Author Interview
Welcome back to Jersey Girl Book Reviews, Jennifer!
How long have you been a writer?
I wrote a lot of stories when I was a kid, but as I got older and got busier with school and work, I didn’t write any fiction. Three years ago, a friend encouraged me to start writing an idea I had for a story, and I haven’t stopped since!
Do you have a day job, or is being an author your career?
I’m the corporate tax manager for a large company by day. I’m single and have to support myself, so I need to keep my regular job! I work for a great company, and I don’t have to work much overtime, so it gives me plenty of time to write.
Please give a brief description / storyline about Edge Of The Past.
Edge Of The Past tells the story of a couple planning for their future, but ghosts from the past suddenly make everything in their lives uncertain.
What was the inspiration for this story?
After I finished my first book, Life On The Edge, I felt like there was more to explore with the characters of Emily and Sergei, and my editor suggested an idea for a sequel. I kicked it around with a few other ideas and decided to delve into Sergei’s intriguing past. This book can be read as a standalone or you can start from the beginning of Emily and Sergei’s love story in Life On The Edge!
How did it feel to have your first book published?
It was a lifelong dream come true! Seeing the ebook on Amazon was an amazing feeling, but holding the paperback in my hands was the moment I totally lost it and bawled like a baby!
Do you write books for a specific genre?
I write the stories that excite me the most and don’t really think about what genres they fit into. I let the categories sort themselves out once the books are published!
When you write, do you adhere to a strict work schedule, or do you work whenever the inspiration strikes?
I need to make a more strict work schedule so I don’t get distracted on social media! Last April I did a month-long online writing boot camp where I had to write every day, and I wrote almost a third of Edge Of The Past during that month. I’m going to try to do something similar for my next book.
What aspects of storytelling do you like the best, and what aspects do you struggle with the most?
I love writing fun and romantic scenes and creating dialogue in my head. I visualize entire conversations before I put them on paper. I struggle with plotting, especially plotting conflict. I beat my head against the wall quite a few times while writing Edge Of The Past because it includes lots of conflict!
What are your favorite things to do when you are not writing?
I love traveling, especially to figure skating competitions. Closer to home, I attend most of my alma mater Tulane’s football and baseball games, and I have a TV addiction to Once Upon a Time, Chicago Fire, Pretty Little Liars, The New Normal, and Big Bang Theory.
What is the most gratifying thing you feel or get as a writer?
The most gratifying thing is when a reader tells me they were emotionally invested in my stories. That’s my number one goal as a writer – to touch people’s emotions in some way. Hearing I was successful is the greatest feeling!
How do you usually communicate with your readers/fans?
I’ve heard from readers via email, Twitter, Facebook, and my blog. I love talking to readers, so please don’t hesitate to contact me through any of those channels!
What is your definition of success as a writer?
I think if readers feel connected to your characters and don’t want to say goodbye to them at the end of the book, that means a writer is very successful.
Are you currently writing a new book? If yes, would you care to share a bit of it with us?
I’m currently working on the third and final book in the Edge series! It will continue Emily and Sergei’s story and also tell Emily’s best friend Aubrey’s story as they all prepare for the 2006 Olympics. I’ll be posting teasers on my blog as I get further along with the book!
Thank you Jennifer for visiting Jersey Girl Book Reviews and sharing a bit about yourself and your writing career!
The Edge Series
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Nineteen-year-old Emily is new to pairs skating, but she and her partner Chris have a big dream–to be the first American team to win Olympic gold. Their young coach Sergei, who left Russia after a mysterious end to his skating career, believes they can break through and make history.
Emily and Chris are on track to be top contenders at the 2002 Winter Games. But when forbidden feelings spark between Emily and Sergei, broken trust and an unexpected enemy threaten to derail Emily’s dreams of gold.
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Emily's skating career and personal life have never been more golden. She and her partner Chris have won every competition they've entered this season, and she's found the man of her dreams in her coach Sergei. But when one of the biggest competitions of the year takes Emily and Sergei to Russia, Sergei's past explodes into the present and makes Emily doubt everything in their future.
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About The Author
Author Jennifer Comeaux
Jennifer Comeaux earned a Master of Accounting from Tulane University and is a Certified Public Accountant in south Louisiana. While working in the corporate world, she sought a creative outlet and decided to put on paper a story that had played in her head for years. That story became Life On the Edge, her first published novel.
When not working or writing, she is an avid follower of the sport of figure skating, travelling to competitions around the country. Those experiences allow her to see a different side of the sport and serve as an inspiration for her writing. Jennifer is blessed with a wonderful family and many friends who have encouraged her to pursue her dream of being a published author.
Links:
Virtual Book Tour Contest Giveaway
Win A $25 Amazon Gift Card or Paypal Cash
Contest Dates: Jan 7 - 24, 2013
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Open only to those who can legally enter, receive and use an Amazon.com Gift Code or Paypal Cash. Winning Entry will be verified prior to prize being awarded. No purchase necessary. You must be 18 or older to enter or have your parent enter for you. The winner will be chosen by rafflecopter and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to respond or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is in no way associated with Facebook, Twitter, Rafflecopter or any other entity unless otherwise specified. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. Giveaway was organized by Kathy from I Am A Reader, Not A Writer http://iamareader.com and sponsored by the author. VOID WHERE PROHIBITED BY LAW.
