Celebrating Indiana Romance Authors: Kyra Jacobs

Celebrating Indiana Romance Authors continues with Kyra Jacobs. Kyra is an extroverted introvert who writes of love, humor, and mystery in the Midwest and beyond. Her romance novels range from sweet contemporaries to urban suspense, and paranormal/fantasy to YA. No matter the setting, Kyra employs both humor and chaos to help her characters find inspiration and/or redemption on their way to happily ever after. When the Hoosier native isn’t pounding out scenes for her next book, she’s likely outside, elbow-deep in snapdragons or spending quality time with her sports-loving family. Kyra also loves to read, tries to golf, and is an avid college football fan.Be sure to stop by her IndianaWonderer blog for tidbits about her upcoming novels, as well as stories and musings in between book releases.

NAN: What genre(s) do you write in?

KYRA: I write in several genres. By nature, I’m a rule-follower, so my sweet contemporary romances fit that to a tee. But apparently I also have a suppressed rule-breaker side, so my fantasy romances fill that void nicely. Lol Usually, I try to weave some mystery/suspense into the stories as well—it’s always fun to keep readers guessing.

NAN: What makes good writing?

KYRA: That’s a tough question, and one that has as many answers as it does readers. For me, I want a story that’s written so well it sucks me in and doesn’t let go. If I can “hear” the characters speaking, you’ve nailed the dialogue. If I’ve been given enough details to jump-start my imagination, but not so many that I’m drowning in them, you’ve got the setting right. Don’t show me the ending too early, don’t kill off my favorite main characters, and don’t leave loose ends dangling at the end. Again, that’s just me. Every reader is different.

NAN: Is there an idea out there you wish you’d thought of?

KYRA: Ever hear of a boy named Harry Potter?…

NAN: How do you keep sane as a writer?

KYRA: Oooh, this is a GREAT question. There are days when the term “sanity” is used loosely in my home—working multiple jobs and doing the single mom thing can be a tad overwhelming at times. But when an idea sinks its claws in me, so long as I can carve out time to get words on the page, I’m a pretty happy soul. When the stories aren’t coming easily or there’s little time for me to write, I lean heavily on my author friends. We’re a unique breed, but outside the writing arena we’re all living real lives, dealing with real issues…many of which are completely relatable. Thanks to social media, we can connect at practically any hour of the day and talk shop or personal lives (probably a bit of both) and help each other keep our writing sanity intact. I’m humbled to be part of such an incredible support network and wouldn’t trade them for the world.

NAN: Did you learn anything from writing your books, and what was it?

KYRA: Interestingly enough, I tend to (accidentally) learn something new about myself in nearly every book I write. Generally, they are character flaws that I then try to correct. (Pleading the fifth on what each revelation has been, LOL). The ah-ha moment I remember most clearly happened in my living room one night while writing FLIRTING WITH FIRE. I had a secondary character calling out the main character over an observed behavior flaw, and self-awareness hit me like a ton of bricks. I dropped my hands from the keyboard and blurted out, “Oh, my gosh—I’m just like Liz!”

NAN: Would you rather have one giant bestseller or a long string of moderate sellers?

KYRA: Whichever can best support my future beachfront property and cabana support staff. 😉

NAN: Do you think a writer should write every day?

KYRA: Ah, now this is a tricky question. I know a lot of authors swear by this, but they’re also usually the authors who write full-time and don’t work multiple jobs or who are under the gun on deadlines and don’t have a choice. Even so, I think every mind needs a break now and then to recharge (i.e., in between rounds of edits or prior to starting a new project).

For me, I struggle NOT to write when I have the time because my writing time is limited. So to avoid writer’s block when I am in front of the keyboard, I mentally gear up ahead of writing time. While I many not actually be increasing my word count, the story is still developing/progressing in my head. If I’m lucky, that will translate to just as many (if not more) words added to the page in my next sitting than I might have had in two or three without time to mentally prepare.

NAN: What do you do in your spare time?

KYRA: Spare time? I’m sorry…what’s that again? Hahahaha When I’m not working, writing, or sitting alongside my sons’ soccer fields, I like to play in my flower gardens. Usually, I’ll have headphones on and tune out the world as I reconnect with nature while plucking rogue grass and weeds from my beds. I also love pretending I know a thing or two about golf and tennis (and sometimes even soccer) in the summer or bowling in the winter. Though, if it’s fall and college football is on, then I’m likely in front of the television calling it like I see it. 😉

Kyra’s latest release is Her Unexpected Hero, book 3 in the Checkerberry Inn series.

She’s got a plan, she just needs his help…

Maddie Frye, the Checkerberry Inn’s snarky, introverted chef, just wants to be left alone. But with the inn’s upcoming gala, Maddie’s boss has matchmaking on the brain. So when the gorgeous new guy in town helps her out for a night, she comes up with the perfect solution to her problem…

Cole Granville is looking for a fresh start. When a part-time job opens in the Checkerberry’s kitchen, he takes it without a second thought. The only catch? He’s got to help his sexy new coworker snag a date for an upcoming dance. But as he coaches Maddie on attracting her crush, Cole realizes he’s the one falling for the curvy brunette.

You’ll find Kyra all over social media, check her out:

Twitter: https://twitter.com/KyraJacobsBooks

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KyraJacobsBooks

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/Kyra_Jacobs

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Kyra-Jacobs/e/B00E5PIJ04

Bookbub Author Profile: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/kyra-jacobs

Newsletter: http://bit.ly/KJnewsltr