The Beach by Jaye Frances
Paranormal/Mystery
Kindle edition, 108 pages
Published August 12th 2012 by Redstone Press
Book Description
Alan loves the beach. More than a weekend respite, it is his home, his refuge, his sanctuary. And for most of the year, he strolls the sand in blissful solitude, letting nature—and no one else—touch him. But spring has given way to summer, and soon, the annual invasion of vacationers and tourists will subdivide the beach with
blankets, umbrellas, and chairs, depriving Alan of his privacy and seclusion—the fundamental touchstones of his life.
Resigned to endure another seasonal onslaught of beach-goers, Alan believes there is nothing he can do but prepare for the worst.
But fate has other plans.
Delivered to him on the crest of a rogue wave, the strange object appears to have no purpose, no practical use—until Alan accidentally discovers what waits inside. Now he must attempt to unravel an ageless mystery, unaware that the final outcome will change his life, and the beach, forever.
In the companion novella Short Time, you’ll meet a respectable but bored middle-class executive, who exchanges his future for six months of excess and extravagance, only to find out the price he must pay for his hedonistic indulgence is beyond anything he could have imagined.
Alan loves the beach. More than a weekend respite, it is his home, his refuge, his sanctuary. And for most of the year, he strolls the sand in blissful solitude, letting nature—and no one else—touch him. But spring has given way to summer, and soon, the annual invasion of vacationers and tourists will subdivide the beach with
blankets, umbrellas, and chairs, depriving Alan of his privacy and seclusion—the fundamental touchstones of his life.
Resigned to endure another seasonal onslaught of beach-goers, Alan believes there is nothing he can do but prepare for the worst.
But fate has other plans.
Delivered to him on the crest of a rogue wave, the strange object appears to have no purpose, no practical use—until Alan accidentally discovers what waits inside. Now he must attempt to unravel an ageless mystery, unaware that the final outcome will change his life, and the beach, forever.
In the companion novella Short Time, you’ll meet a respectable but bored middle-class executive, who exchanges his future for six months of excess and extravagance, only to find out the price he must pay for his hedonistic indulgence is beyond anything he could have imagined.
Goodreads
Q & A with Jaye Frances
Q: Tell us a little bit about your main character, Alan.
A: Alan is a middle-aged single guy, a rather unlikable sort who shamelessly exhibits all the character traits of a self-assured and insensitive snob. Believing his above average intelligence and early financial success gives him the right to belittle those of lesser means, he wishes he could rid the beach of what he calls “the undesirables.” Through a twist of supernatural fate, he’s offered just such an opportunity, and after using his new power, is horrified at the result.
Q: What is your favorite part about being an author?
A: I can set my own hours, wear whatever feels comfy, and stay up as late as I like. Of course what this really means is that I’m writing 24/7 (whether it’s on a computer or in my head). No complaints though, except when I have to engage in a midnight writing marathon because one of my characters decides to spill their guts and needs a shoulder to cry on . . .
Q: What do you consider influences on your writing style?
A: Several of my favorite authors have influenced my desire to write. I’ve always liked Dean Koontz and Stephen King for their ability to set a scene and describe a situation. I also like David Sedaris for his candid and comedic interpretations of life, and Ray Bradbury and Orson Wells for intelligent writing that continues to influence the reader long after the book has been returned to the shelf.
Q: What is the best advice you have been given?
A: That if I wanted to be a better writer, I should spend as much time reading as I do writing—searching to find the words, sentences, and paragraphs that strike me to the core. Realizing how others have been able to touch me with joy, fear, anticipation, and despair, has been a gift I’ve tried to translate into my own writing.
Q: What do you keep yourself busy with when you're not writing?
A: I strive to set aside time every day to exercise. Whether it’s a walk around the neighborhood or a workout at the gym, there’s nothing better than physical exertion to keep my brain alert and focused. And when I actually give myself permission to totally relax, I’ll pull out the yoga mat, play some soft music and zone out for an hour or so.
Q: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: Although I can’t remember having a burning desire to pursue any particular occupation or profession, I will admit to daydreaming about some pretty unlikely career choices, my favorites being marine biologist and fashion designer. I suppose by the time I was in high school, I had accepted the fact that my life would deviate from the beaten path. And about that fashion designer thing . . . while I never pursued a mentorship with Gucci, my fascination with—and my collection of—shoes is obscene.
