Q Welcome back. You were here last April. What have you been up to since then?
A 2013 was
a busy year for me. Fallen Star, Book One in my North Star Trilogy, was
published in June. I also had a short story, The Christmas Angel, published in
December. Lucky Star, Book Two in the North Star Trilogy comes out in a few
weeks, February 14, to be exact.
Q A ring is
featured on the cover of Fallen Star. Does it have a connection to the story?
A Yes, a vital
one. The ring is a Claddagh. Those who have read Fallen Star know the hero,
E.J., is proud of his Irish heritage and the Claddagh gave me an opportunity to
expand on that. I don't want to give too much away, but the scenes in which it
is featured are pretty important.
Q You're a
guy who writes romance, a field in which the vast majority of authors are
women. Do you have any particular insights you can share with us on that issue?
A The
number one lesson I've learned is that, in the end, it's the story that
matters. If you have a well-written story with characters that readers care
about, it doesn't matter if the author is a man or a woman.
Q What's up
next after Lucky Star?
A The final
installment of The North Star Trilogy, Wish Upon a Star, is finished and is
scheduled to come out in October. My current project is a contemporary romance
with a completely new group of characters.
Q Favorite
season of the year?
A Fall. I
live in Central Indiana, where we get spectacular colors as the leave change
along mild temperatures.
Q Sweet or
salty?
A I lean
toward the salty side. I love my tortilla chips and potato chips.
Q Dream
vehicle?
A I would
love to have a 60s or 70s era British roadster. An MG or a Triumph would be
beyond awesome!
Q Celebrity
you'd most like to meet?
A Grace
Potter of Grace Potter and the Nocturnals. She is the real-life Cassandra
Lawrence, after all!
Twitter - @jimcangany
Facebook - Jim Cangany Author
Lucky Star blurb
In Annie, E.J.'s found his North Star.
In E.J., Annie's found someone who truly loves her for just her. Everything's
great, right? Wrong! Despite their obvious feelings for each other, somebody’s
intent on tearing down the foundation they've built. And E.J.’s the target.
First his career is derailed. Then his reputation is sullied.
Annie’s determined to find the
culprit. But how’s she going to do that when, as her alter-ego Cassandra
Lawrence, she has a new album to record and a tour to plan? E.J. desperately
wants to prove he’s worthy of Annie. Is it even possible when every time things
are headed in the right direction, disaster strikes?
Can they figure out figure out who is
so intent on driving them apart and put a stop to it before irreparable damage
is done? From Northern California to New York and points in between, our lovers
struggle to keep their unlikeliest of relationships alive amid joy, heartache
and everything in between. But it's not until all appears lost once and for all
that they learn faith--in themselves and each other--is what matters most.
*** GIVEAWAY ***
Jim is giving away ONE $25 Amazon gift card to one lucky commenter! Please comment for your chance to win. Jim will choose the winner next week.
Wondering what to comment? Ask Jim a question about RWA, his already released novel, or his upcoming novel!
Wondering what to comment? Ask Jim a question about RWA, his already released novel, or his upcoming novel!
Thanks a million for having me today, ladies! It's a real thrill to be here and to get to reveal the cover of Lucky Star while I visit!
ReplyDeleteNice cover, Jim! I can't wait to read more about EJ and Annie!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Mellanie! All three of us, Annie, E.J. and I, appreciate it! :-)
DeleteA fantastic giveaway, Jim! Don't enter me, obviously, since I live here (LOL) but I did post it on my Facebook page and encourage my readers to come and win it! Hopefully you will see them flood the comments soon. ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks a million, Jessica. Appreciate the support. You rock!
Deletehi jim!! im from jessicas fb i wanted to enter in your giveaway and im suspose to ask you about RWA? :)
ReplyDeleteHey there. RWA is the Romance Writers of America, of which I am a proud member. Fun little fact-I'm the only guy in my local RWA chapter so my nickname is Token Dude. Its all in great fun. Romance authors are the best!
