Contest Author Interview – Jewel Adams

(NOTE: If you haven’t yet heard about the contest I’m running through September 24th, go here to see all the prizes and details and please think about entering. After all, there’s no limit on number of entries and there are many ways to enter. If you’ve already entered, remember that leaving a comment about this interview earns you another entry!)

Jewel Adams has been writing for about 20 years and though she’s tackled different genres, her heart keeps leading her back to romance–clean romance, that is. It’s no wonder that she’s the president-elect of Utah Romance Writers of America. Let’s get straight to the nitty gritty, shall we? And by that, I mean snack food. Any writer worth his/her salt needs regular supplies of snackage. Jewel’s snack of choice is a bit different.

Me:  Okay, when and why did you get hooked on orange Tic Tacs? Usually, female writers have a thing for chocolate? Why doesn’t chocolate do it for you?

Jewel:  Well, I’ve always enjoyed popping a Tic Tac or two, but a few years ago, I decided to save money and buy the big 4-packs of orange Tic Tacs. I found I enjoyed them so much, I started popping ten at a time, and though I still enjoy chocolate, there is just something about the burst of flavor that comes with a small handful of those little orange jewels. My thought process speeds up, I type faster, jump higher, all kinds of things. My family calls it my drug of choice:-)

(I see…Excuse me while I unwrap another Hershey’s Miniature.)

Me:  You’re mainly known as a romance writer. What sets your romances apart from the usual romance?

Jewel:  I do interracial inspirational romance. At first, I wrote it because that is what I know (my husband is white), but I discovered there was an untapped market for BW/WM romance novels. My stories are clean but passionate and I’ve been really blessed to gain the die-hard fans I have.

Me:  How long have you been writing, and how did you manage to fit it in while having and raising 8 children?

Jewel:  Oh, a long time. My first book was traditionally published in 1998. It was an interracial YA romance that I’ve since pulled apart and integrated parts of the story in other novels because the writing was so terrible. Since I’ve always home-schooled my kids, I used to do a lot of noon-time and late-night writing. I only have two left that I am still teaching, but since they are older, I basically fit it in anywhere I can. But I’m still a night owl because that’s when my thoughts really flow.

Me:  I’m not a romance reader, so I may be displaying my ignorance here, but have you ever written a romance in which the hero was less than handsome, or is that just not allowed? If not, why not?

Jewel:  For the most part my heroes are pretty smashing in the looks department, but I did write a novelette about a woman who falls for a disfigured man. He was once a firefighter until he was injured on duty, and half his face was badly scarred, like Phantom of the Opera scarred. But the woman fell in love with his heart, and to her, he was beautiful. It’s one of my favorites.

(In case, you’re doubting the “pretty smashing” phrase, have a look at her latest)

Me:  What other genres have you tried and are you still writing other genres?

Jewel:  I have a couple of chapter books that have gotten great responses from both kids and adults. It’s an adventure series that was a blast to write. I also do romantic fantasy, which I thought would be pretty challenging, but in both series I was pleased with the finished product.

Me:  Okay, let’s say it’s time to start drafting yet another romance. What do you do to get yourself in the mood to write about love? And is there a particular location, either inside your house or outside, that is more conducive to penning such stories?

Jewel:  I always tell people my husband is the reason I’m such a romantic because he is. So I’m always in the mood . . . to write, that is:-)  Every time I get done with a story and tell myself I am going to take a break, my brain doesn’t listen, so I usually end up having an idea pop into my head just as I am about to turn off the lamp and go to sleep. I just have to jot it down before I can sleep.

(I think it may have something to do with all those Tic Tacs . . .)

Me:  Please describe your writing process at least up to the point before which your brain feels fried.

Jewel:  When I get a new idea for a story, I begin and just let it take me wherever. Sometimes I begin, and then skip to the end before coming back to the beginning. As long as I know where the story will start and how it will end, it’s easier to fill in the rest, especially with novellas and novelettes. I don’t really have a set amount of time I write. I just do it until I need to stop to do other things, like clean the house, cook, do laundry, and other things I try to avoid:-)

(I hear you. Laundry? What’s that?)

Me:  Finally, which writers inspire you the most?

Jewel:  Wow, there are so many, but some of my favorites are Dorothy Keddington, Phillipa Gregory, Carol Warburton, Marcia Lynn McClure, Richard Paul Evans, Melissa de la Cruz, and so many more.

(Carol, are your ears burning?)

If you’d like to learn more about Jewel and her writing, check her website or her blog.

Originally posted 2012-08-29 06:00:45.

“Moleskine Monday” – A Contest!

Since this is my “N” for “Networking” day, let’s test the power of social networking in a contest to spread the word on my soon-to-be-released novel, A NIGHT ON MOON HILL.

Back Cover Copy:

Swimming is Daphne’s one refuge–until the night she finds a body in her pool.

University professor and renowned author Daphne Lessing has never felt at ease in society. But a disturbing occurrence in her once calm and controlled existence suddenly unearths events from her past and thrusts an unusual child into her life.

