I'm so excited to have author, Jenn Nixon, on Creating the WRITE Reality today. Why? Because it's launch day for Jenn's new novel, LUCKY PROMISE! It's the third book in her Thriller / Romantic suspense series.
Jenn and I first met last year at an multi-author event down in South Jersey (for you non-Garden State peeps, that's slang for the southern tip of New Jersey). We were two of the five authors who committed to a street fair. It rained. No, it poured. But what a fun day! It was held in an art gallery that was affiliated with a new line of wines. Yes, wine was involved, and then a bunch of us had dinner at a local pizzeria to cap off the seven-hour day. Jenn is also an officer on the board of Liberty States Writer's Group, one of the writing groups that I belong to. Finally, I have to say that Jenn is one of the most positive and upbeat authors that I know. She's just a ball of energy, and super awesome at marketing and the business side of things. But we'll talk about that another time…
So, welcome, Jenn! Thanks for stopping by for an interview, and sharing the excerpt and book info below. Let's get started…
Where did your love of books / storytelling / reading / writing /etc. come from?
On my 13th birthday a family member gave me a few Nancy Drew books and a Diary. The combination of the two, at the same time, definitely got me interesting in reading and writing. I never looked at the diary writing as real writing for a while, but it was one of those things I did all the time and eventually it became a habit. The reading took a little longer but I read a lot when I got to High School and found subjects I liked.
How long have you been writing?
Not counting the diary writing, I’ve been writing on and off since High School. I started out writing poetry for the most part, eventually “graduated” to fan fiction before it was even a thing on the internet, and finished my first original piece in the late 1990s.
What genres do you write in?
I like to write what interests me at the moment. This can be a problem because many people want authors who write the same genre book most of the time. I tend to bounce back and forth between genres depending on the story stuck in my head. I’ve written Kids SciFi, YA SciFi-Fantasy, Romantic Suspense, Mystery, Romantic SciFi, Erotic SciFi.
I have an idea floating around my head right now for a Paranormal Urban Fantasy series, but it may end up being fused with my current Romantic SciFi series, not sure yet, we’ll see. 🙂
What was the hardest part of writing this or any book?
Getting to the end. I’m what the writing world likes to call a pantser. We write “by the seat of our pants” meaning we don’t generally have a full plot idea planned or outlined, we create the characters, setting, general motion of the story and let the characters take over. For me, this is great for my creativity, not so great for finishing a novel.
While I always have an idea where the book will go and how it will end, when you allow your character to dictate which way they go, it tends to change what you have in mind.
It just happened to me last week. I even wrote it down. Characters A & B would go one place and Characters C & D would go somewhere else. I had it WRITTEN DOWN! I even had an idea what would happen when each group got to their location. When I started writing, Character B said she’d go with D and I was like, WHAT? NO!
Sometimes they win, sometimes they don’t. Not sure how the above scenario will play out but for now, the character won this battle.
What did you enjoy most about writing Lucky’s Promise?
Cracking Lucky open emotionally and getting her to finally, FINALLY, admit how she really felt about Kenji. That and everything in Kenji’s POV. He easily became one of my favorite characters. 🙂
What do you like to read in your free time?
I’m a big Jack Reacher fan. I read all those books as soon as they come out. Lately, I’ve been reading more indie and small press authors. I tend to lean toward Suspense and Thrillers, though I have been reading a bit more Fantasy and Paranormal.
What projects are you working on at the present?
Right now I’m working on book two in a Romantic SciFi-Fantasy series.
Awesome! Thanks for stopping by Jenn!
Title: Lucky's Promise
Author: Jenn Nixson
Publisher: WCP
Release Date: 7/21/2015
ISBN: 978-1-61798-157-9
Genre(s): Romance/Suspense/Thriller/Romantic Suspense
Heat Rating: sweet
Price: $4.99
Blurb:
After years of searching for her mother’s killer, Felicia “Lucky” Fascino is finally on the right track. With the help of her family, and on-again off-again boyfriend, Kenji Zinn, Lucky is getting closer to fulfilling the unspoken promise she made to her adoptive father.
As the group continues to dig deep into the assassin’s network, and search for the elusive Quimby, ties to the past come back full circle, endangering everyone Lucky loves and cares for. It’s only a matter of time before their secret is uncovered.
PURCHASE:
All Romance eBooks:
Amazon: http://bit.ly/LuckysPromise
iTunes: http://bit.ly/LuckysPromiseiTunes
Barnes & Noble: — this one will be ready by release date
Kobo: http://bit.ly/LuckysPromiseKobo
OmniLit:
Wild Child: http://bit.ly/LuckysPromiseWCP
ABOUT JENN: When not writing, she spends her time reading, observing pop culture, playing with her two dogs, and working on various charitable projects in her home state of New Jersey.
Author website: www.jennnixon.com
Author contact email: je*******@gm***.com
EXCERPT from LUCKY PROMISE:
Felicia swung her chair in his direction and said: “Are you going to tell me what’s wrong?”
“No.”
“Why not?” she said, bordering on a screech.
“It is the same conversation. ‘You can trust me, Felicia.’ ‘You can talk to me, Felicia.’ ‘I’m here for you, Felicia.’”
“You’re still mad because I didn’t want to talk about my crappy ass life while we were on vacation?” He lifted an eyebrow to make a statement, and her whole face flushed. “We were on vacation!”
“With no distractions. With no interference. Just you and I…and still you refused me every time I tried.”
“Fine. What do you want to know?” Kenji stared at her as she rose from the chair and hitched her fists on her hips. Her head jerked to the right, both eyebrows lifted on her forehead. “Well?”
“Humph,” he said, tossing the remote onto the bed and stalking into the living room across the hall. She wouldn’t answer his question, so he didn’t even bother asking. He went to the wet bar in the far corner. Searching through the miniature refrigerator, Kenji grumbled, finding nothing but wine.
“Phen and I are going to meet after breakfast and talk about the job.”
He glanced back. Felicia stood in the doorway, her hands in front of her body, fingers twisted together like a frightened child. A complete turnaround, again. It wasn’t an act; everything about her said she was scared. Why? Couldn’t she confide in him by now? His frustration threatened to swell again, and he was backing her into a corner. If he pushed, they would fight, and he didn’t want that. Not right now. Kenji sat down in the leather love seat and rubbed his temple.
She didn’t move from her position, but her heavy sigh filled the room. “It’s my last one before he puts me up as the new safety. I’m going to need some pointers….”
He bobbed his head but didn’t look up.
“Is it more than…me not talking?” she squeaked.
Kenji came close to spilling everything. Forcing her to face the feeling he had for her was unfair. Making her talk when she wasn’t ready seemed cruel. Confessing his fear for her safety would make him appear overprotective and controlling. The fury he felt, he didn’t completely comprehend himself. Discussing the situation with Taro was the only thing he could mention and remain truthful.
“I am still aggravated with myself.”
“I told you outside the restaurant it didn’t matter anymore. It’s over and done. I trust you, and if you trust your brother…it’s cool, babe.” Her disposition continued to change, now that he no longer pressed her.
“It will never happen again,” he said, adding a grumble.
“I know.” She moved into the living room and sat down on the coffee table between the two sofas. Felicia reached out, took his hand. He held back the rest of the clutter racing through his head. She bent her head down to look him in the eyes. “We okay?”
“Yes, beleza, we are.”