Anna James

What genres and authors would we find you reading when taking a break from your own writing? I love reading the “Death” series by JD Robb and the “Arcane Society” paranormal series by Jayne Ann Krentz. I like historical romance novels by Amanda Quick and Johanna Lindsey, I like a lot of Nara Roberts contemporary stories as well. I also loved the Harry Potter series by J.K. Rowling just to name a few. There are so many great writers out there and I like to read as many of them as I can.

Do you have travel when researching your books? If yes, where is the most interesting place you’ve visited?
I don’t travel specifically to research a book. I do like to have my stories take place in places I’ve visited. For example, Isabella’s Dilemma (currently available from Sugar and Spice Press) takes place in San Francisco, which I visited with my family both as a child and again as an adult. It also takes place in New York City and the Rhode Island shoreline, which I visit frequently.

I have been lucky in that I have visited many places including parts of Europe, the Caribbean, Mexico, most of the US and parts of Canada. I have seen so many fascinating places but I can’t choose just one place as the most interesting.

Did you have any other careers before devoting yourself to being a full-time writer?
I have a very diverse work background. I have a degree in Mechanical Engineering and worked as an engineer for 10+ years. I’ve held certifications in both Personal Training and Aerobics Instruction and did that for a few years as well. Right now I have a job working in Marketing. Although I don’t write full time (yet) I write as often as I can.

Where are you from?
I was born in Connecticut and lived there until I was nine years old. My family then moved to a suburb just outside of Buffalo, NY and I lived there until I was twenty. I transferred to the University of Hartford (Connecticut) after obtaining my Associates degree in Engineering Science. I still live in Connecticut with my husband and children.
Do you work on one project at a time? Or do you multi-task?
For the most part I work on one project at a time but sometimes I will start another especially if I have writers block or if I have another story forming in my head. It helps my writers block by letting me concentrate on something else for a while and it helps me get the new story out of my head.
When not writing, how do you relax?
We have a cottage on a lake and I love to go there in the summer after a long week at work and sit on the deck and watch the sun go down. I also enjoy having my first cup of coffee in the morning on my deck and watch the sun come up. Being on the water is so relaxing for me. I also enjoy kayaking on our lake in the early morning when there’s no motorboats on the lake.

When I can’t get to the lake I listen to relaxation music or my meditation CD and that helps me relax and recharge.
What’s a guilty pleasure you have?
I love to eat chocolate.
What’s the perfect romantic evening?
Spending time with my husband.
What’s for dinner tonight?
I’ll figure that out when it’s time to eat!

What is your favorite candy bar?
Anything with chocolate!

*Please share with us your future projects and upcoming releases.

I have two upcoming releases so far. Coming Home will be released in May 2011 (www.melange-books.com) and To Love and Trust Again will be released in January 2012 (www.melange-books.com). I am working on some additional stories right now. The first is one that I started some time ago and have just resurrected. I am about 2/3 of the way through it and it features three sisters. I hope that this will be the first of three stories in a series. I also have another (not part of the series I just mentioned), which is really in the concept phase. I am working on the major scenes right now. After that…I enjoy writing and will continue to do so as long as I can so stay tuned for more stories!


Please share any links you would like listed in the Interview. Website, Myspace, blog, facebook, yahoo group etc.

Myr website: http://annajames1.wordpress.com/

Publisher's website:
Sugar and Spice Press (Isabella’s Dilemma) http://www.sugarnspicepress.com/
Melange-Books (Christmas Collectibles, Coming Home (May 2011) To Love and Trust Again (January 2012)) http://www.melange-books.com/



Book Purchase Link:
Isabella’s Dilemma http://www.sugarnspicepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&products_id=81
Christmas Collectible http://www.melange-books.com/authors/anthologies/christmascollectibles.htmls  

Other Web sites: http://www.manicreaders.com/AnnaJames/

Yahoo Groups/Newsletters:
Chatting with Joyfully Reviewed: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Chatting_with_Joyfully_Reviewed/
Long and Short Romance Reviews: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/LongAndShortRomanceReviews/
MFRW Author News Letter: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/MFRW-Author-Newsletter/
Melange Social: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Melange_Social/
Sugar and Spice Press Readers: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/Sugarandspicepressreaders/



Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Anna-James-Author-of-Contemporary-Romance-Novels/129394040447020?v