Saturday Spotlight: Brooklyn James

Welcome to Saturday Spotlight. A feature hosted by Tina’s Book Reviews as a way of shining the light on Indie/Debut/Self Published authors. Each week I’ll have a guest post written by a featured author.

Welcome author Brooklyn James.

I enjoyed reading Tammara Webber’s guest blog in the Saturday Spotlight. A few parts even made me giggle, as my writing story correlates with her journey of self-publishing. I have written for as long as I can remember…songs, poetry, short stories, screenplays. However, I always thought it too fun to actually be successful. You know, not many of us are fortunate enough to make our vacation our vocation. So, I forged ahead with ‘Plan B.’ In the words of my mother, I “got an education, and a real job with a 401K and an insurance plan.” She couldn’t have been more proud…lol.

I have a few songwriting credits in Nashville, Los Angeles and Austin (my current home). I’m a regular in the live music scene here in town, as part of an acoustic duo. We have a plethora of originals and cover tunes. January 2010 rolled around and I had enough money to allocate to an album of my originals. At the same time, I made a New Year’s resolution to get rid of some excess baggage in providing my own Creative Therapy, by virtue of written expression. Apparently I needed the therapy. At the end of January, I had written a one-hundred-thousand-word manuscript, my first novel, The Boots My Mother Gave Me, a coming of age tale about a young girl who overcomes an abusive childhood.

We were in studio at the time with production of the album. Inspired in the same vein, I started to notice my song titles matched varying chapter titles within the book. It was then I decided I would combine the two, as they were created from a cohesive stream of consciousness. Movies have soundtracks, why not a book? “Brooklyn James' soundtrack to her novel The Boots My Mother Gave Me does more than give a clever feminist twist to the title. Her songs serve as chapters themselves, underlining James' deft ability as a storyteller and songwriter” –Margaret Moser, The Austin Chronicle

I sent my manuscript off to an editor, who believed I had a great story that could be successful. Much like Tammara, I submitted my story to multiple agents and set up agent consultations at a few conferences. The book and album combination threw off many of them. I had a few perked ears, but needless to say, ultimately, no offers.

Being DYI minded as a music artist, I thought, I’ll just do it on my own. The resources are there, why not? I self-published in November 2010 through Amazon’s Create Space. By March 2011, The Boots My Mother Gave Me slid into the Quarter Finalist position in the Amazon Breakthrough Novel Awards. That was the moment I thought, Maybe I really can write. The book and album continue to sell online, and in brick & mortar stores. It never ceases to amaze me how readers, and music lovers alike, will take a chance on an independent artist, allowing us to feel as though we are as valid as our mainstream counterparts. I most certainly agree with Tammara; readers are, have always been, and will continue to be the true gatekeepers.

Due to my readership, I have been nonstop, since releasing two more books, book 1 (Vigilare) & 2 (Vigilare: Hell Hound) in the paranormal thriller trilogy, Vigilare. I have two more books in draft stages currently, along with production of a new music soundtrack to accompany those novels, one to be released fall 2012, the other spring 2013. That’s another great thing I love about readers, if they like your writing, they will transcend with you along genres. I have two genres I feel most comfortable writing, women’s fiction (chick lit/coming of age/contemporary romance) and thrillers (scientific and paranormal). With one common thread: there’s always an underlying romance, and at least one steamy scene. I grew up sneaking a peak at my mother’s romance novels, what can I say? Thank you readers for inspiring and encouraging our stories! And thank you Karen for hosting me!


Finding Brooklyn James: Website (www.brooklyn-james.com)
Facebook (www.facebook.com/BrooklynJamesSinger)
Blog | Twitter | Amazon Author Central
Add Brooklyn James Music to your Pandora station
Download from iTunes iTunes





NEW RELEASE—Vigilare: Hell Hound, book #2 in Vigilare paranormal thriller trilogy.

A red hue emerges, where once it was only emerald green!


Now accepting of her position, Vigilare is propelled into a twist on Greek Mythology's Cerberus―Hell Hound―a rival Vigilare with fire capabilities. ETNA harbored her blood. Have they created a monster they cannot control? Along with her motley crew, the dashing Detective Tony Gronkowski, wily hematologist Dr. Godfrey and suspicious Emily Truly, Vigilare comes face to face with her past in the form of the hellish one.

As the city of New Orleans and its Gambini mafia family are under siege with Vigilare drones, the power hungry Emily wastes no time in solidifying her place in the ranks when she exposes Vigilare to the menacing Hell Hound. Newcomer, Maxim Kiesel, the steel blue-eyed prodigy graced with icy powers may very well be the antidote, or the ultimate traitor.

Will Vigilare give up her role, sacrificing her immortality to stop Hell Hound? The second in a trilogy, Vigilare: Hell Hound―when power is given, the true testament of one's character will rise.


Vigilare, book #1 in Vigilare paranormal thriller trilogy.

Where one system fails, another never gives up!

Detectives Gina DeLuca and Tony Gronkowski investigate a string of murders among Vanguard's most loathsome population, rapists and pedophiles. With fed up citizens, the city is on the verge of a vigilante uprising in support of their seemingly superhuman Vigilare with the sparkling emerald green eyes. Friend or foe, Vanguard Police Department has a job to do in bringing the vigilant one to justice, causing their own internal battle with right and wrong, immoral and just. 

Following their leads, Detectives DeLuca and Gronkowski find themselves pulled into a mysterious world of super blood and super powers, and closer to the Vigilare than ever expected.

It's a race to the finish between Detectives DeLuca and Gronkowski and the Vigilare to figure out who she is and why. The first in a trilogy. Vigilare—the one who watches over—comes to light.


The Boots My Mother Gave Me, book & original music soundtrack.

AMAZON BREAKTHROUGH NOVEL AWARD QUARTER-FINALIST

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to walk through life in someone else's shoes?

Strong-willed tomboy Harley LeBeau puts you in the boots her mother gave her, as she takes you along her journey of escape from an abusive childhood and the desire to find herself as she comes of age. Made to feel a burden to her father simply by her gender, Harley is determined to prove her worth and independence, leaving the small town she grew up in and the one boy who gave her a soft place to fall, Jeremiah Johnson. Torn between saving herself and abandoning her mother and younger sister, Harley chooses her own life in hopes they will choose theirs, too.

A mature, candid read for everyone. A must for women. The Boots My Mother Gave Me explores the dynamics of abuse and dysfunction, the courage to overcome, the strength in sisterhood, and the ongoing conflict and unconditional love between mothers and daughters.
Climb into Charlene the Chevelle for a fast-paced story about a girl who is tough enough to survive and tender enough to learn to trust in love.

Buy the books! Amazon

GIVEAWAY!
Brooklyn is giving away one e-copy (via Smashwords) of The Boots My Mother Gave Me & Vigilare to one lucky winner. Leave a comment with a way to contact you if you win - email/twitter handle etc.

Ends Saturday June 16th 11:59pm ET