down and write, but read first. Read a lot. Pick apart
everything you read. Make notes about what you liked or didn’t like in each
story. Notice how the characters were developed and how the story line evolves
to build intrigue.
Write
and rewrite. Let it rest and then rewrite again. And again. Get an impartial
person to read what you’ve written. Read books on the craft. A writer should
never stop working on improving their craft.
Tell us what a
typical day in your life is like?
Haha.
Typical. Right. I have three boys, two of whom have special needs, so ‘typical’
isn’t so typical in my house.
On
a good day I’ll get up early to exercise. It keeps me sane and it’s my ‘me’
time.
Then
it’s all about getting the kids off to their therapy and/or school.
When
my four - year - old is home I’ll do some chores between keeping him
entertained and doing some admin stuff for the business.
On
the days that he’s at school I write.
After
school I help with homework, get the dinner on, shower the kids and read bedtime
stories. The usual.
Then
I write until late.
On
a bad day it’s all about dealing with difficult behaviours, and physical
challenges. Some days everything else goes to crap. I have to adjust depending
on the kids.
I
make sure I meditate before bed. Seriously. If you haven’t tried meditating you
are missing out on some good stuff. That is also my ‘me’ time.
What sort of things put you in a bad mood?
Not
getting time to write. I get snappy.
People
judging others without ever walking in their shoes.
Injustice.
Petrol
price hikes on pay day. WTF!?
Buying
something a day before it goes on sale. Also, WTF!?
Do you have a bucket list and what’s one thing you still want to do that you
haven’t done?
My
bucket list is so long. Travel features repeatedly. I’m determined to tick rock
climbing off the list this year.
What makes you
laugh?
I have a cheeky sense of humour. Sarcasm and clever
observations will get a laugh out of me. Stupid movies. People falling
awkwardly (no serious injuries). Cats getting jump scared... There’s a long
list.
What is the most embarrassing
thing you’ve ever done?
Yeah, I’m not sharing that.
(Again, there’s a long list to choose from. Awkward is my middle name.)
Do you like to read and what are you reading at the moment?
Hi my name is Jen and I’m a
reading addict. I’m currently reading Story Fix by Robert McKee, among others.
(Another long list.)
If you couldn’t write anymore,
what would you do instead?
Ack! What!?
I’d rock myself in the corner.
Fun Stuff:
If you could go out with one famous person who would it be and why?
We’re not talking date, right?
P!nk. She knows how to have a good time, she’s
unapologetic about who she is, but she knows how to poke fun at herself. She
stands up for what she believes in and she’s got bucket loads of talent, and
tenacity. My kind of person.
Do you have a habit that drives your partner/friends/family nuts and
what is it?
Another long list!
I tend to overload myself and then crash. I read too
much.
In your opinion, what makes a person attractive?
Intelligence, a sense of humour, and compassion.
What is the strangest food
you’ve ever eaten?
Crocodile. Tastes like chicken.
Would you rather have a
classic 1969 convertible Mustang or have the use of a beach side condo any time
you want?
The condo! Bugger the Mustang.
My brothers will gasp if they ever read that.
And finally:
Would you rather
survive an apocalyptic event (yes, even a zombie apocalypse) or die instantly without
knowing what happened to your family and friends?
Fight to the death! I’d have to
survive to take care of my family and friends. I’m still a care giver.
I hope you've enjoyed hearing from J.M. it's been a pleasure featuring her on the blog. Thanks J.M. :)
A look at Sensing You by J.M Adele
Gift
or curse?
Ronnie has inherited her granny’s gift of a sixth sense. But for her it’s not a
gift, it’s a curse. She’s unable to trust anybody with her secret, unable to
form any meaningful relationships beyond what she has with the woman who shares
her abilities. She’s learned to hide behind a solid wall of bitchiness.
When the ghost of a persistent young woman infiltrates Ronnie’s world, she can
no longer avoid the visions plaguing her. Reluctantly, she starts to open up to
friendship, happiness and love, discovering that fate has more surprises in
store for her future than she imagined. Including a man who might actually be
able to understand the pain she harbours under her tough exterior.
But as she learns more about her gift she finds herself in situations she isn’t
prepared for. Now she’s in grave danger.
