Author Spotlight!
Jacquelyn Ayres
Author Interview
What prompted you to
write your first book?
I was making a
lot of changes in my life that were basically getting me back to me. One of the
biggest changes was getting back to my writing. A story started in my head and
instead of letting it play out there, I put it down on paper. I haven’t been
able to stop since!
Is there anything or
anyone in particular that you draw inspiration from?
I don’t think
there is anyone in particular. I tend be inspired by many different people and
how they pull through what life has handed them. I always try to showcase that
in my books—bring awareness.
Which story has been
your favorite to write?
I had the most
fun writing Under Contract. I had just come off of writing The Lost & Found
series which, though laced with humor itself, tore me to shreds.
Is there a book concept
you’re just dying to write?
Yes, actually
there is! It came to me several months ago but with having to finish the GEG
series and the prequel for my other series, it’s going to have to sit and
marinate on the back burner for a while.
I won’t tell you much about it because it’s so early except to say that
it will be about lost love and not between lovers. ;)
Which character of
yours, is your favorite?
That’s a close call for me but I’m going to
say most of the parent figures like Hazel, Alma, Happy, Grams, Shannon, and
now, Winnie. They don’t have these huge parts in my books but when they come
into a scene, their presence is known and often stays with you. That’s what I
think makes them the most kick-ass!
Do you have a favorite
book?
Poughkeepsie
by Debra Anastasia. Brilliant book and funny to boot. I always recommend that
one!
Who is your favorite
Disney character?
Snow White
Do you have a method to
your writing process?
Outlining,
etc. Yes. I start writing, getting
interrupted by my kids, beg for fifteen minutes to work, they leave me alone
for five. Hit repeat on that and throw
in laundry, cooking, errands, activities, and others and that’s my day time
routine. Once they are in bed then it’s on like Donkey Kong! I don’t do
outlines because even when I have the story in my head, once I start writing,
my characters take me in a totally different direction. Sometimes (most of the
time) I stare at the screen while a whole scene plays out in my head. Then I
snap out of it and realize I didn't write a damn word of that scene! It’s a
wonder I ever get a book finished!
Have you ever gone back
to book you've published and wished you could have changed the ending or some
other major aspect of the story?
The only thing I would change is not make the
last Chapter of Under Contract a chapter. It’s a short one and I think some
people felt that the book ended abruptly. It didn't. Their story was done and
any unanswered questions are a part of someone else’s main story in the series.
It’s up to them to tell it. J
What is the one piece
of advice you’d give to new writers?
First, make
sure you get an editor. Then make sure that editor actually knows what they are
doing and follows the guidelines of the Chicago Manual of Style. If this editor doesn't mention it or doesn't know what you are talking about, then they probably were good with commas in school and think they can edit a book. Not
the case! Secondly, don’t let one person’s negative opinion of your work, guide
your career. There will always be someone out there who doesn't like your style. Everything is subjective. In saying that, always make sure to surround
yourself with honest people. You definitely don’t want people who will put
rose-colored glasses on you either. Thirdly, this is hard work. It takes up a
lot of hours in your day. You have to keep at it. Writing the book is the
easiest part. Fourth, enjoy the experience. If you’re not enjoying it then that
reflects elsewhere. Good luck and Congrats!
About Jacquelyn Ayres
I am a Domestic
Engineer (born and raised in NJ) whose sole responsibility is to guide three
young impressionable kids into becoming phenomenal adults. This challenging,
yet rewarding work requires a lot of love (coffee), patience (wine) and
determination (periodic exorcisms). I work all of this magic in the beautiful
state of New Hampshire.
Before becoming a Domestic Goddess (not really), I spent over a decade working
in the medical field where I wore more hats than the Queen.
I have had a love for the written word and the great escape it provides since I
was a little girl. When I wasn't reading about people and the places they
lived, I was creating my own characters and adventures. Finally, I have been
putting a pen to paper allowing my characters to come to life. When I don't
have a pen and paper in hand, you can often find me laughing at the
conversations my characters are having in my head.
Stalk Her
Books by Jacquelyn Ayres
The Lost & Found
Series:
Goodbye Caution:
Becca Campbell is a mother,
friend, and widow to a war hero (may he rot in hell). She just wants to raise
her daughter right and keep her bed-and-breakfast afloat in this economy. Her traumatic past leaves her with no desire for a relationship until Grayson James
walks through her door. He’s not the type of man you can easily say “no” to.
Becca can’t quite understand the pull she feels toward him. But then his controlling nature starts to push her away—and into Ray McNeil’s comforting
arms. Which is right where Ray has always wanted her.
Who will Becca choose?
Will she finally give in to
her feelings for Ray, or continue the tumultuous relationship with Grayson?
