Welcome Jaye Garland, author of “The 25th Hour”

Jaye GarlandI’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 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.

Welcome Guest Author Selena Fulton

Selena FultonIt’s my pleasure to welcome author Selena Fulton to the blog today. She’s going to tell us a little about her latest release, Never Let Go, a touching time travel romance. Selena’s graciously offering an e-book to one lucky commenter. Be sure to leave your comment by Saturday, June 15. The winner will be announced by Monday, June 17.

Welcome, Selena. Please tell us a little about Never Let Go.

Kendra Prescott, a high-powered Atlanta real estate broker, is sent England to coax the owner to sell a beautiful cottage. Never Let Go CoverFamily portraits line the stairway, and Kendra finds one man, Benjamin Sheffield fascinating. Too bad he lived almost two centuries ago.

In eighteen sixty-three, Benjamin Sheffield escaped England because of a trumped-up murder charge. He came to America to disappear in the vast Western frontier, but is delayed by a little thing called the War Between The States.

When Kendra falls and loses consciousness, she wakes up in the middle of Civil War torn Georgia. She doesn’t know what happened to the cottage, but when she sees Ben, she realizes he is the key, her only chance of returning to her own time. Trouble is, now that she’s met him, she isn’t sure she wants to.

Selena, if you could live during any era in time, when would that be? Why?

I would say the antebellum era because of the beautiful dresses. On second thought, all those clothes were hot and no air conditioning! I’m content to live in Florida where I can wear flip-flops and shorts most of the year.

What’s your favorite guilty pleasure?

Dove dark chocolate. Love the silky way it melts on my tongue.

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?

I would have a house right on the beach so I could walk the beach every day, and let the sound of the surf sing me to sleep.

What’s your favorite quotation?

You have brains in your head. You have feet in your shoes. You can steer yourself, any direction you choose.

Dr. Seuss

You wake up in Oz. Which would you rather possess: flying monkeys or Toto?

Toto. He was soooo cute!

What’s your all-time favorite movie?

There are quite a few, but I think my favorite is South Pacific. I love the ocean, love all those cute sailors, and oh Emile! Love men with accents.

If you could wake up stranded on a desert island with one celebrity hunk (actor, athlete, musician, etc.), who would it be? Why?

Tom Selleck. ::sigh:: I once had a dream about him. Let’s just say it was a nice one. 😉

Thanks for stopping by today, Selena. Don’t forget to leave a comment for a chance to win this terrific story.