Interview of International Cover Model Jimmy Thomas!

Today it’s my pleasure to present an interview of multi-talented Jimmy Thomas…known to many as an international romance cover model. His career encompasses many avenues; just reading his bio at his website will explain that…sports, weight training, senior architectural designer, martial arts and personal trainer, cover model, business owner, entrepreneur. His resume lists a variety of items to include television/film, commercials, music videos, magazines, catalogs, etc. Definitely a man of many talents!

Where to find information about Jimmy Thomas:
Websites:
http://www.jimmythomas.com
http://www.romancenovelcovers.com

Q: Where else can we find you?
A: Well, I keep my Facebook page updated with my covers I’m on and the artwork created from my stock images, and I chat back and forth with those leaving photo/album comments ;) at
http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#!/JimmyThomasDotCom?ref=ts.That is where I am daily and virtually active.

Q: With all the directions you’ve taken with your skyrocketing career, is there one job you’ve thought about trying but haven’t attempted?
A: Producing/Directing, which is not just something I’ve thought about, it’s what I will be doing next. I already produce and direct all my novel cover shoots for my RNC stock image website, and it is something I have basically done with most of my careers: Personal Training: I produce workout and diet regimes for my clients… Architecture, I produce layouts and designs and direct homeowners on what would be best for their lifestyle, family, accessibility, future resale, for their new or remodeled home…etc., but producing/directing movies has been a desire of mine for a long time!

Q: I scanned all your covers…unfortunately, you’re not on any of mine...and have some favorites like Wild at Heart and The Spellbound Bride. Do you ever get the opportunity to reject a cover you’ve done?
A: Lol, no and I have no problem with that. I’m on about 25 to 30 new covers each week now, so being picky on cover art/design is rather senseless for me at this point. I can see if I only had a few novel covers and wanted to show everyone, but really didn't want them to see those particular covers (nudge, nudge), but I have enough great covers from amazing cover artists, to washout the few ‘not so great’ covers. ;) My images are bought from my RNC stock image website http://www.romancenovelcovers.com and the purchasers (cover artists, publishers, authors, graphic designers, website designers, novel trailer production companies, television/movie producers, etc.) have the licensing rights to manipulate the image as they see fit for their use, along with other images and/or artwork and/or text, as long as it falls into my terms and conditions guidelines listed on my stock website (no malicious and defamation of character, etc.).

Q: You teach self-defense, something everyone should know. Is there one special technique you could share with us?
A: Sure, for women especially, you will not be able to overpower a man; your strength just won’t compare, especially if he gets angry or is on drugs, so trying to struggle, or going for his groin, knee, etc., can easily lead to making him more aggressive if you don’t land your attempt just right and follow-up, so go for his throat or eyes.

Jamming your fingers straight into his throat will instantly put him into a panic, whether on drugs or not because he won’t be able to breathe… take your fingertips right now and give a little, quick poke to your throat. Shocking, huh? Now imagine it being done with force. Thumbs and fingers in his eyes is another quick and easy defense. No strength, training or talent is needed for either one of these defenses, and yet both are two of the easiest means of stopping an attacker.

I find it so funny when you watch in a movie where someone is being choked and the web of the attackers hands are over the front of the other person’s throat. This is movie-choking, lol. In reality you would rotate your hands around the back of the neck more so that your thumbs are directly on the throat and push your thumbs in for choke-out. Applying only 3-5lbs of pressure will crush the larynx. Anymore can easily kill the person, as swelling will start immediately and they won’t be able to breathe.

Q: Would you consider architectural designing again for some special project? Is there something you’d love to design?
A: Actually, no. I’ve been doing it for over… well, for a long time. ;) I’ve designed 4-story, cliff-side houses on private islands in Florida, to Platinum LEED Certified homes in Hawaii; the first to ever be designed and built in America, to working with the 'Afghanistan World Foundation' on the Rebuilding Afghanistan Project, where I have a share in the patents of the design of these low income housing units created from the hundreds of thousands of unused shipping/cargo containers (you'll see my name in the credits as 'Key Designer'): http://www.afghanistanworldfoundation.org/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=162:awf-announces-housing-project-initiative&catid=1:latest-news&Itemid=98 .

So I’ve kind of had my time in that field/career and I can’t stay working in one field for too long. Once I feel that I have done all that I wanted to do in it; reached my point of accomplishment (or boredom, lol, I need to let it go and move on to my other and new passions, dreams, goals, desires.

Q: Your time spent in Europe sounds amazingly full of traveling and adventures. Is there one location you truly enjoyed and hope to visit again? Where and why?

A: Of all the locations I’ve been to abroad, I would by far go to again, and highly recommend, Venice!!! It is just gorgeous there! Every photo looks like a post card. Everyone is so nice; it’s just so pleasant.

Q: We know you got to serve Breakfast in Bed to romance author Sandy Sullivan at the Romantic Times Book Lovers Convention in April. How great of you to volunteer to do this as part of a contest. Will you do this again…and where…so we will know and can enter?

 A: Besides this year in Columbus, Ohio, I also did it last year in Orlando, Florida, where Romance Author Kathy Kulig won it. I’m not sure if I’ll be doing it again next April at RT in Los Angeles, as I’ll be having a lot going on next year at RT, some big surprises! ;) But if I do, I will let everyone know how to enter the raffle for it.

Q: You have a wonderful and long resume of your fabulous career. What will be added next to your list of accomplishments?
A: Thanks! :) Next is being on more covers than anyone in history.

Q: Your resume lists a number of characters you’ve played. Which did you enjoy the most and what did you do in your portrayal of this character?
A: I don’t think I have a favorite. I like changing it up, although I also love romance, which will never get old. ;) I enjoy the challenge of portraying any character given to me.

Q: Favorite food?
A: Chocolate!!! Pastry, Italian.

Q: Favorite drink?
A: Coconut/Pineapple juice, vanilla almond milk, chocolate milk.

Q: What would you consider to be the most romantic place in the world…just so we might get some travel ideas?
A: Venice Italy!!! :)

Q: Anything else you’d like to add?
A: Some chocolate sprinkles. ;)

Thanks so much for doing an interview here at "Romance Books R Us"...we appreciate your time and wonderful photos!