Today I’m featuring Jaye Marie here to promote her new release, Ghost of a Chance. This is book 4 in her DI Snow series.

About Jaye:

Jaye Marie came to writing rather late but has always loved books.

She enjoys reading many different genres, so was surprised to discover a passion for writing detective thrillers. Four of them to date, with more to follow.

She also enjoys running a website/blog, https://jenanita01.com and loves meeting all the wonderful people who drop in to say hello!

Blurb:

A damaged detective, out of a job
A relationship on the rocks
What does the future hold for David Snow?
Just when he thought life couldn’t get any worse
A ghost with a grudge adds to his pain
A ghost hell bent on stopping him from rebuilding his life…

Recent review

Mae Clair
4.0 out of 5 stars Dark crime fiction with a splash of the supernatural
Reviewed in the United States on 5 October 2022
Verified Purchase

Although this book is a continuation in a series, the author did a good job of establishing characters and their past relationships. As a reader I felt on firm footing. The story is told from alternating POVs, all in third person, with the exception of the MC, David Snow, a former DI, who has suffered a debilitating injury that has changed his career path. We get his POV in first person. While the story itself is gritty, the writing is polished, and the pacing strong. The writer has a deft hand with dark investigative crime. A splash of the supernatural adds an intriguing element to this hard-hitting tale that explores the bleaker side of human nature and relationships.

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The Interview that Inspired me to write Ghost of a Chance
 
One of my characters had been in my head a lot lately, constantly nagging me about something. He has featured in three of my books, and I think anyone who has read my work will remember DI Snow. The detective who helped Kate Devereau in Nine Lives, saved her life in Out of Time, and failed miserably to forget her in Crossfire.

I wondered what was on his mind.

I invited him to my office to find out.

‘You have exactly five minutes to say what is on your mind, David, as I am trying to work.’

He looked wonderful, but then he has always been one of my favourite people. Looking just like Tom Selleck from the Jesse Stone tv series, he sprawled in my writing chair, slowly rocking it backwards and forwards, his eyes never leaving my face.

‘I want to know when you will be writing another story for me?’ The corners of his mouth lifted slightly, along with one eyebrow. ‘I have missed seeing you every day, Jaye.’

My insides were melting fast, and right then I would have agreed to anything.

‘There is the small matter of a decent plot…’

He shrugged, as if that was of no consequence.

‘Do you have any idea how hard it is to create a plausible detective story?’

He stood up, towering over me as I sat on the uncomfortable visitor’s chair. ‘You have managed it very well up to now, Jaye. Anyway, I do have an idea, or rather a desire. My marriage is over, mainly because I cannot forget Kate. I want to find her again. You do know where she is?’

I was speechless, which was just as well, for I was desperately trying to imagine what Kate might be doing now. The last time I saw her, she was going to find somewhere to paint herself better. Supposing I couldn’t find her?

As if he could read my mind, David Snow sat back down in my chair.

‘I know how busy you are, Jaye. You probably have several projects on the go, but I’m hoping writing a new story could be one of them. I’m not leaving until we have an agreement.’

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Let’s Get to Know a Bit More about Jaye:

What hobbies do you enjoy when not writing?

This is an awkward question, but I chose it for a reason. I have always been a busy person, always up to something. Arts and crafts, dressmaking, gardening, and home decorating. My favourite hobby are my bonsai trees. Unfortunately, due to the increasing pressure of writing, sometimes my hobbies have to take a back seat. Not having all the time in the world, at least not enough for everything I love or need to do, I try to make time now and then. Especially for my bonsai. They have priority because they are living trees and most of them have been with me for years…

D.G. – That is beautiful 🙂

How has writing changed your life?

When I was a child, I read everything I could get my hands on. When my appendix had to be to removed, aged eleven, I read my way through all the books on the shelf in the hospital. Books have always been my friend, I used to dream about being a famous author. Of course, life not only got in the way, but it also put a stop to the day dreaming too. I was in my sixties when I started writing, and I can honestly say that my life has never been better. I feel content now and more confident in myself. Something I never felt before. I took a long time getting here, but so glad I made it…

D.G. – I think books have been a saving grace for many of us writers. 🙂

What prompted you to write in your chosen genre?

In many ways, I am still not sure why I chose mystery detective fiction, as it wasn’t my first choice. In the beginning, I tried writing children’s books, then poetry and contemporary fiction. (in other words, any old rubbish that happened to be in my head at the time). I think I liked the idea of writing, but it would be a while before I found what really motivates me. This might be because I am hooked on those popular TV series. And medical dramas. I am surprised I haven’t tried writing one of those yet.

