AJ & I Welcome Michele Ashman Bell!

Tada! AJ & I would love to introduce you to the AMAZING Michele Ashman Bell author of over 20+ published titles!

Including her latest release--

The Perfect Fit 
The Butterfly Girls can’t wait to begin their fourteenth annual weekend reunion, a time to renew their bonds of friendship and honor the memory of their high school friend Ava. But a dark cloud of fear soon forms in their shared hotel room when they learn that one of their former classmates has been brutally murdered. And when new evidence suggests Ava was murdered as well, the friends realize one of them might be next.

Andi is glad to be taking the Butterfly Box with her to Hawaii, where she plans to spend a few weeks participating in a reality dating show. To her surprise, the eligible bachelor, Michael Makura, soon singles her out for attention, provoking jealous acts of sabotage from the other contestants. Soon a series of unusual events disrupts the pair’s fledgling romance, and Andi starts over in New York where she begins dating a great guy and accepts a job offer from a generous, eccentric man. But when Michael unexpectedly shows up, all is not well in the Big Apple. And soon Andi comes faceto- face with the man who killed her friend—and he aims to kill her as well.


Thank you so much for agreeing to let us interview you, Michele!  Since ladies go first we're going to have Jenni start us off:

JJ: Eeep. I'm so star struck you have no idea! :)  Okay, okay, first question.  I'm dying to know, what are three things most people would never guess about you?


Michele:  That I eat Cheetos and Diet Coke for breakfast, I am seriously claustrophobic and I have a huge addiction to cinnamon.

AJ: Cinnamon?  Nice--(will not insert spicy comment here ;) ) So, I was wondering-- What's your earliest memory?

Michele:  Ooh.  My earliest memory was when I was between two and three years old.  It was on a Sunday because I was in my church dress and my family was living in San Luis Obispo while my dad taught at the University there.  My sister and I walked over to the neighbor's house, the kids were in the back yard playing a baseball with a croquet set.  Yes, a croquet set.  They were trying to hit croquet balls with the sticks you pound into the ground.  When it was my turn, the kid pitching the croquet ball totally hit me in the head.  My forehead split open and blood gushed like crazy.  I remember looking down at my dress that was soaked red with blood and being so sad that I ruined my new church dress.  I remember getting stitches too.  

JJ: I would've cried for weeks, had I ruined one of my new dresses. :(  I loved my dresses when I was little.  So, speaking of your child years, What did you want to be when you grew up?

Michele: I either wanted to be a nurse or a stewardess.  I loved the little white nurses uniform (the 1960's) and cute little hat they wore.  I thought all they did was take temperatures and give shots.  I am totally not cut out to be a nurse!  I also loved the little outfit the stewardesses wore back in those days.  The whole idea of dressing up and flying around the world seemed so exotic and exciting.  I also wanted to be a model.  I cut my hair short into a pixie cut like Twiggy's when I was young and thought I looked just like her.

AJ: Biting my tongue.  Lol!  So, what's your worst habit?

Michele:  I'm the queen of housework procrastination.  I will put off grocery shopping until there is no food left or put off laundry until people are out of socks and underwear.  I would much rather do . . . well, anything!  I also floss my teeth in the car (with those little flossers) and gross people out at stoplights.  This was my dental hygenist's tip and I rarely miss a day anymore.  But I have gotten some pretty disgusted looks from other drivers but hey, my dental checkups are amazing!

JJ: I Love it!  So what’s your most embarrassing moment?

Michele:  When I was in Las Vegas going to the Earth, Wind and Fire concert and thought I was walking through the doors to the concert venue but ran straight into a glass window and bounced back and fell down.  People all around me were laughing so hard I thought we were going to have to call a paramedic for them, forget about how badly it hurt my head!  (And my pride!)

AJ: Enough embarrassing you, we'll get to the writing questions now.  :) Who's your biggest literary idol?

