Today I’m delighted to introduce Wild Rose Press author Jayne York, whose debut novel If Wishes Were Horses released August 19th.

Emily Converse never expected to return to Tamarack, Colorado. But she’s determined to rescue her drug-addicted brother and start a new life. Standing in her way, she finds her stepfather, a powerful US senator, looming over her future like the ever-present monster he’d been during their childhood. Meeting wounded retired Navy SEAL, Michael McCandlis, is a steamy surprise in her homecoming, though he’s adrift in civilian life. Together can they find a way to transform from victims to survivors?

EXCERPT: 
Once upon a time, she’d run away from Tamarack like her heels were on fire, and now here she was volunteering to step back into the furnace. What was the definition of insanity? Doing the same things over and over, expecting a different outcome. Like if she managed to change, be stronger, be smarter, things would turn out better—different. It wouldn’t be that simple. She downshifted the Jeep to slow for the last of the S-shaped turns on the narrow ribbon of asphalt. The road led her past the pretentious granite columns that marked her stepfather’s compound. She wasn’t consciously holding her breath, but a trickle of fear dribbled down her spine just the same. Her molars ground together in determination. The past wouldn’t decide her present, not ever again. In spite of herself, images of her last day on his estate flashed through her mind like the herky-jerky frames of a child’s flip deck animation. Fear sharpened every visual, clarified every word, enhanced every touch. She’d run down the steps, racing for her car. He’d charged after her, smelling of alcohol and fury when he tried to stop her headlong rush toward an unknown future. They’d screamed out their mutual hatred, all the bitter dregs of their time together. She smirked when she remembered getting in the lucky shove that had landed him in a heap on the ground. It had been her first glimpse that Senator Ray Domenico was not the invincible, all-powerful monster she’d known him to be.

PURCHASE LINK:

Let’s meet the author.

I’ve been an avid reader and sometime writer all of my life. I’ve never been able to resist the draw of a good story, and that has been true in my professional life as well. I was raised as the third of three children in the Colorado high country. Early on I discovered the joy of creating handcrafted jewelry, which led to a forty-five-year career as a professional jeweler. Every customer, every piece has its own story. I’ve collected them like pearls in a strand, and I often use them as a jumping-off point for the tales I tell. If you’re looking for me, you’ll find me on the shores of a northern lake, hammering away on my latest story of love and life in the modern world. ~*~ Find Jayne online at: http://www.JayneYork.com

Jayne, please tell us about your inspiration for this story.

I have a terrible habit of making crazy choices from the men who come into my orbit. Like Emily, I swore off the whole merry-go-round. Unlike her, my Michael is yet to appear. I’m still looking though; you never know when a hero will show up. Hopefully, in the nick of time.

As to honest inspiration; the things that led me into this story are the countless women I’ve met who have shoved back and swallowed down the horrific things they’ve experienced in their lives. Suddenly they find themselves at a survival point, either physically or emotionally, and sometimes both. I believe we all have the strength to face our demons, and survival is winning.

Tell us about your journey from aspiring writer to published author.

As my bio says, I’ve been a “sometimes writer” all my life. I’d toyed with the idea of trying to publish but was intimidated by the learning curve. Five years ago, I joined a local writers group out of the desire to build a life outside my profession. Though the group turned out to be primarily social, it gave me a glimpse of what might be possible. So, I threw caution to the wind and fired up my computer. It’s been a spectacular ride so far.

I quickly learned that you must pick your friends carefully and cultivate solid relationships with people who are not only willing to help you but are better authors than you are. I started “If Wishes Were Horses” 2014 and finally was ready to query in 2018. I got incredibly lucky with Wild Rose Press. They’ve been wonderful.

What’s your favorite part of the writing life?

I finally have an excuse to eavesdrop. I collect the unintentional things people say in normal conversation. I’ve got an app that I scribble them in. They can be quite hilarious, sometimes inspirational, and you never know where the next idea will appear.

Do you have any particular writing quirks? A special object, snack, music, etc. that helps you with your writing process?

I have great wireless earbuds and a playlist that’s mostly guitar instrumentals. They screen out the chaos of grandchildren and rowdy dogs. Aside from that, I love a quiet seat by a lake if I can get it.

Any advice for aspiring writers? 

Just keep at it and don’t let the naysayers get you down. Opinions are like noses, everybody’s got one, and most aren’t capable of using them appropriately.

I love all sorts of fiction and nonfiction, but I can’t abide a protagonist who keeps making dumb, self-destructive decisions. What makes you put down a book without finishing?

I’ll drop a book like a hot rock if the first chapter doesn’t grab me. You’ve got to have the goods upfront to keep me reading.

Connect with Jayne York

Website: http://JayneYork.com

Blog: http://JayneYork.com/What’sOnMyMind/

Email: Jayne@JayneYork.com

Twitter: @JayneYorkAuthor

Facebook: JayneYorkAuthor