DeleteI think that since it's roMANce, there should be room for more male authors. *scoots over* And this sounds like a great story!
ReplyDeleteNice cover and congrats on your new release
DeleteThanks very much Jeannette. The Claddagh ring means a lot to me. I'm glad you like the cover!
DeleteThanks for stopping by Teri Anne, and for your kind words!
DeleteHi Jim, RWA ? I am from Jessica's fb page your book looks like one I will diffently read thank you for chance to win gift cert.
ReplyDeleteHey there, Stephanie! Jessica's great, isn't she? RWA is the professional organization for romance writers. I met my blog host, Marisa Cleveland, at the national convention last summer!
DeleteDo you use people you know in your stories?
ReplyDeleteHi there Honolulubelle! I don't use people I know as characters, but I like to use names of people I know in my stories as a little thank you for their support. For example, two supporting characters in Lucky Star, Ryan and Aidan, are named after my two sons. I get to have a lot of fun that way.
Deletewoot i Like when they as all kinds of questions! I live in northern IN so its always nice to see someone else from around these parts! the book looks awesome and jessica lemmon sent me this way! - :)
ReplyDeleteCheers to living in the Hoosier State, Kris! I think I owe Jessica a beer for all the nice ladies she's directed here. Thanks for the thoughtful words about Fallen Star!
DeleteJessica Lemmon sent sent me this way can't wait to read your book
ReplyDeleteGlad you came by, Sydney. My romances aren't quite as "spicy" as Jessica's, but I like to think they're a lot of fun!
DeleteJessica sent me over. Love the cover of your book. Will need to check it out. Are you going to RT 14?
ReplyDeleteHi Shari! I'm so glad you like the cover. When my editor asked me about featuring a Claddagh on the cover, I couldn't say yes fast enough!
DeleteJessica sent me as well. This is more a personal question because I see you've covered a lot of info on your books: When you are not writing what do you enjoy doing?
ReplyDeleteHi Tricia! I'm a huge fan of professional bicycle racing and spend a lot of time during the winter months cheering on the Butler University men's and women's basketball programs. I love to read, too.
DeleteHow did you come up with the character E.J. and Annie. Both characters are quite colorful. Thanks for the book description.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Kai. My original ideas for E.J. and Annie go all the way back to my college days in the late '80s. I wanted to write a story about what it might be like to meet a mysterious stranger while you're traveling on vacation - thus the premise for the first Annie & E.J. story, Fallen Star. For E.J., I wanted someone you'd like to hang out with. For Annie, I wanted somebody who was virtually the polar opposite from what the public perceived her as. I've had an absolute ball getting to know them better with every story I've written about them.
DeleteDon't have a question but I love the cover on Lucky Star!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Carol! The story of the Claddagh ring really resonates with me. I gave my wife one on our 5th wedding anniversary and got her a new one for our 20th. She gave me one for our 10th anniversary and I proudly wear it every day.
DeleteLove the blurb for the book. Always happy to find new romance books especially when they have a bit of suspense and mystery. Is this part of a series or a standalone?
ReplyDeleteHI Steph! Thanks and great question. Lucky Star is the second book in my North Star Trilogy. The first in the series, Fallen Star, came out last June. Lucky Star picks up shortly after Fallen Star ends.
DeleteLove the title and cover. I like to find new romance writers..
ReplyDeleteThank you, Sally Jane. My editor went back and forth a number of times on the first book in the series before we agreed on Fallen Star. This one was called Lucky Star from day one. I really do think it's a great title for the story. thanks for checking in!
DeleteLove the title and cover. I like to find new romance writers..
ReplyDeleteI too came over from Jessica's page. It's always wonderful to find new authors and read about their stories.
ReplyDeleteHi catslady! Thanks for stopping by. One of the best things about writing romance is that the authors are so kind to and supportive of each other, like Marisa, Jessica, Tamara and Elizabeth are by letting me visit. Have a great day!
