Interview with Author Jen Wylie and a Review of Sweet Light

It is my distinct pleasure to welcome my guest today, author of Sweet Light, Jennifer Wylie. I will not delay and just open the floor to Jen.

Author Bio:

Jennifer Wylie was born and raised in Ontario, Canada. In a cosmic twist of fate she dislikes the snow and cold.

Before settling down to raise a family, she attained a BA from Queens University and worked in retail and sales.

Thanks to her mother she acquired a love of books at an early age and began writing in public school. She constantly has stories floating around in her head, and finds it amazing most people don’t. Jennifer writes various forms of fantasy, both novels and short stories. Sweet light is her debut novel published in 2011 by Echelon Press.

Jennifer resides in rural Ontario, Canada with her two boys, Australian shepherd a flock of birds and a disagreeable amount of wildlife.

1- Tell the readers a little bit about your debut novel, Sweet Light.

Sweet Light is fantasy, with some paranormal, some action and tied up with love. Then come all the plot twists.

The official blurb:

When fate conspires against you and gives you three loves to choose from, what do you do? What if you make the wrong choice?

Shara is a healer, raised and trained from childhood until her unique gift manifests itself. When she gains the rank Journeyman she is hired to serve as the court healer for the barbaric kingdom of Glendor.

Untrained for war, she is thrust unmercifully into its bloody arms when the kingdom is invaded. Ordered by her king to the front lines to tend the wounded, she is forced to flee when their camp is attacked. Happening upon a wounded soldier in the forest, every mile back to the capital is a struggle, and breaking the healer's code, she falls in love with her charge.

If Shara thought that to be the least of her troubles, the appearance of a fierce warrior captain who appoints himself her protector, teaches her differently. Trouble comes in threes at the appearance of a former love and fellow healer. Faced with decisions of the heart and the sudden manifestation of her gift, there is little room for anything else to go wrong. Or at least that's what Shara thought.

2- How did you come up with the idea for the storyline?

All of my stories tend to write themselves and are very character driven. That said, I also love to make things interesting and unexpected, so enjoy throwing in a lot of unexpected aspects too.

3- I know you work for Echelon Press. Do you work for them in any other capacity besides publishing your books?

In the past I did some marketing and worked with the Explorations (Fantasy/Sci fi) Division.  Right now I'm very busy so only doing some occasional edits.

4- You have a series of short stories that you write, Tales of Ever. How many are there and will there be more? Are they connected in anyway?

Tales of Ever will have 6 stories. 1 to 4 are out now. The 5^th and 6^th are written and edited and with the publisher and should be coming out soon. Each story continues where the other left off, though are little stories within themselves as well. They follow 16 yr old Misha, who is a firestarter and banished to the crazy and dangerous land of Ever. The stories are about her learning to use her powers, searching for her father and making friends along way. And of course, surviving all the weirdness of Ever!

This series I specially wrote to get people reading. It is a very fast paced and exciting read. Though initially geared for ages 12 and up...I've a wonderful adult following for it as well!

5- I love the covers for your shorts and your novel, Sweet Light. Who designed them and did you have any input?

They were designed by my publisher. I didn't have a lot of input, though was shown them in advance. I gave some cover ideas and the publisher went with than in many cases. I'm not the best with coming up with ideas though, for example with Sweet Light I wanted it “really pretty!” :D

6- Do you have any WIP? If so, can you tell us a little bit about them?

Right now I'm in the middle of a load of edits. Another Echo short story, Jumps sequel, and I just contracted a new YA fantasy with Hadley Rille Books. Once I get these caught up then hopefully I'll have more time to write again!



7- What started you on your writing career? 

I've written since I was in public school. I've always had so many stories in my head, it helped to write them down (and it was fun!) A few years ago my parents pushed me to try to get published..and here I am today.

 8- What does Jen Wylie do for   fun and relaxation? 

Hmmm... I write, and read a lot. I've two little boys and love to hang out and play with them. On the rare occasions I have spare time, I like to putter at crafts; painting, scrapbooking, needle felting etc.

Thanks so much for having me today!!!

Sweet Light

Ebook Available at:

Omnilit:  http://www.omnilit.com/product-sweetlight-550231-143.html

Smashwords: http://www.smashwords.com/books/view/62461

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Sweet-Light-ebook/dp/B0052ZB0O8

B&N: http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Sweet-Light/Jen-Wylie/e/2940012590046/

My website: www.jenniferwylie.ca

twitter: @jen_wylie

goodreads:  http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4499919.Jen_Wylie

facebook fan page: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jennifer-Wylie/151266004895266

Smashwords author page: http://www.smashwords.com/profile/view/jenwylie

Amazon Author page: http://www.amazon.com/Jen-Wylie/e/B004HQ9XD8/ref=ntt_athr_dp_pel_1

My blog: http://jlwylie.wordpress.com/

Review of Sweet Light

Sweet Light

Jennifer Wylie

Echelon Press June 2011

ISBN 978-1-59080-850-4

   When Shara, a young healer receives the rank of journeyman, she is summoned to the kingdom of Glendor to serve as the court healer. On the brink of war,  her king orders her to the front lines to tend to the wounded. Completely out of her realm, she fleas when they are attacked. She happens upon an unconscious and wounded soldier.

   When she stops to help the young man, she has no idea that her life will become entangled in a triangle of love, desire, mystery and pain. She falls in love with her charge, elicits feelings with a harsh captain who becomes her protector, and continues to have feelings for her former lover, who just so happens to be the father of her child. The old saying, "Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." No one knows how true it is.

   This is a wonderful paranormal/fantasy read mixed with a love story. This story had me by the shirt sleeve from the beginning. There were twists and turns in the plot with some total surprises thrown in. The heroine is a bit fickle. Some may call her a bit of a tease. She throws mixed signals to all the men in her life. She declares total devotion to David, while thinking in her head something else. One can't help but wonder if some of her problem was not of her own making. Don't get me wrong, we have some supernatural happenings going on here; but I was not drawn to Shara. Of course, her entire triangle of men had issues. I won't say anymore. You must read it for yourself. If you enjoy fantasy, you can't go wrong with this one. It kept me on the edge and I am definately looking forward to the next one in the series.

   I wish to thank the author for providing me with a copy to read and review. I was not required to write a positive review. I was not compensated in anyway except for receiving the book to review.

I give Sweet Light 4.5 out of 5 stars