Reading eBooks, especially on my phone, has become difficult, I think it is time to admit I may need to see an eye doctor, but I couldn’t resist getting a copy of this free eBook, the first in Nancee’s Pine Bluff series. After meeting Nancee Cain through one of the many fabulous writers’ group on Facebook, and being invited to host her Cain Raisers Page, I interviewed Nancee for my Creekside Café and became interested in her work. Though I may never get the chance to meet Nancee in person, I feel a kinship with her, and since reading The Resurrection of Dylan McAthie, I feel an even stronger connection. A good author makes you forget you are reading a book. When the story is really good, and the author truly talented, reading becomes an experience and find yourself amidst the story. That’s how I felt while reading The Resurrection of Dylan McAthie. I fell in love with the characters wanting to either drag Dylan off to bed, beat the crap out of him or feed him cookies and milk. While Jennifer could sometimes be annoying, so was I at nineteen. The Resurrection of Dylan McAthie is my first taste of Nancee’s work, and it was delicious. I am looking forward to devouring more of The Pine Bluff books. This opposite attracts, forbidden love romance is one of the best I’ve read. The contrast between bad boy Dylan and the sweet, innocent preacher’s daughter, Jennifer add another layer to the dynamics of this story. The naive nurse who harbors a secret crush for her patient is hardly a match for the worldly ways of a rock-n-roll heart throb. While Jennifer might be innocent, she’s not spineless and she gives her patient what for. Watching this romance unfold, the setbacks and missteps is like being on an emotional roller coaster. I laughed, cried and fell in love. Fair warning: you may lose sleep over this book. I think this book needs to be made into a movie. Now who would we cast for Dylan?
I am excited
to welcome Jennifer Lane to Creekside Cafe. I met Jennifer through Nancee Cain’s
Cain Raisers Facebook Page. You all might remember Nancee from a previous interview.
Thank you, Jennifer, for stopping by the cafe. Can I get you something from the
barista?
Jennifer:
Thank you for this opportunity. I’ll take an iced hazelnut coffee.
Sherri: Make
that two, it sounds great.
Iced coffee with milk in vintage jar
Jennifer:
How cool that you’re parlaying your journalism background into your author
blog.
Sherri: I
can hardly call writing for the small local paper a journalism background but I
enjoy chatting with fellow writers and readers. My time with the newspaper did
teach me to writing short pieces quickly, and on a schedule, as well get
comfortable asking questions. Sometimes, the hardest thing is knowing which
questions you should ask.
Have you been
in North Carolina before?
Jennifer: I
swam at a meet at UNC’s pool in college, and I’ve vacationed at the Outer
Banks. I love the beach!
Jennifer at 8, the year she started competitive swimming.
Sherri: I enjoy
the beach too. I’m only a passable swimmer, but I’m not one to just lay about
in the sand, I love to swim or walk on the beach picking up seashells.
Where are
you from? Where do you call home?
Jennifer: I’m
from Cincinnati, Ohio and live two hours north in Columbus. I’ve also lived in
Indiana and Washington State for graduate school. My sisters live in Illinois
and South Carolina, where I visit often.
Jennifer with best friend Gwynn visiting her sister in Chicago.
Sherri: One
of my sons and his family lives in Ohio but I’ve not had the chance to visit.
Jennifer:
Ooh, where in Ohio?
Sherri: Bucyrus,
I believe that is in the southeastern part of the state.
What type of
work do you do? Has it influenced you writing?
Jennifer: I’m
a psychologist, meaning I love to explore character motivation and growth.
People fascinate me. We all have good reasons for what we do, though sometimes
it’s a challenge to uncover those reasons.
Sherri: With
your education and observations, you probably have more insight, I often feel
like Dear Abby at the ABC store. Working with the public in a small town,
people often tell me things they might not tell a family member or close
friend. I guess it is like the bartender or hair dresser. People need someone
to talk to, not necessarily solve their problems but just someone to listen. I
don’t mind being that person and it gives me insight into people.
Jennifer:
Listening nonjudgmentally is SO important, but we often have trouble with
letting negative emotion just sit there without trying to fix it.
