Interview of Author Jackie M. Smith

Today I'm pleased to present an interview of romance author Jackie M. Smith.


Latest Book: A Soldier’s Vow
Buy Link: http://xoxopublishing.com/shop-online/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=17&products_id=53
Video Link: http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xe6pav_a-soldier-s-vow-book-trailer-0001_creation

BIO: I’m a Canadian romance author born and raised in a small French village in Northeastern New Brunswick, Canada. My hobbies are reading, listening to music and watching General Hospital. Currently, I’m working on a few romance novels.

Q: What’s the first thing you did when you received word you’d sold a book?
A: The first thing I did when I received word a sold a book is tell my mother and then my friends. I was so excited. It felt like a dream come true.

Q: Who is your favorite character in your book and why?
A: If I had to chose a favorite character it would be the heroine Winnie Douglas. She resilient, brave, and knows her mind.

Q: Do all your heroes and all heroines look the same in your mind as you “head write”?
A: All my heroes don’t look the same because when I create the hero, I build a biography of him including what he would look like physically and mentally. I googled pictures of different actors I like and loosely base my hero on whoever I feel would be ideal for the part. In my head, it’s like a movie.

Q: What hobby do you enjoy when not writing?
A: When I’m not writing, I enjoy reading a good book. It takes my mind away from what I’m writing. I also like watching movies and doing yoga. Anything to refresh my spirits and creativity.

Q: What’s your strongest point as a writer?
A: Good question(smiles). I think as a writer, I keep learning how to writer better. I love getting feedback from my editor and of course from my readers.

Q: What is your favorite romance book that you’ve read?
A: My favorite romance book that I’ve read is Jewels by Danielle Steele. A great romance by a great writer.

Q: What genre would you like to try writing in but haven’t yet done so? Why?
A: I would like to try writing a paranormal romance. The whole story of vampires and werewolves are very intriguing. I would probably do a paranormal historical romance; something in the 1700s or medieval times.

Tell us where to find you: website(s), publisher’s page(s), blog(s), Facebook page(s), etc. List them all!
My website: http://jackiemsmith.weebly.com
Blog: http://jmsmithromanceauthor.blogspot.com
FB Fan Page http://www.facebook.com/#%21/pages/Montreal-QC/Jackie-M-Smith-Romance-author/234050636079?ref=ts&__a=8&ajaxpipe=1
MySpace http://www.myspace.com/493129764
Twitter http://twitter.com/JackieM_Smith
XOXO Publishing: http://xoxopublishing.com/shop-online/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=17&products_id=53

BLURB:
Winnie Douglas always loved taking pictures of her family and her hometown. One day, while reading a war magazine, pictures of the soldiers whose strength and courage touched her. With her family’s blessing, she journeys to Paris where a French magazine hires her to take pictures of the war.

Henry Whitfield answers the call of duty and travels halfway across the world to fight in the war. Far away from his family and Canadian hometown, he feels the loneliness. On the battlefield, he meets an angel. Afraid she is just a dream, he befriends Winnie.

War brought them together. Will it tear them apart?

EXCERPT:
Prologue:
Valise in hand, Winnie stood breathless as she gazed at the majestic ship floating with so much grace against the afternoon late November sky. She stepped forward and her heart raced in her chest. After spending the last two years in Europe, she headed home. Taking a deep breath of the cool salty air, she calmed herself. “You can do this,” she whispered.

Fixing her wide brim hat, she climbed the thick wooden walkway, feeling her feet heavy with every step. She let her eyes glance down. The high distance from where she stepped and the water below made her nauseous and very light-headed. Taking another deep breath, she continued her way while touching her growing belly and feeling the baby’s movements within.

“Winnie!” A man’s voice far behind her called out her name.

Looking out into the crowd behind her, she searched for the caller but saw no one. She shook her head and continued her way up.

“Winifred Douglas!” The man’s voice called out again.