Q: Physical books (hard/paperbacks) or ebooks?
A: Ebooks for the convenience and fun factor, paperbacks for the tactile fix, and hardbacks to keep my desk from wobbling.
Q: What book are you reading now?
A: Currently I’m doing research for my upcoming adult series “World Without Love,” so the majority of my reading takes me to some exotic (and erotic) locales in southeast Asia, where barter and trade is not only way of life, but a means to a ruthless and terrifying end.
A: Several of my favorite authors have influenced my desire to write. I’ve always liked Dean Koontz and Stephen King for their ability to set a scene and describe a situation. I also like David Sedaris for his candid and comedic interpretations of life, and Ray Bradbury and Orson Wells for intelligent writing that continues to influence the reader long after the book has been returned to the shelf.
Q: What is the best advice you have been given?
A: That if I wanted to be a better writer, I should spend as much time reading as I do writing—searching to find the words, sentences, and paragraphs that strike me to the core. Realizing how others have been able to touch me with joy, fear, anticipation, and despair, has been a gift I’ve tried to translate into my own writing.
Q: What do you keep yourself busy with when you're not writing?
A: I strive to set aside time every day to exercise. Whether it’s a walk around the neighborhood or a workout at the gym, there’s nothing better than physical exertion to keep my brain alert and focused. And when I actually give myself permission to totally relax, I’ll pull out the yoga mat, play some soft music and zone out for an hour or so.
Q: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
A: Although I can’t remember having a burning desire to pursue any particular occupation or profession, I will admit to daydreaming about some pretty unlikely career choices, my favorites being marine biologist and fashion designer. I suppose by the time I was in high school, I had accepted the fact that my life would deviate from the beaten path. And about that fashion designer thing . . . while I never pursued a mentorship with Gucci, my fascination with—and my collection of—shoes is obscene.
Q: Physical books (hard/paperbacks) or ebooks?
A: Ebooks for the convenience and fun factor, paperbacks for the tactile fix, and hardbacks to keep my desk from wobbling.
Q: What book are you reading now?
A: Currently I’m doing research for my upcoming adult series “World Without Love,” so the majority of my reading takes me to some exotic (and erotic) locales in southeast Asia, where barter and trade is not only way of life, but a means to a ruthless and terrifying end.
About Jaye Frances
About the Author: Jaye Frances is the author of The Kure, a paranormal-occult romance novel, The Possibilities of Amy, a coming-of-age romance novella, The Cruise-All That Glitters, a humorous adult satire about love on the high seas, The Beach, a sci-fi supernatural tale about a man who is given the opportunity to receive his ultimate wish, and Love Travels Forever, a collection of poignant short stories and essays. Born in the Midwest, Jaye readily admits that her life’s destination has been the result of an open mind and a curiosity about all things irreverent. When she’s not consumed by her writing, Jaye enjoys cooking, traveling to all places tropical and “beachy” and taking pictures—lots of pictures—many of which find their way to her website. Jaye lives on the central gulf coast of Florida, sharing her home with one husband, six computers, four cameras, and several hundred pairs of shoes.
About the Author: Jaye Frances is the author of The Kure, a paranormal-occult romance novel, The Possibilities of Amy, a coming-of-age romance novella, The Cruise-All That Glitters, a humorous adult satire about love on the high seas, The Beach, a sci-fi supernatural tale about a man who is given the opportunity to receive his ultimate wish, and Love Travels Forever, a collection of poignant short stories and essays. Born in the Midwest, Jaye readily admits that her life’s destination has been the result of an open mind and a curiosity about all things irreverent. When she’s not consumed by her writing, Jaye enjoys cooking, traveling to all places tropical and “beachy” and taking pictures—lots of pictures—many of which find their way to her website. Jaye lives on the central gulf coast of Florida, sharing her home with one husband, six computers, four cameras, and several hundred pairs of shoes.
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5232105.Jaye_Frances
Website: http://www.jayefrances.com
Blog: http://blog.jayefrances.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jayefrancesauthor
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/author/www.jayefrances.com
Congrats on your tour.
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