Welcome to Julies Book Review.
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Julie's Book Review would like to introduce Jamie Marchant . Welcome to the site. We are all excited to meet and learn more about you.
Let's start with Can you tell us a little about yourself?
From early childhood, I’ve been immersed in books. My mother, an avid reader herself, read to us, and my older sister filled my head with fairy tales. When I was about six, I started writing stories about the Man from Mars for my older sister. I devoured every book I could get my hands on, and I wrote my first fantasy novel while in high school—not that it was publishable. Taking into consideration my love for literature and the challenges of supporting myself as a writer, I pursued a Ph.D. in American literature, which I received in 1998. I started teaching writing and literature at Auburn University and discovered the excitement of teaching. But in doing so, I put my true passion on the backburner and neglected my muse. Instead, for a few years, I wrote literary criticism. Then one day, in the midst of writing a critical piece, I realized I had no interest in doing so. What I wanted to do was write novels. My muse thus revived, I began the book that was to become The Goddess’s Choice. I have an entire series planned.
I live in Auburn, Alabama, with my husband and son. I still teach writing and literature at Auburn University.
What genres do you write? if more than one do you have a favorite?
I write fantasy, both urban and high or epic fantasy.
What can we expect from your books? Action, sex, adventure, romance?
Action and adventure is all my works. Demons in the Big Easy has an older woman as protagonist, and there is no sex and only the slightest hint of romance. The Goddess’s Choice has a strong romance subplot and ends with some pretty steamy sex scenes.
Do you have a favorite book or character of yours that is a favorite? Why?
The Goddess’s Choice is definitely my favorite of my two published works. It is a full length novel whereas Demons in the Big Easy is a novella. I put my whole heart and soul into The Goddess’ Choice, and it is the work of several years. As far as my favorite character, that would probably be Robrek, the peasant sorcerer of The Goddess’s Choice, although the Princess Samantha (also from The Goddess’s Choice) is a close second. I’ve always been a fan of the underdog, and Robrek faces a major uphill battle. His father blames him for his mother’s death and beats him regularly. He lives among people who think he’s cursed with demon blood because of his foreign appearance. The priest thinks he should have been exposed at birth. To top it all off, he learns that in order to access his full power he must truly forgive all those who treated him vilely.
Samantha is the woman I’d like to be: strong, confident, and powerful. She ends up with her share of problems, but she starts at the top while Robrek has to claw his way up, somewhat literally.
Can you tell us anything on your newest release?
My newest release is the urban fantasy novella, Demons in the Big Easy. It follows the adventures of the seventy-year-old Cassandra. Adventurous in her youth, Cassandra built gateways between Domhan and its parallel realm of Earth. Now she’s too old for that kind of thing. But something is making it easier for demons to pass into Domhan. Not only that, but their behavior becomes inexplicable: whenever Cassandra banishes one, it laughs at her rather than resists, and it promises it will soon devour her essence and that of every resident of her small village. Cassandra is certain such a thing is impossible, for strong wards protect her village.
But then Cassandra’s granddaughter Aine falls through an unstable gateway. Cassandra is the only one within a hundred miles capable of creating a gateway and bringing Aine back. Despite her aching joints, Cassandra goes after her, and the gateway lands her in New Orleans. But something goes wrong with her tracking spell, which indicates Aine exists in four different places at once. As Cassandra struggles to find the true location of her granddaughter in the Big Easy, she discovers the source of the demons’ confidence. Now, with an unlikely pair of allies—her timid granddaughter and a homeless man who may or may not be crazy—she has to not only save her granddaughter but also prevent both Domhan and Earth from being overrun by demons.
Are you working on anything new? when will it be out and can you give us any details....hints?
I have all but the final edits done for The Soul Stone, a sequel to The Goddess’s Choice, in which Samantha struggles to solidify her rule, and Robrek must confront a bigger threat to the safety of the joined kingdoms. As far as when it will published, that’s a mystery. My publisher has developed lung cancer, and at this point, it is unclear whether or not he will continue in the business. If he does not, I’ll have to decide whether to seek another publisher or self-publish.
I’m also working on an urban fantasy novel, The Bull Riding Witch, which has a princess from a parallel realm switching bodies with a rodeo bull rider.
What kind of advice would you give new authors or people who are trying to get published?
Whether you find a traditional publisher or decide to self-publish, you have to be prepared to promote your book. I thought my work was through when I found a publisher for The Goddess’s Choice, but the book hardly sold until I started prompting it myself. You can’t expect the publisher to do this, and if you self-publish, it is even more important.
