Monday, August 1, 2011

A Moment With AJ

This is a very special moment for me. I met AJ via an online Critique Group. She was the first to respond to my query and it has been the biggest blessing of my writing career. Without her guidance, wit, and none-too-gentle nudges, Seducing His Wife would still sit on my hard drive, as well as a few other stories. AJ's critiques also prepared me for the editorial process.  She was harder on me than my editor. :-)
I've babbled on long enough. Take it away AJ!


Thank you so much for having me on your blog, Telly! I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to share in the promotion of Seducing His Wife! 

Tell the readers a little about yourself.
Well, I was raised the middle child of three girls, and contrary to the old adage “middle children are always ignored”, I preferred a solitary lifestyle growing up. My mother likes to tell stories of how I often hid out in my bedroom with a book or journal, completely content to be left alone behind the closed door. In fact, whenever she came to check on me (food, water – you know, the necessities), I usually said, “Thanks, now go away.” Every Christmas I found a blank book waiting for me beneath the tree, and after I left home for college, I started buying them myself. I dabbled with writing a little during my early twenties, but soon realized I needed life to knock me around a bit before I settled into a serious writing career. 

As an author, do you take time to read? If so, what do you like to read and who is/are your favorite author/s?
I think it is imperative that each author MAKE time to read. Nothing sets my teeth on edge more than this sentence. “I don’t have time to read.” Are you kidding? Who does have time to read? But that’s like a baker saying I don’t have time to eat, or an artist saying I don’t have time to visit galleries. If you want to be a good author, reading is a requirement. My favorite authors include Jacqueline Carey (the Kushiel Series), Patrick Ruthfoss, C.S. Lewis, J.R.R. Tolkien, Anne Rice, Stephen King, Terry Goodkind – as you probably gathered, I’m sort of a paranormal junkie.

If you could go anywhere in the world on a romantic getaway, what would you do and where would you go? 
Oooo…this is a toughy. I’ve always wanted to go to Hawaii and tour the active volcanoes. I find natural land formations fascinating. But, for a romance get-away, I think my first choice would be the city of love, Paris. My husband and I could just walk around the city, see the architecture, have coffee at an outdoor cafĂ©, visit the Louvre and stroll along the Champs Elysees. I can’t think of anything more romantic.

If you could live the life of one of your characters who would you be? 
Okay, what the heck kind of trick question is this? How could I possibly ever decide? I think I would want to be Jillian Parkes, from my latest WIP, entitled Flicker. She’s had a tough time, lived through a lot of heartbreak and disappointment. But, she also gets to spend her nights with Grayson Greer, local fireman and devastatingly handsome heart-throb.

The tag line on my blog is ‘Indulge Your Inner Romantic.’ What do you do to indulge? 
I have several guilty pleasures. Big gaudy rings for example, chocolate, shoes, books, writing… But mostly, ever since my husband and I put a large swimming pool in the backyard, and especially since the nights have been so…er, warm (?), skinny dipping has been our romantic indulgence. Does that count? 

If you only buy one book this summer, make sure you buy a copy of  Jezebel's Wish. I absolutely LOVED this book. Keep reading for the blurb and excerpt. Or watch the awesome trailer.

Jezebel’s Wish Blurb:
Haunted by nightmares, tormented by guilt, Jezebel came to Redemption Ranch to escape the past—except now she's stuck in the middle of nowhere with no redemption in sight. When her mother pushes her into riding lessons with local veterinarian Matthias Saunders, Jezebel balks. Sure, the doctor is gorgeous, but he’s completely obnoxious and knows how to push every one of her buttons.
Only her deep connection with The Reverend, a gentle stallion who guards her darkest secrets, has her agreeing to spend any more time with Dr. Saunders. Caring for the stallion is the first bright spot in her life in months, and if being around the horse means she has to deal with Matthias Saunders, then so be it. Surely a city girl like her can handle one country vet—even one with disturbing blue eyes. Can't she?
Jezebel’s Wish Excerpt:
Jezzy stopped. “I thought I was having a riding lesson.”
“You are.” He nodded toward the empty paddock. “Go in.”
“Go in?” Jezzy propped a hand on her hip. “You sure you know what you’re doing? Because it was my understanding that an actual horse is needed for a riding lesson.”
“Don’t you think it would be wise at this juncture to leave the understanding up to the professionals?”
Jezzy rolled her eyes. “You’re making this way too easy. Professionals? Please. Don’t get me started.”
“Why not? Getting you started is exactly what I’m here for.”
Jezzy’s jaw dropped. She didn’t quite know how to interpret that remark.
He held out the rope. “Now go in. And take this lead line with you.” Steely blue determination glinted in his eyes. There was no way he was going to give in. 
Jezzy snatched the lead line from his hand and stormed through the gate, then turned when he closed it behind her.
He put a foot on the bottom railing and rested against the gate, facing the horizon. “Take the chair to the center of the paddock and sit down.”
“And just exactly how is that supposed to teach me to ride?”
He cocked an eyebrow. “You want out of the deal?”
Jezzy’s fist clenched tight around the lead line. What she wanted was to march back to the fence and smack his face.
AJ Nuest lives in northwest Indiana with her loving husband and two beautiful children. She is the author of two contemporary romance novels.
Visit her on the web at:
Facebook: Tattered Pages http://tinyurl.com/3qvxyn6

Jezebel’s Wish Buy Links:
The Wild Rose Press:  http://tinyurl.com/446f7r3



21 comments:

Lynn Chantale said...