Will she be able to stop a madman before she becomes his next target?
*WARNING: this book is intended for mature audiences due to adult themes and
situations. Some scenes may be confronting for some readers. If you’re at risk
of triggering, please consider whether you should read this. *
Buy Links
Excerpt:
She was
up. I leaned back a bit so I had a view down the hallway. The bathroom door
opened revealing Veronica in a purple tank top and… were those shorts or
knickers? Her mass of dark curls moved free and wild. She rubbed her eyes as
she walked towards me, heading for the kitchen. Those legs, that hair. Those legs. I was amazed this woman was
for real, to be honest.
She dropped
her hands as she reached the counter, and squealed when she spotted me watching
her.
“Morning,
Veronica.” The look on her face was priceless. I let the chuckle escape.
“What
the fuck do you think you’re doing?” Arms akimbo, stormy eyes, she set my heart
on fire. The flame dimmed at the sight of the dark circles under her eyes.
I
grinned at her outrage, and moved inside, wanting to get closer and take away
whatever troubled her. “Enjoying the morning show.”
She
rolled her eyes and opened the fridge to grab the apple juice. I made a mental
note to keep the apple juice stocked.
“Hurry
up and get your running gear on, we’re leaving in five.”
She
paused mid gulp with her cheeks puffed out. The glass clinked on the counter as
she set it down, swallowing loudly. “I beg your pardon?”
She was
putting on her stern-librarian voice. I bet that worked on most people. She
liked to keep everyone at a distance. Not gonna happen with me because it was
making me hard. Made me want to rough her up, and show her who was in charge.
“Four
minutes.”
Her
dark chocolate eyes grew wide as her delectable lips parted. I noted the pulse
on her neck as it jumped. She liked it when I took charge. Interesting. A smile
tugged at my mouth. “Three minutes. If you don’t change out of those pyjamas,
the neighbourhood is going to know what you sleep in.”
She
made a strangled sound. “Okay, bossy boots. Sheesh.”
She had
to brush past me as she navigated the kitchen counter. I breathed in deeply.
Her scent wrapped around my chest, and drew my balls up tight. She made me
want. She made me need. She made me forget.
In less
than two minutes, she was standing in front of me ready to go, wearing black
Skins and a fluorescent yellow, razor-back singlet. Her baseball cap dangled
from one hand, and sunglasses from the other. I reached out to take them from
her.
“You
won’t be needing those. We’ll be back before the sun breaks.”
She
held her hands up in dismay. Her phone was strapped to her arm. I ripped off
the Velcro, taking that, too.
She put
her hand over mine. “No. I need to have music when I run.”
I
slowly shook my head. “You need to let your mind wander. Listen to the hum of
the morning. Let yourself relax and mull things over. I do my best thinking
when I run. Pictures of designs start flicking through my head. It’s
liberating. Better than therapy.”
“Everything’s
better than therapy.” She bit her lip as she let that slip.
I
might’ve found a kindred soul. Her eyes told me she knew pain. The kind that I
did. I almost felt like a prick for taking away her safety blanket. Almost.
I
placed her things on the kitchen bench. Before I could stop myself, my thumb
pressed on her chin to free her lip. “Please stop that, it’s very distracting.”
I heard
her soft gasp. Her huge eyes seemed too innocent. It was such a contradiction
to the independent, sassy girl I’d come to know.
I let my hand drop and turned
towards the door. “Let’s go.” Without waiting for her response, I headed out
the front, hoping she’d follow.
About the Author:
Former nurse, reluctant
romantic, and chocolate lover, J.M. Adele, is the author of paranormal and
contemporary romance, and romantic suspense. After years of indulging in
her addiction to reading, her own characters started to tell their stories.
They were relentless, forcing her to put pen to paper and release them into the
world. She also owns and runs The Flare Up book blog where she shares her reading obsession.
On most days you can find her
running between the desk, and wrangling her three boisterous boys while
carrying a book in one hand. When everyone else drifts off to dreamland she
escapes into the worlds conjured by the characters in her head.
Follow J.M.
Giveaway:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
If you haven't heard of One Night in Sydney yet, here's a preview.