Lets find out a little more ....How about some FUN stuff!!
favorite place to travel?
My favorite place that I’ve ever been would probably be Iceland; it has a stark beauty and a friendliness not seen any place else I’ve been.
Favorite foods?
Shrimp, cooked about any way it is possible to be cooked. I’m also fond of anything chocolate.
Favorite past time?
Reading and writing.
Book (not yours but one you can recommend)
Fat Chance by RJ Leahy. It’s the best Indie published book I’ve read and absolutely hilarious.
Author (one you can recommend)
Again, RJ Leahy, a very funny writer.
any pets?
I have four cats. I’ve been told this officially makes me a cat lady.
Finally is there any special places we can find you and your books (Links please)
Email: jamie-marchant@jamie-marchant.com
Website: http://jamie-marchant.com/ Blog: http://jamie-marchant.blogspot.com/ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Jamie-Marchant-Author/164706710298768?ref=hl Twitter: @RobrekSamantha Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5258855.Jamie_Marchant
Buy Links
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/The-Goddesss-Choice-Jamie-Marchant/dp/1936519127/ref=tmm_pap_title_0?ie=UTF8&qid=1351963793&sr=8-2 Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-goddesss-choice-jamie-marchant/1110185060?ean=9781936519125 Reliquary Press: http://www.reliquarypress.com/Reliquary_Press/Welcome.html Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Demons-Big-Easy-A-novella/dp/1481906984/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1362059124&sr=8-1&keywords=demons+in+the+big+easy Smashwords: https://www.smashwords.com/books/view/303667
Blurb/Excerpt:
Title: Demons in the Big Easy
Author: Jamie Marchant
Blurb: Adventurous in her youth, Cassandra built gateways between Domhan and its parallel realm of Earth. Now she’s too old for that kind of thing. But something is making it easier for demons to pass into Domhan. Not only that, but their behavior becomes inexplicable: whenever Cassandra banishes one, it laughs at her rather than resists, and it promises it will soon devour her essence and that of every resident of her small village. Cassandra is certain such a thing is impossible, for strong wards protect her village.
But then Cassandra’s granddaughter Aine falls through an unstable gateway. Cassandra is the only one within a hundred miles capable of creating a gateway and bringing Aine back. Despite her aching joints, Cassandra goes after her, and the gateway lands her in New Orleans. But something goes wrong with her tracking spell, which indicates Aine exists in four different places at once. As Cassandra struggles to find the true location of her granddaughter in the Big Easy, she discovers the source of the demons’ confidence. Now, with an unlikely pair of allies—her timid granddaughter and a homeless man who may or may not be crazy—she has to not only save her granddaughter but also prevent both Domhan and Earth from being overrun by demons.
Excerpt: Cassandra felt eyes watching her and turned. On the other side of the fence, just off sacred ground, stood a demon. It smiled at her revealing nasty, yellow teeth and a forked tongue, its cat-like eyes glowing with satisfaction. “Good e’vn, powerful one.” The demon was short, but bloated, as if it had just consumed someone’s essence, but it was too small to have gotten past the wards she had guarding the village.
Cassandra’s lips tightened as she wondered who had been caught outside the wards. She hoped it wasn’t one of those who relied upon her for protection. She’d warned them not to be without the village boundaries after sunset. She readied her staff to perform the ritual of banishment, but the demon’s behavior was odd. “Why have you sought me out? You know I’ll simply send you back where you belong.”
The demon laughed. “Today, yes,” it hissed. “But soon there will be enough of us to overwhelm your wards and devour your village.”
Impossible. The veil might be thinner, but not thin enough for demons to cross in multitude. It would take far too much energy. “Your idle threats don’t scare me.” Cassandra took her staff and began to draw a pentangle in the snow, the first step of the banishment ritual.
The demon smiled wider as the pentangle took shape; it should have cowered in fear. “I will feast on you yet, powerful one, and the meal will be delectable.” It licked its thin lips with its forked tongue and made no effort to thwart the banishment. Any effort it made would have been futile, but still, she usually had to do the ritual while fighting them off, a lapse of concentration on her part usually fatal. This demon just watched as if rather amused by the spectacle.
Cassandra finished drawing the pentangle and stood in the center. She planted her staff and began to chant in the old tongue. Directing her will and her energy into the staff, she pointed it toward the demon. The demon began to fade as she pushed it back beyond the veil. Usually, at this point, the demon would scream and curse her name. This one just laughed again and spoke a single word, “Soon.”
It has been a pleasure visiting with you. JBR wishes you great success and hopefully you will be back here again with more reviews of your future books.
Julie Ramsey
ADM JBR
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