Shelli Rosewarne

Hi all,

Woot, it’s Friday and it’s April, hope you’re all starting a nice weekend. You may have noticed we have two blog posts today – if you’re looking for the A to Z Challenge it’s the next one down. However, you’d be missing out if you didn’t at least stay and visit first, sinc I have the fab J.M.Powers dropping by to chat about her fantastic new release, Jewel of Ramstone – if you’re looking for a great historical romance read for the weekend, look no further 🙂

Thanks so much for being here JM. So, let’s start with you telling us a bit about yourself.

Well, I pretty much grew up surrounded by bookcases. My parents instilled the love of reading. On the rare occasions when my little nose wasn’t buried between the pages of a book, I invented stories for my younger siblings. I never outgrew storytelling, and now I create feisty and unconventional characters to star in my novels. New worlds swirl in my mind with such intensity, I end up scribbling thoughts on anything handy. I plunge so deep into my medieval world of writing; I tend to forget to make dinner.

Hehe, I’ve had the one where I forget I’ve actually put dinner on and get engrossed in some scribbles, until that lovely burning smell starts to fill the house… Was there a specific moment where you first knew that you wanted to be a writer?

There was. My third grade teacher gave me an F (failing grade) on a story I wrote. However, what upset me even more was the note she scribbled across the top of my paper: You did not write this. Shame on you.

I stared at those words, wounded to tears. I told my father. He was furious. The next day, he marched into the classroom just as we were being dismissed. I was mortified. He slammed my story-filled binders on the teacher’s desk so hard, the teacher jumped. I just sat at my desk, too stunned to move. My father “requested” she read the stories I wrote just for fun. He then added, “Shame on you for discouraging such talent!” Wow. I went from embarrassed to proud in a span of seconds. That was the defining moment I knew: I am a writer. Later, the teacher told me to never stop writing. Obviously, I never did.

Wow, I think there’s a compliment in there somewhere, so glad it ended up inspiring you! Do you have a particular writing routine, or any special rituals?

No routine to speak of, I just let my imagination lead me. Sometimes I look up from the computer and realize I wrote through the night. Sunrises are beautiful…so is face-planting into the pillow after watching it.

Lol, oh yes, am no stranger to the ‘up all night’ thing. Tell us about the genre you write in, and what drew you to it.

I love historical romance, especially the medieval era. I have always been fascinated by the era. I even had a reoccurring “medieval” nightmare as a child that went on for years…. but that’s another story.

Ooh, now we’re intrigued. Are there any particular authors or books that have really inspired you?

Wow. There are too many books to count. I love Jean M. Auel’s Earth Children series. (I even named my daughter after the main character, Ayla.) I also love Terry Goodkind’s, Sword of Truth Series.

However, when it comes to inspiration, there’s an author who stands out: Deborah MacGillilvray. I must have read her book, A Restless Knight, 20 times over the years. It inspired me to pursue publishing as an adult. Though, at the time, I didn’t know Deborah personally, she reached out to me on Facebook. I had commented on her post regarding that book’s 10th’anniversary. Funny, I never liked Facebook until then. Ha! All joking aside, Deborah MacGillivray, my long-time idol, ended up reading Jewel of Ramstone and loved it! Goes to show you, you never know who you may meet in social media.

Aww, that’s wonderful. Must be a real confidence boost as well! What five things could you never do without?

Family, Faith, Friends, (I swear, I’m not trying to alliterate.) Chocolate and Coffee are the last two. (And there I go again.)

Hehe, we’ll let you off, cause chocolate and caffeine are pretty much essential 😉 Tell us a bit about your new release.

This novel has been through so much. Poor thing has survived two folded publishing houses. However, thanks to Totally Entwined Group, Jewel of Ramstone has found a home! I’m very excited about the re-release. Thanks to my editor, Shannon Combs, I’m very happy with this polished jewel. (*Giggle* I couldn’t resist.)

Here’s the blurb from Jewel of Ramstone, Book 1 of Medieval Quest Series:

A maiden, unable to recall who she is, must battle evil to regain the memory of her past and the hope of a future.

Awakening in the forest, a young maiden recalls naught—including her name. Equally conflicting is her desire to both slap and kiss Sir Galeron, the knight who claims to have protected her while she was unconscious. Much to her chagrin, he dubs her Ruby of the Forest, due to her red hair, and insists she find refuge at his home of Ramstone. Prickling at his demanding ways, but with no other option, she accepts his offer. His kiss flames her attraction even more, but Galeron dashes it with a confession. The brute is trothed to another.

Ruby’s journey is filled with laughter and weeping, daydreams and discovered abilities. Her heart longs for a future that her past may destroy. Evil lurks, treading on each tidbit of memory she recovers. Will Ruby ever recall her past? And after an attack in the village that sparks a horrific memory, does she even want to?

Ooh, sounds good. Where did your inspiration for it come from?

Oh, now here is where that reoccurring nightmare comes in. I’ve tried to recall when it started, and finally concluded that it must have been when I was very young, because I couldn’t remember a time without it haunting my childhood. It stopped when I was around twelve years old. Many years later… it returned. However, it did not creep into my bedroom and haunt my nights. Somehow, the fearful remnants of that nightmare that resided deep in my mind transformed into something pure and good. How? Well it inspired a plot in Jewel of Ramstone. Oddly enough, a terrible nightmare made my dream come true.

Aww, that’s lovely that something so positive came out of a nightmare. What did you find most enjoyable about writing it?

More than anything, I loved spending hours talking about the characters and scenarios with my sister, Cheryl, who’s also a writer. The plot twists, and timelines were so important to this story, and being able to bounce ideas off of her was exciting, and fun.

What was the hardest part about writing it?

The research. Loads and loads of research about the medieval way of life.

Hehe, yup, I must admit it’s not usually top of my list either, but it sounds like it could be fascinating in parts. Who’s your favourite character in it? (I know, I know, favouritism!)

Ruby. She is feisty and strong, but still has a softness, and vulnerability about her. She is a bit afraid to love, but brave enough to follow her heart.

So, just in case we’re not all convinced already, why should we run out and buy it right now?

Because, the story will grab you and keep you enthralled. From what I’ve heard from beta readers, and others who’ve read this book, you will become downright immersed in the story. The characters will come alive for you. Some still talk about the handsome knights, Galeron, and Jac. They jokingly fight over how one or the other is “their man.” Women relate to Ruby and Sarah’s friendship. Mother’s adore the little lad, Jadon. Several men have told me how the battle scenes were ‘visual’ in their minds.

That, in my humble opinion, is why you need to run out and buy Jewel of Ramstone right now. I promise you won’t be disappointed. I know I sound like I’m tooting my own horn. I’m not. I simply want to share the world of Ramstone, and the quest to find answers to a lost maiden’s past…as well discover secrets harbored within Ramstone’s walls.

Well, I think that’s me sold 🙂 For the rest of you, you can get your hands on a copy here:

 

Buy links:

Totally Bound Publishing https://www.totallybound.com/book/jewel-of-ramstone

Amazon http://www.amazon.com/Jewel-Ramstone-Medieval-Quest-Book-ebook/dp/B01BVC7DXM

And don’t forget to follow JM so you can keep up with her releases and news:

JM’s blog: http://jmpowersromance.blogspot.com

 

Take care x