Dante Eternal's Virtual Bookshelf: Broken by: Jamie Loeak w/ Interview

Title: Broken

Author: Jamie Loeak

Series: The Outsiders Series (#1)

Genre: YA Contemporary

Publisher: Self –Published

Edition/Formats: eBook

Blurb/Synopsis:

Two hearts meet in a field.

One is open,

The other is a shield.

Two heartbeats,

Four hands.

One soul lives between the two of them.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Carter Daniels is a typical runaway. Unsure of who he is or where he’s going, Carter is only sure of one thing: his past is going to stay in the past. But when he gets pulled into the popular crowd at Silver Valley High School, he’s forced to choose: tell the truth about who he is or lie. Lie. And it seems to be working. His parents wanted to get him that cheap apartment because they’re never home. He crashed his car so he doesn’t have one. His weekends are filled because he has to spend time with his parents. But when Carter is forced to open up to an outsider because of an English assignment, everything changes. There is something he sees in her, an undeniable connection. There is a need to discover what lies behind those sad eyes. But will Carter be able to lower his defenses in order to get past hers? Will he let her in, or will he choose to stay broken?

Vandelya stops shoving her pencil in the spiral of her notebook. She just stares at me. Her green eyes are wide. Her lips are parted, her chest moving up and down quickly. I watch as her gaze falters, as her breathing slows.

I swallow, unsure of what to do or say. I’ve got a temper but I’ve never been like that with someone before, especially someone that I don’t know. But Vandelya is frustrating me right now. She reminds me of my mother; she’s refusing to deal with whatever it is she’s running from. And it bothers me so much because she can choose to deal with it; she can choose to face whatever it is. She doesn’t have to lie, to pretend it isn’t there. She can’t ignore it.

Vandelya’s bottom lip quivers slightly.

“Stop,” I order. I know that in that moment it sounds cruel, that is seems heartless, but I didn’t mean it like that; I just can’t stand to see her cry, especially because the last time she cried was because of me too.

“You don’t know anything about me, new kid. Don’t pretend you can tell me what to do or how to feel. You, of all people, shouldn’t judge me based on one thing.” And just like that, without another word, she turns around and rushes out of the library. I sit there for a few minutes, staring at the direction she took off in, and then I pick up my pencil. The list of Vandelya’s questions still sit in front of me and, without thinking, I start working on them.

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Hello and thanks for stopping by and visiting with us today. It is so nice to have Jamie Loeak here. Readers I hope you enjoy this interview as much as I did. Oh, hold on while Jamie and I grab our favorite beverage.

What do you do when you are not writing?

I’m something called a Staffing Specialist, which is where I make sure that all of the legal paperwork that helps to document the progress of students with disabilities is compliant. That’s my day job but I’m also an avid movie watcher and food experimentalist at night.

Where do you get your ideas?

Most of them come from the smallest things. I’ll see someone walking down the street. There’s an odd statement on a billboard. I dream them up - literally. I dreamt the ideas for both The Chronicles of Light and Darkness and The Atlantis Novella Serial. Broken - that idea came from being a teacher.

Is there any particular author or book that influenced you in any way either growing up or as an adult?

I hated reading until I read The Catcher in the Rye, and then, after my grandma begged me to start this new series, Harry Potter, I couldn’t stop. Falling into unimaginable worlds is the best thing I could ever do. I think that’s why paranormal novels are still a favorite.

Can you tell us about your challenges in getting your first book published?

Oh gosh! I had no clue what I was doing. I did, however, get wonderful advice from the amazing Shelly Crane, who happened to be a friend of a friend. :)

How do you market your work? What avenues have you found to work best for your genre?

During the school year I find it super challenging to market my work. I’ve honestly had trouble in the past but have recently decided that I can’t do it on my own anymore...I have to work with others. So I’m starting with blog tours and covers reveals. Next, I’ll work on rekindling relationships with authors that I let dissipate during the hectic school year. I’ll let you know, though, when it all starts working!

If you had to go back and do it all over, is there any aspect of your book or getting it published that you would change?

Oh, this is perfect. It’s the marketing. I just put my book on Amazon and then sat back. After friends and family purchased it, it hit me. How do I get other people to read them!?

Tell us about the first story you ever wrote and how old you were.

Oh man! I was in sixth grade. Mrs. Madler was my Language Arts teacher and she asked us to write, what I assume to be a legend because it’s titled The Legend of the Rain. I still have it!

Do you prefer to live in a big city or in the country?

I love living in a big city! I love living downtown in any city that I’ve lived in so far.

JUST FOR FUN

Night Owl or Early Bird?

Early Bird

One food you would never eat?

Olives

Pet Peeves?

Spitting

Plain or Peanut (M&Ms)?

Peanut!

Coffee or Tea?

Ugh, I love both. But I do drink coffee every morning...

Hi there! I’m Jamie Loeak, YA author of the Chronicles of Light and Darkness, The Outsiders Series, the Atlantis Novella Series, and The Star Caster: a novella. Wow! That sounds like a lot for a girl that spent most of high school and college starting – and never finishing! – things. It all started with songs and poetry but the never-finishing part soon transferred to books.

It wasn’t until I started writing Body and Soul, the first book in the Chronicles of Light and Darkness, and my debut book, that I actually finished something. I blame/thank my parents for leaving me to dog sit on their vacation – they left me with a Jeep but I can’t drive stick, so I was literally stranded! However, I managed to finish a book I had been dreaming of for quite a while. So, in all reality, they are the reason that I even began writing.

Other than the story of my beginning, I’ll tell you a few things about myself. I was a special education teacher and now work in compliance (making sure that all aspects of a special education child’s education is legal). My hobbies include: writing – duh! – playing guitar, reading Jane Austen, browsing bookstores, trying to cook and bake, and photography. At night, when I’m falling asleep, I tend to come up with plans for world domination – and not my world domination, but a world where all people are good and do the right thing… I swear, it’ll all happen one day!!!

Five Fun Facts:

I’m obsessed with my cat, Charlie.
I’m practically paleo but not all the way! (you can see recipes on my blog cottoncreative.blogspot.com)
I live in sunny Florida.
I’m a neat freak and clean at least every other day.
My sister is on the cover of The Star Caster and I took the photo.

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Title: Torn

Series: The Outsiders Series (#1.5)

Genre: YA Contemporary

Publisher: Self-Published

Release Date: Aug 1

Edition/Formats: eBook

Blurb/Synopsis:

I am done with laughing.

I am done with breathing.

Both need lungs,

Which I am not using.

So take my parts

Though they are worn.

Take what once worked.

Leave me – torn.

∞∞∞∞∞∞∞

Vani Carter is just beginning eighth grade at Silver Valley Middle. She’s got her friends, Brooke and Anne Marie, guiding her through the year that is most crucial and things seem to be going all right, until all the fighting starts at home.

When Vani needs someone to talk to, she turns to Colton, the boy that’s destined to be popular. Over their lunch conversations, they become friends that care for one another unconditionally.

However, as Vani and Colton’s friendship grows stronger, Anne Marie and Brooke become more jealous, and that’s when things change. Vani’s forced to endure, not only the pain of her parent’s constant arguments, but also the pain of Anne Marie’s mean comments and threats.

When Vani is forced to choose which kind of pain is easiest to bear, will she make the right choice? Will she give in or will she fight back?