Thursday 4 April 2013

Interview: Accidental Romance by Jessica E Subject


1.     Tell us a little bit about yourself?

Thank you for having me on your blog, Melissa! Hello everyone! Besides being a multi-published author in both contemporary and science fiction romance, I’m also a mother of two intelligent children, and a wife. I love to read in multiple genres, listen and dance to music, and watch movies, especially science fiction titles with some romance in them. When I’m in town, and the weather is nice, I like to go out for long, fast walks, but if I get a chance to hike by a waterfall, I tend to slow down.

2.     Tell us a little about the book you are here to promote?

Accidental Romance is a new adult contemporary romance. I wrote it as part of The Challenge series at Decadent Publishing. Here’s a bit about the series:
Challenge: A test of one's abilities or resources in a demanding but stimulating undertaking.
In every life, there are challenges, boulders in the flowing stream of existence. From the physical, to the psychological or emotional, nobody is immune. No one gets through life intact, but the challenge is not to avoid damage, but to work through, past or around the things that make life so difficult. 
We all know people who do this—live fulfilling lives in spite of the difficulties they are forced to deal with. 
The Challenge series is about characters who do just this—and the people who love them. Challenge is a romance series with a twist. The “challenge” takes a central role in the characters’ romance.
Now, many of my characters already face challenges, such as Alopecia Areata, acid burns on their face, infertility, and more. With Accidental Romance, I decided to have a younger main character, a woman still finding her way in adulthood. And I decided to break some gender barriers as well, having a female taking over the farm for her father, rather than the typical son.

Here’s the blurb:
At twenty-two, Leanne Declan has graduated from college and hopes to take over the family farm until a tragic accident changes her life forever. Unable to do the simplest everyday chores, she must depend on her family and friends as she learns to face life’s challenges. But when her fears threaten to destroy her future, can an unexpected love be strong enough to help her dreams come true?


3.     What was your main inspiration for this story?

I didn’t grow up on a farm, but I have friends who did. My husband worked on a couple of dairy farms as a teenager, and I did live out in the country, across the road from a dairy farm, for a few years. I combined all of my experiences, the stories I’d heard, and my research and imagination in creating Accidental Romance.

4.     If your book was made into a movie, which stars would you want to play your Hero and Heroine?

For Leanne, I’d have to say Lily Collins from The Blind Side. And for Jake, I’d pick Liam Hemsworth.

5.     Describe your Hero/Heroine in five words?

Leanne is hard-working, goal-oriented, stubborn, social, and driven.

6.     If you could go back and give your-struggling-author-self one piece of advice now that you are published what would it be?

I would tell myself to be patient, trust your editors, and don’t rush into anything because it sounds like a good idea at the time.

7.     Do you have any interesting writing quirks?

I’m usually chewing gum when I write so that I don’t grind my teeth. Also, I tend to write most of my first drafts in a notebook rather than on the computer. That habit started back when my children were much younger, and it wasn’t so convenient or safe to carry around my laptop.

8.     How do you stay motivated when the Muse is being temperamental?

If my muse is being temperamental, I’ll try reading or watching a movie. If that doesn’t work, I’ll switch to another story. Sometimes, having a shower works to kick-start the muse, too.

9.     What’s your favourite thing to do when you’re not writing?

Read, spend time with my family, walk, dance... Just depends on my mood. J

10. Fast Five:
a.      Tea or Coffee? Neither. I don’t drink hot liquids.
b.     Kindle or Nook? I don’t have either, but I do have ebook apps on my tablet.
c.      Beer or Wine or Spirits? None. I don’t really drink a lot, either. I know, I’m strange. LOL
d.     All-time favourite book? I have to pick just one? Okay, um, Across the Universe by Beth Revis. If you want to know some of my other favs, check out this page.
e.      All-time favourite Movie? Star Trek (2009), though this year promises to be a great year for SFR movies, so I’m sure I’ll have a new one soon.

