Snowbound with the Soldier by Jennifer Faye {Author Interview & Giveaway}

Maybe this Christmas…?

It has been seven long years since Kara Jameson last saw Jason Greene. Returning home as a wounded war hero, Jason looks a shell of the man she once knew. Yet her heart still skips a beat as if it was yesterday….

Stepping back into civilian life, Jason looks to Kara for help. But there's too much water under the bridge—not to mention too much lingering attraction.

But it seems that the mountain weather has other ideas, and when Kara and Jason end up snowbound together they are forced to confront the ghosts of Christmas past.

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“How are you?”

He wanted to exchange pleasantries as though they’d parted on good terms? She didn’t have time to beat around the bush. She should already be home, getting dinner for her daughter before they went over her homework.

“When you left Pleasant Valley, you swore you’d never return. So what happened? What finally changed your mind?”

His expression hardened. If he’d been expecting a warm welcome, he’d been sadly mistaken.

He shrugged. “Things change.”

Well, most things did, and generally not for the better, but not in Jason’s case. He hadn’t gained so much as a beer gut or a receding hairline. Even the jagged scar on his face added to his sexiness.

Kara’s gaze rose to meet his. At first glance, she thought his intense blue eyes were the same as she remembered, but a closer inspection revealed a hard glint in them. He no longer resembled the warm, lighthearted guy she’d dated for nearly four years. Or had he been that way all along? Had those rose-colored glasses she’d been wearing back then obscured his real character? Had she ever truly known him at all?

♦The Cafe Interview♦

Thanks so much for stopping by the Authors' Cafe today, Jennifer. I'm very excited to host you and your book, Snowbound With The Soldier! Okay, I see you've got your favorite beverage, so let's get right to the interview.

At what point in your life did you realized that being an author was no longer going to be just a dream but a career you were going to turn into reality?

I was determined to be a full-time writer when I quit my day job. The problem with that plan was I still hadn’t sold. But I was about to make it my mission. Luckily I have a very understanding and encouraging husband. He’s stuck with me through thick and thin. It really helps to have a solid support system cheering you on.

Which of your characters is most like you?

I don’t know if any of them are like me, but I think that each of them has a little piece of me. So as I keep writing, more little pieces of me will get sprinkled into stories, like jimmies on a hot fudge sundae. ;-)

If you were stranded on a desert island, which character from Snowbound With The Soldier would you want with you?

That’s easy…Jason. After all he’s a former military man. He’d know how to build a fire and shelter. And I could watch him flex his brawny muscles…hmm, hubby might not like that idea so much. LOL. So I have alternate candidate, Sly, the cat. I do have a sentimental attachment to that ornery feline.

Where do you write?

Anywhere in my house. Not too specific, huh? As I write this, I’m sitting in my living room with my furbaby next to me, purring away. But my favorite place to write is on my porch with the flowers all around and the butterflies fluttering about. :-)

Do you have any “rituals” you go through before you write?

I don’t know if you’d call it a ritual. I do have a process. As a reformed pantser, this is huge for me. I now consider myself a hybrid between plotter and pantser. I write a synopsis first and though my editor knows it will change by the time I type “The End”, it sets up a map for me and if I find myself getting lost, it points me home.

What was your favorite chapter (or part) of Snowbound With The Soldier to write and why?

There were a number of them. I don’t know if I could pick just one. I think the ones that stick with me the most are the emotional scenes that brought tears to my eyes as the characters struggled with the secrets in their pasts. But there are other scenes that made me laugh out loud. So I’m not sure I’m the best person to ask since I loved it all.

How did you come up with the title?

I’d love to take credit for it, but my wonderful editor came up with the title. I think she did a great job as it is so fitting to the story.

What would YOU like your readers to know about this book or you in general?

First, this story was a Top Five Finalist in Harlequin’s 2011 So You Think You Can Write contest. So perseverance does pay off. ;-)

Second, it’s a special story for me to write. I really rooted for Kara and Jason, having laughed and cried with them. They're two wounded people who refused to give up until they'd earned their happily-ever-after and in the process, brought a smile to my heart.

And most especially, this book was dedicated to my purry muse, the real-life Sly. I promised her that I’d write her into a book. She listened to countless renditions of this book. But sadly she passed on before her book became published. She is missed very much.

