This week I am really over-joyed to have author Jenna Black on Amberkatze's Book Blog! Jenna is one of the authors I have been following since I got addicted to the Paranormal genre and I love her books. The Guardians in the Night
series gave me a great dose of vampires but her new Morgan Kingsley Exorcist
series really took my breathe away and the next installment The Devil You Know
is due out this week!If you haven't tried any of her books yet then you really need to read the interview and check out her site where you can read the first chapters of all her books!
So on with the interview! And keep reading till the end because there is a contest too!!
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Amber - So before I start asking the real questions maybe you can start off things by telling us all a little about your new book 'The Devil You Know
'.Jenna - My main character, Morgan Kingsley, is an exorcist who is possessed by Lugh, the king of the demons. Usually, when a person is possessed, the demon ends up in total control of the body, but that's not the case with Morgan and Lugh. For mysterious reasons, Morgan retains control, even though she's possessed. In The Devil You Know
, Morgan and Lugh search for answers as to why she's so unusual, and Morgan discovers that much of what she knows about herself and her family is a lie.Amber - 'The Devil You Know
' is the second book in the Morgan Kingsley series and I know The Devil's Due
is coming out in a few months. How many more books are there going to be in this series? Jenna - There will be at least five books in this series.
Amber - You also write another paranormal series called 'Guardians of the Night'. Can you tell us a little about that series?
Jenna - The Guardians of the Night series are paranormal romances, set in a world where there are two kinds of vampires: Killers and Guardians. Killers, as you might have guessed by their name, feed by drinking human blood and killing their victims. Once they begin to kill, they become addicted to it and are unable to stop. Guardians are vampires who feed on animal blood. They are less powerful, both physically and psychically, than the Killers, but it is their mission to protect the human population from Killers. Their mission is complicated by the constant temptation to reach for greater power by making a kill.
Amber - What does the future hold for 'Guardians of the Night' series? Hungers of the Heart
was the 4th book but is it the last? Jenna - The future for the series is still unclear. There may or may not be more of them--though if there are more, there will still be a significant break between releases.
Amber - 'The Guardians of the Night' series and 'Morgan Kingsley' books are both paranormal but still worlds apart from each other. How did you come up with the ideas for the books?
Jenna - The Guardians of the Night came about when I read and was frustrated by a "reunion romance"--meaning the kind of romance where the hero and heroine were an item in the past, but for some reason broke up. In this book, the hero had left the heroine without a word, and she never knew what had happened to him until he popped back up into her life. I was unsatisfied with the reasons why he left in the first place--and especially for why he didn't tell her he was leaving--and I'd felt that way about many reunion romances I'd read before. I found myself thinking "I'll never write a reunion romance." Then I asked myself what explanation the hero could have had for his disappearance that would have convinced me it was okay for him to disappear without a word. I decided that if he were turned into a vampire, he'd never be able to explain it, so he could justifiably disappear. And that led to an entire world and an entire series.
The Morgan Kingsley series was inspired by books I was reading, too, though in a totally different way. I got totally hooked on the Anita Blake series by Laurell K. Hamilton, and I noticed that for some reason, I wasn’t burning out on that series as I had on every other series I could remember reading in the past. (Generally, after a series hit five or six books, I’d find myself getting tired of it.) I tried to analyze what it was about the Anita Blake series that made it still hold my interest after so many books, and I decided it was the enormity and the intensity of Anita’s internal conflicts. The scale of those conflicts was so large that they couldn't be satisfactorily solved in just a few books, so I was still driven to keep reading.
When I set about to come up with my own urban fantasy concept, I started with the desire to build a really strong internal conflict to sustain the series. And that’s how I ended up with a possessed exorcist.
Amber - Are you like any of your characters? Do you base any of them on people you know?
Jenna - There are parts of me in all of my characters, but I don't have a character I would say I'm like. I also don't base characters on people I know, although I'm sure the people I've known through my life have heavily influenced me. It's just not a conscious influence.
Amber - What kind of atmosphere do you need to get your writing done? Lots of coffee and a quiet room? Or loud music and food?
Jenna - There is no particular atmosphere I need. I've written in lots of different situations. Generally, I'll write in a quiet room, though I will sometimes play music. But I've also managed to write in airports and at conventions and in all sorts of other places. It all depends on how motivated I am, which often depends on how tight my deadline is!
Amber - Do you have any other projects coming up or are you sticking to the Guardians and Kingsley for now?