Sherri: Yeah,
I’ve learned I can’t fix everyone’s problems, but I can listen and care. Do you
craft your stories with characters first or do you have a plot and build
characters to fit the story?
Jennifer: What
an interesting question—I’ve never been asked that before. Characters first,
for sure. I was more of a plotter when I first started writing, but now I let
the characters take me on their journey.
Sherri: Do
you write full time now, or hold down another job as well as write?
Jennifer: Writing
is a hobby of mine. No way can I pay the bills with my measly writing income!
Sherri:
Don’t I know it. I have dreams of being able to make a living with my writing.
I have a great following locally but have yet to do more than build up my hopes.
How long
have you been writing?
Jennifer: Although
I enjoyed creative writing as a child, I never envisioned becoming a writer.
Then, in my thirties, I became obsessed with the TV show, Prison Break.
I found fan fiction on an internet forum, and at first, I thought, “What losers
write stories about TV characters?” Fast forward a few months and of course I became
one of those losers. The words flowed out of me—my first story was over 200,000
words! I kept writing and learning more about the craft, and I found a small
publisher who released my debut novel, With Good Behavior in 2010. Since
then, I’ve published eight novels and two novellas.
Sherri: I
never knew about fan fiction until recently. I think I would have loved trying
my hand at it. I used to come up with scenes for shows I liked.
What genre
books do you write?
Jennifer: I
write sports romance and romantic suspense with a psychological twist. What do
you write?
Sherri: I
write contemporary suspense with romantic elements but hope to write some
historicals also. Do you plan to write any other genre in the future?
Jennifer: I
branched out into psychological thrillers with my latest novel, Twin
Sacrifice. I included a little bit of romance because I can’t seem to stray
from that genre. I might write another thriller or venture into an entirely new
genre in the future.
Sherri: What
is your latest project?
Jennifer: My
work-in-progress is an adult sports romance featuring coaches from rival
universities. I am fortunate to have a wonderful critique partner, Nicki Elson.
Sherri: Is
Nicki also a published author? How did the two of you meet?
Jennifer:
Yes, Nicki writes contemporary romance—I love her “It Series” starting with When
It Hits You. Nicki and I met through Omnific Publishing (where I also met the
lovely Nancee Cain!)
Sherri: I
believe Beta readers and critique partners are vital to us being accomplished
writers. Learning to take criticism and address plot holes or other issues
makes us better writers.
What do you
enjoy about writing?
Jennifer: I
love immersing myself in narratives, losing myself in the plot and characters.
It’s a path of self-discovery. I also enjoy refining the craft of writing.
Sherri: I
think you hit it on the head when you said, self-discovery. We learn more about
ourselves as we study others. I hate to use the over-used term of ‘finding
ourselves,’ but I think that is a very real part of what we do. When we
empathize with others, we discovery our own capacity for love and acceptance,
and learn to accept ourselves.
Do you have
any other hobbies or interests, besides writing? Do these show up in your
writing?
Jennifer: I
was a college swimmer and volleyball player, and I have a blast swimming laps
and playing rec volleyball in addition to all kinds of exercise (walking while
listening to audiobooks or podcasts, cardio machines, weight-lifting). My
sports romances lean heavily on my Sporty Spice interests. I also enjoy
traveling and spending time with family, and it’s intriguing to explore family
dynamics in my stories.
Sherri: My
hobbies tend to be more sedate. While I love swimming and walking, I don’t do
nearly enough of it. I enjoy dancing and singing too but other than reading and
writing, I consider cooking my favorite hobby. I love to discover new recipes.
I’m an avid Food Network fan. Do you have a favorite food/recipe?
Jennifer: I
love Asian cuisine, including Japanese, Thai, and Chinese food. I’ve become
obsessed with my Instapot, and here is one summer recipe for Hawaiian Chicken
Tacos that turned out pretty well: https://pinchofyum.com/instant-pot-hawaiian-chicken-tacos
Sherri: I
will have to check out the Hawaiian chicken tacos, unfortunately half my family
can’t eat pineapple, but I love Asian cuisine. One of my daughters-in-law is
Cambodian. She cooks Thai and Chinese. She has even introduced me to Indian
food. My daughters-in-law have spoiled me, both my oldest and youngest cook for
me and I love learning new recipes and sampling new foods. My oldest son has
even taught me to eat Sushi, something I never expected to like.
