Interview with J. M. Maurer

Thank you, Cindy, for having me on your blog today. I’m really excited to be here.

SL ibooksHow did you get started writing?

I’ve always been a writer, so to speak. I wrote some poems while I was in school that won awards and are published somewhere, that sort of thing. But it was my sixth grade teacher, Mr. Stultz, who really kick started my focus on writing. He’d often say, “Jackie, if you don’t stop talking, you’re going to miss recess, during which you will write the entire time.” As often as he had said it, one would think I’d eventually learn. I didn’t. What I did learn was how to rewrite the words that were on the front and back of a very large index card, which was an apology for my rambling misbehavior, in his words not mine.  And, to make things worse, if I didn’t get it written at least 25 times, I had to stay in the next day to do it all over again. With my mind constantly drifting off to places and things I’d have much rather written about, I missed out on a lot of recess that year. He was an exceptional teacher, though. He taught me a lot about the world, including how to show respect to others, to listen, watch, and learn.

Tell us about your current series.

My current series is the Emerging From Darkness trilogySeeking Love, Seeking Redemption, and the soon to be released, Seeking Hope. It is a story about Jessica Winters, a thirty-two year old registered nurse who, after tragedy and deceit have driven her to take refuge deep under the dark clouds of depression, finds herself caught up in a seductive and life-changing romance with Matthew Moi, a sex therapist who lovingly guides her out of the numbness and back into the light. Alive with a passion she once thought would never again be possible, Jessica learns to laugh again, to love again, and even trust a man again. However, forgiveness and one final demon from her past prove daunting as she continues her journey seeking redemption and hope. Contrary to the title of this trilogy, while it is a roller coaster of a story, it is full of humor. After all, humor is the best medicine, the perfect antidote to dark sadness, and is free.

What inspired your latest book?

It’s a story I have always wanted to tell. No secrets here, it’s deep, has many levels, and has made readers both laugh out loud and ugly cry. More importantly, when I write and show a story, I want my readers to find the hidden gems. I want them to really see the character’s growth and feel all the emotions the H/h experience as they follow along in the journey. I try to make it the reader’s journey, as well, where hopefully they come away having learned something, too. So I guess you could say that teachable moments inspire me.

SR AmazonWhat is your favorite part of writing?

Editing. That’s when I add the soul of the story in, hopefully giving it those little pieces that really make it come alive, make it special.

What is your least favorite part of writing?

Handing it over to the editor.

How has your experience with self-publishing been?

My experience has been amazing. I’ve met so many wonderful people that I likely would never have otherwise. It certainly is a learning curve like no other. In fact, I’ve often told people that I think doing CPR on a dead person is easier. Please note: CPR is never easy! Having done both, I can honestly say that writing is hands down a whole lot more fun.

Where do you get the ideas for your stories?

The shower. It’s as if the flood gates open the instant I get in there. I don’t know what it is about the shower. TMI? Sorry. (wink)

Tell us about your hero.  Give us one of his strengths and one of his weaknesses.

Tell you about Matthew Moi. Well, he’s a psychiatrist who specializes in sex therapy and he’s pretty darn good at what he does, probably too good. Spoilers would occur here if I told you any more about him. As it is, I might have already told you too much. But, it’s safe to say that his biggest weakness is the love of his life—Jess. He’d go to the ends of the Earth for her, and I’d say he actually did.

Having achieved your goal to be a published author, what is the most rewarding thing?   

Holding your books in your hands is an amazing feeling, a huge accomplishment within itself. But when someone you don’t know emails you about your book, that’s a special feeling. I am very humbled that people have purchased and read them. I truly appreciate that they’ve taken time to immerse themselves inside a world I created, and then reached out with an email to tell me about it. That’s the best! Thank you readers. J

 And thank you again, Cindy, for having me on your blog today; I really appreciate it. I also love questions and comments. So feel free to leave them. I’m always happy to connect!  

 Seeking Love

354 pages

Blurb:

Every day, Jessica Winters does what she does best—bury herself in patient care within the walls of the neuro intensive care unit, keeping herself busy to escape the dark sadness that controls her life. But the day she sees Matthew Moi, the intriguing man seated at her new patient’s bedside, her shattered heart begins to frantically beat once again.

As Matthew pins his mesmerizing gaze upon her, trying to distract her with his humorous and playful banter, she does her best to ignore him. Somehow he already knows a great deal about her, breaking down Jessica’s barriers and awakening her soul, drawing her out of the darkness and into his arms.

When her painful past resurfaces, revealing truths that threaten her future, Jessica struggles through her issues and fights to stay on a healing path . . . seeking love.

Buy Links:

Amazon US: bit.ly/SeekingLove

iBooks: bit.ly/SeekingLoveiBks

Barnes & Noble: bit.ly/SeekingLoveBN

Kobo: bit.ly/SLKobo

All Romance: bit.ly/SeekingLoveARe

Excerpt:

One thing I knew: I wasn’t that woman anymore. I wouldn’t be her anymore.

My heart was racing at the thought of being separated from Matthew by only the door, and I watched as it opened, knowing he stood mere feet away. I drew in a deep breath to calm my frantic nerves and steady my racing heart. It was the moment my eyes would see him again, and the same moment I knew all involuntary muscle movements would cease.

As Matthew stepped in and around the door, his alluring eyes captured me. The feeling was nothing new. I’d been imprisoned by his gaze before. And locked in it again, I watched as he drifted to me, the indisputable chemistry between us palpable and absolute. His mesmerizing eyes had hypnotized my burning soul, completely bewitching me.

“Hello, Jessica,” he murmured, pointing to an open area of the bed. “Mind if I sit?”

I gave a slight shake of my head, having difficulty forming the simple word “no,” and watched as he made himself comfortable facing me. His crisp charcoal-colored trousers bunched as he scooted on the bed. My sight roamed along his classic plum-colored dress shirt and stopped searching once I focused on his face.

 

authorpicAbout the Author:

J.M. Maurer lives with her family in Chicago. She makes it a point to never work on a full moon and cringes when a coworker uses the “Q” word—never, ever say, “It’s a quiet day today,” at her day job.

Known for being overly superstitious, she can usually be found scraping at the remnants of a Nutella container, screaming at a hockey game, or putting pen to paper, allowing the “real” crazy voices in her head to come alive. And after all this, it’s no wonder she’s an incurable romantic and loves escaping the rat race of life to immerse herself inside the world of a really good romance book . . . because, after all, what’s better than a happily-ever-after?

 

Find J.M. Maurer Here:

Website: http://jmmaurer.com

Blog: http://jmmaurer.com/blog.html

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JMMaurerAuthor

Twitter: https://twitter.com/JMMaurer1

Goodreads: bit.ly/GoodreadsJMMaurer

tsu: http://www.tsu.co/JMicheleMaurer

Amazon Author Page: bit.ly/AmznJMMaurer

Google +: https://plus.google.com/u/0/114458635563041639090/posts

Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/jmmaurerauthor/