Adrian J. Smith!!!!

Ashes Fall (James Matthews Series book 3)

by Adrian J. Smith

Book Blurb:

Eleven years after the love of her life dies, James hopes everything would be normal and works to construct her reality as such. Her adopted daughter, Lily, finishes her sophomore year of high school with nothing other than good grades, a best friend for life, and goals for the future. James, after stepping back into the dating world, has a girlfriend with a steady, non-life-threatening job. Life is as peaceful as it can be. But a day at the waterpark with her daughter reveals the largest crack in the façade.

And nothing can stop chaos from ensuing.

Buy Links:

Teasers:

Author Bio:

Adrian J. Smith, or “AJ” as she is often called, is a part-time writer with an epic imagination, sharp wit, and kind heart that gets her into a bit of trouble when it comes to taking in all the neighborhood stray cats. Being obsessed with science fiction, Smith often goes off on tangents about the space-time continuum. She is also a part-time lunatic with a secretive past. It’s been rumored that she was once a spy for the government, but anyone who has gotten close enough to know the truth has never lived to tell the tale. When traveling around the world on various classified tasks, Smith requires the following be provided: buffalo jerky, mimosas, and eighty-six pennies. This is all we know about the reclusive woman.

Social Media:

Facebook: www.facebook.com/adrianjsmithbooks
Goodreads: www.goodreads.com/adrianjsmith
Twitter: @AdrianAJSmith
Website: adrianjsmith.wordpress.com

Interview with Adrian J. Smith:

Can you tell us a little about your books?

Absolutely, I write urban fantasy and police procedurals (maybe I’ll blend the two one day!). I write strong female characters, and since I love them so much, I add two into each novel. All my novels are lesbian fiction, although there is rarely a focus on the romance aspect.

I have two series out right now, one I just finished with the last book! James Matthew’s series (Forever Burn, Dying Embers, and Ashes Fall) is urban fantasy with a hint of romance. It’s about two woman with special gifts just trying to find a balance and normalcy in their lives. James is a firefighter and has been for years, while Addison moves to Norwich with the intention of leaving her past life behind.

My Spirit of Grace series is a police procedural with an overarching arc. It follows the footsteps of Deputy Sheriff Grace Halling as she goes about her normal routine patrols. She gets into trouble quite often and is the only one to recognize that cops have suddenly become a target. The first book, For by Grace, came out this past June. The second book, Fallen from Grace, isn’t due out until June 2015.

What inspires you to write?

Real life and imaginary life. I usually send an invitation to inspiration about every day and we have tea together. I do so desperately miss having chai tea at Starbucks and beer at the Gingerman pub with inspiration, but since I’ve moved to the middle of nowhere, inspiration has to come to my home with far less inventive drinks.

Honestly, I’m inspired by what happens in real life and the people in real life. I see so much hatred for cops on there and I can’t stand it when there are so many officers who only have good in their hearts. I’m inspired by what if questions…what if there was one individual who had all the gifts possible in the world and could tap into other gifts. It’s really a toss-up between real life and imagination.

Do you have a favorite spot to write?

I used to. I used to love to write at my favorite pub, Gingerman, or at Starbucks during the day. But as I said before, I’ve recently moved to a new state and I haven’t found a good place to write. I did just set up my office at the house though! I’m hoping it becomes my new favorite place to write.

Do you have any “odd” writing habits?

I do. I listen to Christian radio. Go figure. I listen to it even when writing sex/erotic scenes. I just helps me focus. I also typically (if it’s late enough in the day) have a craft beer right next to my computer…though I can’t have too many otherwise writing becomes very interesting.

Do you listen to music while you write?

I do for the most part. If I’m having real trouble writing, then I’ll turn everything off so I can focus. Music isn’t usually a distraction though, rather it helps me focus. I listen to Christian radio like I said before.

Do you have a favorite character to write about?

I do! Right now my favorite character to write about is Peter Schultz in my Spirit of Grace Series. He’s a nineteen year old (in For by Grace) drunk who loves religion. He often sits in Grace’s cruiser when she picks him up and spews out bible passage after bible passage and then talks to her about what it might mean. It’s so interesting because he’s really intelligent and he also has this great sense of innocence about him. No matter what he’s been through, and he has been through the ringer, he always comes back to look at everything with innocence in his eyes.

He really might be my favorite character for a long while.

What are writing projects are you currently working on?

I’m currently working on a new urban fantasy series called Quarter Life. The first book, Unbound, documents the life of Emma as she infiltrates an institution that’s been run for centuries by Molly. This story has witches and vampires and all sorts of creatures in it, although, the vamps are not your typical vamps. I really do need to write a blurb for it soon, much better than me just sitting here trying to describe it.

I’m also working on the third and final book to the Spirit of Grace series, entitled Grace through Redemption. I can’t wait until it comes out and the mystery going on is solved.

What book did you enjoy writing the most and why?

Which book? Oh good Lord…that’s a hard question. I could easily tell you my least favorite. I think writing For by Grace was the one I enjoyed the most. I wrote 60k words of it in a week over Spring Break in grad school, and I really just immersed myself completely in the characters and the story line. Everything just meshed right the first time (for the most part). No part of it was like pulling teeth; it just flowed.

I also loved the story line. Quite a bit of it was an ode to when I worked with the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department (with an outside agency, not as a cop), but it was my way of thanking them for working with me.

What's the last book you read?

Long Snows Moon by Stacey Darlington. It’s a book about Native Americans, and that’s something I love! Perhaps one day I’ll write one with an urban fantasy twist.