Michele: As a young girl I was a huge fan of Laura Ingalls Wilder and felt I was shaped and inspired to become an author by her magical stories of growing up on the prairie.  I am also a fan of Louisa May Alcott.  I connected with her on many levels.  She comes from a family of four girls and is second oldest and she had a propensity for an over-active imagination.  She said this about confronting a society that offered little opportunity to women seeking employment, "... I will make a battering-ram of my head and make my way through this rough and tumble world."  I love the (determination) of these two authors and found it reflected in their stories and their characters.

JJ: Ooh, Louisa May Alcott wrote one of my favorite books: The Inheritance.  Erm, sorry, got sidetracked a moment... If you could go back and change one thing about your career what would it be?  (Some sort of advice for all of us newbies out there.)   

Michele: I would write a book about vampires and a girl who falls in love with one.  Just kidding.  I wish I had understood how important self-marketing was once you were published.  I was always willing to go do book signings and appearances but I had a hard time telling people "hey, this is a great book and you should buy it."  I haven't ever been one to toot my own horn so I had a hard time with that, plus I didn't really understand how to come up with marketing strategies of my own and really create excitement about my books.  Authors need to get over that fast because you've gotta believe you're book is awesome or no one else will.  

AJ: Great advice!  And I agree.  You have to believe in yourself and your work.  So final question--When you look back over all of the books that you've written, what themes do you find yourself returning to and why?

Michele:  Two themes are almost guaranteed in my books.  First, that no matter where the main character starts, she will always grow into a strong, confident woman who faces her fears and challenges.  Second, that my stories will always have a happy ending.  Not a perfect ending, but a happy one. 

JJ: I LOVE Happy endings!  Thank you so much for coming today, Michele!  

AJ: It was a pleasure to have you here.  If anyone would like to learn more about Michele Ashman Bell you can visit her uber cool website or her facebook fanpage.

Michele Ashman Bell grew up in St. George, Utah. In fourth grade her teacher wrote on her report card that she had a tendency to daydream and would probably do well with creative writing. Her love for books and learning about people and places has helped her make her teacher's prediction come true. Michele is the author of many books and Christmas stories. She is married and is the mother of four children, and a grandma of two. Aside from supporting her children in all of their many activities, she loves to travel, do research for her books and eat chocolate.

Vacation Adventures

Just so you know...

If you decide to take the whole family to Southern Utah to stay in a cabin for a week.  Not ALL of Southern Utah is Sunshiny and desert like this:

If fact that cabin you rented may be just 20 minutes north of there and covered in 4 feet of this!

Though while it makes amazing views and ultra fun snow tubing hills...

Your vehicle will more than likely look like this:

Because the weather is Springy and 60ish.  Great for being outside, not so great when 4 feet of snow melts.

Yep. That was the road in front of the cabin.  The nice firemen who took these pics, also towed us.  Lol!  They say Southern Utah has five seasons: And we came just in time for the 5th one: Mud Season.

Our new minivan will now be traded in for a slightly older 4x4 vehicle.

The James Gang gives up!

PS Though we definitely had a blast! :)

SPRING BREAK!!!

Whew!

I've just returned from a 10 day wilderness adventure. My wonderful hubby and I rented a cabin down in Southern Utah. I know, I know... we're an adventurous sort. We must be--if you count the fully loaded Toyota Mini Van, 7 kids, 2 mountain bikes, and an assortment of clothing from snow boots and mittens to shorts and t-shirts.

Not only did we get introduced to Southern Utah's 5th season: Mud (no joke), we also got to zoom down snow covered mountains on tubes in 60 degree weather, as well as traipse along the desert in nearby canyons.

For the next few days I'll post our family's adventures and let you see just what a family of nine does when they've got a week and a cabin all to themselves.

Jenni

(psst. Click on the picture to see it better. )

AJ Cole, Coauthor & Partner in Crime

Ahem. Hello? Testing… Testing… One, two, three…

I would like you all to move in a bit closer, because today is an uh-MAY-zing day! Why is it so amazing you ask? Well, I'm gonna introduce you to my incredible British coauthor and partner in crime AJ Cole--brilliant writer, father, cook, martial arts specialist and walking thesaurus (every writer girl needs one of these, trust me!) Not to mention he's got an accent. ;)

Come on in AJ, to the crazy blog formally known as Jenni James and go ahead, pull up a seat, grab some popcorn. We're gonna be here a bit. So, do you have your questions for me? I have mine for you… and they're good. hehehe!

