For those who don't know Jaime, here's a brief bio taken from her website:
Jaime wishes she could say that she was an airline pilot or a former spy or something but the truth is her life’s pretty ordinary.She’s always been drawn to the strange and unexplained, and to the dark side of human nature. She devoured Alfred Hitchcock anthologies, as well as the movies. Loved watching Unsolved Mysteries and true crime television. She credits her warped sense of humor to all those MAD magazines that were always around the house. Don't even get her started on Alfred E. Neuman nightmares. She’s fascinated by what makes people do evil things, but believes the bad guy gets his just punishment.
She’s a Southwest Florida native with a wonderful family and fabulous friends. Under the pen name Tina Wainscott she’s written eighteen other books, mostly paranormal romantic suspense (Check out her website at www.tinawainscott.com.) Under the name Jaime Rush she’s produced the Offspring series, inspired by the romance, action and paranormal elements of such defunct tv shows as The X-Files, Lost, Highlander, and Roswell.
For photos, and interaction, check out her Facebook page. To see what books Jaime’s reading, check out her GoodReads page.
And now...Jaime Rush!
R: Meow, Welcome Jaime.
J: Thanks, Rocco. Glad to be here.
R: Tell us a bit about yourself and how you became interested in writing.
J: I was born in SW Florida and have lived here my whole life. I've always been a storyteller with a big imagination. I used to create plays for my friends when I was a kid, and we'd run all over the neighborhood being chased by bad guys. For some reason my muse has always played on the dark side. The first story I wrote, at age seven, was called Pathways to Death. I know, I was a strange kid!
R: Tell us about your latest Offspring novel, The End of Darkness. What inspired this series?
J: The End of Darkness is a wrap up of the existing characters and plot thread from the ongoing series, but stands alone for new readers. The dark energy that infects Magnus McLeod's soul draws him to an Arizona town in crisis—and a woman with a dangerous ability of her own. Erica Evrard isn't afraid of much, but suddenly she has much to fear. Like Magnus, whose noble heart brings her to life even as his Darkness could kill her. And the group of supernatural humans whose evil plans threaten an entire town.
Magnus appeared in earlier books as a minor character and garnered a lot of reader interest. But there was another surprise character who appeared early on and also captured our attention. I didn't know who Pope was back then, but he became an important player in the Offspring world. So I had to give him a happy ending too. Readers get two romances in one! Which is especially amazing since it's a half-length novel.
I've always been fascinated by psychic abilities and unsolved mysteries. In the Offspring, I took real-life government experiments using those with abilities to remote view (psychic spying) and weaved in danger and betrayal.
R: Do you have an “how I got my agent” story you’d like to share? How did you feel when you got the call your first novel had sold?
J: I'm now on my fourth agent, and it was the easiest switch I ever made. A writer and friend in my RWA chapter joined the Mary Sue Seymour Agency. I was leery about going with a friend, not wanting to mess up our friendship. Nicole Resciniti has always been my biggest champion, and when I saw how hard she was working to make the connections and learn the business, it was a no-brainer. I have honestly never been happier.
I sold my first book waaaay back in 1994. We'd gotten a few rejections, not surprising since it was a different concept. A woman dies and gets a second chance---in another woman's body! The call was vindication that going your own way can work. And of course it was such a thrill.
R: What’s a must have for you when you are writing? What aids the creative process?
J: My "space." I'm lucky that I've always had an office, my own place. Also a view of nature, where I can stare and ponder the next plot point.
R: What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to know about you?
J: I live for creating stories. I rarely take time off. As soon as I finish one project, I'm already immersing myself in the next one. I used to call myself a workaholic, but it’s really just my passion.
R: What is the craziest thing you've ever done?
J: I spent all night at the beach when I was a teenager. By myself, because my friend backed out. Now that I watch crime shows, I realize how risky it was. I would not recommend it!
R: What do you hope readers will most take away from your writing?