Accidental Romance Excerpt:
A million needles pierced her wrist. She had to get away from the fire. Leanne flicked open her eyes, screaming, longing for the agony to stop.
White walls surrounded her. Machines beeped. Taking in the new scenery, she closed her mouth, the pain forgotten. Bags filled with clear liquids as well as blood hung from a metal pole. She followed the tubes from the bags into her left hand. Was that where the burn came from? She glanced at the other arm, the end of which was wrapped in thick bandages. The image of spinning blades and her mangled flesh flashed before her eyes. She screamed again, tears falling down her cheeks. This can’t be happening.
Bodies rushed into the room, many in scrubs. With her vision blurred, she didn’t recognize anyone. All strangers. She was in the foreign place by herself. A nightmare. Has to be.
“Shh, calm down, sweetie. You’ll be okay.”
A familiar voice. She glanced to her other side to see her mom standing beside her, her eyes glassy. She held her hand, but Leanne couldn’t feel it, only the throbbing which had returned to her other one, the one that was…gone? She groaned, turning on her side, and pulled her knees up to her chest.
“Mom, is it really…?”
She brushed her fingers over her forehead. “Don’t worry about it right now. You need to rest.”
“It hurts so bad.”
“I know.” Her mother stroked her face again. “But the nurses will help it go away.”
“Leanne,” one of the nurses hovering around her said. “I want you to take deep breaths and count backward from ten.”
“Ten.” She sucked in air and cried out in agony.
Between clenched teeth, she continued. Anything to stop the pain. “Nine.”
Ice traveled through her veins. “Eight.”
The throbbing slowly ebbed away. Seven.
Darkness swept over her and pulled her down with it.
Buy Links:

Jessica E. Subject Bio:
Jessica Subject is the author of contemporary and science fiction romance, ranging from sweet to erotica. In her stories, you could meet clones, or a sexy alien or two. You may even be transported to another planet for a romantic rendezvous. 
When Jessica isn't reading, writing, or doing dreaded housework, she likes to get out and walk. Fast. But she just may slow down if there is a waterfall nearby.
Jessica lives in Ontario, Canada with her husband and two energetic children. And she loves to hear from her readers. You can find her at jessicasubject.com and on twitter @jsubject.


Giveaway!!

On April 12, 2013, Jessica Subject will be giving away a $10 Amazon.com gift certificate to one lucky commenter during the Accidental Romance tour. Please leave your email address in your comment so that she can contact you if you win. Contest is international. Good luck!


20 comments:

  1. Thanks so much for hosting me today, Melissa! :)

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  2. This book sounds really good. I will definitely be reading it :)

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  3. Great movie star choices, Jessica.

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    1. Thanks, Kiru! I think those two would suit the characters perfectly. :)

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  4. What an interesting book! Enjoyed the excerpt. Thanks for sharing.
    bhometchko(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  5. Loved the interview and want to read the book...good luck, sounds like you're going to have a hit!

    sandiedotwhiteatlivedotcom

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  6. That was a weird Fast Five!

    What an excerpt. It's frightening. It sounds like a terrible accident.
    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

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    1. Yes, I could be described as weird. LOL

      Terrible, but Leanne struggles to learn to live life again.

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  7. Fantastic casting choices! Gotta love them Hemsworth boys. Excellent interview ladies!

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    1. Thanks, Lilly! Oh, yes! Though both a little young for me. LOL

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  8. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR BOOK AND THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY! SHELLEY S. calicolady60@hotmail.com

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  9. Thanks for the giveaway! This book looks like something I would like!

    mestith at gmail dot com

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  10. A great post thank you. ACCIDENTAL ROMANCE sounds fabulous.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  11. Thank you so much, Melissa, for hosting me during the Accidental Romance tour! And thanks to everyone who came out to visit!

    The winner of the $10 Amazon.com gift certificate is Meghan from the this stop on the tour. Congratulations!

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