1. How long have you been writing? What inspired you to pick the pen up one day and create characters that capture the imagination?
Literally, I could not find a book I wanted to read, so I wrote my own. I was fifteen, and it was kinda sucky, but even then, there were pretty strong m/m overtones…
2. What influenced you to get published? How long did it take? Can you tell us the name of your first published work?
Hmmm… I was first published at Freya's Bower when an editor there practically challenged me to write a sweet m/m story. Actually, she said she didn't think there was such a thing. I wrote The Runaway, a sweet, gay romance between cowboys who were teenage sweethearts and meet again after years of being apart and wrestling with all kinds of guilt and blame. Angsty and sweet. That's me. Once I decided to write it and submit, it took a couple months. I got lucky, being in the right place at the right time. It hasn't all been that easy, believe me!
3. What genre would you like to try that you haven’t yet?
I'm having some serious thoughts toward YA, actually.
4. Most people envision an author’s life as being really glamorous. What’s your take on this? Can you tell us something unglamorous you did within the last week or so?
Ha! I could probably name ten without thinking about it! Does fishing balled up socks wrapped in dust bunnies out from under the piano qualify as 'unglamorous'?
5. Plotter or pantzer?
Totally Pantzer, and I'm so going to use that spelling from now on :D
6. What would you like to share with new writers? Any suggestions or advice?
Be calm. Be professional. And follow your wild and crazy muse. Never let anyone tell you you're nuts because people whisper stories in your head that no one else can hear, and never, ever, forget your pen and notebook when you leave the house.
7. If you could be a character in any of your books who would it be and why?
Mike from Moving Day. The flush of everything old being new again. New and different and exciting and the same, too. Crushing on friends is the most awkward thing ever. Having the crush fulfilled? Awesome!
8. Looking over the past year, what has been the best moment for you in your writing career?
Oh, wow. So many…Total E-bound contracts, Dreamspinner contracts, writing with Sarah Masters, working with Ariel Tachna and Lex Valentine….geez. I could go on. Patric Michael's advice and friendship would have to be right up there, as would Z.A. Maxfield's, and C. Zampa's. Just connecting with so many great authors. It's been one heck of a year.
9. What do you enjoy doing with your spare time, your non-writing time?
My spare what, now?
10. If you could change one thing that you have written, what would it be?
Nope. I stand by my stories. Wouldn't change a thing. Not saying they are all perfect, but they are all imperfect in their own unique and wonderful ways. All learning experiences and little pieces of my heart and soul.
11. If you had one wish, would you give it away? Why or why not and to whom would you give it?
Easy. Hubs deserves more than one wish. He's worked just as hard as I have to help me get where I am. He has all my wishes.
12. If you found that, for one reason or another, you couldn’t write anymore, what would you like to do instead?
Create in some other way. Weave, draw, paint.
13. What are you working on now? Can you tell us a little about it?
Book four in my Rainbow Alley series, starring Skate and his 'friend' Denny, is in the works. Skate's going to find disappearing is a lot harder when everyone is watching, and hiding is even harder.
Also, I'm revamping an old piece that needs a happy ending. I hope to release it before the end of the year, or early next year.
14. Are you in love? Have you ever been?
I fall in and out of love every day. I'm volatile that way. But I do fall into bed exhausted every night and snuggle close the guy who drives me nuts and holds me up and does a hundred things in the background that he doesn't get enough credit for.
15. What do you hope to achieve in life and when will you know that you have been a success?
I look at my kids and I know I've done good.
*****
Title: As Advertised
Author: Jaime Samms
Genre: Gay Romance
Publisher: Freya's Bower
ISBN:9781936222834
Blurb: Tyler's life perked up when he met Jake. So what if long-time friend Marty can't stand him and his landlady has no use for his new beau. Tyler's determined not to see the dark side of his lover. It's his own fault for believing people don't go around keeping secrets and lying.
Tyler should know better. He's an ad executive. He knows the packaging is what sells, and Jake is quite a package. His lover is no slouch when it comes to false advertising, either, and when Tyler finds out the truth, It hurts. Weathering Jake's lies and secrets gets easier with the help of new friends, Libby and Steven. In fact, Tyler figures that maybe a lot of things would get easier with Steven.