AJ: Yep. Thanks for having me. Bring it on, lady.

JJ: Good! Me first--

1. Breakfast, everyone is dying to know, what do the English eat in the morning? It is really crumpets and tea?

AJ: Lol! Breakfast: porridge and honey with strong coffee. That'll be strange to our US pals, since I understand that where you're from there are only two types of breakfast - cardboard chunks (no calories) with water, syrup and cayenne pepper; or half a dozen fully loaded burgers with fries and a couple of litres of coca cola! ;)

My question for you is--

1. If you could choose 1 superpower for yourself, what would it be and why?

JJ: Mind control.. So then I could make everyone go out and buy our book and LOVE it!!! Muhahaha! Oh, Ahem. You meant... Right. Well, I have a lot of flying dreams... so i think that would be really cool, actually. Then I'd never be late! :)

Okay, okay… next question--

2. Superman, Spiderman or Batman? And why...? (i'm a batman girl myself. *grins* Always ALWAYS have been-no joke. Lol!)

AJ: Batman every time for me; he's edgy and has inner darkness that the other two don't.

2. Just how many children are you planning on having before you stop?!

JJ: Oh dear... But see? I just LOVE the little monsters. Really I do. It's scary I know. Well, let me think about it... 8 maybe 9 more... How many do you need these days to get your own TV show? ;)

3. Speaking of children, tell us about your family then... If you could take your kids anywhere in the world where would you take them?

AJ: Mrs C is a former ballerina and CSI and now a ballet teacher, originally from Scotland. I understand about 25% of what she says, which is the secret to our 8 years and 2 children together! The Zeds (Zac(hary) and Zara) are 4 and 3yrs old respectively; they both have masses of blond curls and exuberant outlooks. If I could take them anywhere in the world then it would probably be Disneyworld, Florida since they love all things Disney - next month we're taking them to Eurodisney.

Okay next--

3. What message(s) do you want to get across to the readers of your books?

JJ: That Jenni James it the greatest writer ever and all should read her books and buy her popcorn and lemons (what? I love popcorn and lemons, don't you?)... <--oh, oops. I forgot I wasn't going the mind control route. Lol! No, actually, I really want the good guys to win. Not just the cool good guys, but your average people too. I want to write books that when the reader closes it, they think about the characters and smile and giggle about them throughout their day. Something to ponder enough to wonder if sweet, feisty, wonderful heroes and heroines really do exist. I love reading a book that makes me giddy--if I can do that to my readers, then I've accomplished something. :)

4: So, If you could do anything to change the world, what would it be?

AJ: I don't try to change the world, since diversity and differences make it a much more interesting place. However, if I could then I'd wave a magic wand and make everybody much more tolerant of each others differences - it would stop a lot of the violence that threatens us all each day.

My small nod towards changing things for the better, is that I'm intending to become successful enough to start up a foundation that helps children who are undergoing difficulties of various kinds to express themselves and deal with their issues through creative writing. Writing has been a hugely important outlet for me, and I firmly believe that it can be a positive way of channelling negative emotions.

4. Okay, If you could eat only one meal every day for the rest of your life, what would be on that plate?

JJ: Well, it'd have to be something healthy so I'd live longer... and it'd need to have a variety as well. I have to have variety--hmm... A-ha! (Cue imitation of AJ's accent) By Jove, I've got it! Salad. Yummy, nummy, salad. I loveth salad. So set me up with a forever freshly stocked salad bar and I'd die a happy girl. :)

5. What's it like working everyday with a mormon? *grins*

AJ: Jenni's a mormon? Right, that's it, I'm leaving! Lol! Seriously though, it's generally not even relevant to what we're doing; although it can be frustrating when I'm working on promoting some of my other books, since the LDS community apparently wouldn't read them. See the answer to that previous question again though! :)

5. Sum up your co-author in 5 words.

JJ: Only five? Lol! Okay, okay… I'll try. How's this? Caring, Hilarious, Stubborn, Brilliant, Exuberant

Whew! We made it without arguing. I think it's a record, really! Lol! *grins*

So this is the man behind Eternity everyone. Thank you so much for comin by AJ.