Jenna - My agent is shopping a proposal for a young adult urban fantasy that I'd really like to write. I've been reading a lot of young adult UF these days, and I'm a big fan. (Actually, I'm pretty much a big fan of any kind of urban fantasy!) I don't know yet whether that idea will take off, but I hope so!
Amber - What kind of research, if any, do you do for your books?
Jenna - As little as possible. I hate research. I don’t have the patience for it, because writers always have these totally off-the-wall questions. Usually, when I have something I need to research, it’s not something I can just quickly look up. One example I’ve used when whining, er, that is, writing, about research is when Morgan, the heroine in my urban fantasy novel, had to use a Taser. Because the scene didn’t end after she fired the Taser, I had to figure out just what you do with the darn thing after you’ve fired it—whether there’s something you have to eject, whether you have to roll the wires back up and stuff them into something, that kind of thing. I looked all over the Internet and found tons of information about firing a Taser—but nothing about what happens afterward. It was one or two lines of my novel, but I didn’t dare get it wrong. And not being a research junkie, I really would have rather spent that time writing.
Whenever I can possibly get away with it, I’ll make things up rather than do research. Obviously, it’s not always possible (see above), and I do the research when I need to. It’s just not something I enjoy doing, or feel that I’m very good at doing.
Amber - You have some pretty hot scenes in your books. How easy or hard is it to write them?
Jenna - It's gotten easier over time. The first time I had to write a really hot scene, I was so inhibited about it that I kept popping up out of my chair and walking around instead of writing. I've gotten to the point where I write them with relative ease now, though I still struggle with some of the kinkier elements (and those of you who've read The Devil Inside
know what elements I'm talking about). But I think pushing myself to write things that make me uncomfortable has made me a better writer. I seem to do my best work when I'm uncomfortable. Lucky me!Amber - Would you ever like to see your books made into a TV series or film? Any particular actors/actresses you would like to see playing your characters?
Jenna - I actually don't think I'd want to see my books made into TV or film. The idea has a kind of visceral appeal--but then I think about what it's like to see the film or TV version of a book I've really enjoyed. Almost every time, the film or TV doesn't do the book justice and I'm disappointed. I think that disappointment would be even stronger as the writer of the book than it would be for a reader.
Amber - What authors do you like to read when you have time to read!?
Jenna - I like to read practically all urban fantasy authors. I particularly love Kelley Armstrong, Rachel Caine, and Patricia Briggs, just to name three. A couple of days ago, I read THE HOST, by Stephenie Meyer, and was blown away by it. I've really enjoyed her YA series, but this one is in a different league, in my opinion. Maybe it just pushed all my buttons, but it's a huge book, and I sat there and read it in one long sitting.
Amber - What are you listening to at the moment? Any great bands you want to share with us?
My music tastes are pretty eclectic--and eccentric at times. Lately, I've "discovered" country music. I'm not a fan of the more traditional country music, but I like some of the songs that are more on the borderline of pop or rock. I particularly enjoy Big & Rich (of Save a Horse, Ride a Cowboy fame). Some of their lyrics make me laugh out loud, and they've got some great harmony. Because I love harmony, my absolute favorites are a cappella bands, such as Rockapella, baSix, and Ball in the House.
A huge thank you to Jenna for taking the time to answer my questions! I hope Jenna will come back again sometime in the future!
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The contestThis week sees the release of The Devil You Know
and I had my copy on pre-order months ago. However some of you out there may not have even read the first book in the series. Maybe some of you haven't even read any of 'The Guardians of the Night' series!So this weeks prize is your choice of Jenna Black book!
Two lucky people will get to choose one of Jenna's already released books (which includes The Devil You Know
because when the winners are picked it will be out already) and I will have the book sent to them.How to enter -
To enter this contest please post a comment on this thread telling me what paranormal type you prefer and why? Demons? Vamps? Faeries? etc
You can also sign up for the newsletter for an extra entry and if you post about this contest somewhere on the web (and leave the link in your comment) I will also give you a third entry.
The contest will close on Sunday the 3rd of August at 4pm CET. If you win you must be willing to give me a valid email address so I can contact you for your choice of book and mailing address. Any subscribers to the newsletter must have verified their email address or I won't enter them into the draw.
So enter away and enjoy!
Labels: Author Interviews, Book Talk, Contests, Jenna Black, New Releases
Damn, I was hoping to first. ;)
First off, great interview. As always it's nice to hear that so many writers have the same anxieties about their craft and love to the readers. I wasn't much into PR but have building a healty fondness for it. Jenna's books have me intrigued.
