Posted on by Jacquie Biggar

MEET THE AUTHOR


Today I’d like to introduce you to a friend of mine, Jacqui Nelson. Jacqui shares her passion of the old west and Victorian London through her wonderful stories. She writes beautiful descriptive passages that guides the reader deep into the heart of her books.

Her new release, Between Heaven and Hell, is set on the Oregon trail.

 

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Excerpt by Jacqui Nelson:

On a trail full of danger, will he guide her to heaven or hell?

 

Fort Leavenworth, Kansas – 1850

 

Paden Callahan lifted his gaze skyward. High above him, the pale blue arc didn’t even come close to rivaling the eyes of the woman standing beside him. How on earth had she made that shot? He knew only a handful of men capable of the feat she’d accomplished. Most of them were seasoned Rangers. Men from a life he’d left far behind.

 

He shook his head. A woman couldn’t be a scout. The job was chockfull of hazards. But the competition had been dangerous as well. Why had he allowed her to stand off against a brute like Dawson? Why had he behaved so impulsively?

 

Dawson looked none too pleased either. He clutched his rifle against his chest in a white-knuckled grip. “If you hire her instead of me, you’ll be sorry.” The scout’s voice was as close to a hiss as any Paden had heard. The man wasn’t going to leave quietly.

 

Paden suppressed a growl of impatience. He hadn’t shot anyone in years and meant to keep it that way. He strove for an even tone. “I’ve got a whole saddle bag full of sorrys. Adding another won’t make much difference.”

 

Dawson lowered his spent rifle until it hung by his side. His free hand twitched, inching toward the loaded pistol strapped to his hip.

 

Paden drew his revolver, cocking it on the upswing and leveling it at Dawson. The feminine gasp close beside him made him freeze. He suppressed the urge to tell her he wasn’t a killer. Why lie? He’d pulled the trigger in the past, and Dawson needed to believe he’d do it again. “Keep the supplies we advanced you. That’s more generous than I have to be. But this is the last time I’ll tell you—leave.”

 

Dawson slunk off with his two cronies dogging his heels. Paden released the hammer and shoved his revolver back into its holster. Then he spun to face the woman.

 

This time she didn’t retreat, but every bone in her slender body leaned away from him. He shouldn’t have reached for her earlier when she swayed on her feet. Being almost grabbed by a lout like himself had only added to the storm of emotions he sensed in her: caution warred with curiosity…and something more.

Available on Amazon.com

 

Jacqui’s novella, Adella’s Enemy, was inspired by the popular T.V. series, Hell on Wheels.

 

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Available on Amazon.com

 

And her upcoming book, Between Love and Lies, set in Dodge City, will be available this fall, 2014.

 

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Now let’s get to know a little about the author, 🙂

What do you write?
Historical romantic adventures

What genre do you favor?
Historical stories with lots of action and grit.

When did you realize you wanted to be a writer?
I first thought about writing in my early twenties, but then I got distracted by other careers (computer programming and then animation). It was only seven years ago that I came back to the dream of writing.

Are you published?
“Between Heaven & Hell” – my Oregon Trail story that won the 2010 Golden Heart for historical romance (published June 2014)
e-book: http://bit.ly/BHHkdp
print: http://bit.ly/BHHcsp

“Adella’s Enemy” – a standalone novella and also part of the “Passion’s Prize” anthology, inspired by the AMC TV series “Hell on Wheels” (published August 2013)
e-book: http://bit.ly/AdellasEnemyKDPS
print: http://bit.ly/AdellasEnemyCS

And coming this fall…
“Between Love & Lies” – my Dodge City novel set during the heyday of the cattle drives, a 2013 Golden Heart finalist for historical romance

Where can you be found on social media?
Website or blog: http://www.JacquiNelson.com
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/JacquiNelsonBooks
http://www.facebook.com/JacquiNelsonAuthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Jacqui_Nelson
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/JacquiAuthor
Linkedin: http://www.linkedin.com/in/JacquiNelson

I’m also on…
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/JacquiNelson
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/author/jacquinelson

What do you think is the best way to publish these days?
I think it’d be interesting to be a hybrid author and have the best of both worlds (indie and traditional publishing).

What are your favorite genres to read? Why?
Any genre with lots of emotion. When I read, I want to be swept away to another place and feel as if I’m part that world.

Do your characters talk to you?
I wish they’d talk to me more often.

How do you approach starting a new book?
I read history books. My set of Time-Life Old West books is one of my favorites for finding story sparks.

What is your writing process?
– Write, edit, give to critique partners, edit more, repeat, eventually reach the end, edit a lot more, put aside for a bit, read with (hopefully) fresh eyes, edit more, give to freelance editor, edit more, give to beta readers, edit more, try to read the story through in one go for continuity, edit more, read as much as I can aloud, edit more, finally admit that I could continue editing forever, release story to the world.

What are the best writing books or blogs you’ve ever read?
– “Goal, Motivation, Conflict” by Debra Dixon
– “The Complete Writer’s Guide to Heroes & Heroines” by Tami D. Cowden, Caro LaFever and Sue Vidars
– “The First Five Pages” by Noah Lukeman
– “Self-Editing for Fiction Writers” by Renni Browne and Dave King.

