Jackie M. Smith Interview

I had the pleasure to interview Jackie M. Smith (MJ Smith) recently on her newly published book, "Forever Yours". It was very kind of her to take the time to do this interview and I enjoyed getting to know her and her book better and hope you will too. I have included a prologue of the book below.

Excerpt from Forever Yours by MJ Smith

Prologue
Normandy, France

Liz looked at the starry sky and prayed she’d find the British troops camp in time. The allied invasion began in the French region of Caen. And if the Nazi soldiers found her, she would never go home.

An eerie silence surrounded her. But she knew the enemy patrol was near. And they would arrest anyone involved in the invasion. As she rode Arnaud’s old bicycle down the dirt road, a breath caught in her throat. The calm June night didn’t bring her any comfort or joy. Every little noise brought her uneasiness.

Quickly, Liz changed paths and rode behind some trees and bushes. She heard voices shouting behind her. And their frightening dogs barked incessantly. Her heart hammered in her chest as she pedalled faster. “Over there,” one of the soldiers called out. They approached her way. Liz looked around her, finding a hiding place while they passed by her. The moonlit sky offered some light guiding her way through the thick bushes but it also did not help her in finding the perfect hiding spot.

The voices and barks grew closer and closer.

Liz covered her bicycle with a few leafy branches then she huddled in a ditch. She prayed the soldiers wouldn’t find her. She closed her eyes and saw Philip’s face, remembering the last summer they spent together with their families; so much happened since then. Their love grew into a magical reunion of two souls; an unbreakable bond. Now she had no idea if she would ever see him again.

Glancing around again, she could hear the German soldiers and their dogs a few feet away. Her heartbeat drummed in her ears. Her whole body trembled as tears filled her eyes.

Be brave, she repeated to herself.

Closer and closer still, the soldiers approached the edge of the ditch. Liz brought her legs closer to her trembling body, and she closed her eyes. “Philip. Please come find me,” she whispered.

by MJ Smith, Eloquent Books, © 2009 MJ Smith

INTERVIEW

1. What led you to write a historical romance novel?
I’ve always loved reading historical romance novels so writing this genre came naturally to me.

2. What is your favourite part of writing?
I love creating stories with unique characters and settings.

3. What is your least favourite part of writing?
My least favourite part is the whole editing process. It’s so long and daunting sometimes.

4. What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
I don’t really have a writing quirk. When writing, I do need to sit in a comfortable chair. I write everything by hand first, and then type it.


5. Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
My information comes from different sources. The internet has always helped. Books, tv and documentaries are my major sources. My ideas usually come like flashes. I write them down right away so I don’t forget them.

6. Do you plan to write more historical fiction?
Definitely. I love going back in time and researching events from the past.

7. Would you be interested in writing any other genres?
The other genres I’d like to write are contemporary and paranormal.

8. What do you think makes a good story?
A good story must have believable characters, a unique setting, a sexy hero, and of course, lots of romance.

9. How many books have you written?
Now, I only have one published book. But, I’ve written two more, and working on a third.


10. What are you working on now?
At this moment, I’m editing my second historical romance called A Soldier’s Vow. It’s a story set during WWI France and Belgium where two strangers are united by love and war.

11. What job would have if you were not a writer?
I can’t see myself being anything but a writer. Before deciding to write full time, I was looking for a purpose in life. I worked in call centers, but always felt something was missing. Now I feel complete.

12. What is an interesting fact about you that people may not know?
I’m a huge hockey fan.

13. Anything else you would like to share with your readers?
I’d like to leave you a few links where you may get more information about my work.


http://jmsmithromanceauthor.blogspot.com/
http://jackiemsmith.weebly.com/
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xbz8tg_forever-yours-book-trailer_creation
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xbz9vv_a-soldiers-vow-book-trailer_creation

Dear John Review

Dear John by Nicholas Sparks, 2006

Premise:

When Savannah Lynn Curtis comes into his life, John Tyree knows he is ready to turn over a new leaf. An angry rebel, he had enlisted in the army after high school, not knowing what else to do. Then, during a furlough, he meets the girl of his dreams. Savannah Lynn Curtis is attending college in North Carolina, working for Habitat for Humanity, and totally unprepared for the passionate attraction she feels for John Tyree.The attraction is mutual and quickly grows into the kind of love that leaves Savannah vowing to wait for John while he finishes his tour of duty, and John realizing that he''s ready to settle down with the young woman who has captured his heart.Neither can foresee that 9/11 is about to change the world and will force John to risk every hope and dream that he''s ever had.Like so many proud men and women, John must choose between love and country. And like all those left behind, Savannah must decide to wait or move on. How do we choose wisely? How can we face loss-without giving up on love? Now, when he finally returns to North Carolina, John will discover that loving Savannah will force him to make the hardest decision of his life. An extraordinary, moving story, DEAR JOHN explores the complexities of love-how it survives time and heartbreak, and how it transforms us forever.

Review:

This was a most enjoyable Nicholas Sparks novel full of heart wrenching and tearful scenes. I found the characters to be likeable and thought that John had real depth. He wasn't a typical "hero" but an average man with problems who was insecure and troubled but wanted to change. He showed us his flaws along with his good qualities which I thought made him a character we could connect with and understand.

The character of Savannah was not nearly as good as John and I did not really get a complete picture of what she was really like and what attracted John so strongly to her.