Book Review
Publisher: Astraea Press
Publication Date: November 27, 2012
Format: Paperback - 269 / Kindle - 471 KB / Nook - 553 KB
ISBN: 1481118889
ASIN: B00AEFAWD6
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Disclaimer: I received a copy of the book from the author / publisher in exchange for my honest review and participation in a virtual book tour event hosted by I am A Reader, Not A Writer.
Book Description:
Emily's skating career and personal life have never been more golden. She and her partner Chris have won every competition they've entered this season, and she's found the man of her dreams in her coach Sergei. But when one of the biggest competitions of the year takes Emily and Sergei to Russia, Sergei's past explodes into the present and makes Emily doubt everything in their future.
Book Excerpt:
After I got comfortable in my pajamas, I climbed into bed with my laptop to check email but never made it to my inbox. Thinking back to the conversation at dinner, I pulled up a search engine and typed Sergei Petrov and Elena Gorshkova. With a click on the Images tab, I landed on a page of photos from Sergei and Elena’s competitive days.
I’d looked at the pictures before – Sergei and Elena with their World Junior Championship gold medals, action shots from their winning free skate, and their celebration in the kiss and cry when they received their scores. But now I studied them longer, knowing I’d soon be in the city where all the history had taken place.
Elena and I had the same petite build, perfect for pairs skating, but our other physical features differed greatly. Her raven hair, cut in a bob, contrasted with my long, dark blonde locks. And her eyes were brown, almost black – the total opposite of my blue ones.
Even though Sergei and I had a lifetime together ahead of us, a twinge of something – perhaps jealousy, perhaps curiosity – hit me as I stared at the photos. Elena had given birth to Sergei’s child. His first child. They’d always have that bond, no matter the time and distance between them. Going back to Russia would surely trigger old memories for Sergei, especially since his father was obsessed with past mistakes. I shut my laptop and burrowed deeper under the blankets. The ghosts must finally be put to rest.
I’d looked at the pictures before – Sergei and Elena with their World Junior Championship gold medals, action shots from their winning free skate, and their celebration in the kiss and cry when they received their scores. But now I studied them longer, knowing I’d soon be in the city where all the history had taken place.
Elena and I had the same petite build, perfect for pairs skating, but our other physical features differed greatly. Her raven hair, cut in a bob, contrasted with my long, dark blonde locks. And her eyes were brown, almost black – the total opposite of my blue ones.
Even though Sergei and I had a lifetime together ahead of us, a twinge of something – perhaps jealousy, perhaps curiosity – hit me as I stared at the photos. Elena had given birth to Sergei’s child. His first child. They’d always have that bond, no matter the time and distance between them. Going back to Russia would surely trigger old memories for Sergei, especially since his father was obsessed with past mistakes. I shut my laptop and burrowed deeper under the blankets. The ghosts must finally be put to rest.
My Book Review:
Emily and Sergei's love story continues in Edge Of The Past, the second book in the Edge series. When Life On The Edge, book one in the series ended, Emily and Sergei's relationship had finally worked itself out after they had endured an emotional roller coaster ride of challenges. Now they are engaged and finalizing their wedding plans that will take place in four months. Before their nuptials, they travel to Russia for a Grand Prix competition and to meet Sergei's parents. When Emily's partner Chris injures his shoulder during the competition and they have to withdraw, things go quickly downhill for Emily and Sergei, when secrets from his past catches up with him and threatens to change their future plans in a very big way.
Edge Of The Past is an enchanting sequel that easily draws the reader back into Emily and Sergei's story. Author Jennifer Comeaux weaves an emotionally dramatic tale that focuses more on the off-ice life issues and relationship challenges that Emily and Sergei must work through as their wedding approaches, rather than on the riveting skating scenes that was prominently described in Life On The Edge. Nonetheless, this story seamlessly picks up where it left off in the first book and engages the reader with some more enticing page turning roller coaster ride full of dramatic twists and turns. And if that isn't bad enough, the romantically sweet ending leaves the readers begging for more from Emily and Sergei, only to make us wait for the upcoming third and final book in the series!
Written in the first person narrative, Emily takes the reader along for the ride as their journey to the altar takes some very interesting and dramatic twists and turns when Sergei's past takes its place front and center, threatening to cause life-altering changes to their future plans. With an ex-girlfriend/skating partner and a love child thrown into the mix, Emily not only has to contend with preparing for the upcoming World Championship, but also the drama surrounding Sergei's past and the affect it may have on their nuptials. You can't help but get emotionally invested in Emily and Sergei's story and ache for them as they navigate through the maze of challenges they must overcome as they figure out how Sergei's daughter and ex-girlfriend will fit into their relationship.
With an intriguing cast of recurring and new characters; engaging dialogue and interactions; a richly detailed description of Russia and it's beautiful historic buildings; and a riveting storyline full of drama, suspense and romance; Edge Of The Past will leave you believing that the power of love can overcome any challenge!
RATING: 5 STARS *****
Thank you for the amazing review, Kathleen!
ReplyDeleteHi Jennifer! Thank you for the opportunity to read, review and host your virtual book tour event for Edge of the Past. I can't wait to read the 3rd book in the series. :)
DeleteThere's going to be a short story "epilogue" to Edge of the Past coming soon. Can't give all the details yet, but be on the lookout :)
DeleteOh boy! I will make sure that look for it! :)
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