Friday, January 13, 2012

Guest Interview Joya Fields

You probably realise I don't do many guest interviews, and when I do the author is usually someone special. So, I'd love for you to meet Joya Fields who's debut romantic suspense novel is out now. Congratulations Joya. I'm sure readers will find this a great read.


Thank you so much for having me here today, Suzanne. I appreciate the opportunity to chat about my novel and characters with a disability.

The heroine in my debut novel BENEATH THE SURFACE is a below-the-knee amputee. Her lower leg was crushed during an earthquake. She’s determined to be independent, but by the end of the first chapter, she meets the hero, over-protective policeman Garrett Ciavello.

I didn’t exactly choose to write about a character with a disability, she chose me. I set out to write a suspense about a girl on vacation who has to extend her visit because her best friend is injured in a boat explosion. But as I wrote the story, and became aware of her background, I knew I was missing something about Brooke.

I realized the earthquake that killed her parents also left Brooke an amputee. My experience working at the Easter Seal Society was likely part of the reason I subconsciously included a disability in the book. During my senior year in college, I worked with people with disabilities at Easter Seals. I enjoyed the position so much that I applied for a job there as soon as I graduated. During my time at Easter Seals, I met many people with disabilities who needed a little help, but also insisted on being as independent as possible. I think there’s a little bit of a whole lot of different people in Brooke. She epitomizes the spirit and vulnerability of many of the people I met during my years working at Easter Seals.

Like many writers, the ideas for my characters don’t always come from conscious thought. I think that’s part of the magic and what makes the characters come to life on the page. How about you? Have you ever had an idea, and you weren’t sure where it came from, but when you followed that idea it proved to be a good one? I’d love to hear from you.

Thanks again for hosting me, Suzanne!

Blurb:

She’s fighting to stay independent—he’s determined to protect her no matter what…

Brooke Richards survived the earthquake that took her parents and most of her leg, but she needs time to regroup. A trip to Florida for a state-of-the art prosthesis and to visit her best friend Linda seems ideal. But the trip turns traumatic when Brooke witnesses Linda’s boat disintegrating in a fiery explosion.

Police Officer Garrett Ciavello believes the blast was intentionally set to hide something Linda found on a dive. When Brooke offers her expertise in underwater archaeology, Garrett accepts her help with the investigation. But since his fiancĂ©e’s death years ago, Garrett has become overprotective, and as they are drawn to each other, Garrett realizes he will risk anything to keep Brooke safe.
Brooke is fiercely independent. Garrett is fiercely protective. Will they heal each other’s wounds and find a killer…before it’s too late?

Excerpt:
            For the first time since the accident, Brooke forgot about her leg. Forgot about all she’d lost and focused on the way Logan made her feel.
            She knew she needed to stop him. She should find a way to resist the temptation to be with him. But for a few minutes, she could enjoy the taste of him, the feel of him, couldn’t she?
            He dropped his hands to her waist and softened the kiss before trailing a line of kisses down her neck. A weak cry slipped from her mouth. “Garrett,” she whispered.
            She should stop this now before it got any more intense.
            He cupped her chin and forced her to meet his brown eyes, smoky with desire. Heat spiraled to her middle and she caught a whiff of his sawdust scent.
            “I…I can walk you back to your own room before I head to mine.” His voice broke as he whispered.
            She swallowed hard. She couldn’t do this right now with him. Too many obstacles stood in their way. But as she looked in his somber eyes, she realized none of those complications were bigger than her need for Garrett.
            “Let’s go to your room,” she said, her voice shaking. She moved her hands inside his shirt and ran them over his tight abs and chest. Heat soared through her body at the feel of him. “Together…”

6 comments:

Joya said...

Thanks so much for hosting me here today, Suzanne. I'm especially flattered since you don't interview many authors on your site. I appreciate your kind words and for helping to get the word out about my book. :)

Tarnya said...

Hi Suzanne, and Joya. Love the name btw. It's different.
Thanks for this. It seems like a good read. I was looking for something to read. Something that will catch my attention. I'm off to check it out more.

Tarnya. x

Suzanne Brandyn Author said...

Hi Joya,
I thought it was the 14th your time. So what is the time over there when you commented here. lol.. It will be up for a few days so us Aussies can get on in the time zone warp. lol...
I must admit of late, I haven't found too many novels that have made any sort of impact on me. I'm definitely giving Beneath the Surface a read. lol.. :)

Suzanne Brandyn Author said...

Hi Tarnya,
Thanks. It looks appealling doesn't it. I have two novels to finish, and I'm currently setting up a new computer. Also I have a course coming up next week, and then there is writing, oh, and edits on 'Forgotten Memories.' Nothing like being busy, but Beneath the Surface is on my tbr list. :)

Thanks for calling in Tarnya. :)

Joya said...

Hi Tarnya, Thanks for the compliment about my name.Your name is cool, too! So glad the book intrigued you! Hope you enjoy it.
Thanks so much for stopping by to check out my debut novel and for taking time to comment. :)

Joya said...

Hi Suzanne,
It's actually Friday the 13th here in Maryland, USA. I commented before I went to bed last night. Hope I'm able to keep up w/ questions and comments okay--sorry about the delays to answers due to the time difference. Thanks for having me today and for putting Beneath the Surface on your tbr list. :)