The Next Big Thing: Amy Jarecki!

Today we're talking with Amy Jarecki, who is one classy-sassy broad I'm proud to be associated with! She's a fellow TMP sister and she has my vote because she's going to Scotland! FOR RESEARCH!! *swoons*

She quit her corporate day job a year ago to write full time and she's been kicking out manuscripts since! She's got such a passion for this writing thing and that inspires me and makes me raise my voice in a victorious WHOOP to honor all of us who'd like to follow in her footsteps. Power to the Writer! 

Amy has two books coming out with Turquoise Morning press in 2013. Chihuahua Momma is a light women’s fiction that explores the crazy life of a dog show handler/breeder and a studly ex-quarterback who decides his next adventure will be in the show ring. Her romantic suspense, Virtue, about a dancer on a cruise ship who ends up on the sacrificial alter of a Mayan cult will be released in December. But her true love is historical romance. Tell us about it, Amy!


1. What is the working title of your book?

Captured by the Pirate Laird


2. Where did the idea for your book come from?

I have always been fascinated with Scottish history, and received my MBA from Heriot-Watt University in Scotland. I was researching Brochel Castle on the Isle of Raasay and learned that the first chief of Rassay, Malcom Garbh MacLeod was a pirate, nicknamed Lusty Malcom.


3. What genre does your book fall under?

Romance – Historical


4. What is your synopsis or blurb for this book?

Wed by proxy to a baron old enough to be her grandfather, Lady Anne trudges up the gangway of a galleon that will deliver her into the arms of a tyrant. Crestfallen, she believes her disastrous life cannot get worse—until she awakes to the blasts of cannon fire.

Facing certain death, Anne trembles in her stateroom while swords clash and the chilling screams of battle rage on the deck above. When a grizzly Highlander kicks in her door, she prays for a swift end.

But Laird Calum MacLeod has a reason for plundering the ship—and it’s not a stunning English lass. With no other choice, he takes Anne to his crumbling keep on the isle of Raasay and sends a letter of ransom to her husband. In time, Anne grows to understand MacLeod’s plight and finds it increasingly difficult to resist Calum’s unsettling charm—until the baron sends a reply agreeing to terms.

Ripped from passion that will be forever seared into their souls, Anne and Calum fight to find forgiveness and risk everything for love.

5. What actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?


Kiera Knightly and Henry Cavill (from The Tudors)



6. Will your book be self-published, or represented by an agency?


Good question—still working on that J



7. How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?


About six weeks for the first draft (and then another six to polish). The MS is just over 90K words—you know I write historicals.



8. Who or what inspired you to write this book?


As I mentioned above, I love Scotland history!


9. What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?


The Saint, The Ranger, Highland Warrior, The Maid of Lorne



10. What else about your book might pique the reader's interest?


All the main characters are real people, though the story is entirely fictional.


I can't wait for this book to come out!! This one will definitely be in my To Read pile! Amy: Please hurry and finish this one! Also, can I come with you to Scotland? *bats lashes*

If you're as excited about Amy's projects as I am, leave her a comment and visit her website! And *ahem* you'll have to get in line behind me to be her standby Scotland buddy. :D