What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?

Read. Read. Read.

Write. Write. Write.

Rinse and repeat.

There’s no short cuts. It takes as long as it takes to learn the art of writing.

Do you have a favorite author?

I have lots of them. ;-) One in particular is Robyn Carr. I just love her Virgin River series. If Virgin River was a real place, I’d be booking my airline tickets.

What is your favorite quote?

“It’d been a long time since they’d been together, but as close as they were physically, they’d never been so far apart in every other way.” ~ Kara Jameson, Snowbound With The Soldier

What genre of books do you read for pleasure?

Contemporary Romance, Romantic Suspense and Historical Romance. Are you noticing a trend yet? LOL.

What’s the most amusing thing that’s ever happened to you?

Oh my. Hmm…I’m not sure I can think of anything specific. But I love to laugh. I figure you only have one go around at this thing called life and I want as much happiness and joy in mine as possible. ;-)

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

Hang out on social media. Twitter is so addictive. And now that I have deadlines, I’ve had to be firm with myself and not spend hours there a day. I really miss it. But I do try to stop by once in the morning and once in the evening.

If all TV shows were real, what show (all time) would you most like to live in?

I’m thinking DALLAS. What’s not to love? A Texas ranch. Horses a plenty. A big mansion. A family business. And lots of drama—umm, scratch the last part. Love to watch drama but prefer to keep it on the television and not in my life. ;-)

♦Random-Ness♦

Party dress or blue jeans? That’s easy. Blue jeans. Once in a while it’s fun to get gussied up but I’m a jeans and tee-shirt kinda gal.

Plotter or Panster? I’m a hybrid. I start with a synopsis, but as I write my characters love to take detours. :-)

Print or e-Book? I prefer to read print books. Love the feel and that book smell. But I read e-Books too. There’s just so many books that come in e-format only and I don’t want to miss them.

Coastal walks or extreme sports? I’m definitely not the sports kinda girl, err…don’t ask me to throw you anything. It never goes where it’s supposed to. LOL. But I’m definitely up for coastal walks.

Cookies or cupcakes? You mean I have to choose just one???

LOL - I feel the same way!!! Super hero or super villain? Definitely a super hero.

If I had a free afternoon I’d . . . Take a nap. LOL.

Yup, that would be my choice too! Peanut Butter: Crunchy, Creamy, or I hate peanut butter and am addicted to Nutella. Crunchy

You suddenly realize you live in a haunted house. Do you:

Run screaming for the door.

Bravely go to a church, load up on holy water and try to get rid of the ghost.

Set up ghost hunting equipment to capture phenomenon.

Call in the Ghost Adventures crew so that you can ogle the lead guy Zac’s amazingly stiff hair when you’re not ogling his….physical attributes.

Deny you have a ghost and just let it scare the bejesus out of your visitors.

LOL. I admit it, I’m a wimp. So if I couldn’t pretend it doesn’t exist, I’d let hubby figure out how to sell it. ;-)

Could you tell us five random facts about yourself?

I love cats!

I’m a lifelong fan of Y&R.

My favorite season is autumn.

I love to bake.

I love spreadsheets!

Well, that certainly was fun - Thank you so much for stopping by and visiting today Jennifer!!!

♦About Jennifer Faye♦

Jennifer Faye is a two-time RT Book Reviews TOP PICK author. Maybe that’s partly due to the fact that she has spent most of her life with her nose in one book or another. It was only natural that she dreamed of becoming a romance writer and spinning the tales of the imaginary people running around in her mind. But first life took her on a couple of detours.

Refusing to give up on her dreams, she finally succeeded in getting her name on a book cover. She currently resides in Pennsylvania with her very, very patient husband, one amazing daughter (the other remarkable daughter has flown the coop to chase her own dreams) and two spoiled rotten cats. When she’s not glued to her laptop writing another contemporary romance (which isn’t often) or enjoying some family time, she loves to get lost in a good book, cross-stitch, embroider, quilt, knit, watch hockey (go Pittsburgh Penguins!), and garden. Jennifer loves to hear from readers–you can contact her via her website.

♦The Giveaway♦

a Rafflecopter giveaway