It's LaConnie Taylor-Jones, author of, "When I'm With You."

SYNOPSIS – WHEN I’M WITH YOU
When your life has been terrorized by violence, how do you manage to go forward, looking over your shoulder at every turn? This is the daily question that haunts Caitlyn Thompson. She has been in hiding from an ex-boyfriend for three years, always careful not to slip up and allow him to find her again. Submitting a grant request to a wealthy philanthropist foundation, Caitlyn is soon to meet the man who will make her want to stop running, want to trust and love again; Marcel Baptiste. It will take a will of iron and a courage she didn’t know she possessed to battle her fears and open up to the wealthy entrepreneur. But when violence comes knocking again, will she have the courage to face her biggest nightmare?

EXCERPT – WHEN I’M WITH YOU
Caitlyn broke the silence first and spoke with what little of her patience remained. “I’m going to say this once, and I’ll say it slow so that you get it the first time around.” She walked over to the door and placed her hand on the knob. “I’m not one of your pastime passions. There is no we, no us, no nothing.” Unlocking the door, she snatched it open. “Now get that through that thick skull of yours and leave.”

In two powerful strides, Marcel was in front of her. “That’s where you’re wrong, kitten. Despite what you think about me or your perception of who I am, you can’t deny there’s something between us.”

She inched up her eyebrow. “You wanna bet?”

A confident smile touched his lips. “I’ll bet every dime I’ve got on it.” He caressed her cheek with the pad of his thumb. “And the feelings between us tell me I’ll win this bet, lady, hands down.” Without waiting for her response, he walked out.



DT:  Had you always wanted to be an author?
LTJ: Honestly, no. For as long as I can remember, I was thoroughly content as a reader.

When I'm With You LaConnie Taylor-Jones

DT:  When did you first take your writing seriously?
LTJ: The single challenge that led me from reader to author was my husband. In the spring of ’03, I was in bed reading a novel that was horrible. It was pass midnight and I think my husband was tired of hearing me whine about the book because he said, “Honey, if you can write a better book do it, but baby, turn out the lights.” Since I’d spent the last fifteen years of my career as a health educator doing technical writing, I took him up on the dare. I was determined to learn how to write fiction. Since that night, I’ve never looked back.

DT: What has been your greatest obstacle as a writer?
LTJ: Learning how to juggle the life I knew before becoming a published author with the one I have now. Sometimes, writing, editing and revision deadlines don’t necessarily come at the most convenient times.

DT: What do you want readers to get from your present work?
LTJ: Actually, there are three. First, I want readers to understand the beauty and power of love that exists between the right man and woman, Secondly, I want readers to know and cherish the importance of family. Finally, I hope readers can discover some strategies from my stories that they can apply to whatever real-life situation they’re facing to help overcome it.

DT: What inspires you to write?
LTJ:  The inspiration for my two full-length novels, When I’m With You and When A Man Loves A Woman came from my experience as a health educator. For fifteen years, I’ve taught health education primarily to African American women in community-based settings. Oftentimes, before I can lecture on the risk factors associated with chronic diseases disproportionally impacting African Americans, I have to deal with the soci-economic deterrents women face. Unfortunately, abusive relationships top the list.

DT:  How do you research the materials for your work?
LTJ:  There are a variety of research references I use ranging from the local library, Internet, reference books, and personal interviews.

DT:  Do you create characters before you begin your story?
LTJ:  Oh, absolutely!! As a writer, I find that the more intimately acquainted I am with my characters, the more successful I’ll be in flushing them out. Once I’m in a particular character’s POV, I can write in-depth and really incorporate them in my storyline. Another advantage to an author knowing their characters is that they understand what they will and will not do.

DT:  Are there notable authors who have influenced your writing?
LTJ:  Oh, yes! They include and not necessarily in this order: Beverly Jenkins, Linda Howard, Brenda Jackson, Rochelle Alers and L.A. Banks, Eric Jerome Dickey, and Mary Morrison.

DT:  With your busy schedule how do you find time for LaConnie?
LTJ: My day generally begins between three-thirty and four each morning. I’ve found this is the only time during the course of the day that’s exclusively mine. After my first cup of coffee, I write for a couple of hours before my family awakes and my day really begins.

DT:  Where do you see yourself as a writer in ten years?
LTJ:  In ten years, I plan to be on the NYT Bestsellers List with at least twenty books to my credit.

DT: We here at Blackrefer.com thank you for sharing and we wish you all the best!


Website:
http://www.laconnietaylorjones.com