{Today's IMMORTAL HOPE Blog tour continues at Joya Fields' Blog and Sizzling Hot Book Reviews. The STRIPPED tour is live at Immortality and Beyond!}
Hi folks! As I mentioned in my first post of the day, I'm swapping blogs with author Joya Fields.I had the pleasure of meeting Joya via Twitter (@JoyaFields) a little while back and have since really enjoyed chatting with her. She's a fellow TWRP author, and her book, LOVE DELIVERED is currently available.
But Joya has a new book coming out on Jan 19th, and she's here today to talk about BENEATH THE SURFACE.
BENEATH THE SURFACE
She’s fighting to stay independent—he’s determined to protect her no matter what…
Police Officer Garrett Ciavello believes the blast was intentionally set to hide something Linda found on a dive. When Brooke offers her expertise in underwater archaeology, Garrett accepts her help with the investigation. But since his fiancée’s death years ago, Garrett has become overprotective, and as they are drawn to each other, Garrett realizes he will risk anything to keep Brooke safe.
Brooke is fiercely independent. Garrett is fiercely protective. Will they heal each other’s wounds and find a killer…before it’s too late?
Joya's going to tell us a little bit about the research process involved with BENEATH THE SURFACE.
The floor is yours, Joya.
Thanks very much for hosting me today to chat about researching books, Claire. I’m thrilled to be here.
Research is fun? Heck no. At least that’s what I would have said a few years ago. Just the word “research” brings scary memories of long, hard hours working on college papers, toiling over pages of boring information, and falling asleep on my textbooks.
To my surprise, researching elements of my story wasn’t a bit boring. In fact, it was downright fun. I think it’s even one of the perks of being a writer because it forces us to learn and grow.
One of my favorite electives in college was archaeology, so I guess it’s no surprise that the heroine in my debut novel Beneath the Surface would be an archaeologist. Once I got involved in the story, I realized she was not only an archaeologist, she was an underwater archaeologist and an amputee. Two subjects I didn’t know much about.
The internet is a great place to start research, and I learned a lot about Scuba diving and amputees from web sites and blogs. I read a lot of books on the subjects, too. Yet, the best part of researching elements of this story came from the people I met and chatted with.
From a friend who Scuba dives whenever he gets the chance, I learned that a diver should never ascend faster than his bubbles when returning to the surface. At a local rehabilitation center, I learned that amputees sometimes refer to the part of their limb that remains as their “residual limb,” but they also understand that most people don’t understand what the term means. Some are insulted by the term “stump,” and others accept it. The people are what made researching this book fun. The stories, their patience with my questions, and, especially the people who persevered through tough times, helped me learn. I realize that when research is part of the journey to bring a story to life, it isn’t hard; it’s a pleasure.
Have you learned anything new lately, or had to research something? I’d love to hear about your experience.
Research is fun? Heck no. At least that’s what I would have said a few years ago. Just the word “research” brings scary memories of long, hard hours working on college papers, toiling over pages of boring information, and falling asleep on my textbooks.
To my surprise, researching elements of my story wasn’t a bit boring. In fact, it was downright fun. I think it’s even one of the perks of being a writer because it forces us to learn and grow.
One of my favorite electives in college was archaeology, so I guess it’s no surprise that the heroine in my debut novel Beneath the Surface would be an archaeologist. Once I got involved in the story, I realized she was not only an archaeologist, she was an underwater archaeologist and an amputee. Two subjects I didn’t know much about.
The internet is a great place to start research, and I learned a lot about Scuba diving and amputees from web sites and blogs. I read a lot of books on the subjects, too. Yet, the best part of researching elements of this story came from the people I met and chatted with.
From a friend who Scuba dives whenever he gets the chance, I learned that a diver should never ascend faster than his bubbles when returning to the surface. At a local rehabilitation center, I learned that amputees sometimes refer to the part of their limb that remains as their “residual limb,” but they also understand that most people don’t understand what the term means. Some are insulted by the term “stump,” and others accept it. The people are what made researching this book fun. The stories, their patience with my questions, and, especially the people who persevered through tough times, helped me learn. I realize that when research is part of the journey to bring a story to life, it isn’t hard; it’s a pleasure.
Have you learned anything new lately, or had to research something? I’d love to hear about your experience.