What was your best date ever?
– Who has time to date when there’s so much editing to do 🙂

Navy SEAL or cowboy?
– Cowboy…or frontier scout. Now you’ve got me thinking of Daniel Day Lewis in “The Last of the Mohicans.” He and Madeleine Stowe had seriously hot chemistry in that movie.

Chocolate or chips?
-Chips. My favorites are BBQ or Salt and Vinegar

Fancy restaurant or picnic?
– Picnic. After a meal, it’s only civilized to have the option lie down and gaze at the sky.

Beer or wine?
– Don’t make me choose! Confession: I’m drinking apple cider as I write this.

Favorite author?
– Oscar Wilde. Love his children’s stories: “The Happy Prince” and “The Selfish Giant.”

Smooth or hairy?
– Smooth

Thank you for sharing a little of yourself with us today, Jacqui. If anyone has questions or would like to just pop in and say hi, I’m sure she would be happy to chat with you. Jacqui is also currently running a fantastic contest for subscribers to her newsletter. On December 01, 2014 she will be rewarding one lucky person with the gift of a Kindle Paperwhite, perfect for Christmas.

Here is the link, Jacqui Nelson’s Newsletter.

 

25 Replies to “MEET THE AUTHOR”

  1. Thanks for inviting me to be this Friday’s “Meet the Author,” Jacquie! So happy to be here with you and your guests. Who knows, maybe one of them will win my Kindle giveaway! A few years ago, I was completely blown away when I won my Kindle in a similar contest hosted by an author. That experience inspired me to do a giveaway of my own when I finally had a newsletter to share.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Good morning Jacqui. It was great getting to know a little more about you and your novels. Loved the excerpt you shared with us, and wish you all the best in your career, 🙂

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      1. Thanks, Jacquie! Glad my day job is finally done and now can turn my full attention to your blog…and of course more editing of my book-in-progress 🙂

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  2. I discovered Jacqui Nelson by an UNEXPECTED mistake & absolutely got swept away by her writing! I got to kick my dust , but still SPARKLY pink boots at the nightly Wagon train campfire & was totally welcome by fierce Miriam, big brother William, questioning Charlie, funny Gabe, macho Alejandro, sensible Virgil, loving General Sherwood, bruised Hannah & hunky Paden & we totally did S’mores! Jacqui wrote the first Western Historical Romance that I actually liked & I read a lot for my own personal SANITY! If you like Hell on Wheels TV show & spaghetti Westerns of old than grab any book that the talented Jacqui Nelson writes & you will never waste your money or time!

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Great to see you here, Patty! I’m so happy that unexpected mistake brought us together. And I’m always thrilled to hear how much you enjoyed my novel Between Heaven & Hell 🙂

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  3. I love your stories Jacqui. The heroines are strong. The men are real. Great reads. Thanks for telling us more about your upcoming books.

    Liked by 1 person

    1. Thanks, Jo-Ann, for the sweet compliments on my writing! Can’t wait for your books to start coming out in April! Hope you have a great Friday 🙂

      Liked by 2 people

    1. I have The Last of the Mohican on DVD and I watch it often. Especially the part where she asks, “What are looking at, sir?” And he says, “I’m looking at you, miss.” Sigh. Thanks for stopping by, Miranda, and congrats again on your Mont lake sale!!!

      Liked by 1 person

    1. And I didn’t even include the mention of the adult beverages needed to get me through some of those editing stages. 🙂 Thanks for visiting with us, Anna!

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  8. Another awesome interview, Jacqui! Loved the sneak peek at your next thrilling adventure! I’ve readied myself to be swept away. 😉

    LOL. It WOULD be great if our characters talked to us more often. Even better if mine didn’t choose to get chatty at 3:00am when I’m trying to get my REM on. But I guess beggars can’t be conversational time choosers so…

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    1. So true! And…is it odd that it’s Friday night and I’m thrilled to have a date with my characters? Hope they are chatty tonight and many edits get finished. Happy you could stop by, Darcy!

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  9. I loved your book, Jacqui. And… can’t wait for the next to appear on my hot little kindle…….sheesh it used to be hot little hands. How times have changed LOL

    Liked by 2 people

    1. I know exactly what you mean, Mimi. I love reading on my Kindle. And now I also love my new smartphone! How did I ever live without both of these devices before? Glad you could visit with us, Mimi!

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    1. Thanks, AE! Can’t wait to read your books as well. Good news is I don’t have to wait long 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!

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  11. Jacqui, What a fun interview! Your books sound so amazing. The excerpt reminded me of ANNIE, GET YOUR GUN’s song about “anything boys can do, girls can do better.” haha. Love that she’s a scout on the trail!
    I’m on the flip side of the characters-talking-to-me thing. I wish they’d shut the hell up, make up their damn minds, or just let me write the story my way. lol.
    And I’m totally with you on the picnic, where you can take a rest after eating. That’s genius.
    Love your covers, too!

    Liked by 2 people

    1. When I first thought about writing a story set on the Oregon Trail, I asked myself: who would I want to be on the trail? I immediately said scout…and so it seemed logical to give my heroine that role. Hope your characters aren’t too chatty tonight, Kim…and that mine are more chatty than usual 🙂

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    1. I’m glad as well, Gail! The book holds a special place in my heart being my first book and my first Golden Heart contest final as well. Thanks for dropping by!

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