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!

Interview with Jennifer Taylor and her debut novel "Mercy of the Moon"

Today, I am thrilled to host talented author, and friend, Jennifer Taylor, whose debut novel, "Mercy of the Moon" a historical romance, releases today!

Jennifer Taylor with her debut historical romance, "Mercy of the Moon"

Welcome, Jennifer! I'm so excited to have you here on your release day! "Mercy of the Moon" is my kind of book--I'm halfway through the novel and loving it!! Can't wait to have you sign my copy (which I ordered early from Amazon here).

Thanks, Dylan—I’m thrilled to be with you today. I am a blog interview virgin, so be gentle with me!

I will, and I promise to cuddle you afterwards. ;) 

As many writers read this blog, I want to start with the most frequent question I hear from unpublished authors: What do you think is THE most important thing writers can do to get an agent/publisher in today's market?

·         Join a writer’s organization like RWA (Romance Writers of America). You will learn about craft and the business of being a published author. I would not have my contract with the Wild Rose Press without the support and of our local RWA chapter, Sunshine State Romance Authors (SSRA). I am very grateful.

·         Don’t be afraid to get your feet wet. So you think your story isn’t perfect? We are all learning, every day. Jump in and enter one of RWA’s contests: that’s how I got my contract. When I finaled in NWHRWA’s Lone Star Contest, one of the judges, Allison Byers, editor at TWRP, requested to read my full manuscript. And now she’s my editor extraordinaire! Take a chance and let your baby see the light of day. You learn a lot from the critiques.

·         Most of all, keep writing. Carve out a routine and do your best to stick to it, even if it’s just 15 minutes a day. Keep a writer’s journal, where you can encourage yourself, record your brilliant ideas, and talk to your characters.

Excellent advice! If you could have done anything differently with your writing career so far, what would it be?

Click here to buy it on Amazon!

I wouldn’t waste a minute being discouraged. I spent several years writing children’s fiction, and came close to contracting my middle grade novel, but it didn’t pan out. Did I fail? No. What I learned from writing for children has been a tremendous help to me as I write historical romances.

Who are your writing role models, and how have they influenced you?

I love Diana Gabaldon’s writing and her ability to blend multiple genres so flawlessly. She’s a genius. But my biggest role models are the founding members of Sunshine State Romance Authors-you, Loretta Rogers, and Flossie Benton Rogers, multi-published authors who share their experience and knowledge despite having very busy lives. You three have shown me how it’s done: with class, generosity, and kindness.

Aww! You're so sweet! :) Okay, now we know you've just released "Mercy of the Moon" but are you planning any upcoming releases? Next books?

I am currently working on the second book in my Rhythm of the Moon series, Heartbeat of the Moon.

What's one fact about you that most people don't know.

In 2006, I volunteered in Romania at a failure to thrive clinic/orphanage with Global Volunteers. It was a life-changing experience for me.

My great grandmother was a postwoman/midwife in the mountains of Idaho. It’s partly why my heroine, Maggie is a midwife. My uncanny gift for knowing when someone’s pregnant-sometimes before they do-is probably in my genes.

I fear the pneumatic tube.

I know people will want to check you out online. Can you give us your website links and contact information?

www.jennifertaylorwrites.com

https://www.facebook.com/jenniferrtaylorwrites

@jennifer4taylor

http://www.pinterest.com/authorjtaylor/

Thanks for being here on your debut release day, Jennifer! I am loving your historical romance, "Mercy of the Moon" and am looking forward to more novels. 

"Mercy of the Moon" Book BLURB:

Strange things are happening in King’s Harbour. Midwife Maggie Wilson vows to find the person who almost murdered her sister. When her sister’s behavior ignites old superstitions, the townspeople threaten to send her to an asylum. Maggie turns to handsome Ian for help in a town where everybody is against her.

Apothecary Ian Pierce wants nothing more than to feel whole, as he does when he is near the beautiful midwife, singing to her soul with his music. Only then can he forget the horrors from his past when false accusations sent him to Bedlam.

When they unearth the deeds of a sinister killer, Ian’s most daunting battle will be to safeguard his sanity…and win Maggie’s heart.

"Mercy of the Moon" EXCERPT:

The door swung open,

and Mr. Pierce, the singer from the kirkyard, thrust

himself into the room. He carried a body in his arms,

covered in a cloak. Blue-tinged, slender feet dangled

from the tattered, mud-soaked hem.

Samuel stared in slack-jawed shock and backed

away. “Why have you brought this body here?”

To Maggie’s astonishment, the body began

convulsing in great spasms, and the singer struggled to

hold it. The cloak fell off, revealing a shroud-wrapped

body, only the face exposed. The eyes, ice blue, stared

wide and unblinking and blank with terror.

Sarah’s eyes. Her lips blue, dirt-encrusted

eyelashes, cleft chin. “It cannot be,” Maggie whispered,

and shrank back. Coldness enveloped her, as if she had

slipped into a frozen lake, cold water surrounding her,

and could hear only muffled voices, echoing urgent and

sharp. She saw only shapes above the icy water.

“Miss Maggie.”

A voice, masculine and hoarse, broke through the

ice, and she stared into the singer’s eyes. They steadied

and warmed, pulled her out of her daze.

“We must move her by the fire and rid her of this

shroud,” Ian urged.

She took a deep, shaky breath. Yes. It was Sarah,

yet the eyes stared unseeing in a blue-mottled face

covered in dirt.

Samuel’s voice escalated in panic. “She was

buried, she was dead. I saw her. How can this be?” He

turned his head away.

Maggie grabbed him by the shoulders. “Samuel, you must look at her. 

Somehow it is our Sarah.”

About the Author: 

JenniferTaylor spent her childhood running wild on an Idaho mountainside. Although she’s lived across the U.S., she is still an Idahoan at heart and a notorious potato pusher. She has a degree in Human Services and worked as a roofer, a hoofer, a computer data entry operator and a stay-at-home mom.

Music has ruled her world since birth: she shimmied out of the womb with a bad case of Boogie Fever, but soon fell in love with the lyrics, how the words fit together perfectly like a jigsaw puzzle. Jennifer has dreamt of writing romances since reading Wuthering Heights at the tender age of twelve, and now lives that dream, using music on a daily basis to uplift and inspire her writing. It’s no coincidence that Ian, the hero in Mercy of the Moon, uses music to win heroine Maggie’s heart.

Jennifer lives in rural Florida with her husband and enjoys the comings and goings of her three grown children and three grandchildren. She feverishly lobbies for the return of breeches and would really love to see her husband of thirty-five years in a pair.