Timeless Sojourn Blog Tour: gust post, excerpt & giveaway

Timeless Sojourn
by Jamie Salisbury
Genre: Romance

Blurb: Recently divorced at a time when most women are enjoying their children being grown, Anne Harrison finds her life in chaos. At the urging of her forever-friend Kat, Anne moves back to Seattle, her childhood home, to get back her former confidence and make a fresh start.

Confident, creative, and a successful businessman, Geoffrey Quinn has depths not immediately apparent to those who come into contact with that cocky, devilishly handsome exterior.

The last thing either is looking for is a relationship. Anne finds Geoff highly irritating (and young!) at best, while Geoffrey finds her magnetic and wise. To his amusement, she futilely attempts to dismiss him each time they cross paths, and sparks fly.

Watch as this seemingly unsuitable, disparate duo lights a fiery, compelling attraction neither sees coming. But who will get burned?

Topic: How do you know you have a novel or novella? Can you tell us the creative process for Timeless Sojourn? Which character spoke to you first? How did you know about the setting?
When I sat down to write Timeless Sojourn I didn’t know how far I was going to take it. It was a rather emotional piece for me to write. Once I got to where it ends now, after some heartfelt discussions with my editor, I decided to make it into a novella, then continue and write another where this one picks up. I’m not sure where it will end, but after all is said and done I probably will turn it into one novel, instead of two to four novellas. Also, I think today with e-readers a lot of people prefer to read a novella rather than tying themselves down to a huge novel, and it gives them something to look forward to.

I had an idea for something like Timeless Sojourn kicking around in my head for quite a while. I had been writing down ideas, characters, plots until one day I just sat down and started writing. What evolved is far more than I first anticipated writing, but if I had gone with the original idea the book would have been quite boring. I put a lot more into the two main characters and their backgrounds and merged them into one. That was unintentional, but fun to write. So much fun, I’m already plotting the sequel.

Anne Harrison, the lead female character was the one who spoke to me first. I can find a lot of myself in Anne. She was a woman of a certain age who finds herself, through no fault of her own starting over. It shows her emotions and how vulnerable she is in making decisions on her own at this stage in her life. Where she once had been quite confident as sure of herself, she has to rediscover herself, and let go of the past.

The setting is based on places I’ve lived, making it easier to write. The crux of the book takes place in Seattle, which I’m quite familiar with and comfortable with having spent the majority of my childhood growing up in a suburb of Seattle. It was perfect place to have the male lead character, Geoffrey live also. He’s a sculptor and the Pacific Northwest is full of artsy people, so he fit right in. The sub-settings are also places I’ve been to and am familiar with. I didn’t go too far outside my comfort zone in this book, except for one place and I did have to research it a bit and talk to friends who come from there or have visited.

An excerpt:

Fall in the Northwest is quite different from that in north Georgia. It gets cold soon after Labor Day and not being able to go outside and walk without freezing is a drawback.

I have extended my walking perimeter to include a park just off the public docks not far from Kat’s home. I go to sit on one of the many benches lined up along the walkway to watch the boats and goings on.

“Beautiful afternoon, isn’t it?” An Irish brogue behind me inquires.

Without moving to try and see who I’m talking to I merely nod my head. I know who is addressing me.

“May I?” He asked, sitting beside me.

“It’s a free country last time I heard,” I answered regretting my cockiness immediately.

“So, Ms. Harrison, what brings you to Seattle?”

I sit up and look at him. He is extremely good looking I think. “I went through a bad divorce and my girlfriend Kat convinced me I needed a fresh start. So here I am.”

“Kat? Kat Brown?”

“Yes. That’s right, I forgot. You know her beau, Tom Delany, don’t you?”

“Yes, I know Tom quite well. And I’ve met Kat as well.” he replied putting his sunglasses on top of his head. His hair is thick, cut and kept in the fashionable tousled look.

“Do you live around here Geoff?” I inquired noting to myself that if he doesn’t he’s come out of his way.

“No, I live over on Lake Union. I have a houseboat there. I keep my sailboat moored here.” He points out toward the end of the docks where sailboats stay moored, their masts bobbing up and down in the water.

“Hmmm… a houseboat, huh? That fits you, Geoff.”

“I love it, no yard to keep up,” he replied. “It’s centrally located and ideal for a bachelor like me.”

“I’ll have to remember that when it comes time for me to buy.” Ha, I think to myself. It’ll be a cold day in you-know-where before I can buy myself anything, let alone a house.

“Do you sail?”

I nod my head. “Yes, although I have to admit it’s been years.”

“Good. Perhaps you’ll join me sometime.”

Looking down at my watch I note it’s later than I thought. “I’d like that.” I replied. “I hate to rush off, but Kat is preparing for a function and I promised her I’d help her out after I took my walk.”

He stands with me and takes my hand. “I enjoyed your company. Until next time, Ms. Anne Harrison.”

About the author: Jamie Salisbury cannot imagine a time when she did not write. A skill that has served her well throughout her professional career. Public relations in and around the entertainment industry, photography, editing, and special event planning all elevated her passion for writing.

An avid reader of histories, biographies, and romance, it's only natural that part of the products of her pen are historical romances featuring characters so authentic they spring forth from the page and shake the reader's hand. Many of her teen years were spent in Chile, but she and her family were forced out of the country when the political climate demanded it.

Taking the plunge to take her writing professional came as a result of a series of foot surgeries that left her with a lot of time on her hands. Unable to walk great distances at the time, she started writing as a way to pass the time. Her experiences of how dramatically her life had changed at first. Then the new world of e-publishing inspired her to digitally publish her first novel, Perpetual Love, rather than relegate it to the dreaded drawer. She couldn't be happier with her decision to grab the publishing industry by the shoulders and force it to pay attention to all she has to offer.

Two more novels have followed: Blood Lust and Tudor Rose, with more to follow soon.

Jamie now lives outside of Atlanta, but the love for travel has never abandoned her. Adventure, exploration, and intrigue permeate her prose to the core.

In those few moments of the day when she's not writing or thinking about writing, she finds knitting a way to relax and unwind. Other interests include photography, equestrianism, reading, and of course traveling.

Jamie hopes her writing will entertain, enlighten, and inspire others to pick up the pen and pursue their own dreams. She loves to be contacted by readers, writers, and history buffs.

Author links: Website | Blog | Twitter | FaceBook

Giveaway: 

Jamie will be giving away a $25 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the tour. To increase your chances, follow the tour and comment. The tour dates can be found here.