I’m pleased to welcome my friend, author Jaye Garland, as my guest today. Jaye’s going to give away a free ebook to one lucky commenter – the winner will be announced on Monday, September 9. Welcome, Jaye! Please tell us a little about your story, The 25th Hour.
The impossible can be quite simple, actually. Just imagine…. With one stroke of her architect’s eraser, an heiress is chased through time by her father’s murderer and lands in the arms of a 19th century Wyoming rancher. The enduring lovers must find the killer before another life is taken—and the rift in time closes, separating them, forever.
What a terrific read, Jaye! Now, let’s talk about you. What earns a book a place on your keeper shelf, real or virtual?
Memorable characters, setting, and/or a plot that lives on in my mind days, sometimes months and years, after I’ve read the last page. Yes, I have quite a few of those on my keeper shelves and re-read them many times. Gone With The Wind is a great example. I’ve read that book at least six times.
I have quite a few keeper books…I loved the old “gothics” of Barbara Michaels, and Jude Devereaux, Julie Garwood, Amanda Quick, and Teresa Medeiros all have a special place on my shelves.
If you could bring a fictional hero to life, which one would it be? Heathcliff? Mr. Darcy? Mr. Rochester? Tarzan? Captain Mal? One of your own heroes?
Easy answer is Colonel William F. Cody. Yeah baby, I’m talking about Buffalo Bill. While he’s not the hero of my debut novel, THE 25th HOUR, he does make several appearances in that story. I’d love to hear his first-hand accounts of how things really happened back in the late 19th century.
Oh, that would be fascinating…if you ever pull it off, make sure to invite me, too! I’d love to chat!
If you could live during any era in time, when would that be? Why?
Another easy answer. I’d have to pick 1877 which is the time frame of THE 25th HOUR. That way I could interview several of my characters—because they’re all real, right? No? Okay, in all seriousness, I’ve used real-life people and events in that story and they will be making appearances in my next book which is in the final drafting stage. Along with Buffalo Bill, there are a few other real people in this story, too. I’m wondering how many readers will pick up on that—aside from Buffalo Bill.
I love that era, too…essentially the years between the Civil War and the Gilded Age are my favorites for reading and writing…so many exciting changes and adventurous people.
What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?
Cat-napping on a Saturday or Sunday afternoon. I think I gave up sleep when I became a writer. Just not enough time in the day for everything. Oh, and chocolate, of course. Good chocolate.
Chocolate is one of my food groups!
What’s one thing about you that would surprise readers?
I absolutely hate to try on clothes and spend the money to get them, aka: shopping. Please don’t take my Girl Card away, because other than that one flaw, I’m all girly-girl.
Which would you rather possess: flying monkeys or Toto?
You know that meme drifting through Facebook, the one where you only see the shoes and red & white stockinged legs of the Wicked Witch of the West, and she’s saying it’s a good day when you don’t have to release the flying monkeys? Yeah, that would be me.
I’m a flying monkeys gal, too! They’d be so handy to have around the house.
What’s your all-time favorite movie? Why?
I can’t pick just one because I watch these over and over, if nothing else to hear their incredibly fabulous sound tracks: Quigley Down Under, Hunt for Red October, and Medicine Man. Eye candy along with great plots and sound tracks. Triple win!
Great choices…I’d have to add Raiders of the Lost Ark to that list…gotta have me some Indiana Jones.
Do you follow sports? Favorite teams?
I love football and live in Houston, Texas. “GO Texans!”
Jaye, I love football, too. I’m Steelers by marriage…originally a Virginia gal (Redskins), but marriage to a guy from Pittsburgh means you wear a lot of black and gold.
Thanks so much for stopping by and getting to know a little bit about Jaye. Don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win “The 25th Hour”. Or order if for wonderful weekend reading – Here’s the link: http://tinyurl.com/oxjfa7t
A little about Jaye:
Born and raised on the Great Plains, Jaye Garland thrives on ‘what-if’ scenarios by turning ordinary ranch life events into novels steeped in adventure on the American West. Her award winning first novel, THE 25th HOUR, is now available as an eBook on Amazon.com.
Tara Kingston 
Good morning, Tara, and thanks for hosting me today! I’m very excited t be here. Your interview questions made me reach a bit for answers, others were spot-on auto-answers, so you’ve made this a fun process. I’m looking forward to spending the day with you and your readers. Let’s play! 🙂
Great interview, Jaye! Buffalo Bill? I’m sure he would have some very interesting tales to tell!
Hi Linda, thanks for stopping by! You’ve taken a leaf from the branch of historical characters, too. Love your book, Al Capone at the Blanche Hotel. 🙂
Great blog! It would be handy to have a few flying monkeys around the house! I can’t wait to see the appearance of Buffalo Bill in your next book!
Hi Jan, my true-life hero, Buffalo Bill, gets a bigger role in this next story. No flying monkeys make an appearance though. Well, there is that ONE. Ha!
Wonderful interview and I’m looking forward to reading the book. But flying monkeys…really? Imagine the mess! LOL. I’m a dog person, first, last and always.
Great interview!!
Jaye, I hate trying on clothes and SHOES!!! Wishing you tons of luck with THE 25TH HOUR!!!!
Hi Teri! So good to see you here. I could have won some $$$ on your answer to the flying monkeys / dogs question. I grew up on a ranch so we always had a dog around. Mom never let them in the house, though, as Dad had a habit of bringing newborn calves into our enclosed back porch during the winter to save them. She’d had enough ‘livestock’ in her house, and a pet wasn’t an option. Over the years, I’ve had my share of cuddly dogs and cats. Love them! Thanks for stopping by!
Tessy! So good to see you here. I think I’m with you on the shoe thing. Love when they fit and are still comfy after I leave the store. Doesn’t happen all the time, though. Thanks for the good wishes on my debut novel. You were there in the beginning. You ROCK!
Hi Jaye, Excellent Interview! The 25th Hour sounds intriguing…Will add it to my TBR list. Best of luck with sales.
Hi Joanne! I hope you enjoy the story, and thanks so much for stopping by. The interview was a lot of fun, and made me think a bit. Ha!
Jaye the 1877s? No AC, indoor facilities and computer. Have to write long-hand with a pencil. Visit for a day but not live. LOL
Hi there, C.D., nice to see you again!
Yup, the 19th century lacks all the modern conveniences we’ve come to accept as mandatory, but there’s a certain charm in roughing it. Maybe I yearn for those simpler days because I didn’t have any of the things you mentioned when I was a kid. Nope, not one. Seriously! This makes me think I need to write a blog and share how things were ‘back in the day’.I figure if Laura Ingalls Wilder could write all those books by hand, then it can’t be all that bad. LOL! Thanks for stopping by!
Hi Jaye,
Great interview, Tara and Jaye. Jaye, I love the concept of your story and I cant’ wait to get to the book. Lots of luck with your debut 🙂
Hi, Jaye! Sorry to chime in late–but better late than never, right? Great interview, Tara and Jaye! I enjoyed reading it.
Hi there, P.J.!!! Thank you for finding us over here at Tara’s playland. She’s an absolute fabulous host and I’m thrilled to be here. We had a great time putting this together!
Your book sounds so great, Jaye! Love the idea of having some real life folks make an appearance. How weird and wonderful would it be to actually meet someone like Buffalo Bill in his own time?
We’re together on chocolate – it’s a must have! – but we diverge on shopping. I love it. 🙂
Hi Maura!
Sorry I’m so late to reply, but thank you so much for stopping by. Sounds like I need to have you as my shopping consultant. You’d make that fun…and we could top the excursion off with a chocolate treat. 🙂