Scroll down for a chance to win a copy of Jaime Jo Wright’s book, The House on Foster Hill. Winner will be announced in the next Author Spotlight feature. Congratulations to winner of last Author Spotlight of The Secret Life of Sarah Hollenbeck, Carol Kelley! Please e-mail your mailing address to my assistant Christen (christenkrumm@gmail.com).

Kaine Prescott is no stranger to death. When her husband died two years ago, her pleas for further investigation into his suspicious death fell on deaf ears. In desperate need of a fresh start, Kaine purchases an old house sight unseen in her grandfather’s Wisconsin hometown. But one look at the eerie, abandoned house immediately leaves her questioning her rash decision. And when the house’s dark history comes back with a vengeance, Kaine is forced to face the terrifying realization she has nowhere left to hide.

A century earlier, the house on Foster Hill holds nothing but painful memories for Ivy Thorpe. When an unidentified woman is found dead on the property, Ivy is compelled to discover her identity. Ivy’s search leads her into dangerous waters and, even as she works together with a man from her past, can she unravel the mystery before any other lives—-including her own—are lost?

Can you tell us about your newest release? Is it part of a series or a stand-alone?

The House on Foster Hill is a stand-alone novel, and it is set in both 1906 and present day, in what is popularly called a “split-time” or “dual-time” story. It’s a mystery told from two different perspectives, linked across time, and the cold-case reopens in present day with the heroine’s purchase of an old house. It begs the question: If walls could speak, would you listen?

Is anything or anyone in this book based on real-life experiences?

I certainly hope not! LOL I put these characters through the wringer. Although, I will say that Ivy, the past-day heroine, has many characteristics of my soul-sister, and Kaine, the present-day heroine, is more like me than I’d prefer to admit. Emotionally charged and a tad irrational. LOL

Who was your favorite character in this story, and why?

Olive, the black lab? Okay. Maybe not. But I really LOVED incorporating dogs into the story. My favorite character is definitely, the mysterious and very dead, Gabriella. Who was she? Where did she come from? I came to know her story very intimately and there are still scenes in my head that never made it into the book. Gabriella’s life is an entirely different book on its own. I will say no more, though, or completely spoil the story.

Compared to your other books, was this one easy to complete or challenging? Any idea why?

My other published works are novellas, which in their own right, are difficult to compose due to making a plausible story in 20K words. THOFH was very challenging though, due to loose ends, woven threads, and needing to make sure all the clues and such were tied up at the end of the book.

What was the hardest scene in this book to write? What made it difficult?

There is a scene toward the end of the book that really reveals a lot of the background story. It was difficult to write because, unfortunately, I don’t write happily-ever-after endings for all my characters. There is a darkness in the world that can’t be avoided, and yet, slivers of hope remain.

What did you (or your editors) edit out of this book?

Oddly enough, not much. In fact, I added more in. So hey! At least there’s not a bunch of deleted scenes running around homeless.

What’s the most difficult thing about writing from the point of view of the opposite sex? 

Here’s the weird thing. I find writing the opposite sex way easier than my own. I work in a very male dominated environment, so I’ve developed a very heightened sense of how a guy thinks, acts, reacts, etc. Throw me in a room full of women and I hide in a corner. Truly! Ask the women around me and most would label me an introvert when in fact, I’m an extrovert in most environments. It’s just a weird thing all the way around. LOL!

What part of the country do you consider home?

Wisconsin is my home. Born and raised.

Currently, how big (or small) is your household?

Well, if you include 1 snake, 4 pet frogs, and 2 cats, then we’re edging up to 12 inhabitants.

Is there any habit or hobby you have that might surprise readers?

Sleep. I really love to sleep. If I believed in reincarnation I would return as a housecat. Sleeping allllll the time.

What’s your favorite movie? Favorite TV show?

I’m a Marvel comic junkie. I love The Arrow, The Flash, Supergirl, all those. Probably because they’re so out of my genre of what I write. I can just sit back and get lost in their worlds. But, really, Oliver Queen is my TV crush. Yes. I have one. It’s Oliver Queen. Green is keen, ya’ll.

If you were casting yourself in a movie, which actor or actress would you pick? Why?

Definitely Jennifer Lawrence. I’ve been compared to her on numerous occasions, for many reasons, not the least of them being I too, wield a bow and arrow (Perhaps this also explains my crush on the Arrow?)

Pre-order a copy of The House on Foster Hill:
Amazon | Barnes and Noble | CBD

Professional coffee drinker & ECPA/Publisher’s Weekly best-selling author, Jaime Jo Wright resides in the hills of Wisconsin writing spirited romantic suspense stained with the shadows of history. Coffee fuels her snarky personality. She lives in Neverland with her Cap’n Hook who stole her heart and will not give it back, their little fairy Tinkerbell, and a very mischievous Peter Pan. The foursome embark on scores of adventure that only make her fall more wildly in love with romance and intrigue. Jaime lives in dreamland, exists in reality, and invites you to join her adventures at jaimejowright.com.

Website | Twitter | Facbook