You may remember Janice Ross as the author of Loving Nate.  She has kindly agreed to be interviewed here as part of her blog tour for her new book, Jumping Ship; an introductory novella to the Island Hopping Series.

About Jumping Ship

Jumping Ship by Janice RossThe year was nineteen seventy-five. Barren couple, Pearl and Edward Riley stumbled upon a newborn baby girl. Her cries could only be heard by a true mother, which Pearl immediately became. Bundled up with their new child, they discovered a parcel of artifacts and a scribbled note that read: Sakkara.

Pregnant seamstress, Petrina Dugal, became a runaway at the age of twenty-six. She ran away from a brutish husband, Roger, and a well-loved South American home in Georgetown, Guyana; at the heart of her rebellion – an enigmatic lover named Michael Chen. Pet and Mikey, as they became affectionately known, allowed love to blossom in front of her police officer husband and an intrusive community. Were they not aware of the dangers? Or did the pursuit of love trump obligations?

Sakkara Riley grew up with two loving parents – adoptive parents to be exact. She never knew the circumstances surrounding her discovery, until the age of sixteen. She embarks on a journey.

Jumping Ship is an introductory novella to the Island Hopping Series. There are 7 planned books – representing each of the islands that Sakkara will visit along the way.

Book Excerpt

A baby… her baby… their baby?

Pearl sobbed at first, unable to speak just then. For every bawl the abandoned child provided, the woman cosigned. Hers was not from loneliness―not any longer. Hers was not from uncertainty―life had instantly provided surety. Each second reinvigorated her existence. She wanted to live again. Wanted to smile again. Wanted to breathe again. Wanted to hope again.

And she did.

“We have a baby,” she crowed. Tears streamed down red cheeks. It had been ages, but the shine had returned. Blushed cheek naturally glistened as never before. Of the few onlookers to walk by, no one appeared eager to mind the couple’s dealings. Peering from side to side, she reiterated in a softer voice, “We have a baby, Ed.” Pearl spun the little treasure, allowing her husband to see their gift from God.

The knitted wrap began to float away, out of her grip. But to the child she held for dear life. The crying briefly subsided. She glared into wide, glossy grayish-blue orbs.

A large piece of paper was pinned to the front of her clothing.

“What’s that?” Ed cranked out.

Pearl was fixated on the tender, pale brown baby that was cooing in her direction. Just a slight bit of the baby’s profile had initially escaped her casing. As Pearl unraveled more, she marked every inch of her belated birthday present.

“Pearl?” Edward keenly took in what was transforming before them. He reached up and ran his fingers through his crown once more. Tugged at the lobe of his left ear. Careened down the side of his face. The pressure was on.

When his wife did not automatically response, he shifted closer. Slowly, then quicker paced.

“Pearl? Dear? What’s that?”

Edward’s lengthy finger extended and drew attention to an off-white document. Its edges were jagged.

Pearl examined it briefly before exhaling deeply.

“It must be her name: S-A-K-K-A-R-A.”

“Sack-ra?”

“No. I think our baby’s name is Sakkara.”

“Sakkara,” they sang in harmony.

As daylight drifted out of sight more and more, the urgency that once filled their pace also fled. This child changed everything. They felt safe and secure, even in the darkness. There was now a mandate on their lives, a chance at true happiness and satisfaction. Peace had surely become their newest friend. God would not bless them now, only to torture them right afterwards. This moment was meant to be. There was no need to rush any longer. The Rileys were right where they wanted to be. No thoughts were given to whom the baby’s parents were and if they were missing the little angel. For that moment, all that mattered was that Edward, Pearl, and Sakkara were now a family.

About Janice G. Ross

Loving Nate, by Janice G. RossSo, who is the author of Loving Nate?

Janice was born in Guyana, South America and migrated to the USA in 1980. Although her citizenship certificate now reads the United States of America, she considers herself a citizen of the world. Sure she has not physically been around the world and back, but she’s travelled in her mind and dreams.

Janice is an author. She enjoys writing about social issues and personal experiences. Janice’s debut release was entitled Damaged Girls. She uses the three books in that series to detail the effects of different forms of abuse, discussing issues that are known to be taboo. Her next release, Jumping Ship, is a dedication to her country of birth and an introductory novella to the Island Hopping Series – due out in 2014. It’s poised to be a colorful and emotional experience of life, love and family. As of present, she is also a contributor to a short story collection – Just Between Us, Inspiring Stories by Women. And lastly, Loving Nate is a novella about the realities of losing one’s self to love.

Janice enjoys reading. And is drawn to stories with distinct characters that she can love or hate, characters she can form alliances with or characters that she can swear off and despise. She is also weak for a good cultural tale, preferably in the form of historical fiction. Janice loves to be taken off guard by clever language and settings.

Janice is also a devout supporter and promoter of other authors through social media. She hosts a weekly show, Cultural Cocktails, on the largest social radio network, Blog Talk Radio.

Video Trailer

Watch the Jumping Ship video trailer on YouTube!

Buy Links

You can find Jumping Ship on AmazonBarnes & Noble and Smashwords

Connect with Janice

You can connect with Janice on:

Website: www.culturalcocktails.com

Talk show: www.blogtalkradio.com/culturalcocktails

Blog https://jgrwriter.wordpress.com & https://myculturalcocktails.wordpress.com

Twitter https://twitter.com/JGRWriter

FaceBook https://www.facebook.com/Cultural.Cocktails and https://www.facebook.com/jgrwriter

Google+https://plus.google.com/104579627944902429382/posts/p/pub?partnerid=gplp0

LinkedIn www.linkedin.com/pub/janice-ross/58/691/894/