Interview of J.M. Maurer

Today I'm pleased to present an interview of romance author J.M. Maurer.

Latest Book: Seeking Redemption (Emerging From Darkness Book 2) Release date May 2, 2015
Buy Link: Amazon US: http://bit.ly/amznSkR

BIO:
JM Maurer started working as a registered nurse in the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. Holding a Bachelor’s degree in nursing, she loves to write about strong characters and their struggles in life. When not writing, she enjoys spending time with family and friends, consuming chocolate from around the world, and engaging in most any sport. She resides in Chicago.

Q: How did you celebrate publishing your first book?
A: After receiving a fortune cookie that said I should write a book, I took the advice fairly literally and did just that. So, I celebrated with Chinese food and an extra large glass of plum wine, then finished the day off with some yummy Belgian chocolate.

Q: Your novel is being made into a TV series/movie. Who’s in your dream cast?
A: Jessica Winters: Mila Kunis; Dr. Matthew Moi: Bradley Cooper; Holly McDaniels: Sienna Miller; Dr. Bryan Burdick: Chris Pine; Jake Fisher: Drew Van Acker/.

Q: What’s your writing schedule like? Do you strive for a certain amount of words each day?
A: My writing schedule is about as quirky as the words that actually make it into the computer.

Q: How much of yourself is hidden in the characters in the book?
A: Not a single strand of my DNA makes its way into any of my characters. ;-)

Q: Of all your characters, who’s your favorite, and why?
A: Holly, Jessica’s loyal best friend, is my favorite character. She’s fun and carefree, yet is strong and would never let anyone take advantage of her.

Q: Do you eat comfort food/listen to music when writing?
A: Oh, comfort food, my lovely best-friend-of-the-cave, especially if it’s taco Doritos.

Q: How do you choose names for your characters?
A: I use a random name generator and keep hitting refresh until a name calls to me.

Q: Give one advice tip to an aspiring author.
A: Show me the story, don’t tell it!

Q: What genre would you like to try writing that you haven’t yet tried?
A: I’d love to try a Romantic Psychological Thriller.

Q: How many stories are swirling around in your head? Do you keep a mental list, a computer file, or a spiral notebook filled with the ideas?
A: Right now, three. I use a notebook, post-its, my hand, napkins from restaurants, you name it. Mostly, I hope I never lose my phone.


Fun Stuff:
Q: What is your favorite holiday and why?
A: Halloween! Chocolate and more chocolate.

Q: What are two things people might be surprised to know about you?
A: I can throw a baseball from right field to third base. I don’t like going shopping.

Q: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: A meteorologist.

Q: Favorite food.
A: Mexican.

Q: Favorite happy memory.
A: When the Cubs win the World Series (See question about Super power).

Q: Favorite drink.
A: Southern sweet tea.

Q: Hot summer days or chilly winter nights?
A: Hot summer days.

Q: What is the top thing on your bucket list?
A: Relocate to a warmer climate!

Q: If you could have a super power, what would it be?
A: Time Travel.

Tell us where to find you.
http://jmmaurer.com/
http://jmmaurer.com/blog.html
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JMMaurerAuthor
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JMMaurer1
Goodreads: http://bit.ly/GoodreadsJMMaurer
tsu: http://www.tsu.co/JMicheleMaurer
Amazon Author Page: http://bit.ly/AmznJMMaurer

BLURB:
After surviving a bitter divorce and emerging from a darkness that became all too familiar, Jessica finds herself on top of the world, her soulful awakening allowing her to feel again, trust again, and even love again. Her painful past, however, is relentless, both physically and emotionally, bombarding her daily and not allowing her to overcome the lingering demons that ultimately control her life.

As Matthew lovingly guides her toward a healthy future, his own secrets become known, threatening to destroy the trusting relationship that had quickly grown between them. But despite what life throws her way, Jessica pledges to put the past in the past, accepting that events are often out of her control. She fights for a future with the man who drew her out of the darkness, steering her onto a healing path seeking redemption.

EXCERPT:
Grandma O flipped the light switch to what she called my office and stood just inside the door, her soft features and gentle smile inviting me in. I shivered, poised one step away, with a strange yet familiar emotion rushing through me—an awareness that the instant I entered, my life would be forever changed. Again.

Was this Matthew’s plan all along? They all seemed in on it, the thought making me feel railroaded and agitated, yet oddly aroused and enchanted too. Unsure how to deal with such conflicting emotions, I moved forward, looking to Grandma O for answers as I walked through.

The office was spacious, slightly smaller than Matthew’s, with a mahogany desk in the far corner and in front of an expansive bank of floor-to-ceiling windows. I ran my fingertips along the colorful wall of psychology books and periodicals as I walked along, passing a leather couch on my way to the desk, my desk, and paused in front of an empty nook within the bookcase.

It struck me as odd, the cold wooden surface needing something to spruce it up, make it mine. I had to think about that, my anxiety making it difficult to ponder the issue, my restlessness preventing me from staying in one place.

I moved to the windows and stared out the tiny cracks between the blinds, the world outside just as complicated as the one I had chosen to live in.

“We all read your master’s thesis,” Grandma O said, her voice pulling me out of my thoughts.

“It’s obvious you have a natural gift for research and writing.”

I turned and looked at her, questioning how they’d gotten their hands on a copy.

Sedation in the ICU: Patient Accounts of Their Dreams, Their Pain, Their Fears; I hadn’t published it. As it was, after countless hours revisiting old charts and conducting hundreds of interviews, I’d never been more nervous or scared the instant it was pulled from my tight grip to be placed into the hands of someone who would actually read it. There was no way I’d ever publish it, opening myself up to a world filled with critics.

“If you’re wondering, Dr. Moi is a personal friend of Professor Marienetti. The sexual fantasies accounted for and described within your research were fascinating, probably more so than Dr. Marienetti could digest. We’re baffled as to why you chose not to publish. The results, Jess, are far reaching, from ICUs to dentists’ offices. You have a special gift; embrace it.”

She walked toward me and leaned her back against the wall, her gaze drinking in the room.

“This office has been vacant, just waiting for you. You could do great things here.” She patted my arm, her grandmotherly smile telling me it would all be okay. “I’m next door if you need anything.”

Embrace it, I thought, watching as she walked out the door. I’d heard that advice before—from Matthew. I sighed and looked down upon the desk, the one I knew would take me a while to start calling my own.

My desk, my office, my couch, it all sounded quite foreign. I wasn’t sure if I liked it or not.


Anything else you’d like to add?
Seeking Love is the first book in the Emerging From Darkness trilogy. Seeking Hope is the final book and is coming soon.