Ten-year-old Eric has Asperger’s syndrome and is obsessed with fishing and angels. Soon, Daphne finds herself attached to him–and faced with a choice: Does she leave him and return to her solitary, ordered life, trusting others to do right by him, or does she allow this bright child to draw her into the world she has tried to shun? And what about the man that came into Daphne’s life with Eric? Will she be able to shut him out as well?

Details: (Note: Entry details are at the bottom of the post)

The contest will run from August 20th to September 24th (the day before my launch party). This being “Moleskine Monday,” prizes have to include Moleskine products, right? What writer doesn’t love Moleskine notebooks? What reader doesn’t love Moleskine journals in which to jot their favorite passages? And what artist doesn’t love Moleskine sketch notebooks?

Also, every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday, I will feature an interview with an author who has donated his/her own fiction as a prize.

Prizes Include:

  •  1 Sony 7″ Digital Photo Frame (Again, only those who’ve subscribed to my newsletter AND “liked” my new FB page for A NIGHT ON MOON HILL are eligible for this prize)
  • 1 Moleskine Writing Gift Set

  • 1 Moleskine Rechargeable USB Book Light

  • 3 Moleskine Passions Book Journals (I have one…they’re great!)

  • 4 Moleskine Classic Ruled Extra-Small Notebooks (like the kind Daphne has in the story…only hers is black…these are green, violet, orange yellow, and magenta)

And books…lots of books!

  • A free copy of Margaret Turley’s SAVE THE CHILD, a fictional story of one family’s struggle to save a child from cancer

  • A free PDF of Tristi Pinkston’s amusing mystery, SECRET SISTERS
  • A free copy of Liz Adair’s latest mystery, COLD RIVER, her Whitney Winner, COUNTING THE COST, or a set of her SPIDER LATHAM mysteries

  •  An ebook bundle of romances from Jewel Adams including: BEAUTIFUL IN MY EYES, AGAINST THE ODDS, STILL HIS WOMAN – AN AGAINST THE ODDS NOVELETTE, THE LEGACY, THAT KIND OF LOVE – A LEGACY NOVELETTE, THE WISHING HOUR, and GUARDIAN OF MY HEART – A CHALLISSIAN NOVELETTE

  • 2 paperback copies and 3 ebooks of my first book, THE RECKONING

  • A copy of Julie Coulter Bellon’s soon-to-be released (in September) novel, ALL FALL DOWN

  • 3 ebooks of THE SECRET SISTERS CLUB: A GINNIE WEST ADVENTURE by Monique Bucheger
  • 3 copies each of Janette Rallison’s MY FAIR GODMOTHER, MY DOUBLE LIFE, and HOW TO TAKE THE EX OUT OF EX-BOYFRIEND
  • A paperback copy of H.B. Moore’s DAUGHTERS OF JARED
  • Three different ebooks from medieval romance author Joyce DiPastena: LOYALTY’S WEB (for Kindle), ILLUMINATIONS OF THE HEART (for Kindle), and DANGEROUS FAVOR (for Kindle or Nook)
  • One paperback (U.S. only) and 2 ebooks of Cindy M. Hogan’s suspense thriller, WATCHED

  • One copy of Adam Glendon Sidwell’s popular MG novel, EVERTASTER

  • Two of Ali Cross’s YA Paranormals, BECOME (3 ebooks and 1 print) and DESOLATE (3 ebooks and 1 print)
  • One copy (either print or ebook) of Danyelle Ferguson’s and Lynn Parson’s award-winning (dis)ABILITIES AND THE GOSPEL
  • One copy each of Patricia G. Stevenson’s Professor Del Channing’s murder mystery series: THE DILAPIDATED MAN, THE JEZEBEL BRIDE, and THE SHAMROCK CONSPIRACY

  • One copy of THE UNWILLING, the first volume in C. David Belt’s “The Children of Lilith” trilogy

  • And last, but not least, 2 ebooks from Annette Lyon: LOST WITHOUT YOU and AT THE WATER’S EDGE

Other Details:

  • No limit on number of entries
  • No limit on how many prizes can be won by any one person
  • Winners will be drawn using Random.org on September 26th
  • Prizes will be shipped (or emailed) anywhere in the U.S. and Canada (where possible, books will be signed)

 

How to Enter:

  • Join my new newsletter list here on my home page (look for it in the sidebar on the home page) for three entries and a shot at the top two prizes (as long as you also “like” my new book’s FB page)
  • Leave a comment here for another entry (be sure and include your full name) and you get an entry for each comment you make on my author interviews during the contest period (one per author)
  • Blog about the contest and coming book release, including the book cover image and back cover copy posted above in italics (email tanyascontest@gmail.com with the blog link) for two more entries
  • Read the First Chapter here and tell me what clued Daphne in to the body’s identity (email tanyascontest@gmail.com) for three entries
  • “Like” my new Facebook page for A NIGHT ON MOON HILL for another entry and a shot at the top two prizes (as long as you also subscribe to the newsletter)
  • Facebook about the contest and release (email tanyascontest@gmail.com–one FB entry per person)
  • Tweet about the contest and release (email tanyascontest@gmail.com–one Twitter entry per person)

I hope all of this is clear, but if you have any questions, please ask.

Originally posted 2012-08-20 05:00:04.