What are
your writing strengths and weaknesses? What seems to come easy for you and what
do you have to work harder to get right?
Jennifer:
I’ve been told that I write good dialogue, though I have to be careful to
balance dialogue with exposition so as not to write an entire novel full of
character conversations only. I find life so interesting and complex that
sometimes I bring too many issues into my stories. I want to learn to write
more concise plots while keeping layered characters.
Sherri: Who
are your favorite authors or genres?
Jennifer: Pamela
Clare is my favorite romantic suspense author. Her I-Team series wows me with its
careful research and swoon-worthy heroes. Elle Kennedy writes hilarious sports
romance, and Colleen Hoover’s contemporary romances really shine. I also enjoy thrillers
from Nelson DeMille.
Sherri: I’ll
have to check out these authors. Wow, I think we’re about out of time. It was
so good to have you stop by. I do hope to chat with you again.
If you
enjoyed my chat with Jennifer Lane, follow her on social media and you can find
her books at through the links listed at the end of this interview.
I hope you
all will stop by again, you never know who will be stopping by Creekside Café.
Jennifer Lane, Author
Psyched Publishing Sports Romance and Romantic Suspense With a Psychological Twist
Today I’m excited to welcome Nancee Cain to Creekside Café. Nancee
graciously hosted me on her Facebook Group Page, Cain Raisers for my second
Takeover. Thank you again for your generous hospitality. It is so nice to have
you here at my virtual café. I wish it were real and we could be sitting back
sipping something cool and refreshing.
Nancee: I’m so glad to be here. And your takeover was
so much fun! I think if we met in real life, we’d
for sure be good friends and sit and talk books!
Sherri: That would be lovely
but I’m not drinking grape Koolaid, I have bad memories of that stuff. Though I
do admit to liking lemonade and blue lemonade, I can’t stand the smell of
grape. Imagine Artesian well water and grape Koolaid mixed. For those of you
not familiar with an Artesian well, is smells like rotten eggs.
But books, yes, I love
books and I really like your Facebook Group. You’ve done a great job of bringing
people together. How do you find time to write and keep up with everything
that’s happening with your online group? Surly you don’t work outside the home.
Nancee: I work full time as a nurse counselor in the field of
addiction, and it seems like I write/manage social media full time as well. I
get up early and work before work, work on my lunch break and after work.
Sherri: Wow, and I thought I was busy. When do you sleep? You must be
young and single to be able to handle all of that. Unless you have one of those
amazing husbands who actually support your career. Are you married, how many
years?
Nancee: Yes, um, let me think. (My hubby knows
this better than I do) In Dec we will have been married 37 years. Oh good
grief… That’s a long time he’s had to put up with me! Lol We laugh every year
on our anniversary and agree to “renew the contract.”
Sherri: The mechanic and I will be celebrating 28 years married in
July. He says we’re still on our honeymoon. He’s my cheerleader, my support and
even my researcher at times.
Where are you from, Nancee?
Nancee: I’m from Alabama and live about 60 miles NW of Birmingham in a
rural community.
Sherri: Have you ever been to the east coast, especially, eastern North
Carolina?
Nancee: I did when I was a kid. We used to travel east from TX and
either go to FL or up the east coast. I love NC and think it’s a beautiful
state. I’m writing a story now that takes place in the Appalachia Mountains,
which is one of my favorite places.
Sherri: How long have you been writing?
Nancee: Since I was a teenager but seriously since 2012.
Sherri: We have a similar timeline, though you have been more
productive. How many books do you have out?
Nancee: Currently
I have two paranormal angel romances and a novella. And in the contemporary
Pine Bluff series there are five currently published, with two more coming by
the end of the year. So that will make ten total in December.
Sherri: Wow, that’s impressive, especially with your demanding
schedule. Are you indie or traditionally published?
Nancee: I’m Hybrid. I pitched at Romantic Times in 2014
and was offered for two—Saving Evangeline and The
Rehabilitation of Angel Sinclair. I only accepted Saving Evangeline
and it was published through Omnific in 2015 the rest I’ve done through self-publishing.
Sherri: Tell me your journey to getting
published.