She stopped once more and looked below. For a quick moment, she swore hearing her darling Henry calling out to her. Could it be he travelled all this way to Liverpool in order to find her? Her heart raced. Her palms moistened inside her gloves. Walking a few steps back down the gangplank, Winnie bumped into people going up. She squeezed her eyes closed as people jostled their way past her. Stopping where she stood, Winnie looked everywhere for Henry’s handsome face. Unshed tears stung her eyes. She imagined hearing him and seeing him. She felt dizzy. Taking a deep breath, she walked the rest of the way down the gangplank, and waited once last moment for the familiar baritone to call out her name.

***                           

Taking his arm, she felt his strength but he covered her hand with gentleness. New sensations rushed throughout her body. She gazed into his eyes and saw the kindness and honesty. Yet, she guarded her heart. She couldn’t give it to someone she hardly knew. But, the more time she spent with him, the more she felt as though they’d known each other all her life.

They had so much in common; from books to food and dreams of having a family one day. He even made her laugh the whole time they walked. Indeed, she felt comfortable with him. The feeling unsettled her a bit as they walked close. Again, she found herself comparing him with James. Yet, with Henry she found herself smiling and giggling all the time.

As they shared an umbrella; shielding them against the cool raindrops, he talked of the battles he fought and the friends he lost on the front since the war started. She saw the sadness in his eyes. “I’m so sorry,” she said, touching his arm. “I can only imagine how it is on the battlefield.” She didn’t say another word; the horror he lived and saw every day broke her heart.

He gave her a reassuring smile. But she felt his pain and sadness.

The rain stopped. Winnie felt the cold against her cheeks. Yet, inside, warmth filled her. She felt the heat of his body radiate and warm her. She enjoyed having Henry with her now. She crooked her arm around his and held on a little more.

For the first time in her life, she didn’t ask any questions nor worried about tomorrow.

They reached the park near the Eiffel Tower and sat on a bench while he told her about the men in his company, and spoke of their bravery. “We call ourselves Bell’s Bulldogs,” he chuckled. “These men are the finest soldiers in the whole battalion. No. The whole infantry.” He spoke about his fellow soldiers with such pride and brotherly love. His friends. She saw in his sparkling eyes how much he cared for his fellow soldiers. He also talked of his hometown of Calgary. “Alberta is a beautiful province. Mountains and lakes, and nice people.”

She pictured the Rockies with the snow covered peaks. “Sounds like heaven.”

“Close enough,” he said. Henry took her hand in his. He didn’t say another word, but she understood what precious peace and quiet brought to him. She gave his strong lean fingers a light squeeze, hoping he knew how much she cared for him.

As they reached the front door of her apartment just after midnight, he took her hand and brought her fingers against his lips once more. His eyes met hers and he held her hands between his. Bringing her closer, he warmed her against the chill. A breath caught in her throat and her heart raced in her chest. She stared at his full lips and wondered what if his tempting mouth kissed her. She closed her eyes for a brief moment, calming her racing heart.

He bent his head and leaned it against hers. “Thank you for spending time with me tonight.” His low voice stirred a new wave of warmth through her.

She bit her lower lip and held her breath while her heartbeat drummed in her ears. With the tip of his thumb, he caressed her lips. Their eyes locked while his warm hand gently cupped her cheek. In a brisk yet gentle gesture, his lips took hers. She trembled under his touch; her hands on his chest, unmoving. His mouth tasted hers as his arms lowered around her; holding her tight against him. She kissed him with such fervour; her head spun with desire. Her arms surrounded his neck as she tilted her head; deepening his kiss. A low moan left her mouth as his lips traced her chin and jaw.

“Winnie,” his hot breath whispered against her ear. He held her for a long moment.

She leaned her head against his chest, feeling the warmth of his body through his thick jacket as rain drops fell around them. She closed her eyes, and prayed for Henry’s safety and the chance to see him again soon. “Please be careful,” she whispered. “And if you can, please write me.”

“I promise,” he said, holding her even closer. “Take care,” he whispered against her ear before taking her lips hostage once more.

She watched him walk away, breathless and wanting more of his kisses. She believed he’d keep his promise. She removed her glove and touched her swollen and hot lips. And she smiled. Twirling under the rain, she giggled, feeling happy and alive.