Tyler should have known better. Not even someone as seemingly perfect as Steven Jessop is completely as advertised. This time, though, Tyler has to make a decision. After all, sometimes, even if what you see is not what you get, what Tyler's uncovered in Steven might just be what he's always wanted.
Excerpt:
It didn't really matter what kind of person Tyler was. What mattered was that he knew Jake, had a relationship with him, and he might be the kindest, most forgiving man in the world. It didn't change the fact that Jake knew enough to sink Steven's life and ruin just about everything he had, and all he had to do was speak up. Steven couldn't afford to piss him off. He might hate that Jake had that much control over his life, but there wasn't much he could do about it. Everything had consequences.
If he wanted to keep his sordid past where it belonged, he was going to have to pretend he'd never seen or heard of Tyler, and the tightening fist of anger in his gut didn't matter. It would ease after a while, and things would go back to their proper holding pattern.
Best forget how good he smelled, even hungover, or how good he looked mussed from sleep. Don't even think about how soft and kissable his lips had appeared when he leaned across the car, or remember the look of shock and hurt that had passed through his eyes when Steven had rejected the offer. He passed a hand over his jaw, imagining Tyler's short, scratchy bit of beard tickling over his skin. His imaginings drifted to the sweet swell of his ass in his slacks, the almost delicate curve of his back under his sweater. Touching him had been a mistake….
"Be the cold, hard businessman you are, Steven," he muttered, setting the laptop aside even as he said it. Hard, he was. And hot for a guy he should keep well away from. It didn't stop him fantasizing about it, or slipping his own warm hand into his joggers to curl around his cock and tug.
He could pretend he'd had the guts last night to go out to the living room himself and rescue Tyler. It was better to imagine the stubbly goatee prickling his fingers as he bent and licked martini off the stunned man's lips encouraging his mouth open with a suggestion of tongue.
He moaned and tightened his grip on himself.
Would Tyler have kissed him back? In fantasy, he did, melting a tiny bit, trading the trembling of humiliation for the eager, unsteadiness of want. Easy to imagine claiming the smaller man, right there with all those guests watching, Libby silently cheering him on. One real kiss would do it. Delving his tongue into the heat of Tyler's mouth, pulling his lithe, trim body close, holding him there would be enough to assure the man would come back for more.
Steven's body sank into the couch. His hand moved faster, but he wasn't thinking about that, or the impending mess. His mind was all on Tyler, the way his compact frame would fit against him, the way his hands would tangle in Steven's shirt, the soft sounds of surrender he'd make.
It would all be in the kiss. Steven wouldn't even have to touch him beyond a hand on the back of his head, his lips and tongue claiming him. Tyler's sweet, grinding need sent Steven over. The imagined feel of heated bodies pressed together, Tyler rocking against him—wanting him—tipped Steven from feeling good into orgasm.
And now, for a little more info about Jaime:
Bio: Jaime Samms has been writing for various publishers since the fall of 2008, although she's been writing for herself far longer. Often asked why men, what’s so fascinating about writing stories about men falling in love, she's never come up with an easy answer.
These days, you can find her work on her website. If you flip through the pages of her site, you’ll find plenty of free reading and a bit of art, as well (Gotta use that Fine Arts Diploma for something!). she also writes for Freya’s Bower, Loveyoudivine Alterotica, Pink Petal Books, Dreamspinner Press and Total E-Bound Publishing.
Spare time, when it can be found rolled into a ball at the back of the dryer or cavorting with the dust bunnies in the corners, she spends in the garden, at the loom, or with a pencil and sketch book. She graduated from college with a Fine Arts diploma, with a major in textile arts, which basically qualifies her to draw pictures and create things with string and fabric. Fun times.
Where you can find Jaime:
Website: http://jaime-samms.net/
Livejournal: http://dontkickmycane.livejournal.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/profile.php?id=100000982219151&v=info
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2 comments:
Hi Jaime!
Thanks so much for visiting me on my blog. I really enjoyed finding out more about you!
Hugs
This was such a fun interview. Thanks, Jude!
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