J: I aim to enrich and entertain. My characters always have some flaw or vulnerability that the plot will test. I love that at the end, they are stronger for it. And of course, that they find love. Isn't that what we all want? So I want the reader to feel like, if the hero/heroine can overcome all that, so can I. Without people trying to kill me. (LOL)
R: What are you working on at the moment / next?
J: I'm thrilled to be debuting a new PNR series with Grand Central Publishing starting next summer about humans with the essence of gods who walk the knife's edge between the glamour of Miami and a place filled with dark magick and dangerous beauty.
R: Are you a plotter or a pantser?
J: I'm a little of both. I like to have a good handle on my characters and the general plotline, but I leave a lot of the details to the pantser side of me.
R: What do you do when you’re not writing? Any hobbies or party tricks? :)
J: I like swimming and boating. Though I admit to using swimming as a way to brainstorm for writing. I can usually come up with a plot point or solve a problem after about twenty minutes in the pool.
R: Where can we find out more about you and your work?
J: The quick and dirty way is at my website: www.jaimerush.com.
R: Do you have any advice for beginning writers?
J: Never give up. There are so many opportunities out there now to get published, so choose carefully. Aim for your dream publishers first. Don’t sell yourself short.
R:Just for Fun:
Night or Day? Day
Dog or Cat? (answer carefully) I like both, but after not having a dog for eight years, and now having one for the kid, I realize why I love my cat so much. (Big grin from ROCCO - of coruse you do, meow! We are lovable creatures!)
Beach or Pool? Both
Steak or salad? Both
Favorite Drink? Cappuccino
Favorite Book? Outlander, by Diana Gabaldon
Favorite TV Series? Supernatural. Or Grimm. Or Once Upon a Time!
Favorite Movie? While You Were Sleeping
Favorite Actor: Matthew McConaughey
Favorite Actress: Sandra Bullock
Dirty Martini or Pina Colada? Can I have a watermelon martini instead?
Hawaii or Alaska? Hawaii
Finish this sentence: If I could meet anyone in the world, past or present, it would be ___Dalai Lama________________
If I had just one wish, it would be that everyone would accept each other, despite religion, ethnicity, or sexual orientation. We are all God's beloved children, no matter what God you believe in. _______________________________________
If I could trade places with anyone in the world, it would be. I wouldn't trade my life for anyone's permanently. Temporarily, I'd love to trade places with one of those people who live on their sailboat and travel from port to port. And write, of course!
Folks, here's where you can find Jaime!
Author Website: www.jaimerush.com.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JaimeRushBooks
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jaimerush
Friend THE HUMAN on facebook
friend Jaime on Faceook
Follow Jaime on twitter
follow moi on twitter @RoccoBlogger
Tweet or FB about this post/contest (3 extra entries!)
Contest closes midnight, February 3, winner announced February 4.
The winner of our Ilona Andrews givaway was "bigfeller". Congrats!
Next week - Donna Grant in the hoteseat!
Feb. 12 - Jeff Cohen and his friend EJ Copperman talk about EJ's newest release, A Chance of aGhost! Don't miss it!
Feb. 12 - Jeff Cohen and his friend EJ Copperman talk about EJ's newest release, A Chance of aGhost! Don't miss it!
ROCCO
Incredible Blogging Cat
I, too , had 'imaginary' playmates, who I did not realize were imaginary,until I overheard my mother telling someone,(I was about 4).I have to say that our interests,Jaime, are not unlike my own,Or,I guess, the Human's, huh, Rocco?).
ReplyDeleteYou know I'm a friend to Human, you know I subscribe here.I do have a twitter account,(and honestly,I don't remember to check it, but I will see if I'm signed up.) I will repost this on FB...and check out the sites.
Continued success to you,Jaime and enjoy the beach for 5 minutes for we who miss the beach, ended up landlocked and in cold weather!
Hi, Tonette! Thanks for coming by and for sharing the link! I wish I had more time to get to the beach, but it's nice when I do get there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for hosting me, Rocco!
Great post. I am also a lover of Supernatural. Love Sam & Dean.
ReplyDeleteJamie is a new author for me. Will have to check out this series, definately looks good. Thanks for the chance to win.
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