If you wanna know more about our Epic Romance Eternity, you're welcome to click here and read an excerpt. It's good, but don't take our word for it! See for yourself. :D

New Blog, New Coauthor, New Book

Want to know what's happening with Northanger Alibi & The Austen Diaries? Scroll down. Or click here.

I would like to introduce you to AJ Cole (of The Scarmap Series)--my coauthor and new partner in crime on this blog.

He and I have written an epic paranormal romance novel titled: Eternity. Which is out now on Kindle/Smashwords/Nook/ereader for $2.99 It has a print publish release date of early 2012 (with our UK publisher)

To buy at Kindle you can click here or Smashwords click here. (if you're interested in Reading for free, we are looking for reviewers to rate us on Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords...etc. Please contact us for more info: jenni@authorjennijames.com)

Eternity-a battle of the heart

A general in the war in heaven is desperate to prove her worth in a world full of men, while a soldier under her command, would do anything to prove his worth to her.

Wanna read an excerpt of Eternity? Click Here

Scene from Eternity...

So I'm just throwing this on quick for anyone interested. This is a scene from the book I'm writing now with a co-author. It's called Eternity. It's still in the rough stages as we try out names, situations, etc... but I just had to share.

The concept:

The setting is the pre-existence, during the battle between God's army and Satan's army, where a female general struggles to maintain respect in a world full of men, and a foot soldier under her command, who would do anything to prove his worth to her.

He better come. I found myself a flurry of agitation and nerves. Never had I gone against the rules of the Council to this extent before. If I was even caught conversing with a soldier like this—secretly—I could lose everything. But it couldn’t be helped. That, that—man, needed to be put in his place, before he disrupted anything else. I heard a rustling behind me and quickly turned in relief to see the tall soldier. “You’re here.”

“I usually don’t ignore clandestine meetings with attractive women, General,” the man said as he came closer. “Of course I would come.”

I bit my lip to stem the words that I would’ve enjoyed to lash him with after such a reply. Instead, I took a deep breath and tried again. “Thank you, for seeing me. You’re braver than I thought you’d be.” I held up my hand lest I be bombarded with his bravery accounts and continued, “I don’t want to be here all evening so let’s get this over with, shall we?” I didn’t wait for his response as I turned away and began to walk through a small copse of trees that lead to an enclosed area. Feeling his presence behind me, I chose one of the carved stone benches and sat down, hoping he would follow suit and sit on a bench across from me. To my great annoyance, he stood and grinned, refusing to play my game, even after I offered, “Would you like a seat?”

“Sorry General,” his smug look belying his words. “I don’t mean to be contrary, but I honestly don’t feel worthy to sit in your presence.”

Of all the stupidest— “Fine, you may stand if you wish.” I smiled so as not to show how much he unsettled me. I had planned it all out, everything I was going to say. Yet, found myself without knowing how to continue in the face of his stubbornness. I took a moment to straighten the skirt of my gown as I sized up the situation—and more importantly the grinning solider before me. After a few unsteadied heartbeats, I decided to try a different tactic all together, but the infuriating man beat me to it.

“Your hand,” he said, pointing to my right fist. “You’ve just clenched it. Are you planning on striking me anytime soon?”

I looked down shocked to see that he was correct, my hand was clasped in a fist. I wasn’t surprised at the actual tightening, just the fact that I’d let my emotions become so easily readable. “And if I was?” I asked, as I brought my hand up, flexing my fingers.

“I was just thinking it would make this whole conversation more interesting, is all.”

