Up Close & Personal with Author - Tammie Clarke Gibbs - Island of Secrets & The Counterfeit

Tammie would like to give one lucky winner a copy of her ebook Island Of Secrets.

Winner drawn on the 31st of January!  Leave your comments for Tammie below with your email address.


Hi Tammie, where were you born and where do you call home? I was born in Vidalia, Georgia and still reside there with my husband, Mike, son, Anthony a Maltese named Sissy and a Chocolate Lab named Rocky.

What is the name of your most-recent  book, and if you had to sum it up in 30 or fewer words, what would you say?

THE COUNTERFEIT... Sometimes the road to justice is filled with compromise. Magen MacGuire and Jeremy Loud are both looking for justice each for different crimes, but each is forced along the way to make compromises.  Both are pretending to be someone they aren't, but in the process a love neither of them was looking for forces them to choose between justice for past crimes against them or a love and a life neither expected to ever find. This book is about the decisions we make and how unexpected events can impact our lives and change the path we're on.

If you gave some of your characters, an opportunity to speak for themselves, what would they say? 

Jeremy and Magen would probably complain how frustrating the other was. All the while, they'd be making "over the moon" eyes at each other. These two have a unique energy. It's like they can't help themselves as much as they try to deny they love one another, they can't.

Do you have plans for a new book? Is this book part of a series? 

Yes, I'm planning another with some of the characters from both ISLAND OF SECRETS and THE COUNTERFEIT. They'll be stand alones.

What or who inspired you to write? And how long have you been writing?

I've been writing since I was a Junior in High School. Let's just say quite a while.   My English teacher told me I'd found what I was meant to do with the rest of my life.

How did you come up with the title and cover design?

ISLAND OF SECRETS just named itself. I played with a few other titles but nothing really fit.  Since it's Time Travel Gothic, I wanted a cover that reflected a modern gal in a gothic setting, I think her running in the dark does that. I wanted it to have that Gothic Book appeal.  THE COUNTERFEIT was supposed to be COUNTERFEIT KISSES but there was recently another book with that title. I still really like the original title and if you read this, and the book has the CK title you'll know it was a last-minute change. I like the cover. This time I wanted a guy on the cover and wanted it to reflect the mood of the book. I think it turned out very well.

Have you based any of your characters on someone you know, or real events in your own life? 

ISLAND OF SECRETS is loosely based on a legend I found in one of my family history books. I haven't really done any characters based on real people. I do occasionally use photos of movie stars or people in magazines, etc. to help me visualize and grow the characters.

What books have most influenced your writing most and why?

Jude Deveraux and Lynn Kurland are two of my favorite authors. I love their time travel books, and I also love that they both can write without being explicit. I only feel comfortable with a certain amount of heat in my books, tension yes, but blow by blow, not. I like that both authors have proven there is a market for the type of books I write.


Is there an Author that you would really like to meet?

I've met Jude, so I'd say Lynn would be nice to meet. I've actually been very fortunate and met quite a few very prominent authors while I was working on the RECIPES FOR ROMANCE FROM THE LEADING LADIES AND GENTLEMEN collector cookbook.  It featured contributions from over sixty published romance authors and launched at the 2001 Romantic Times Book Lovers Convention in Orlando, Florida. I actually have a scrapbook on my website for anyone interested.

Do you prefer e-books, paperbacks or hardcover?

I love all books. I love that e-books have enabled me to do something I love. I believe a book is a book no matter what form it comes in. I love them all.

Where do you prefer to buy your books?

I buy my books wherever I find them. I do buy a lot online now.

Are you a self published (Indie) Author?

 I'm independently published and loving it.

Is there a particular movie that you preferred over the book version? 

The Time Travelers Wife

What book are you currently reading and in what format (ebook/paperback/hardcover)?

Ebook. Jungle of Deceit by Maureen Miller

What book do you know that you will never read? 

