Blog Tour: Author Jamie Magee Blog Tour- Guest Post + Giveaway

Welcome to the next stop in Author Jamie Magee's Blog Tour. Today Jamie will share with us a guest post about her books and much, much more. Jamie is the author of the Insight series that contains Insight (book #1), Embody (book #2) and Image (book #3).

Jamie Magee Links: Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter

Author Bio: Jamie Magee has always believed that each of us have a defining gift that sets us apart from the rest of the world, she has always envied those who have known from their first breath what their gift was. Not knowing hers, she began a career in the fast paced world of business. Raising a young family, and competing to rise higher in that field would drive some to the point of insanity, but she always found a moment of escape in a passing daydream. Her imagination would take her to places she’d never been, introduce her to people she’s never known. Insight, her debuting novel, is a result of that powerful imagination. Today, she is grateful that not knowing what defined her, led her on a path of discovery that would always be a part of her.

Welcome Jamie:

I’m extremely excited to be guest blogging today on this outstanding blog. I remember how thrilled I was just over year ago when Yara agreed to review my debut, Insight. That excitement grew as I was later asked to do an interview – I was even excited when Insight made the worst covers list – if fact Yara was one of the first bloggers I thought of when my new covers were released ( you’ll have to tell me how you feel about the new look of Insight, Yara!). When this tour began and I saw this stop my enthusiasm for this blog and the honesty of the reviews came rushing back to me. It allowed me to see how far I’ve come from those confused moments of a debut author – don’t get me wrong I’m still confused about this career field but I relish in the fact that today I’m less confused – that today instead of having a debut novel at my side – I have a series, one that I hope will find a way to all of your TBR piles.

One of the core elements of this series is the Zodiac – this science weaves together the dimensions in my series as well as the conflict and relationships. I wanted to share how this element came to life – how it led me here today.

I knew from the first flash of inspiration I had with Insight that this story would be a love story, one that reached over the span of time, one that enforced the theory of soul- mates – that they would fight a unbearable darkness, but I didn’t know what that darkness was – why they were connected – how their love was weaved together, their beginning….Every story must have a beginning – right?

My first idea for a conflict was wrapped around the seven deadly sins, but that didn’t last very long…..I was having a hard time grasping those sins. Very early in my writing I had a warm conversation with a writer I managed to find by chance. I was asking him if first person was the best way for me to write in (I felt like I was saying ‘I’ way to much) he told me that if I wrote in first person I must understand, believe, or want to believe in my conflict. He proceeded to tell me that whatever conflict I chose needed to be something that I had a passion for – otherwise my readers would feel that absence.

As I ended my phone call with him I glanced at my bookshelf - to an astrology book that sat amongst several nonfiction books ….the theory’s behind the science in those books began to echo in my thoughts…the unknown element that scientist are still seeking today. I sighed then proceeded to delete the last 10,000 words I’d written. I wasn’t clear then on how I would make the Zodiac or any of the other theories I’d read about work with this story, but I knew that I was curious enough about the science of Astrology to find a beginning or connection for my couple Willow, and Landen.

The first thing I did was listen…I listened to my characters and stopped forcing them in the direction I thought they should go. Willow was the first one to speak clearly to me and she was not a quiet character – she came to life quite easily and enjoyed plaguing my thoughts.

 I felt her passion for the helpless, her independence in her convictions, the loyalty of her heart. I saw girl with mesmerizing emerald green eyes who was calm on the surface, but inside her emotions were swarming...she had no idea where she was going she just knew she needed to get there as fast as she could. It did not take long for me to understand that Willow was a Scorpio.

I was introduced to Landen through Willow’s eyes. I met a young man who was subtle, yet intuitive, I could feel a devotion, a tranquil old soul. There was poet within his sprit – one that had managed to bring calm to the world around him – a born leader who had no desire to fill that role – he simply wanted to bask in the emotion of peace. Within in his crystal blue eyes I could see a patient dreamer. There was not a question, he was a Pisces.

Most writers talk about their stories amongst friends as they come to life – I’m no different, and in my conversations I discovered that not everyone could conceive the ideas behind this science – that it didn’t make sense that some signs were more compatible than others – I was given countless examples of couples that loved each other yet had opposing signs – I was also given examples of people who had compatible signs yet there was no attraction between them. Those ideas – those conversations led me to daydream about the third main character – the antagonist, Drake.

I asked myself what if there were two boys born minutes apart – how would they differ – would the heart of Willow Haywood be able to tell the difference between them? The existence of Drake came into in view quite easily as I pondered that thought. Pisces is a duel sign like Gemini. There are often two sides to the personalities these signs carry – I knew Drake was the darkness where Landen was the light. That he was ready to take on the role of leadership he was born with - that where Landen displayed a gently poet – he revealed and an addictive – seductive personality.

With these three characters in place – with Willow’s heart on the line – the lives of billons pending her decision the Insight Series was born.

The effect of the Zodiac in my series does not stop with suns signs of the main characters – it dives much deeper into the plot. These characters will understand that their insights are influenced by their moon sign – the effect each planet makes within their lives - to survive they will have to weave through a science that even in our modern time we have yet to grasp.

I admit that what I know about the Zodiac is barely the tip of what this science holds. Each day I dive deeper and see more possibilities before me, and I cannot wait to witness each adventure Willow has – I love being her voice.

I leave you today with these questions. What is your sign? What sign do you adore and which one drives you mad?

What a excellent post. Landen and myself we have that we are both Pisces. As far as what signs I adore I will say my children's signs Capricorn and Libra. My husband is a Pisces just like me and my mom is a Aries. Now when it comes to my dad he is a Gemini and matches what you say about Drake, lol. I wont say I hate any signs because I have to agree that I've seen those cases where compatible signs don't match in real life. Thanks Jamie for sharing this write up today, it was exciting to read. 

Now readers, Jamie is giving the chance to one lucky reader to win all 3 copies in ebook. YEY! So your task at hand will be simple. Answer Jamie's questions above and then leave your name and email below. The giveaway will run until December 14th. Good Luck!