“You would,” I grumbled as I mentally fought to gain some stable ground in the conversation. Get a grip, Laurelia, and say what you’ve brought him here to say.

“Can I see it?”

I was confused. “I’m sorry? See what?”

“Your hand.” The soldier smirked down at me. “Or are you too afraid to let me touch you?”

“Afraid?” What is happening here? “No, of course not. Why would I be afraid of your touch?”

The soldier chuckled. “Oh, you will learn very quickly General, you should always be on your guard when around me.” He then began to kneel upon the soft grass at my feet.

Alarmed I scooted as far back as the bench would allow. “What in the world are you planning to do?” I asked, baffled at his nearness and confident features as he situated himself to the exact same level as I was. Will I ever be allowed to catch my equilibrium around this man? Ever?

“It’s nothing too distressing, I assure you.” His eyes flashed a teasing spark into mine while he held his palm out. “Your hand?”

I debated briefly striking him with my fist again, but the challenge on his features guaranteed he’d thought I would do just that. Instead, I hesitantly placed my hand on his waiting palm and jerked at the initial shock the contact created but didn’t pull away as I slid my fingers until my whole hand was dwarfed by his much larger one. I watched warily as he brought his other hand up to cradle mine, and then turning it slowly within his grasp, he began to trace the contours and lines of my palm. Sparks sizzled to life the second the tips of the soldier’s fingers began to touch my skin. All at once I could hardly breathe—nothing had ever affected me in such a way before. He watched as my eyes fluttered under the millions of wondrous sensations his touch produced on my skin.

“I—” I was so caught off guard by his odd behavior I didn’t know what to do or say.

“Just relax, close your eyes and enjoy it.”

I battled within myself to stay alert and coherent. “But—?”

“Have you never had a moment to yourself just to enjoy something? Are you too frightened to let yourself slip for even a minute?”

I gave in. To touch was wonderful, but to be touched was something much more amazing all together. After a few moments, I asked, “Why does your contact affect me, when no one else can?” My eyes were still closed, relishing in the incredible sensation, when his deep voice near my ear startled me.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?”

My lashes flew open to find him just inches from me, his deep brown eyes glittering. “I—who are you?”

“Petrarchus.”

His deep baritone vibrated, sending my heart racing faster. “No. I know your name now, my councilor was quick to inform me. I meant, who are you? You? You’re not a soldier are you?”

I watched as his gaze grew haunted, there was something in his past—something I’d said that triggered a memory of some sort. I wondered briefly if he’d be upset if I probed his mind to find out what he was thinking. He never looked away, but his eyes were saddened as they searched mine, before he answered, “My brother was right. We are who we are, aren’t we? You a general and I a lowly foot soldier. It’s what we’re destined for, it’s what we always will be.”

“No.” Shaking my head, I allowed that word to sink in. “No, it can’t be right. We’re always meant to progress, always. None of us should be destined by what we originally are, it’s what we’re fighting for—free agency, growth, knowledge. There has to be ability for change, somewhere, somehow.”

The soldier brought my captured fingers to his lips, and kissed the tip of each one. The action sent a flurry of sizzling sparks down my arm and up my shoulder to zing behind my ear.

“Are you saying, my dear General, that you wish to see me grow and become worthy of you? That you would allow my attentions if I did so?”

His lips were soft and warm under my skin, the contact was so much more intimate than anything I’d ever known before. I could barely think or respond, my mind clouded with dizzying feelings to the point of lightheadedness. “I-I—” I gasped as his lips found my palm and severed all rational thought from my being. My lashes fluttered closed once more and there they stayed until—

“I knew it was only a matter of time before I won you over, Laurelia. I knew from the moment I first saw you up on that podium, that you would be mine one day.”

My lashes flew open. “Excuse me?” It felt as if a torrent of cold water had just awakened me from a deep slumber. Shocked and baffled, I stared hard at the man before me.

“Wait a minute. I didn’t mean it like that—” he attempted to grovel, but already I was pulling my hand away from his.

