This week we shine the spotlight on Tierney James.
BIO
Tierney
James decided to become a full-time writer after working in education for over
thirty years. Besides serving as a Solar System Ambassador for NASA’s Jet
Propulsion Lab, and attending Space Camp for Educators, Tierney served as a
Geo-teacher for National Geographic. Her love of travel and cultures took her
on adventures throughout Africa, Asia and Europe. From the Great Wall of China
to floating the Okavango Delta of Botswana, Tierney weaves her unique
experiences into the adventures she loves to write. Living on a Native American
reservation and in a mining town continues to fuel the characters in the Enigma
and Wind Dancer series.
The love of
teaching continues in her marketing and writing workshops along with the
creation of educational materials and children’s books. Try some of her other
books to bring a little adventure to your life.
http://www.tierneyjames.com
Thank you for joining us, Tiereny. Let's find out more about you:
I ask our guest 5 questions. Then I give them a list of more questions for them to select 3 of their own.
Here's My Five:
I’ always asked ‘where do you get your
ideas’. So, where do you get yours?
Thanks for having me today. A lot of my
ideas come from personal experiences and my travels around the world. But I
also get ideas from pictures and articles I find in National Geographic, TIME
magazine, geography books and the news. I keep a folder and notebook of those
pictures and ideas.
Which comes first, the story, the
characters, or the setting?
That is a tricky one. It really depends on
what is cooking in my brain. The setting usually inspires the story. Then the
characters step in and take charge. Having said that I wrote Rooftop Angels
after seeing a picture of a tribesman in Northern Afghanistan. The setting was
rugged and barren which formed the story. I had to do a lot of research to get
it to fit together.
Which of your heroines most represent
you, or the ‘you’ you’d like to be? Why?
My favorite heroine would have to be soccer
mom Tessa Scott. She is a lot like me in that she is a normal person who loves
her family, attends church, but has this thirst for adventure which gets her in
a lot of trouble. Some of her adventures begin to change how she sees the
world. I think once you’ve studied and taught geography like me, you see
trouble spots in the world through different eyes. This lady stacks up a lot of
secrets in a short amount of time.
What is the single most important part
of writing for you?
The most important part of writing for me is
the development of the story. That comes with research which can involve music,
traditions, myths, geography and the five senses. I want my readers to feel,
taste, smell and touch the story as if they were there.
What’s the most romantic thing a guy
can do (or has done) for you?
I would love for a guy to buy me flowers to
plant in the garden and offer to help; maybe even create a garden and surprise
me. Of course, getting me a ride on a Blackhawk Helicopter would be pretty nice
too!
Tierney's 3:
What do you do to relax and
recharge your batteries?
I love to travel which offers a lot
of more writing inspiration. Writing conferences has to be the one thing that
gets me recharged and ready to start something new. Being with other writers,
learning new trends, and networking helps me to focus on the tasks ahead.
Who, if anyone, has influenced
your writing?
I would say James Rollins influenced me
greatly. The first book I read of his was The Judas Strain. I then devoured his
backlist and decided if I was going to write I wanted to learn his style. Vince
Flynn and Brad Thor gave me the geopolitical inspiration I craved. There have
been many who also helped me believe in myself.
If money were not an object,
where would you most like to travel?
I have this one all planned out
actually. I would start in Italy so I could go to Vatican City. My next stop
would be the Blue Mosque in Istanbul, Turkey followed by a trip to Israel with
a personal guide. I would continue to Tibet and visit the Dalai Lama’s Potala
Palace.
Great answers!
Now, let's talk about your book:
Blurb:
No
one in a gated community would suspect that a Libyan terrorist lived
nearby. When her little girl tells Tessa
Scott, a falling star landed in their backyard, she tells her to make a wish. Sending her family on vacation the following day
after a fight with her husband, Tessa Scott realizes the falling star is a
possible bomb. A no-nonsense Captain Hunter enters her home on false pretenses
saving her life. Forcing the secret
world of terrorists, assassins and national security into her once perfect
life, fate forces Tessa to survive the unthinkable, including a complicated
partnership with Captain Hunter
Relying on a little faith and courage, Tessa
discovers a hidden strength she never knew existed. Being shoved off a cliff to escape a forest
fire, becoming the bait to draw out men who are bent on destroying life-saving
isotopes and facing the assassin who claims to have murdered her family brings
together a group of disgruntled agents that begin to believe in the
intervention of a higher power and one unlikely hero.
Excerpt:
“Mrs. Scott?” Chase looked over at Tessa as she unfolded the
bomb from her arms. A hum had begun with the several small flashing lights.
“Yeah, Enigma, I’d say it’s activated.” Chase eyed Tessa and realized she was
seeing it in its real form for the first time. “Essid’s friends are still
coming at us. Give that trucker behind me a call will ya? License plate
ERZ7773.” Chase reached over and gently touched Tessa’s shoulder. “We’ll be
okay, Mrs. Scott. Maybe you better hand me the bomb.”
“I can’t” she whimpered.
“Sure, you can. It’s a bomb. It’ll be okay.”
“No,” Tessa nervously shook her head. “I really can’t.”
Tessa leaned back and let the bomb move slightly forward. Her index finger had
somehow gotten shoved into an opening. The swelling had already begun and there
was no removing it. Tears welled up in her terrified blue eyes. “What kind of
bomb is this?”
Chase glanced back at the oncoming terrorists. They were
nearly in the middle of the eighteen-wheeler. “Could be radioactive, Mrs.
Scott.” He watched her closely. She opened her mouth but nothing came out.
Licking her lips, Tessa tried again.
One lucky visitor today will WIN a free download copy of :
An Unlikely Hero (#1 Enigma Series)
Please leave a comment below and tell us your favorite type of story to read.
You may purchase this and other books my Tierney James through the following link:
To connect with Tierney, you'll find her at the following Social Media locations:
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