Only one thing is certain -either choice will mean saying goodbye to caution.
***Warning: This book contains some disturbing situations, dubious consent,
strong language and violence.
10% of the proceeds from this book will be donated to YWCAUSA.org to help
abused women and children.
Goodbye Secrets
What if your life wasn't exactly as you thought it was? What if there were secrets you kept—from
yourself?
Becca Campbell has no idea her world is about to be turned upside down when she
and Grayson return to New Hampshire.
Pieces start flying into place, answering the questions of the puzzle she calls
her life. Things finally add up—it all makes sense. All that was lost is now
found.
But will she be able to move forward, knowing the truth?
Goodbye Uncertainty
BECCA Campbell was
lost for seven years, until an unexpected person from her past came back into
her life and unveiled the truth.
This truth has set her free.
If only it were that easy.
Knowing what she now knows, Becca must come to grips with reality. She has to
fight for the man she loves. The man she is meant to be with.
Becca, very sure of her path, needs to get him to say goodbye to uncertainty.
What happens, though, when uncertainty with her is all he’s ever known?
The One (a novella)
Kip Taylor is
everyone’s dream. His one downfall is that he’s a player. He can have any woman
he wants in town—state, even—and he knows it. There’s only one woman Kip wants.
Trouble is, he hasn’t met her yet. Until then, he’s going to fill his dance
card with the Johnson girls: Maggie, May, and Missy.
Shelby never thought she’d see Rison, Arkansas, again. She’s been estranged
from her extended family for over a decade. Things happen and sometimes the
only place you can find solitude is the very place that has raised so many
questions in your life.
She was looking to start her life over.
He was looking for his to truly begin.
Neither one of them understood the power of kismet until the day their eyes
locked. From that moment—in their heart of hearts—they knew that the other was
The One.
The GEG series:
*** This
book contains the GEGs! For those of you who don't understand that warning:
GEGs= strong language. gut-busting LOL moments caused by best friends who check
their maturity at the door when they're together, and impromptu Kegel
exercises. This book does not come with batteries.
Under Contract
Charlotte McKendrick
is your typical thirty-something stay-at-home mom. She has three beautiful
children, a loving family, special friends, and the most wonderful, adoring
husband. Her life is a dream.
Er . . . let’s try this again.
Charlotte McKendrick is not your typical thirty-something stay-at-home mom.
Yes, she’s got three beautiful children, a loving family (all of them
lingerers—you’ll see), and her friends are special, all right! As far as her
wonderful, adoring husband, what a joke! That bastard abandoned her and the
kids six months ago.
Now, she will do anything she can to survive and provide for her children. Even
if it means signing on the dotted line . . .
Mitch Colton is the CEO of Colton Technologies. Most of his year is spent
traveling around the world, bringing companies the latest innovations in
automobile technology. He doesn’t have time for a traditional relationship and
the BS that comes with it. He doesn’t do the “marriage” thing, the “kid” thing,
and he certainly doesn’t do the “falling in love” thing. All that said, he
still wants someone to come home to. Someone who will offer everything he
wants, and nothing he doesn’t. He realizes loyalty paired with these kinds of
demands won’t come cheap. No problem. What he doesn’t realize is that once
Charlotte McKendrick signs that dotted line, he’ll be paying with a lot more than
money.
Coming Soon
In The Mix
November 2014
CiCi O’Brien has a
weapon of mass destruction—her mouth. It’s always loaded and ready to strike,
whether the situation calls for laughter or a professional smartass. It’s been
her strongest defense against unwanted feelings over the past fifteen years. If
she acts like she doesn’t care, then she won’t, right?
Yeah . . . keep telling yourself that, Ceese!
Luckily for CiCi, she’s surrounded by friends and family who can easily see
through her façade. They (and the furballs she takes care of at work) are who
enrich her life, have been the ones she’s needed. That is, until the day her
life changed—when she grabbed it by the balls.
No, seriously . . . she grabbed him by the balls. Not kidding.
Kyle Cooper has it all. He’s smart, handsome, and a ninja (not really, but
that’s what Mitch likes to call him). As vice president of Colton Technologies,
he travels around the world with Mitch, bringing companies the latest
innovations in automobile technology. At home, he’s a force to be reckoned
with, always hanging out with his parents and sister or . . . working.
Oh.
Kyle Cooper does not have it all, and he’s ready for a change. He just isn’t
sure where to begin. That is, until CiCi O’Brien walks into his office and
grabs this bull by the . . . horns (wink), which causes a spark to ignite in
both of them. Kyle embraces it. CiCi does everything, short of calling the fire
department, to put it out. Who will prevail? And what will that win truly mean?
***Though
it can be read as a standalone, I highly recommend reading the series in order
since all books will have a continuation of EVERYONE'S story.
