Guest Post & Contest with author Jamie Rush

Today on My Overstuffed Bookshelf, I have the pleasure of introducing to you author Jamie Rush!  She is the author behind The Offspring Novels and she is a wonderful writer!  Let's sit back and see what Jamie has to say today!

The Things We Do For Love

We slay adjectives and adverbs. We slice and dice our words, cutting precious phrases and sentences, sometimes even entire scenes. Occasionally we have to kill a character, even a good one. We face the evilest of villains, fearlessly fighting for justice, for the innocent. We are writers. Not just writers, but fiction writers, creating whole words from nothing more than a glimmer of inspiration. Facing the blank computer screen with nothing more than an outline, if that.

We suffer disparaging remarks about writing "those trashy books." We brave critique partners, editors, and reviews about our "precious children," letting 12-page revision letters and negative reviews bounce off our shining armor. We fear what the rising piracy rates steal from us, not just money but perhaps our chance to make our livelihood doing what we want most.

We follow our dreams with the lofty ideals of some of our heroines, fighting to keep our hope alive as we face all the travails this life throws into our path. We do it for love, for money, but always from passion. There is nothing more satisfying (well, not much) than creating people, worlds, danger and triumph, putting that manuscript into the mail and sometime later receiving a much smaller envelope with the finished book.

We love hearing from our fans, knowing we have taken them into our world for a while, and hopefully, into their hearts. Our stories are, at their core, about people. Sure, larger than life, but still, people like us. People who love. Who are afraid they're not enough. Who've been hurt by life but still dare to try again. People who go through hell but find love on the other side. Love for someone else, and most importantly, for themselves.

And that, my friends, is what writing is all about, at least for me. We are all the heroes and heroines of our own stories. And while there is no guarantee of justice, the perfect romance, or a happy ending, I hope that you will be inspired to never give up, never give in, and always give love.

Like all of my characters, Fonda and Eric have their issues. She's clinging to the memory of the only guy who ever stood up for her, because her father never did. And then Eric went and torched him. She would feel worthless if she doesn't finish the task the CIA operative who hired her set out to do: kill Eric.

Eric is the first to admit he's an arrogant ass. He thinks he'll have no problem killing the enemy, even if she's a cute blonde. Both think they're on the right side. And when they reluctantly work together, they see that maybe they were wrong about each other … and about themselves, too. And we can have the enjoyment of watching them on their journey to self-discovery.

I'm celebrating the release of BURNING DARKNESS with my Kick Butt First Line contest.  Shocking, suspenseful…make us want more!  Cash prizes! Contest runs from Feb 1 through March 1, 2011. For aspiring authors, it's a chance to get your name out there and add a "win" to your bio.  For readers, it's a chance to play at being a writer.  Even if you're not inclined to write a line, check out the entries—they're a lot of fun!  For details, go to www.JaimeRush.com and click on the Contest link.

ABOUT THE BOOK:

BURNING DARKNESS, Book Four of the Offspring Series

By Jaime Rush

Avon Books, Feb, 2011 (ISBN 978-0-06-201885-4)

RT Book Reviews and Night Owl Reviews Top Picks!

Fonda Raine lives for one thing: killing Eric Aruda for slaying her lover. But she'll have to be careful--Eric can set fires with his mind. Seconds from plunging a knife into his heart, an assassin tries to take them both out. Now, she must choose: join forces with the man who's burning through her defenses or go down in flames.

CONTEST:

Thanks to Jamie, I have ONE copy of Burning Darkness to giveaway! All you have to do is answer the following question:

What is your greatest triumph? 

RULES:

1. This contest is open to the USA only.

2. No need to be a follower, but I would love it if you would!

3. Leave a comment with an email address to contact you with if you win.

4. Contest will end on 2/12/2011.

 

GOOD LUCK!!!