What are your guilty pleasures in life?
Salted caramel ice cream. Whoever came up with the idea should be burned at the stake for witchcraft and crimes against my waist.
Do you write in different genres?
Yes, I do—speculative fiction, romance, women’s fiction and political thriller.
Do you find it difficult to write in multiple genres?
No, not at all. I dedicate my life to challenging limiting stereotypes, and I tend to find genres, genders, races, genes, and gods way too limiting. I refuse to color inside the line or to stay within a box. I am a feminist AND I am a romantic; I am a Marvel nerd AND I love Jane Austen; I am an engineer AND I am a fiction writer. Viva la revolution!
Please tell us about your latest release.
Morgan is a dreamer, change maker and art lover. She is a feisty, slightly preachy, romantic feminist full of contradictions and insecurities. Morgan uncovers a world where women have the power, and where magic is no longer just a figment of her wild imagination. Sounds like a dream, but it may, in fact, turn into a nightmare.
The world of the Ahe'ey challenges and subverts her views about gender, genes, and nature versus nurture.
The strong and uninvited chemistry between her and the dashing Gabriel makes matters even more complicated. His stunning looks keep short-circuiting her rational mind.
Was one of your characters more challenging to write than another?
Morgan was incredibly challenging to write because, deep inside, she’s the closest to who I am as a person. She is not me, but she shares many of my quirks and features. The first draft of the book, released in 2012, was mostly centered around the relationship between Gabriel and Sky. Both characters represented different aspirations of whom I wanted to become. I was struggling to showcase Morgan on the page. Over the years, I found ways to accept myself and to cherish and champion Morgan. I’m still surprised that she’s getting so much love from readers. The love Morgan receives encourages me to be true to myself.
Is there a character that you enjoyed writing more than any of the others?
I love spending time with Gabriel; he represents my hope in good men and my belief in reluctant leaders that reject power and prefer to support and nurture those around them.
But, where there is light there is also shadow . . . I had a lot of fun writing young Sathian. You will get to know him better in the next book and, as we all know, the devil always plays the best tunes. There will be chaos, division and death.
Do you have a formula for developing characters? Like do you create a character sketch or list of attributes before you start writing or do you just let the character develop as you write?
I’ve known these characters for all my life. For as long as I can remember I have soothed myself to sleep by imagining their adventures. Before I started writing, I mapped out each character’s arc; I did this for each book and for the series as a whole. I also knew in advance how each character related to the various themes of the book—perfection, beauty, privilege, leadership, biases, and power.
What is your favorite scene from the book? Could you share a little bit of it, without spoilers of course?
I have two favorite scenes. I love the moment during the trial, where Sky learns the truth about her past. Her mighty storm is as big as her heart. She may be a rage-ridden tsunami capable of destroying entire realms, but she is also fair and loyal.
I also love the moment when Morgan makes a plea to Gabriel. That represents my plea to all good men out there at this important inflexion point in human history. As we approach the collapse of the planet, silence is not an option; good men and women must rise and lead by example. Will he?
Did you find anything really interesting while researching this or another book?
The Florence syndrome aka the Stendhal syndrome. The overwhelming impact that art can have on one person seeing it for the first time.
The illness is named after the 19th-century French author Stendhal. He described his experience during his 1817 visit to Florence artworks: “I was in a sort of ecstasy, from the idea of being in Florence, close to the great men whose tombs I had seen. Absorbed in the contemplation of sublime beauty . . . I reached the point where one encounters celestial sensations . . . Everything spoke so vividly to my soul. Ah, if I could only forget. I had palpitations of the heart, what in Berlin they call 'nerves.' Life was drained from me. I walked with the fear of falling.”
What is the most interesting thing you have physically done for book related research purposes?
Wandering around the Bethesda Fountain and the Met museum day dreaming. I might also have snuck into restricted parts of the Pierre Hotel. Magic happens when one raises one’s nose and struts around a fancy hotel like she’s the Queen of Babylon.
Do any of your characters have similar characteristics of yourself in them and what are they?
Gabriel, Morgan, and Sky are all different sides of who I am.
Do you ever suffer from writer’s block? How do you deal with it?
I have discovered that my brain works in two different modes—the creative mode and the logic mode. When the creative spark is gone, I use my highly-structured mode to edit and to market the book. I never attempt to switch modes; I just go with the flow. It works quite well. I am very productive.
Do you have any weird writing quirks or rituals?
Long walks and hot showers unleash my creative spark.
When did you consider yourself a writer?
I don’t. I’m still working hard to accept that label. I suffer from severe impostor syndrome. I tend to celebrate the accolades for exactly three and half seconds, and then I go back to dwelling in the dark corners of self-doubt. Maybe one day? The good news is that the crooked impostor also makes me work very hard to learn and get better at everything that I do. I wonder why perfectionism is one of the themes in my books? I wonder why it paralyses Gabriel? Hmm . . . Those statues, they are so beautiful, perfect and yet static. Can you connect the dots?
Other than writing, what are some of your interests, hobbies or passions in life?
Technology, innovation, hiking, social justice, behavioral economics, design thinking, and moving beyond the GDP toward true human progress and wellbeing.
