Jennifer Taylor and new new book HEARTBEAT OF THE MOON plus GIVEAWAY

I'd like to welcome my long-time writing friend--a gal who always has a smile on her face and a song on her lips--Jennifer Taylor! She's here today to talk about her new release--check out the awesome cover, and if you scroll to the bottom, she's having a GIVEAWAY!

Buy it HERE on Amazon!

Congratulations on your new release, Jennifer! I loved your first book, "Mercy of the Moon" (you can read my Goodreads review HERE) and Ian's character still lives on in my head because he was so troubled, but scrumptious at the same time. Are you revisiting Maggie and Ian in this next book, "Heartbeat of the Moon"? Please say YES!!

Thanks so much for having me, Dylan! Yes, Ian and Maggie’s story continues, and the stakes grow higher as supernatural forces beyond their control threaten their love and lives. Ian is a handful, isn’t he? But so yummy! He continues to take me on surprising journeys, and becomes more complex and appealing with each book.  

I know you and I are both inspired by music when we write. What music did you listen to as you wrote "Heartbeat of the Moon"?

Oh, that’s such a great question. I’ll let you in on a dirty secret: I listen to Sting a lot to help me get close to Ian. I actually have several playlists on my internet radio station: one for Ian titled “Ian’s Angst,” and an upbeat list called, “Maggie and Ian,” with more upbeat, romantic tunes that help to keep their relationship fresh and intriguing to me.  One of my favorite tunes to listen to while writing Heartbeatof the Moon was Elton John’s “Madman Across the Water.” Very haunting song.

Love Elton John--cool fact! Okay, what type of historical research did you have to do for this novel--I'm particularly intrigued by Ian's past in Bedlam!

I research about the history of mental illness, and watch documentaries about treatments, such as bleeding, that were used for mentally ill people during that time period. I am fascinated with medical history, especially before the 19^th Century, and have come across some great material. I read a lot about bipolar disorder, and strive to get it right.

I also try very hard to make Maggie’s midwifery scenes authentic. I have an experienced midwife friend who reads the scenes for me to check for accuracy, and consult a book by a 17^th Century midwife named Jane Sharp, who not only could read (rare for that age), but she actually wrote a manual on midwifery, called The Midwives Book: or the Whole Art of Midwifry Discovered. It was edited by Elaine Hobby. It’s an incredible mix of no-nonsense how-to, in-depth knowledge, and superstition. What a strong woman! I wish I could meet her.

Now that you have two books published, what are your plans for your next book?

I’m currently working on book #3 of the Rhythm of the Moon series, likely titled Mirrors of the Moon. It continues the story of Maggie and Ian, but also involves a new romance.

As a fellow writer, I'm sure you've been visited perhaps once or twice by the proverbial 'writer's block'. What do you do when the words aren't flowing for you?

It usually means I need to get off my chair for a while and refresh my mind: exercise, music, nature work well. Then I get back to work and just struggle through the rough spots.  Some days are like that.

I know I've asked you this in your previous guest post here, but I'm curious to see if your answer has changed. If you could give any piece of writing advice to aspiring authors out there, what would it be?

Don’t give up. Write every day, even if it’s only 15 minutes. Congratulate yourself for those little successes: the finished chapter, that rejection letter. Join a writer’s organization such as Romance Writers of America where you can learn about the craft and the industry. Seek other writers for encouragement and support. Take chances-enter a contest, get your stuff out there, and develop a thick skin. Have fun with your characters, find a story you can believe in, and hang in there.

It was so great having you today, Jennifer! But, before you leave, can you tell us a little more about "Heartbeat of the Moon", including the most important piece--where we can buy your latest book? :)

Once again, in Heartbeat ofthe Moon, Maggie and Ian fight superstition, and struggle to help their good friend Josef, who is convinced his nephew was attacked by a winged monster. Rumors and fear stir up the town, and the two lovers also have to deal with challenges in their relationship. I also introduce the story of newcomers Bethan and Elunid, a set of identical twins from Wales. Intriguing things happen when they meet one of the town’s hard-working men. Let’s just say love strikes in the most unlikely situations!

 HEARTBEAT OF THE MOON Blurb:

Superstition sails into King’s Harbour with tales of winged monsters rising from the dead. Midwife Maggie and husband Ian fight for reason and logic when a friend’s nephew disappears from the grave, and the friend’s behavior becomes more animal than man.

As forces and bizarre events around the two lovers threaten their happiness, Maggie faces challenges from her expectant mothers and struggles to understand Ian’s troubling behavior. Ian endeavors to cure his mind’s affliction but fears the slide into insanity may be fatal.

You can find Jennifer here:

https://jennifertaylorwrites.com/

https://www.facebook.com/jenniferrtaylorwrites/

Twitter: @jennifer4taylor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/jenntaylor888  

And her new BOOKS ARE HERE: 

Amazon:   http://amzn.to/2axSKap

Barnes and Noble:  http://bit.ly/2asUgZs

The Wild Rose Press:  http://bit.ly/2a0Znom

Thanks so much for having me today, Dylan! To celebrate the interview, I’d like to offer a GIVEAWAY: anyone who leaves a comment by Sunday (August 14) will be entered in a random drawing to win book #1, Mercy of the Moon!