Nancee: I was a reader first, hooked up with
my critique partner, who is also a dear friend, and started attending our local
Southern Magic RWA. I took classes on how to write and dove in. I pitched at RT
2014 and after that I’ve done self-publishing.
Sherri: What do
you love about writing?
Nancee: I love the beginnings,
when the ideas are fresh and when the characters start to take over the story.
I’m a real pantser. And my favorite part of the process is what some consider to be the hardest.
I love the editing because my editor takes my rough manuscript and guides me
with a sense of humor and encouragement to make it
the best it can be.
Sherri: I’m a pantser as well,
though I’ve not embraced editing so much as rewriting. When I read through a
passage and see where I can make it better. I just have to be careful about
seeing a place for this great scene, dialogue, or whatever, only to realize
I’ve already written something similar in the next chapter.
What do you barely tolerate about writing?
Nancee: Like most, the soggy middles can be troublesome and the
afterward, the marketing, getting the
book out there. I’m at heart an introvert and would rather just hide in my
writing cave and write!
Sherri: Middles often get muddled, my mentor Marni Graff said to add
another piece to the puzzle. She’s a mystery writer. She has really helped me
find my voice as an author. It was her encouragement that pushed me to
self-publish my first book after my agent dropped me. I met one of your author
friends, Marie Savage, she said you were her mentor. I hope to have her visit
the café also.
Nancee: Aw,
that’s so sweet of Marie! She is a fabulous writer and we have become great
friends in real life.
Sherri: What are your writing strengths and weaknesses?
Nancee: I have no sense of comma usage. And
my folks have a lot of wall sex, seated sex, etc. because I don’t understand
when to lay, lie, laid. LOL As for strengths, I’m pretty strict about
writing every day.
Attractive couple close to each other
Sherri: I learned to make time to write while participating with my
local Romance Writers’ the Heart of Carolina’s Book in a Week challenge. It
gave me the confidence to send query letters to agents and participate with
NaNoWriMo.
Who are your favorite
authors/genres?
Nancee: Too many! I love Romances,
Contemporary, New Adult, Young Adult, I like psychological thrillers and
Southern Gothic and I love biographies.
Sherri: Historical romance was
my first love but like you, I’ve branched out. I really enjoy biographies,
especially for research.
Do you have any other
hobbies or interests? Do these show up in your stories?
Nancee: I’m an amateur
photographer, genealogist. Strangely enough, I
haven’t incorporated any of my hobbies into my writing. Since I write about
heavy stuff, I guess I pull more from background working in the addiction
field. Geez, I need to give these folks some fun hobbies!
Sherri: Who or what has most
influenced your writing?
Nancee: My parents always
encouraged it, my critique partner keeps me honest, Stephanie Phillips, my agent is patient
and my number one cheerleader. And I have found my tribe of authors who will push me when needed, hold my hand, laugh with me
and share my frustrations.
Sherri: What are your writing plans
for the future?
Nancee: I’m currently working
on a magical realism/romantic suspense story. And on July 11thThe
Reintroduction of Sammie Morgan, Book 6 in the Pine Bluff Novels will
be released. In November, the final book, The Realization of Grayson
Deschanelle will be published. It’s
going to be hard to say goodbye to Pine Bluff.
Sherri: Oh man, our time is
running out and we have so much more to talk about. Promise you’ll come back
again. Thank you so much for joining me at the café, Nancee. For more
information about Nancee Cain and her books follow the links below.
Biography and Links
I’m Nancee Cain and I
write romance with a serrated edge. My characters are flawed and many are
dealing with troubling issues like addiction, alcoholism, suicidal thoughts,
PTSD, Learning Disabilities, Low self esteem.
The first books are
“wickedly” good paranormal romance reads about snarky, hilarious
angels who have to come to earth and solve a problem, yet do so disguised as
humans. They don’t always succeed, but they are always funny!
My contemporary
romance novels all have ties to the small town of Pine Bluff, Alabama–where
everybody knows your name and your business! Each book is a standalone,
but they are more fun read in order to see what your favorite characters are up
to! (Dylan from the first book was quite the demanding rockstar and appears in
all but one of the books, I believe) And his book is FREE!
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