In the Spotlight: CJ England
CJ England credits her passion for writing to her second grade sweetheart, Steven, a blond haired cutie with dimples, who dumped her for a girl who could swing on the monkey bars. She wrote her first story about love and loss after that tragic episode.
In her life she has modeled, competed in rodeos as a barrel racer and trick rider, taught preschool, performed as an actress and singer, served cocktails at Disneyworld, specialized in production work, and got carried away by Spiderman when she worked with him at Universal Studios.
She is a gypsy, due to her curiosity and “itchy feet”, spending time in fourteen countries, and has visited forty-two states in our own. Even raising three kids didn’t slow her down. Married to her own personal hottie, Jonathon, who is her inspiration, lover and bestest friend, she plans to travel the world, writing about all the places they visit.
She is known on the internet as a bestselling, award winning author who can bring sensuality and romance together in ways that require you keep a fire extinguisher and a box of Kleenex handy. Described as having ‘innovative story lines’, ‘a whiz at character development’ and ‘quite simply a genius!’, CJ wants her books to spark the imaginations of her readers. So they will begin to believe anything can happen if you…Follow Your Dreams.
For more information on CJ and her other work, visit her website at http://www.cjengland.com or check out her other hangouts…
Chat Group… http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsaysFollowYourDreams/
Newsletter Group… http://groups.yahoo.com/group/CJsDreamtimeNewsletter/
Very Important Reader Group… http://groups.yahoo.com/group/I_Read_ CJ_England/
My FREE READ Blog… http://cj-england.livejournal.com/
My Chat Blog… http://cjslivingdreams.blogspot.com/
My Space… http://www.myspace.com/cj_England
Email… womanofthewind1@yahoo.com
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Getting to know CJ:
Tell us about your upcoming release and what you hope readers will enjoy about it.
Go Beyond the Faerie Mist
The Mylari Chronicles: Eyes of Fire
Coming May 2nd to Samhain Publishing
An ancient prophecy comes to life in an erotic tale of forbidden love.
Talia’s visit home turns upside down when dark, frightening creatures appear seemingly from nowhere and transport her to another world. The faerie world. In this mystical paradise, she finds her life and honor threatened for reasons she does not understand.
When Calion Sáralondë, Prince of the Calen’taur Elves, rescues the human female from an orcan stronghold, his attraction to her is immediate and strong. And the feeling is mutual. Though their love is sardai—taboo—Calion can’t bring himself to send her back to her world. Her presence sets a fire in his soul only mating with her can tame.
And their passion could be the answer to an ancient prophecy that saves his world.
Read more about this series by Award Winning Author, CJ England, by going to http://cjengland.com/mylari
This book was the first one I ever submitted for publication and I was ecstatic when my editor at Samhain (the lovely Jennifer) chose it to publish. The story is very special to me because 1) it was my first attempt at getting published and 2) it has a lot of ME in it. As the reader enjoys the story, they will also get to know CJ in a very special way.
What do you like to do when you’re not working?
I have several activities I enjoy when I’m not writing. Number One I love reading. Right now I’ve set aside my Sundays just to enjoy a good book. I find if I don’t set time aside for it, I’m so busy writing and working I don’t get to do what brought me into the business in the first place. I am also an outdoor’s nut. I love riding the motorcycle on back roads we’ve (Jonathon, my hunky husband and I) have discovered. I walk as much as possible and enjoy a good meal when we are out.
And travel. My favorite activity of all. I love to explore places I haven’t yet seen. We’ve lived and visited cities all over the world and it just whets my appetite for more. Where we live next is up for grabs. It all depends on which way the wind blows.
What season is your favorite and why?
Depends where I’m living. If I’m living up north, I love the summertime. Warm beautiful days and nights where you can sleep on the deck and enjoy the sunset. But if I’m in the south, I love the spring. Seeing the plants bloom so quickly and watching all the new babies start to swim, fly and skitter. And I have to admit, knowing I’m nice and warm when everyone else is being snowed on is kinda fun. LOL
What would we find on your bookcase if we looked? What is one of your favorite authors?
Everything! LOL I am a very eclectic reader. I love romance stories, mystery stories and some fantasy/sci-fi as well as hundreds of non-fictions. I have so many books Jonathon complains about them when we move. When I told him about ebooks he cheered. But still I have almost 20 large boxes of “friend books” I have to have wherever I go.
My favorite romance author over all is Nora Roberts, followed closely by Elizabeth Lowell, Jayne Ann Krentz and Linda Howard. Favorite mystery authors include Dame Christe, Lilian Jackson Braun, and Ellis Peters.
I enjoy Terry Brooks, Piers Anthony, Frank Peretti and Anne McCaffrey whose books have given me hours of pleasure over the years.
What was the last book you read (e or print) and did you like it?
The last new book I read was the latest series by Jayne Ann Krentz / Amanda Quick. The Arcane Society. It goes back and forth between the Victorian era and today and follows a group of people who have paranormal abilities. I love the premise and since she is one of my favorite authors, I really enjoyed them.
Right now, I’m rereading the Death series by J.D. Robb. It is my favorite Nora Roberts series over all and I’ve read them over and over again
What makes a good book?
IMHO, the best book has these ingredients. Great characters, vivid world building, emotion that makes you feel along with the people in the book, and a plotline that you can’t put down. In fact whenever I get a letter from a fan mentioning any of these things, I’m jazzed. Tell me I nailed it with all of them and I break out the champagne. <smile>
What’s the most interesting thing you’ve ever done?
Wow! That’s a hard one. I feel I am really lucky to have had so many great experiences in my life. I’ve lived well and been able to do so many things.
If I had to choose one experience, I guess it would be all the traveling I’ve been able to do. The times I’ve spent in other countries like England, Australia and Mexico were a dream come true and I can’t wait to do more. Next up? The Far East and Ireland! I’ll let you know how it goes!
Boxers or briefs?
Call me a problem child. LOL I choose boxer-briefs. Much more sexy. Love having the best of both worlds.
Ben Affleck or Matt Damon to save the world?
Lord, another tough one. I enjoy both actors, but I have to admit a special pit-pat of my heart for Matt Damon. Love him in the Bourne series, adore him in the Oceans movies and even laughed myself sick whenever his puppet appeared in Team America, even though it wasn’t him doing it.
If he’s in a movie, I know I’ll take the time to see it. <grin>
Where are you published?
I am right now published at Samhain, Aspen Mountain, New Concepts, Whiskey Creek Torrid, Under the Moon (Print), and Amber Quill Heat. Check out my website for all the links!
What else would you like readers to know about you or your work?
I am an old fashioned romantic. While I write sensual romance and enjoy a little heat in my stories, I’m really a traditionalist at heart.