I stood up forcing him to move back. “You knew you would win me over? That I would be yours one day?” I stepped away from him, as I gathered in the anger and betrayal as a cloak around me, and whipped around. “For your information no man owns me, do you understand? No one.”

He stood up, with one hand raised in a cautionary gesture. “Laurelia, you’re taking this out of context—”

“General Laurelia, to you, soldier,” my voice clipped in anger as my eyes blazed.

Petrarchus started at the insult. His hooded eyes lowered to the ground. “Fine. General. Is there anything else you’d like to discuss or may I leave now?”

All at once my true reason for sending him to me came back full force. “There is plenty more to discuss, and you will hear it all,” I shot back, not concerned if my voice carried beyond the trees. “You will never, ever treat me with disrespect in front of your fellow soldiers again, do you understand? I will not have my name be bantered about within the ranks of the men I am over. Do you realize what I went through to be able to do this—walk among you and teach you myself? Do have any idea how upset the council was at my decision—this is probationary only, as it is. For some reason, the council believed I would find it too hard to resist the charms of my soldiers, and allow them to try liberties on me they would’ve never been permitted to explore, without my close contact.”

I marched over to a nearby tree and ripped a branch from its stem. “And to think I actually argued with them—believing I could withstand anything.” I sliced the branch through the air—allowing the sound of the sting of wind it created to soothe my frustration. “What happens within the first week of my probation? You happen!” I point the branch at Petrarchus. And I’m fool enough to believe I can have a normal, decent conversation with you—without trying to prove myself all the time. Without having to be a General. Except the second I allow my guard to drop, you-your very nature takes over.”

“My very nature?”

I looked up to see the soldier grinning slightly, as if he enjoyed my tirade. “Urgh. Yes. Your very nature as a man!”

His smile grew.

I found my hands itching to haul the idiot above my head and throw him over the trees. The shock of finding himself several yards away from me, I knew would wipe that smile from his face. I could do it too, there was a reason I was a General—and it wasn’t because of my sweet disposition. Instead, I attempted to calm my emotions, as losing control was not something I relished. Forcing as much air in my lungs as silently possible, I released one word, and pointed toward the path we’d come in. “Leave.”

My eyes locked with Petrarchus’s for several moments before he nodded his head in surrender, and walked away.

I watched his tall proud back, leave—grateful to have his unsettling presence as far away from me as possible. Maybe it was a good thing Soren had reprimanded the soldier to fight on the front lines tomorrow. He needed to be taught a lesson.

The front lines.

Tomorrow. He’s not even trained.

“Wait!” I commanded, before I’d realized what I was doing. “Petrarchus, wait a moment.”

The soldier stopped and came back the few steps he’d taken, to emerge just at the opening of the clearing.

Removing as quickly as I could, a golden ribbon entwined through my hair, I approached his silent form. Without saying a word, I reached up and threaded the ribbon through a button hole near his left breast, directly over his heart. My fingers shook slightly and I refused to meet his eyes, I couldn’t explain my rash actions even if I wanted to. Deftly I twisted the equal parts together, knotting them in an eternal knot at the end. Then reaching on tiptoes, my hands clutched his shoulders, pulling him closer to me.

The soldier bowed slightly under my pressure, allowing me the liberty to whisper the Prayer of Protection, bestowed upon familiar hearts and loved ones, within his ear.

“May your lance be true, may your aim be straight, and may all your enemies fall beneath your sword. With God’s eternal protection wound around your soul, may nothing harm you, or lead you astray—and may all your heartfelt desires guide you to choose the right, for safety, for strength, for ability and for valor.”

I finished the prayer and spread forth a warmth around him, securely enveloping the soldier in a shield of fortification against Satan and his followers.

As I went to step away, Petrarchus was quicker than I.

His strong arm wound about my waist, his hand titling my jaw and causing my eyes to meet his. “Did it ever occur to you that I may have purposely goaded Soren into making sure I was on the front lines? Thank you, for the protection, my dear General--but I'm really there to protect you,” he replied, just before his lips captured mine.