What was the last amazing book you read?
The non-fiction books Sapiens and Homo Deus by Yuval Noah Harari.
Where is your favorite place to read? Do you have a cozy corner or special reading spot?
By the sea, under the shade of a wise and old tree.
What can readers expect next from you?
I am working on the second book of this series. The Ahe’ey are facing some dark and challenging times— the four royal cousins are divided and so are the tribes. The outside world is accelerating toward collapse.
Where can readers find you on the web?
Links to all Book Sellers: https://www.books2read.com/aheey/
Website: http://www.angeelseries.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/34459933-ahe-ey
Twitter: https://twitter.com/angeelseries
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/JamieLeFay/
Would you like to leave readers with a little teaser or excerpt from the book?
“Why don’t you fight? I’ve seen you—you are the bravest of them all. When you rescued me, you were . . . amazing. You could beat any of those Yi’ingo freaks with a hand tied behind your back. Why don’t you take part in the Games? Why don’t you show what you are really capable of? Why do you let us down? Do you want us to be ashamed of you?”
Ahe’ey
Ange’el Series
Book One
Jamie Le Fay
Genre: Epic Fantasy Romance
Date of Publication: Book Release Date: 8th March 2017
ISBN-10: 0646969188
ISBN-13: 978-0646969183
ASIN: B06XF7T8P1
Number of pages: 625 paperback
Word Count: 155190
Cover Artist: Milan Jovanovic
Tagline: Morgan’s feminist books didn’t prepare her to deal with the dashing Gabriel and the land of Ahe’ey
Book Description:
"A thoughtful look at empowerment for women."
"A rollicking trip into a fantasy world complete with dragons, love and strength, and ideas that really get you thinking."
"Highly recommended for all ages."
Morgan is a dreamer, change maker and art lover. She is a feisty, slightly preachy, romantic feminist full of contradictions and insecurities. Morgan uncovers a world where women have the power, and where magic is no longer just a figment of her wild imagination. Sounds like a dream, but it may, in fact, turn into a nightmare.
The world of the Ahe'ey challenges and subverts her views about gender, genes, and nature versus nurture.
The strong and uninvited chemistry between her and the dashing Gabriel makes matters even more complicated. His stunning looks keep short-circuiting her rational mind.
Excerpt:
"She
believed in magic—the magic of places, the magic of people, the magic of
coincidences, serendipity, and fortune. She enjoyed wandering through the world
with the open mind and curiosity of a four-year-old child. In her world the
mystical, mythical, and magical inhabited the same space and time as the
ordinary and the practical. At Bethesda Terrace, she always felt close to a
source of magic and creativity. It was as if she were tapping into the place
where dragons, angels, gods, sorceresses, and demons came to life."
"She killed
him instantly. The young woman plunged her hand into his wound and licked the
blood. Once again, she dipped her hand into the blood and used four fingers to
paint stripes on her face. Sky’s defiant eyes locked on Iblis."
"Debilitating
guilt crushed Gabriel every time he interacted with Morgan. The Ange’el’s
affection for the human was weakening his mandate to control her movements and
influence her decisions. His task was, once again, to deceive and manipulate.
He seemed destined to betray the confidence of those he held most dear."
“You know, it
would be much less trouble if you were willing to bat your magic eyelashes.”
"Young
Sathian was flirtatious, titillating, quick-witted, and brilliant. He left a
trail of broken hearts across the land as he teased and taunted his victims
with his beauty and charm. Both women and men succumbed to his joie de vivre
and panache as he was an untypical Ange’el that carried the sunshine in his
smile and in his eyes."
EDITORIAL REVIEWS
"A bracing mix of emotionally and intellectually honest fantasy." - Kirkus Reviews
"This book is a thoughtful look at empowerment for women. At the same time, it’s a rollicking trip into a fantasy world complete with dragons, love and strength, and ideas that really get you thinking. This book is highly recommended for all ages." - HUGEOrange
"They're flawed, real, and honest characters that can be easily related to. Ahe'ey is the kind of novel society needs to read, to create inspiration and to make people think. Ahe'ey is daring, complex, and honest. A must-read novel that tackles heavy and real topics with a mix of serious and humorous, charm and tragedy." - Reader's Favorite - 5 Star Review
"Ahe’ey contains a richly imagined world that raises complicated and timely questions about our own.
Jamie Le Fay’s Ahe’ey is an action-packed love story that puts forth a nuanced vision of gender stereotypes, body politics, and the dark side of seeking perfection." - Foreword Clarion - 4 Star Review
About the Author:
Jamie is an accomplished writer and speaker that focuses mainly on topics related to girlhood, feminism, gender equality, and the misrepresentation of minorities in media and marketing.
Website: http://www.angeelseries.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/angeelseries
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1 comment:
This is a fascinating interview, Roxanne and Jamie!! I enjoyed reading it so much, I'm going to bookmark this page so I can read it again whenever I want!
This novel has SO many interesting, interwoven themes in the plot! I DEFINITELY want ro read and review it! Thus, I'm entering the giveaway, for which I thank you both!!
Thanks to you both for the interview and the giveaway!! <3 :)
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