DeleteHi Jim, What a great interview! It was nice to get to know a little about you since you are a new author to me. Your books sound wonderful so I am thrilled with this giveaway. Thank you for the opportunity and I am definitely keeping my fingers crossed.
ReplyDeletemauback55 at gmail dot com
Hey there, Melanie, glad you enjoyed the interview. And thanks for stopping by, new authors like me truly appreciate it when nice folks like yourself take the time to visit.
DeleteI love the history of the claddagh. You are a new to me author. I'm looking forward to reading your books.
ReplyDeleteI have to agree about MGs - they are fun cars. We had one for several years. :-)
Thank you, Glenda. Oh man, I'd love to hear some of your stories about driving an MG. Cheers to the British roadster!
DeleteGOOD LUCK WITH YOUR BOOK AND THANKS FOR THE GIVEAWAY! SHELLEY S. calicolady60@hotmail.com
ReplyDeleteThank you for your kind wishes, Shelley. The giveaway is totally my pleasure as a thanks to everyone for stopping by. Your time is valuable and I appreciate the face that you've chose to spend some of it with me.
DeleteHappy to learn more about goings on of RWA. The ring on the cover does catch your attention.
ReplyDeletemarypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
Thanks, Mary. I wouldn't be a few weeks away from having my second novel published if not for the amazing people of RWA.
DeleteThat's an interesting blurb! I'll have to keep me eyes out for your books! Congrats on the new release, Jim!
ReplyDeleteahui89 at hotmail dot com
Thanks so much, Ada. I'm looking forward to sharing the latest "adventures of Annie and E.J." as I like to call it, with everybody.
DeleteI always enjoy finding new authors. Thanks for sharing this giveaway with us too!
ReplyDeletethebigbluewall77(at)gmail(dot)com
Thanks for swinging by to say hello, Anita. It's a blast for a new author like myself to make new friends like this. Have a good day!
DeleteHey there, long time listener, first time caller! My questions to you are these: what's the name of Cassandra Lawrence's tour and will it make a stop in Indy? If so, where would she likely perform? And, will there be a companion CD of selected tunes that EJ and Annie listen to during their travels?
ReplyDeleteHey there Anonymous, great questions!! I could play coy by saying the answers to the first two questions can be found in Lucky Star and the answer to the third can be found in book one of the Trilogy, Fallen Star. BUT, since you asked so nicely--Cassandra's Tour, is called the "I'm Right Here Tour" as a takeoff from her last tour, which was called the "Where Are You Tour." The tour will make a very special stop in Indy, where she will play The Lawn at White River. There won't be a companion CD, as Annie's a fan of jazz and E.J. likes jam band music, a la O.A.R. and The Dave Matthews Band. When they're together, they like to listen to The Black Keys, Ingrid Michaelson, The Head & the Heart, Brandi Carlile and Sara Bareilles
DeleteThis comment has been removed by the author.
ReplyDeleteWhat made you come up with the idea for Lucky Stars?
ReplyDeleteHi there, Saran, part inspiration, part desperation, really. I knew early on when I was writing Fallen Star, book one in the trilogy, what Wish Upon a Star, book three in the trilogy, would be about. The initial challenge was to bridge the gap between the stories. What I decided on was to answer the question "What Next?" How would this couple who has just met keep this thing going? It was quite a but of fun answering that quesiton.
DeleteTime for the gift card drawing! Drum roll please...and the winner is...Glenda. If you will shoot your email address to me at jim(dot)cangany@yahoo(dot)com, I'll get your gift card code to you. Thanks so much to everybody for visiting and don't forget to be on the lookout for Lucky Star beginning on February 14. Until next time - tailwinds!
ReplyDeleteWell I never heard from Glenda, so it's time to pull a new name and the winner is Ada! I'll be sending your gift card code to you straightaway!
ReplyDelete