Second, I'm a werewolf hands down! Always have been. Something about the beastial side and the unibrow. Go figure.
Right now, I'm lovin' the demons. It all started with Jacki Frank and Gideon. Before that, demons have been the bad guys and it was refreshing to see them as the victims. Since then, I've been trying to find more demon novels.
I can't wait for her novel to come out on Tuesday although I have to wait a week to buy it.
At 28 July 2008 at 02:44, 
DawnM
Let me gush first: I just read Devil Inside last night, literally couldn't put it down and devoured it in 1 sitting. Book 2 is already pre-ordered from Fictionwise. Brilliant urban fantasy. Haven't read any Guardians but I've now got them wishlisted at Amazon.
LOL, I forgot what the question was. OK definitely a were-person. And despite the fact that I'm a dog person I actually think I'd rather be a were-cat. Big cat, not pussy, jaguar or cougar, I think.
At 28 July 2008 at 05:49, Ruth Schaller
Well, I love vampires! Always have, always will! :) I love them because of the immortal thing, I would love to be able to watch the centuries change. Although I guess it could have it's drawbacks, but still the idea intrigues me!
Loved the interview. I've visited Jenna's website quite a few times and would love to read something of hers!
I would have to pick vampires. Why vampires?
Personally it's the mythic type that fascinate me, how different cultures portray them, how they choose to see them through their old folklore tales. They vary a lot, yet in essence they remain the same. It's that darker side of their nature that facsinates me, their ability to walk between life and death and never be in either, lost souls.
On the fictional side, it's usually the redeeming-type vampire that gets me, especially if they have a very complex and detailed character that never fully reaveals the reasons why and if they have ever succeed
At 28 July 2008 at 11:37, Unknown
Someone else said Zombies, which would totally be my vote, too! I didn't know they actually fit into the Paranormal set, but I guess so, as they often go hand-in-hand with necromancers (although lots of times they're paired with disease rather than magic.) Yeah, Zombies are my faves... but, failing them being a true Paranormal option, then I would vote Fae. I'm more interested in the lore of the fae than I am in the Vampires, and although the fae are historically achingly beautiful, I'm not tired of them yet. I'm really, really tired of sexy vampires that can't be resisted.
~ GateGypsy from bookobsessed
At 29 July 2008 at 11:44, Unknown
When I´m honest I like everything that has to do with the paranormal. I read about fairies, feys, gods, witches, demons, dragons, vampires (they have a special place in my heart) but strangely enough nothing about werewolves.. *ponders now why*
Probably once a vampire girl always a vampire girl...
Inara
Great Interview as always Amber. :) I loved the first book in this series, and am looking forward to The Devil You Know!
Yikes, do we have to pick just one? I love them all, lol. Vampires, Werewolves and other Shifters, Faeries, Demons, Fallen Angels, Succubi, Incubbi, and Witches/Magic wielders.
If I have to pick just one, Vampires.
I'm already subscribed to your newsletter. Cheers!
At 30 July 2008 at 04:24, Leisha Camden
My favorite supernatural beastie would have to be the vampire. Not that I don't dig them all. ;-) But it was through vampire books that I really got started on reading fantasy and horror books ... so they will always have a special place in my heart.
I also love historical fantasy and a good vampire novel does open up for a lot of possibilities in that direction.
I blogged about the interview & contest, here:
http://leishacamden.blogspot.com/2008/07/do-you-want-to-win-book.html
With links to your blog of course. :-)
Thanks for doing & posting the interview!!
I've kind og always loved it all, so it's hard to pick. It would perhaps to be fun to read something different, like vampire faeries. It would be new... They look cute and innocent, yet dangerous like nothing else! *laughs*
As you can see klicking the link, you'll get to my blog, but that it's in Norwegian. This is due to Norwegian being my native language. I do log about litterature and books, though. And bookcrossing. ;)
At 31 July 2008 at 01:42, LadyVampire2u
I have to pick only one!?! Okay, well obviously it's vampires. I have to stay true to my peeps right? Just kidding. Okay seriously, I really like vampires because they are all the sexy and sensual aspects personified. And in that package there is that extreme danger hidden behind the allure, tempting you to walk that fine line between safety and desire. All paranormal citizens have a similar cast but vampires are the ones that I think broadcast it more.
by Kelley Armstrong
wow, managed to get here first this time ;-)
Have to tell from the choices you gave would go for the demon type of special person I would prefer. Not that much into fairies and vampires have too much blood splatting around for my taste ...
Thanks for doing another nice interview and competition!