Claire interjects -- I'm an oddball in the sense that I thoroughly enjoy researching for novels. Then again, if you take a look at this excerpt... I think, perhaps, Brooke might share a similar affinity for... ah... research. Ahem!
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EXCERPT
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EXCERPT
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For the first time since the accident, she forgot about her leg. Forgot about all she’d lost and focused on the way he made her feel.
She knew she needed to stop him. She should find a way to resist the temptation to be with him. But for a few minutes, she could enjoy the taste of him, the feel of him, couldn’t she?
He dropped his hands to her waist and softened the kiss before trailing his warm lips down her neck. A weak cry slipped from her mouth. “Garrett,” she whispered.
She should stop this now before it got any more intense.
He lifted her chin and forced her to meet his brown eyes, smoky with desire. Heat spiraled to her middle and she caught a faint whiff of his sawdust scent.
“I…I can walk you back to your own room before I head to mine.” His voice broke as he whispered.
She swallowed hard. She couldn’t do this right now with him. Too many obstacles stood in their way. But as she looked in his somber eyes, she realized none of those complications were bigger than her need for Garrett.
“Let’s go to your room,” she said, her voice shaking. She moved her hands inside his shirt and ran them over his tight abs and chest. Heat soared through her body at the feel of him. “Together…”
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YOU HAVE JUST READ AN EXCERPT FROM BENEATH THE SURFACE
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YOU HAVE JUST READ AN EXCERPT FROM BENEATH THE SURFACE
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Thank you, Joya, for being here today. Your new release sounds absolutely delicious!
All, if you'd like more information about Joya and her novels, here's where you can find her:
Website: http://joyafields.com/
Twitter: @joyafields
~Claire
www.claireashgrove.com
www.toristclaire.com
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Thanks very much for hosting me on this wonderful blog today, Claire! :)
Interesting to learn of your zest for archaeology. Did you research scuba by actually strapping on the tank and going for it? I spent/wasted 10 minutes last night researching why the sky is blue. Some reader, some day, better appreciate the effort!
LOL about researching why the sky is blue, Christi. I can't wait to read your book that includes THAT answer. No, I didn't scuba dive, but I did spend a few hours questioning a friend of mine who dives several times a year. Interesting stuff we learn while researching! Thanks for stopping by! :)
Hey Joya. Isn't it amazing some of the stuff we learn in the process of doing research? I love questioning someone about their experiences because they usually have great stories to tell. Sometimes those stories will find their way into my manuscripts (with their permission of course.)
I'm almost finished with Love Delivered and really enjoying it.
Exactly, Katherine! We are so lucky to learn as we write and research, aren't we? It's a really cool perk of being a writer.I agree about talking to people about their life experiences.
Thanks so very much for reading Love Delivered (and for enjoying it, LOL) and for stopping by to commment. :)
This is a book I would love to read,, Joya! That is one great except. :) Congrats on your book release!!!
I absolutely love the premise of your book and the cover is gorgeous. I've always loved research, but so much now than in high school because of the internet. I've yet to garner the nerve to interview anyone other than folks I already know. Even though I have 4 books out, I still feel like a kid play acting when I say I'm a writer. lol!
Hi Calisa! Thanks so much for stopping by to check out the excerpt and for your congrats. Best wishes for continued success with YOUR book. :)
Lilly, you're so right about the internet making research easy. LOL about feeeling like a kid play acting when you tell others you're a writer. I know exactly what you mean. Fact is, most people are so thrilled to talk about their professions, hobbies, etc. and love sharing the information. Wishing you continued success with your writing and thanks for stopping by. :)
Hi Joya--
Sorry I'm late to the party! My problem with research is that I become consumed with it (occupational hazard?) My poor DH cringes every time I suggest a DVD because he KNOWS it has something to do with my research. How do you balance out too much versus too little research?
Hugs,
Sharon
Hi Joya,
I'm really late to the party. I also love researching my stories. I feel I can place on top of a pen head what I know and fill an ocean with what I don't. I was a psychology major in college. One year I did a paper on the effects of a full moon on human behavior. That was fascinating. Do you find interviewing someone as fun as searching the web? Personally, I get all tough tied when I talk to people for a storyline, even someone I have known for years.