My favourite detective, DI David Snow has been with me for four of my books. Based on my love of Tom Selleck, he is getting old now, so I might have to find someone else eventually…

D.G. – I always find it interesting to learn what motivates a writer to write in a certain genre.

How do you promote your work. Do you find marketing and social media overwhelming?

Not sure why I chose this question, for marketing is a bit of a nemesis for me. I do promote my work on our website and social media regularly. My books are on multiple book outlets too, but I haven’t ventured into advertising yet. I have it on good authority that some kind of paid advertising is the way forward, but I have always been reluctant to spend any money, basically because I don’t have much of the stuff to spare! I am old and retired, and definitely related to those poor church mice! I have been saving up, so I will possibly be taking the plunge quite soon, if the fates allow…

D.G. – You are certainly not alone when it comes to the promotion dilemmas. This is why it’s great to be part of a great writing community. 🙂

What’s your favourite mode of writing – computer, hand written, dictation, and why?

I have been writing for nearly ten years and must have tried every method there is, to get my words in some sort of order. In the beginning, of course, I scribbled in a lot of notebooks, transcribing everything to an ancient typewriter. You wouldn’t believe how much correction fluid I used in the process. Learning how to use the word processor on my first computer slowed me down, but I soon got the hang of it. It was so much quicker and far easier to use, and I started to feel like a real writer. I was still writing in my notebooks first. My brain has never liked working straight to the screen. Eventually, I realised I needed a better way. Since mastering dictation, my writing has speeded up considerably, leaving a lot more time for my imagination to run riot…

D.G. – I’m with you all the way on pen and paper. I just don’t feel creative in front of the screen.

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Excerpt from Ghost Chance

A faint whisper of flowers greeted me when I opened the front door, but I thought nothing of it at the time. Jane’s perfume still lingered, even after her departure.

My mind was busy, wanting to check out some estate agents. I decided to make coffee before switching on my iPad. I filled the kettle and noticed somebody had moved the rubbish bin. I lifted the lid and found it empty but didn’t recall doing it. I probably had, but my brain was nothing like reliable these days.

Back in the living room, I was about to sit down when I thought I heard a noise upstairs. It sounded like someone closing the wardrobe door.

My detective alarm system had been dormant for so long, and for a moment, I didn’t know what to do. Was there someone upstairs, or did I imagine it? Perhaps it was coming from next door?

Then a floorboard creaked. It was the one by the bedroom door, and I knew I had a visitor.

I made my way to the bottom of the stairs and listened. The silence was deafening, made more so by my straining to hear something. I heard nothing to suggest there was anyone up there. I made my way up the stairs, pausing on the landing. Which room should I check first?

Seconds before I made that decision, the spare room door opened. My breathing slowed as I waited to see what would happen next. It did occur to me that I should have just stormed in, the element of surprise. But it turned out to be me who was surprised.

The look on my wife’s face was a picture when she walked through the door and found me standing with my mouth hanging open.

‘What are you doing here, David?’

Not a terrific way to start, I thought, annoyance raising its head at the sheer affrontery. ‘I do still live here, you know. More to the point, what are you doing here?’

We stood on the landing, several feet apart. Neither of us was happy to see the remains of our once beautiful relationship.

‘None of your business…’ she said, passing me on the way to the stairs.

I watched as she tried her best to stomp down the stairs with attitude, but the large suitcase she dragged behind her spoiled the effect.

I wanted to say so much, so what do you think came out of my mouth?

Mr Nasty, that’s who.

‘Before you go, Jane, leave your keys on the hall table; I am selling this place.’

She looked up at me, an unreadable expression on her face. ‘You enjoyed that, didn’t you?’ I had already regretted it, so I decided to be honest. It wouldn’t hurt, especially now.

‘No, actually, I didn’t.’

‘Then why say it? Or were you trying to hurt me?’

So, it had hurt. I had given up trying to reason with Ms Hard as Nails, convinced she couldn’t care less about anything, especially me.

‘In a way, I suppose I was trying to hurt you. A vain attempt to make you feel as bad as I do.’

Neither of us spoke. We stared at each other with a mixture of frustration and desperation (mine).

‘Get down here, David and put the kettle on. We need to talk…’

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Find Jaye on her Social Links:

Jaye’s email          jayemarie01@btinternet.com

Website/blog         https://jenanita01.com

Facebook               https://anita.dawes.37

Twitter                   https://twitter.com/jaydawes2

Goodreads  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/8638857.Jaye_Marie

Author Page   https://www.amazon.co.uk/Jaye-Marie/e/B00O2ZUFOK/

Pinterest         https://www.pinterest.com/anitajaydawes

Bloglovin       https://www.bloglovin.com/v2/own_profile

UBL for Ghost of a Chance: https://Books2Read.com/u/b6zzQy

©DGKaye2022