I did enjoy this book very much even though it was very sad. Savannah's love opened John's heart and showed him about true love. In doing so, John was then able to connect with his father on a whole new level and was able to finally appreciate all of the his dad struggled to provide him with growing up.

John really grows so much as a person in this novel it's really more about one's own capacity to love and grow than a romance story. I think the ending is a true testament to John's development into a strong loving person. He loved Savannah enough to let her go. 

 

I am anxious to see the movie and imagine that it will be another cryfest like The Notebook was. I will have to get my tissues ready for when I see it.

 

Rating 4 out of 5 

The Scoop Review

The Scoop by Fern Michaels, 1st book in the Godmother series, 2009, 279 pages.

Premise:

Teresa "Toots" Amelia Loudenberry has crammed a great deal of living-not to mention eight much-loved husbands-into her varied and rewarding life. Newly single, Toots is ready to taste life again, and fate has just handed her the perfect opportunity.

The owner of the gossip rag where Toots's daughter works is about to lose the paper to his gambling debts. Eager to find a way to keep her daughter employed among the movers and shakers of Hollywood, Toots calls on her three trusted friends-Sophie, Mavis, and Ida-to help her pull some strings. Together, they'll hatch a plan that promises thrills, laughter, and more than a hint of danger. Putting aside her widow's weeds (black was never her color), Toots will prove that you should never underestimate a Southern lady of a certain age, and that each day can be a gift, if you're willing to claim it. . .

Review:

I have been a fan of Fern Michaels for quite some time but unfortunately, cannot give this book a glowing review.

I know that this is the first book in her new godmother series, however, felt that the book should be able to stand alone and it did not. This book was entirely a setup book for the series yet to come. We learned about the main characters and their idiosyncrasys but wanted to see them further developed and interesting. There were not many challenges faced in the book and there was no conclusion. It was a very quick read and then it came to a screeching halt and i felt cheated. I couldn't find myself connecting or caring about any of the characters and the animosity emanating between the main characters was very uncomfortable. The godmothers and Toots who are supposed to be best friends, seem to be anything but, I cannot imagine speaking in that manner to my best friends.

Very disappointing start to a series.

Rating 2 out of 5

The Lightning Thief Review

The Lightning Thief by Rick Riordan, 1st Book in the Percy Jackson & The Olympians series, Young Adult, 2005, 375 pages.

Premise:

Percy Jackson is about to be kicked out of boarding school...again. And that's the least of his troubles. Lately, mythological monsters and gods of Mount Olympus seem to be walking straight out of the pages of Percy's Greek mythology textbook and into his life. And worse, he's angered a few of them. Zeus's master lightning bolt has been stolen, and Percy is the prime suspect.

Now Percy and his friends have just 10 days to find and return Zeus's stolen property and bring peace to a warring Mount Olympus. But to succeed on his quest, Percy will have to do more than catch the true thief; he must come to terms with the father who abondoned him; solve the riddle of the Oracle, which warns his of betrayal by a friend; and unravel a treachery more powerful than the gods themselves.

Review:

This was a great adventure and I really enjoyed the Greek mythology. Percy Jackson is a true hero. You get the feeling that even though Percy faces many struggles, he will overcome them all and be able to succeed where others have failed. The premise is wonderful and very creative. They also inject humour throughout the book which makes for a very enjoyable read.

My 11 year old son read the book first and read it quickly as he could not put it down. This was for him, one of his favourite books of all time. He could not wait for me to read it as well so that we could discuss the book. There were so many wonderful and endearing characters that it is hard to pick out the favs but the 3 main characters are so well developed, loveable and interesting that it is hard not to love them. Percy, Annabeth and Grover are a very funny trio.

We are planning on seeing the movie and will let you know how closely they came to reproducing all of the action as we read about in the book.

I am certainly planning to read the entire series so that I can have many book discussions with my boys. A truly delightful read.

Rating 4 out of 5

Against Medical Advice Review

Against Medical Advice by James Patterson and Hal Friedman, October 20, 2008, Little, Brown and Company, 384 pages, Non-Fiction

The Premise:
Cory Friedman woke up one morning when he was five years old with the uncontrollable urge to shake his head and his life was never the same again. From that day forward his life became a hell of uncontrollable tics, urges, and involuntary utterances. Eventually he is diagnosed with Tourette's Syndrome and Obsessive Compulsive disorder, and Cory embarks on an excruciating journey from specialist to specialist, enduring countless combinations of medications in wildly varying doses. Soon it becomes unclear what tics are symptoms of his disease and what are side effects of the drugs. The only certainty is that it kept getting worse. Despite his lack of control, Cory is aware of every embarrassing movement, and sensitive to every person's reaction to his often aggravating presence. Simply put: Cory Friedman's life is a living hell. 


My Thoughts:
I found this to be a very interesting and fast-paced book. It was educational in that I have not read much about Tourette's Syndrome prior to this book and as such found the information quite enlightening. The way this affliction is protrayed in movies is certainly off the mark and to make fun of someone's affliction is uncalled for.

The story was told through Cory's voice which brought the book to life and made it real. The family support that Cory received was instrumental in his recovery. It was nice to show his thankfulness for his parents and realizing the struggles they faced and how they worked so hard for his benefit.

I would strongly recommend this book as I thoroughly enjoyed it.

Rating 4 out of 5.