In the Author Spotlight: Jamie Lynn Miller and her release, Out of the Shadows (contest)

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In Our Author Spotlight:  Jamie Lynn Miller

and Out of the Shadows!

How my real-life law enforcement experiences inspired a romance story by Jamie Lynn Miller

Thanks so much, Melanie, for having me here today. I’m Jamie Lynn Miller and I’d like to talk about my book Out of the Shadows and my inspiration for writing it.

My tagline says it all: “Men in uniform…and out”. Give me a cop, a fireman or a paramedic and I’ll write a story about them.

I’ve been interested in law enforcement since I was a kid and had aspirations of joining the FBI after college. But that’s another story for another time. Instead, over the past many years I’ve taken six different citizen police and fire academy classes, spanning over 72 weeks in total.

I’ve gone on ride-a-longs with the police department and fire department. I’ve been inside a live burn tower. I received the marksman award on the firing range. I worked with the SWAT team. I sketched a crime scene and collected fingerprints and other evidence. I learned how to find my way blind in the dark in a smoke filled room wearing an oxygen tank and mask and full turnout gear. I learned self-defense moves the police use to subdue suspects. I used the Jaws of Life to pry a door off a car and used an axe to break out a windshield.

And during all this, I took notes. Lots and lots of notes. Notebooks full. Because I knew someday I was going to write a story. Or four. 🙂

Then two things came together that gave me the inspiration for Out of the Shadows – I spent time working with two separate K-9 units and I attended a lecture on domestic violence. Being a pet lover I was instantly drawn to the K-9 teams and I was fascinated with how they worked and how they trained and the bond between human officer and canine officer. Part of the lecture on domestic violence and how the police handle such cases was the fact that men are abused, too, but it’s hardly ever reported. That just really stuck with me and I began to wonder how to write a story about a man who found himself in an abusive relationship and how he would find the strength and courage to leave. Then suddenly a handsome K-9 officer worked his way in and Out of the Shadows was born.

So here it is, the story of Shane and Tyler and how they found their Hollywood happy ending. I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it.

Out of the Shadows Blurb:

For K-9 Officer Shane Walker, transferring from the Tulsa police department to the elite L.A.P.D. was a dream come true. He nearly forgets he’s in Hollywood until he responds to a 911 call that brings him to the home of actor Tyler Donovan.

It appears that Tyler has it all – a career that’s on fire and a loving, long-term relationship with his partner, Alex. But then Shane uncovers the truth that Tyler had been trying to hide, and the illusion comes crashing down.

Can Shane help Tyler break free of a life he’s convinced he deserves before it’s too late, and in the process help them both find love?

Out of the Shadows Excerpt:

Shane arrived at Tyler’s house hours later, after being reamed out by Nick, still no less furious with the other man. He could’ve called, like Tyler asked, but what he had to say needed to be said face-to-face.

Tyler must’ve heard his truck pull up, for he was standing with the front door open as Shane walked up the steps. He brushed by Tyler and stood in the living room, hands on his hips.
“Shane – ”

“What were you thinking?!” Shane yelled, cutting Tyler off.

“I wasn’t!” Tyler yelled back, fire in his blue eyes. “I just reacted! You needed help!”

“That’s why I’ve got Chase!”

“He’s not a human, Shane!” Tyler countered. “You needed another pair of hands! I couldn’t just sit there and watch you wrestle with him!”

Shane took a step toward Tyler, his body vibrating with anger and suppressed fear. “He had a gun, Tyler! What if he’d have had it on him and turned around and started shooting? What if he would’ve shot you? I can’t -” his voice broke and he felt himself start to shake. “I can’t lose you!” He swallowed thickly around the lump in his throat, taking another step toward Tyler as the other man did the same. They met halfway and Shane crushed his mouth to Tyler’s, pouring out his fear and love in the demanding kiss.

Things started escalating in the blink of an eye. Tyler’s arms wound around Shane, holding tightly, hands gripping Shane’s t-shirt, trying to get their bodies even closer together. One of Shane’s hands cupped the back of Tyler’s head while the other went around his waist. Shane was still shaking, the fear being replaced by desire and anticipation now, like everything was about to change.

Tyler must’ve felt it too, his mouth demanding against Shane’s, his tongue sliding hard against Shane’s own. This was by far the most aggressive, passionate kiss they’d ever shared, Shane’s head dizzy with it as their mouths crashed together again and again.

“Ty…” Shane whined into the kiss, pleading. “Need you…”

~~~~~
CONTEST: To win a $10.00 Amazon gift card, leave a comment here with the answer to the following question: “Who is Shane’s ‘non-human’ partner?” Contest ends Monday, October 6th. Winner will be randomly selected on October 7th.

BUY LINKS:

• Amazon
  LuLu (Paperback and epub):
  Kobo
  Barnes and Noble
  Dreamspinner
  Also available at the iBookstore

Author Bio:

Jamie Lynn Miller has been writing fiction since childhood and decided to take the plunge and go pro in 2008, finding to her amazement that people truly enjoyed her love stories. She’s a romantic at heart, and her tales reflect the desire we all have to find “the one,” persevering through trials and heartache for that happy ending.

Jamie has a degree in fine arts and has spent the last twenty years working as a graphic designer, though she’d much rather be writing. She was born in Chicago and still lives there today with her husband and their two furry, four-footed children, er… cats.

If she’s not brainstorming story ideas, you can find Jamie at a sci-fi convention, in front of a furnace doing glass blowing, or on a mat twisted into a yoga pose.

CONTACT INFO:  Jamie Lynn Miller

Email: jamielynnmiller@live.com
Website:  http://www.jamielynnm.wordpress.com
Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/jamielynn.miller.3