Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
I spent the first twenty-odd years of my life in rural Kentucky, many of those years without electricity or running water. In my writings, I draw upon my early years of deprivation.
Now, I live in central Kentucky with my wonderful husband and our cat, rescued from the animal shelter. The cat rules the household and is also a kleptomaniac. Once, she stole a Bluetooth and hid it under the couch. It took us lowly humans several days to locate her ill-gotten booty.
In my day job, I work in higher education. I earned a masters degree in public administration.
My books combine humor and murder in a total package of entertaining and fun southern adventures. At the same time, I sketch in addiction/recovery issues and childhood angst with a deft and compassionate touch.
My mystery adventures are available on Amazon in electronic and paperback formats.
The Shaken, Not Stirred, Mystery/Horror Series:
A Pink Zombie, with a Mist
Gimlet and Other Stories: The collected short stories run the gamut from mystery to horror to science fiction.
The Takes a Dare Series:
Murder Takes a Dare
Mayhem Takes a Dare
Arson Takes a Dare
The Carr – Maah Consulting Agency Series:
Dog Days of Karma
Equi Knocks of Karma
May the Fourth (Be with You): A Collection of Stories Across Time and Space:
Gimlet
Writers’ Anarchy Anthologies
Heroes and Villains
As the Crow Flies
Celebrating Mothers: Fond Memories and Fictional Muses
The Hand of Karma
Available FREE online at writersanarchy.com/tag/mothers-day
I love feedback from readers, both one-on-one and through customer reviews on Amazon.com. Connect with me to share your thoughts about my books by emailing me at Jada_Ryker@yahoo.com.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book is Equi Knocks of Karma, the sequel to Dog Days of Karma. It’s a play on equinox and equal opportunity. My plot includes a cult, Fellowship of the Young, which wants to remove the Baby Boomer generation to free up highly paid jobs for younger people.
The books include a paranormal element. Celeste Carr and Ericka Maah run the Carr – Maah Consulting Agency. Celeste is practical. She rejects anything of a supernatural nature. Ericka is mysterious, with odd, unexplained things happening when she’s around. The two business partners clash, but each would give her life for the other.
In the first book, Celeste met Hobart, a man with a mysterious past. In the second book, she meets Chance. He’s handsome, intelligent, and appears when she’s in danger to rescue her.
Equi Knocks of Karma is available now.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
For each book, I develop a roadmap for the chapters. I find that the characters like to take their own unusual turns…and I let them. The initial concept and the finished product are wildly different.
What authors, or books have influenced you?
I loved the Sookie Stackhouse series, by Charlaine Harris. The books are fun and engaging, with romance, horror, and the supernatural.
What are you working on now?
I’m working on two projects.
One, I’m writing a short story for a Halloween anthology. A motorcycle aficionado is killed. During a Halloween party shortly after his death, suspects gather.
Second, I’m debating writing a fourth installment in the Takes a Dare series. Each book may be read as a standalone work…I never write a book that leaves a reader hanging, off a cliff or otherwise! Marisa Adair, with the help of various colorful characters including strippers and addiction support group members, solves a variety of mysteries. She’s clamoring in my head for another adventure. We’ll see which of us wins this argument :)
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
I’m still a novice in promotion. I’ve had great results with Freebooksy and the E Reader Café.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
If you work a day job while you’re writing and promoting, it takes off the pressure. I read a Facebook post by a new author who wrote: “I’m depending on my writing to finance my retirement.” I’ve read many excellent books by independent authors who are not (yet) famous. Don’t bet the farm on fame and fortune through your writing.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
The only one who can make you give up is you. I read it on Jim Butcher’s blog. He’s absolutely correct!
What are you reading now?
I recently re-read the Rex Stout books with Nero Wolfe. Now, I’m re-reading the Agatha Christie classics.
What’s next for you as a writer?
I’ll keep writing books. I also write reviews and post them on Amazon. I specialize in indies. They need the help more than traditionally published authors.
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
I would pack a Nero Wolfe by Rex Stout, a Jane Yellowrock by Faith Hunter, and Gone with the Wind by Margaret Mitchell.
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