I don't specifically know of one. I do know that sometimes I pick up books or sample books that just don't fit my style. Still, great authors, I just don't care for their particular style. I usually don't finish reading books that don't hold my attention for the first couple of chapters.
 

Are there any new Authors that have grasped your interest and why?

Maureen Miller, is one.

Is there anything you would change in your last book and why?

Since it's just come out, I think I did all the changing I wanted to prior to release.

Who designed the cover of your book?

So far, I've done the cover design, but I have an extensive background in marketing and design.

Do you have a book trailer?

I have one for ISLAND OF SECRETS, and plan to have one for THE COUNTERFEIT.

What are your thoughts on book trailers?

I like them. It's just another way and place for readers to find me.

Do you have any advice for other writers?

You owe it to yourself to give your dream a chance. If you think you are marketable, put your stuff out there, learn from the critiques, then make it happen.

What is the best advice that you have ever been given when it comes to writing? 

To stop waiting on a print contract and go for it.

Do you write under a pen name? Not at the moment

Do you ever write in your PJ’s? Of course.

What are your pet peeves?

I'm not really patient with folks who say they can't do something when they haven't even tried. The library is full of how-to books. You can do anything you set your mind to, and you can learn how to do anything if you want to learn how to do it.

Cats or dogs? Dogs. My hubby is allergic to cats.

White wine or red?

Grape Juice white or red. LOL. I don't drink, but I love to drink out of fancy glasses.

Coffee or tea? Cold Sweet Tea

Favorite food? Mexican (pretty much anything)

Vanilla or chocolate icecream? Chocolate

What do you normally eat for breakfast? I normally don't, but if I do probably toast or cereal.

What are 4 things you never leave home without?

My computer (one of them), my purse, my Kindle, aspirin (for heart emergencies)

Laptop or desktop for writing? Laptop

Where and when do you prefer to do your writing? Anytime, I can have a few minutes to write.

If you were deserted on an island, who are 3 famous people you would want with you? Adrian Paul, One of those Men vs Wild guys, and a famous politician who folks would be looking for. (My husband is not famous, but he'd be my first pick because he can do some of that Man vs/ wild stuff.

One of your favorite quotes - I can do all things through Christ, which strengtheneth me. Phillipians 4:13

List 3 of your all time favorite books? Bible, A Night in Shining Armor, Till There Was You

An actor you have a crush on - Adrian Paul (you could tell my husband, but he probably already knows after I watched 100 episodes of HIGHLANDER straight on Netflix)

What is a movie or TV show that you watched recently and really enjoyed? I love Vampire Diaries.

Patti says:  Me too.  Damon or Stefan???

Where can your readers stalk you?

My blog: http://authortammieclarkegibbs.blogspot.com/
My facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Tammie-Clarke-Gibbs/131595096897070
My Goodreads author page: http://www.goodreads.com/tammieclarkegibbs


Twitter: @tammiegibbs
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Island-Secrets-Travel-Romance-ebook/dp/B004DNWQ98/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1317941725&sr=8-1
Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/tammieclarkegibbs
Other: Barnes and Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/island-of-secrets-tammie-clarke-gibbs/1029585078?ean=2940012081728&itm=1&usri=tammie%2bgibbs

Is your book in Print, ebook or both? Ebook now, Print is on the way.

On An Island of Secrets
One woman, two men and a love that transcends time get a second chance to prevent history from repeating itself. But will love be enough to win the battle against time and stop the force that’s kept them apart for centuries?

SHANE ALEXANDER has realized he should never have allowed his ex-girlfriend to spend her honeymoon on his island, but he never dreamed she’d run to the tabloids and blab about seeing ghosts. With the future of Leigh Island in danger, he devises a plan to dispel her claims and unknowingly sets in motion events that bring him face to face with a past that not only threatens his future but his life.

After breaking off her engagement, LILA FITZPATRICK wants a new beginning, but when she agrees to help her roommate by pretending to be a reporter, the last thing she expects to find is the man of her dreams. The question is what will he do when he finds out who she really is?

Tammie's latest book -