Please help me welcome today’s guest, Jayne York…
Please tell us a little about yourself, where are you from? Where do you live now? Family? Pets?
I’m originally from the flat lands of Nebraska, but I was raised in the Rocky Mountains, a tiny hamlet called Coal Creek Canyon. Now I live and work in upstate NY.
Where did you get the idea for ‘Midnight Acquisition”?
I’ve always loved the idea of opposites attracting. God knows, it’s happened to me. In this book I wanted to explore the ability people have to justify their choices, primarily those that have the ability to bring them a fulfilling existence. There are times in everyone’s life when we choose to do something we know is going to hurt and do it anyway. My characters are caught between pain and joy. The story lies in their choices and the outcome of them.
Why did you choose this genre (is it something you’ve written in before)?
I’d never written action scenes and thought a good chase was a challenge. It was harder than I expected to keep up the pace and the excitement while staying in character.
What was the most difficult thing about this one in particular?
I’ve been a jeweler for over 40 years. The temptation to delve into the technical aspect of the craft was almost overpowering. At the same time I didn’t want to dumb down the representation of what it takes to work in that industry. It was a fine line and I hope people are intrigued by what I’ve revealed.
What was your first job?
I was a late surprise to my parents and my siblings were out of the house by the time I was old enough to be helpful. So my first job was chief tool-schlepper for my father. It was unpaid and expected. I probably complained, but you can bet that I loved being the center of his attention.
What’s the main thing that you could get rid of in your life that would give you more writing time?
Procrastination. I fight it every day.
If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have 3 (inanimate) objects, what would they be?
My computer, an internet connection, and a solar powered generator.
What do you want your tombstone to say?
“Given the circumstances, she did her level best.”
Below is a letter I received from, if you can believe it, one of the main characters in my newest book, “Midnight Acquisition.” I know. I mean the cheek of the man!
2/1/21
Dear Ms. Jayne York,
My name is Becket Ford, and I’m a thief. I’ve always been a thief. But you know that, don’t you, Ms. York?
A friend of mine sent me a copy of your newest novel, “Midnight Acquisition.” Great title and cover art, by the way. I’m not sure whether I should pat you on the back…or sue you for libel. You make it tough for a hard-working man like me to make a living. I’d love to know who the hell your sources were, though. I’d like to get to know them a little better, if you get my drift.
I’ve got to admit that I was astounded by the way you crawled inside my head and dissected how my lifestyle came into being. It was like you bugged my life and picked out the most embarrassing, intimate, and crazy funny things that happened to me during my career. Thank God, the things that could get me arrested in ten European countries, you left out. Perhaps the most shocking and frankly frightening aspect of your book was detailing the methods I used to lift the Rochambeau family’s necklace. Do I get any points for the way I wrapped up that particular job?
I say frightening because most people consider themselves safe and protected from people like me. You see, people, even people in a business as security-sensitive as a major jewelry store, often fall prey to the mindset of “this will never happen to me.” I’m here to tell all you complacent and lackadaisical business people—it can, and it will happen to you if you’re foolish enough to take that attitude. But I’m also of the mindset that there isn’t a lock that can’t be picked or a system that can’t be beaten given the right time and intelligence. Of course, it doesn’t hurt when the thief has a lifetime of practice to draw upon.
As to your dialogue, most of it might as well be direct quotes from recorded conversations. Rest assured, I’ve scrubbed all my residences, ditched all previous identities, and dumped all my vehicles. This stunt of yours, this book, is costing me big time. My girlfriend, Juliette, is pissed, intimating that information like yours could only come from an old lover. Or worse yet, a current one. I’m in constant trouble, as you can imagine.
I hesitate to give you her phone number. Calling her will only make my life harder. Regardless, with sources like yours, you won’t have a tough time finding it.
Here’s to your career as a stalker. In the future, find someone else to pick on.
Sincerely,
Becket Ford, “former” pickpocket and jewel thief.
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BLURB:
Juliette Rochambeau was heartbroken when the boy she loved ran from South Carolina. Fifteen years later, she returns to her hometown to appraise her family’s historic gem-encrusted necklace. Becket Ford is a thief whose regret over leaving Juliette behind tears at his heart. His remorse, however, must take a back seat when a sadistic puppet master forces him to use their connection to steal the necklace or die trying. As they both vie for possession of the priceless jewels, lingering desire and emotion from years ago explode back to life. But escaping a madman and finding a future free of their past may just be a fantasy…
EXCERPT:
“Hello, Jules.” His lips quirked up, and she took a hesitant step toward him as if he’d pulled on an invisible thread. A swarm of bees erupted in her chest. He stood, and she couldn’t help herself; she took him in from hair to soft leather loafers. Their gazes locked. His startling gray eyes should have been cool given the color, but the emotion swimming in their depths held her fixed in place. Riveted. The silvery center rimmed in a blue so dark it was nearly black, and thick lashes, a lush sable brown like the roots of his hair. This Beck was as familiar as home and at the same time different as night from day. Gone was the boyish promise of good looks, and in its place, a devastatingly handsome man. The shoulders she used to love were broader, his waist honed. The flat stomach she’d caressed with curious, questing fingers was now an impressive six-pack of muscle revealed by the cling of his T-shirt. His chest, when he drew in a deep breath, strained the white fabric. Her body seemed to disconnect from her mind, and the power of speech deserted her. When she finally mustered the wherewithal to reply, her voice resembled the grate of a rusty screen door. “What are you doing here?” She cleared her throat. “I mean, hello yourself. I didn’t know you were back in Charleston.” She fought the urge to sling herself across the distance and jump into his arms. Her fists clenched to drag back control. Pull yourself together, Juliette. He trashed your stupid heart and didn’t think twice.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
I can’t resist the call of a great story. As the child of a world-class machinist and a frustrated artist, I learned early on the joy of creating handcrafted jewelry. Each piece, like every customer, has its own tale to tell. You’ll find them, collected like pearls in a strand, inside my steamy contemporary romance and edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense novels. Like my one-of-a-kind pieces of jewelry, the heroines in my books are rare, desirable and priceless. Their hearts can only be won by sexy, formidable heroes. ~*~ Find me online at: http://JayneYork.com
Website: JayneYork.com
Blog: JayneYork.com/What’s On My Mind
Email: Jayne@JayneYork.com
Twitter: @JayneYorkAuthor
Facebook: JayneYorkAuthor
Author Alicia Dean 