About author, Jamie Farrell: Jamie Farrell writes humorous contemporary romance. She believes love and laughter are two of the most powerful forces in the universe. A native Midwesterner, Jamie has lived in the South the majority of her adult life. When she’s not writing, she and her military hero husband are busy raising three hilariously unpredictable children.
INTERVIEW
Describe yourself in five words: SuperMom in a broken SuperSuit
What is the writing/editing/publishing like for you? I write a dirty first draft, then spend a lot of time coaxing the story into layers that hopefully meld together. My two critique partners, Kelsey Browning and Maria Geraci, are fabulous at helping me smooth out the rough parts. Some books are easier than others. Southern Fried Blues was one of those stories that just flowed, and I loved every minute of writing it.
I love the publishing aspects of my writer life, too, because the publishing side of things lets me tap into my dormant geeky engineer personality, with tracking and formatting and analyzing opportunities. Overall, the whole writing-to-publishing process is a lot of fun.
Salty or sweet? Salted caramel.
How did you celebrate when your first book was published? The hubby took me out on a dinner date without the kids. He read Southern Fried Blues for the first time the day it was published, so we gossiped a lot about the book. It felt like he’d finally met my coworkers after listening to me tell stories about them forever.
What is your favorite word? Discombobulated. It’s so much fun to say!
How do you come up with the titles of your books? I think about the themes in the story, then play with the key words that stand out. If a title makes me giggle too hard, I know it’s probably not marketable (although I still hope to one day revisit an old manuscript that I call Stealing Gran’s Booty), but if it’s too generic for the story, I keep trying until I find something that fits. It usually comes to me either while I’m walking or while I’m in the shower. I love the tingly, oooh! feeling that comes when the right title clicks.
The best part about being a writer is…: Knowing that 95% of the characters in my head think I’m a goddess, and I can write the other 5% out of my stories if they misbehave.
Every writer must have a…: An anchor. Writing can be a lonely profession, so having someone who gets it and is supportive is so important.
How has the social media helped your career? Social media has introduced me to some of the smartest, savviest people in the writing business. It has also introduced me to some of the most generous people on earth. In fact, I wouldn’t be here today if not for social media. 🙂
Who or what inspires your writing? Life’s funny moments inspire me. I love the unusual and unexpected parts of every day life, and so having three kids under six provides me with plenty of opportunity to look at life sideways.
What’s the best advice for a new writer? No one else’s right way will be your right way. Don’t settle for someone else’s dream. Go after yours, and own it. Decide what you want from your writing, and then work hard to make it happen. Study your craft, seek feedback from people whose opinions you trust, but most of all, put your fingers to the keyboard and write, write, write.
Can you tell us about any upcoming projects? I’m working on a new contemporary romance series set in a cute little place that calls itself the most married-est town on Earth. The first book, The Husband Games, is about a divorced single mother and a military widower and their unexpected roles in the town’s annual Knot Festival. I am super excited about this series—there’s something about quirky, small-town America that just makes me happy.
BOOK BLURB
A Yankee Lady Stuck in the South
Divorced wasn’t a label Anna Martin ever wanted. Now she’s a thousand miles from home, underemployed, and lonely, but she’s squeezing this lemon life gave her and turning it into lemon meringue pie. Never again will she let any man—especially another military man—get in the way of her career.
A Southern Gentleman Military Officer
Jackson Davis believes in family, football, and Uncle Sam. He treats ladies right, takes his uniform seriously, and he loves his dog, but he doesn’t reckon he’s built for true love. After all, if a man good as his daddy couldn’t do it right, what chance does Jackson have?
One Undeniable Attraction
These two vulnerable souls are as different as cornbread and ketchup, but they fit together like sweet butter on hot biscuits. Short-term, they’re exactly what the other needs. But when their hearts get involved, they’re both gonna end up with a big ol’ case of Southern Fried Blues.
CHAPTER 1 TEASE
Chapter One
She was lovable in her own way, which sometimes meant she was not loved at all.
—The Temptress of Pecan Lane, by Mae Daniels
THE ONLY THING better than watching a handsome man in uniform was taking him home at the end of the night to strip him out of it. With his fresh haircut and tailored Air Force mess dress, Anna Martin’s husband complemented the elegant southern grandiosity of The Harrington’s ballroom better than the faux marble floor and the towering magnolia arrangements.
This wedding reception couldn’t end soon enough.
Anna slid up beside Neil at the open bar and nudged him with her hip. “I always feel bad for the bride at these things.”
“Why?” Neil took two beers from the bartender. He tucked a few dollars into the tip jar.
“Because you’re already taken so they had to settle for second best.”
His face twisted into the same pained expression he’d worn the last half-dozen times she’d used that line, but she gave him a you-know-you-love-me grin anyway.
Because he’d still been happy to let her take him home and strip him out of his uniform after the last half-dozen weddings.
She shoved the gift she’d snuck from the pile at the bride’s request at him. “Oh, wait.” His National Defense Service Medal was crooked.
Before she could straighten it, he handed the gift back. “It’s fine, Anna. C’mon.”
He strode past tables of wedding guests finishing their chicken and cheese grits. Anna tagged along, enjoying the view from behind.
“Jules mention what’s in that?” Neil asked over his shoulder, his gaze shifting to the present.
“She said it’s from Rodney and they want to open it in private. So probably something with fur and spikes.”
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