Aloha to Jacquie Biggar and TIDAL FALLS - Author Interview and Book Giveaway

Indie author Jacquie Biggar joins us today for a cozy chat!  By the way, I love this cover!

From the time I was twelve years old, I knew I wanted one day to be a writer. That year I wrote a short story called Count Daffodil after spending countless hours searching for ideas for my English Assignment. That story garnered me an A++ and was read aloud through the school's loudspeaker system. Needless to say, after that I was hooked.

I grew up, got married, raised a family and left my writing urges to simmer in the background unattended. 

I owned and operated a successful diner in my hometown for a number of wonderful years. And now I'm ready to take up the writing reins and see how far I can travel. 

I expect it to be an exciting, new journey and would be honored to have your company along the way.
And so it starts.

Kim:  Congrats on your debut, Tidal Falls! Before we delve into your new writing career, let's chat about your bio. You owned and operated a diner. Oh, now I'm hungry! What is your signature dish? What did you learn from the restaurant business that you could apply to your writing career?

Jacquie:  I owned a landmark café in the small town where I was born and raised. The restaurant was situated right downtown on Main Street and had been around for fifty years. I’d worked there as a teen, lol. When I took over I knew next to nothing about cooking. It was a steep learning curve but thanks to my mom, I learned. We served all-day breakfast. I think our most popular dish was the Screw-up. A tempting mix of three scrambled eggs, mushrooms, peppers, tomatoes, green onions, & topped with mixed cheese, a side of bacon, sausage and homemade hash browns along with your choice of toast. I messed up making an omelette one day, and ta-dah, a masterpiece was born, lol. It was even featured in a foody book, The Food lovers trail guide to Alberta.

I think the main take-away I learned from owning that business is to never give up on your dreams. I’d be lying if I told you I wasn’t overwhelmed with the responsibility of making the restaurant a success. But I have an overabundance of stubborn tenacity in me. Lots of times in the early years I’d go home dead tired after a twelve or fourteen hour day, and still have the books to do (yeah I learned that too J) not to mention a husband and young daughter to take care of, and I’d swear I was going to quit.

My DH, God love him, would just give me the look, and tell me he believed in me. That I could do whatever I wanted to do. He’s still my biggest supporter.

Kim:  What happened to Count Daffodil - the character and the story?

Jacquie:  Now that’s a great question. This story kind of happened out of desperation. I’d procrastinated (I know, hard to believe right?) and my book report for Language arts was due the next day. I sat on our couch and grumped and groaned half the afternoon away. What was I going to do? When I spotted this big bouquet of daffodils on the table, that worry transferred itself into the storyline. Suddenly, there it was. I was going to write about a vampire with a fear of daffodils.

This is the first line:

Today I tell you this story because I fear the count is after me and tomorrow it may be too late.

Needless to say in the end the daffodils saved the day and the count was vanquished. I’ve saved that story all these years, maybe one day I’ll try an illustrated children’s book, who knows. J

Kim:  Who or what helped you along the path to publishing?

Jacquie:  It’s always been my dream to write a book and have it published by Harlequin. I moved from teen to womanhood reading Harlequins, and love them still. When I finally began the journey to publishing I learned of this other, new way, to get the book before the readers, self-publishing. Like learning the ropes at the café, at first this seemed daunting. I had no idea what to do. Then I heard of a group of romance writers who support each other, learn from each other, and most importantly, have the same dream. I joined Romance Writers of America. The most important step I could have taken. It’s opened up a world of like-minded people for me. My main interest is in romantic suspense, so when I heard of the on-line group called Kiss of Death (The name alone makes you want to belong) I had to check them out. I’m so glad I did, there isn’t a finer bunch of men and women anywhere. I also became a member of our local RWA, and have joined a couple of critique groups within these organisations.

From them I learned the road to self-publishing doesn’t have to be difficult at all.

Kim:  hat inspired Tidal Falls? How did you research a wounded marine and a mother-on-the-run?

Jacquie:  My inspiration for Tidal falls came from watching all the news clips of the war in Iraq and the craziness happening in Mexico with the cartels. It seemed obvious to me, that one probably helped fund the other, and suddenly I had to write about it. The heroine, Sara, came from the news also. There was a lawyer suspected of ties with the cartel who was gunned down in his own driveway. I wondered about his life, his family, and from there my antagonist emerged.

One of my all-time favorite authors is Suzanne Brockmann. I want to grow up to be just like her one day. Her Troubleshooter books are in my keeper shelf and have been read again, and again. So when I considered who I wanted for a hero my thoughts automatically went to her books, and Sam Starrett. (sigh)

First I made Nick a SEAL, then I read about the Marines with their rescue dogs, who go fearlessly into the danger zones with the SEALS, searching for bombs and contraband. I knew this was going to be Nick.

We own a German Shepherd, Annie. She’s the smartest, loyalist companion and loves my DH unconditionally. She’d do anything for him. This became Jake in my story.

Kim:  What's next for Jacquie Biggar?

Jacquie:  I’ve just finished writing the second book in the Wounded Hearts series, tentatively titled , Redemption, which I hope to publish in the spring of 2015. I’ve also started book three, all based around the fictional town of Tidal Falls, Washington.

Thank you for having me on your blog today. I would love to gift a commenter with a copy of Tidal Falls.

Falls along the Road to Hana on Maui

Mahalo, Jacquie, for sharing your journey to TIDAL FALLS:

When Love is a Lie

ALL SHE WANTED WAS TO LIVE HER LIFE

Sara Sheridan found the courage to escape from under her husband’s oppressive thumb, so she sure wasn’t interested in getting mixed up with another alpha attitude laden male. Especially with her ex hot on her trail.

ALL HE WANTED WAS PEACE AND QUIET

Nick Kelley needed escape from the memories that haunted him. He wanted to just be left alone. So what was it about his reticent neighbor and her child that tempted him to give it up?

THEN LOVE GOT IN THE WAY

Nick and Sara’s growing attraction for each other leads them down a dangerous path as her ex-husband closes in on the new life she’s made for her daughter and herself and threatens to blow it all apart.

Waimea Falls, Oahu

To enter the giveaway, 

1.  Leave a comment about falls - do you have a favorite?  Mine, of course, is the Waimea Falls on Oahu.

2.  Comments are open through Saturday, January 17, 10  pm in Baltimore. 

3.  I'll post the winner on Sunday, January 18.

Mahalo,

Kim in Baltimore

Aloha Spirit in Charm City 

Learn more about Jacquie and her books at jacquiebiggar.com.

Falls from Fantasy Islands on Kauai