Hi AJ, thanks for stopping by. Feel free to help yourself to the chocolate, strawberries, and other goodies.

AJ Nuest said...

It is my utmost pleasure to be here with you, wlynn! And I'm laughing at your comment about being tougher on you than your editor...er, sorry about that?? No, not really. You know I'm not sorry. I'm GLAD! Because you got published BABY! Whoo Hoo!! I'm grinning from ear to ear! Big hugs and congrats, my friend!

Jennifer Jakes said...

Skinny dipping, huh? ;)
And everything Lynn said about JEZEBEL'S WISH is so true! It's a great read!
Fun interview, ladies!
All the best -

Ju Dimello said...

Great to meet you, AJ! Loved reading about your guilty pleasures ;) Count chocolate+strawberries as mine,and, of course, book!!!! ;) ..haven't dared think about skinny dipping..LOL!

Jezebel's wish sounds like a fab book! Congrats on the release..

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

O.
M.
G.

Where do I start? I'm betwixt and between here. AJ, I've read you book and love, Love, LOVED it. W.Lynne, I've got yours in my Kindle...waiting.

Now, on to my OMG moment. If we were to take a poll of happily married men in Indiana, I think we all know whose husband would be at the top, grinning and waving his beach towel. You go, girl!!!

AJ Nuest said...

Hi Jen! Upon reflection, I'm thinking the man talked me into buying this pool for one purpose only. Hmmm... Can't say as I'm complaining, tho! :-)

AJ Nuest said...

Hi Ju! Chocolate and strawberries - oh yes! Definitely at the top of my most favorite things list! Thanks for stopping by and visiting!

AJ Nuest said...

LOLOLOL Vonnie, you CRACK me up! I'm trying to think of the last time I DIDN'T laugh when you left me a comment. Oh...you are so funny. Well, as far as I can tell, the dh isn't complaining. I do have to say though, the water temp needs to be at least 89 or its a "no go for launch" if you know what I mean...ahem...

Vonnie Davis ~ Romance Author said...

AJ to God at bedtime:
Dear God, thank you for the heat wave!!

Lynn Chantale said...

LOL! Too funny! Hmm. I might have to try skinny dipping myself.

AJ Nuest said...

And all this time you ladies thought I hated the heat...heh, heh, heh...boy did I ever have YOU fooled! And wlynn, my advice! DO IT! Um...depending on the populace of your neighborhood. Nothing here but wide open sky and lots of very tall corn!

Lynn Chantale said...

Hmm. Tall trees. a cornfield, and a creek. I think we can do that.

LaVerne Clark said...

Hmmmm...now THATS why I love Winter (lucky me its Winter here now!). We're surrounded by neighbours so the pool is a no-go, but a roaring fire, glass or two of wine and the curtains drawn come a close second : )

Like everyone who's read Jezebel's Wish, I loved it. And I can't wait to download yours wlynn! Congrats on your debut novel!! The best feeling in the world isn't it?!

Mona Risk said...

AJ, I must agree with you. I love going to Paris and I don't mind hot weather. After all I live in South Florida.

Luanna Stewart said...

Fun interview. I'd love to visit Paris with my hubby, and then we'd return to Venice.

Lynn Chantale said...

Hi LaVerne. Thanks. I am having a blast with all the festivities.

Thanks everyone for stopping by.

AJ Nuest said...

Thanks, LaVerne! I do have to agree about the crackling fire and a glass of wine...hmmm...very enticing. Hugs and thanks for all the great words about JW!

AJ Nuest said...

Ah, Mona, the beautiful city of Paris! It's on my bucket list. May we both get there one day, my friend!

AJ Nuest said...

Hi Lu/Grace! Thanks for stopping by for a visit! I've heard Venice is amazing. Yep, definitely have to go there -- I mean, as long as we're in the neighborhood! Hugs!!

AJ Nuest said...

Lynne, just wanted to say thanks so much for hosting me today! What a great turn out and so many fun ladies! I'll be glad to return the favor any time, my sweet! Hugs and have a great night!

Margaret Tanner said...

Hi AJ,
Skinny dipping now that sounds very romantic. BUT At one house we lived in, we had a spa pool, jaccuzi I think you Americans might call it, and hubby and I used to sneak out in the dark and discard our clothes, but we spent most of the time laughing and snickering about how naughty we were, and didn't do anything ele much.

Regards

Margaret