Interview with Hannah Jayne

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Hannah Jayne. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.

I understand you have a new release out called UNDER ATTACK. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Under Attack is the follow up to UNDER WRAPS, which is the first novel in the Underworld Detection Agency Chronicles. Sophie Lawson, her vampire roommate Nina LeShay, and the hot fallen-angel detective Alex Grace are at it again – this time, trying to track the mythical Vessel of Souls. They’re not the only ones on the hunt, however, and there are plenty of firey, maggoty run-ins with some very big baddies hell-bent on stopping Sophie’s search. There’s also cantaloupe and, most importantly, a plethora of chocolate-marshmallow pinwheels…

UNDER ATTACK is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

I wish I had some great, author-ly story about how it came about, but seriously? I was sitting in the Target parking lot, talking to my editor on the phone and we were kicking around names. He said “Under Attack?” and I said, “done!” Totally beat out my working title, which was Underwear.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I have always loved the supernatural/occult/paranormal, but honestly, it never occurred to me to write it. I started out (poorly) writing romance. That fizzled quickly, mainly because I locked up every time I needed to use the word “penis” in a sentence. (My mother might read that!) My agent suggested I try paranormal and two sentences in, I was hooked! It’s a great genre to write.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

It really kind of zipped right out of the first book, UNDER WRAPS, which is quite funny because although it is a series, each book can stand alone. I guess once Sophie had this adventure, I felt like readers – and myself! – needed to know more about Sophie and her mystical connections.

What are your favorite paranormal research books or sites, and why?

Accurate legendry for all my demons/beings is really important to me, so everyone in my books is based on actual accounts or legends/cultural myths. The Field Guide to Demons is a favorite research book for that and Forensics and Fiction is my favorite for pretty much everything else.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

I know it’s hokey, but that’s like asking a mother who her favorite child is! Because the book is 1st person, Sophie is obviously fun to write, but every character has their great quirks – Vlad with his empowerment movement, Nina with vamp-fashion sense… They are all fun!

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research and/or world affect your character development?

I do have a UDA bible that lists every character, where they came into the story, their looks, traits, background, etc. I don’t do interviews per se, but – I know this sounds weird – I don’t consider a character well developed until I know what they eat for breakfast. What people eat for breakfast says a lot about someone! The characters and the world are totally interconnected, especially since the UDA was created specifically to serve the Underworld, so yes, there is a definite influence there.

How do you go about building your world if you use one? Do you use maps, charts or drawings?

My world is San Francisco – above and below! I consider it one of the most supernatural places in the world even without my meddling, and I say that as an SF native and with nothing but complete reverence! It’s a world unto itself.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

Constantly. I was born and bred on Southern authors like Kaye Gibbons and Jill McCorkle. Jen Lancaster and Celia Rivenbark are favorites and make me feel that much less crazy. Juliet Blackwell and Penny Warner are mystery/mythical geniuses!

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

I really love signings because I love meeting fans face to face, but blog tours are the best for promotion, and I love being able to offer random prizes to blog readers. You guys are the best!

What do we have to look forward next? Sophie steps in it again this spring! Look for UNDER SUSPICION in May 2012!

Thanks, Hannah!

To celebrate her book release, Hannah Jayne is offering a free book of UNDER ATTACK to one lucky commenter on today's blog. (please check the blog Monday night to see if you won. Chances of winning determined by the number of entries.)

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Check out author’s website at www.hannahjschwartz.com

Interview with Deena Remiel

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Deena Remiel. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.


Did somebody say chocolate? Oh yes, chocolate is much cheaper than therapy, and the taste is simply decadent! ;-)

I understand you have a new release which comes out March 22nd called Trinity, A Brethren Novel. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

Sure thing! At the heart of Trinity rests the fierce love of a mother for her daughter. They are thrust into a war between Good and Evil and only one can protect them. An angel. An immortal. A Brethren named Michael.

Trinity is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

Well, it is very much tied to a prophecy realized in the story. To say any more would give too much away.

What made you decide to write in this genre?

I must have romance in my life! I love happy endings, and even more, the trials and tribulations the main characters must go through in order to reach their happy endings. I enjoy watching characters change from closed-minded, skeptical, distrusting, and cynical people to open-minded, open-hearted, risk-takers. I have always been drawn to reading and exploring paranormal realms and possibilities. Paranormal romance writing seemed the perfect marriage for me.

Where did you get your idea for this particular book?

I have always been fascinated by the possibility of other realms co-existing with our own. I also enjoy the tug-of-war between Good and Evil. Creating a whole new world within our own was such a huge draw for me, I couldn’t resist.

What are your favorite paranormal research books or sites, and why?

Research for me began with reading. I read paranormal romances from Sherrilyn Kenyon, Jayne Ann Krentz, Heather Graham, Christine Feehan, and Nora Roberts. Then I moved on to websites and reference books whose focus was solely on ancient religions and angels. These authors have a wonderful way of building believable worlds within worlds, so not only do I love reading their work, I consider them mentors.

Which character did you like writing about the most, and why?

I absolutely loved writing Emma. She encapsulates every mom I know, including me. She is fiercely devoted to her daughter and her well-being. Without hesitation, she would sacrifice her soul for Hannah. As a young woman, she has all the flaws and inconsistencies that we all do, but Emma is also a fighter through and through, as you’ll see when you read Trinity.

Tell us about how you develop your characters. Do you create character sheets, do interviews, that sort of thing? How does your research and/or world affect your character development?

I first think generally about who I need in the story, and then I begin to craft their personalities, warts and all, and physical characteristics. I keep character sheets in a computer file that has your standard information, and then I go deeper. I create back stories for all of my characters. Whether my characters are mortal or immortal, lead or supporting, they all have origins, baggage, and issues that must be developed and exploited. I love that part!

How do you go about building your world if you use one? Do you use maps, charts or drawings?

My world is our world, just a little different. You see, angels, known as the Brethren, walk among us. So when it comes to world-building, I have to feather these men’s lives seamlessly into our own. I had to get them to assimilate to their new home, Earth. That happens before Trinity ever begins. I write an online serial that explores the Brethren’s origins and the compelling stories before Trinity. Brethren Beginnings ~ Rise of the Brethren handles it all.

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

Sherrilyn Kenyon inspired me to be the world-builder that I am. My favorite romantic suspense authors, Linda Howard, Kay Hooper, and Allison Brennan inspire my evil dude development.

What do you feel is the most effective promotion you have done for your book?

When I participate in the wonderful events The Romance Studio, Coffeetime Romance, Romance Junkies, and other websites have to offer, I get to talk with the readers and get to know them. I can see major spikes in my website views and subscriptions, and my daily readership has been consistently higher every day. I also think writing my online serial has drawn a faithful audience, which in turn has built genuine interest in the novel series.

What do we have to look forward next?

Well, the second book in The Brethren Series is called Relic, and that will be coming soon from Decadent Publishing. After that, Elixir will be on its way. Three more novels are planned to round out the series, and then a spin-off is planned.

Thanks, Deena!

She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Bio. - My name is Deena Remiel, and I am an author of paranormal romance and poetry. I also teach language arts to middle schoolers. Curiously, I find myself being called upon to write all sorts of correspondence for my family and friends, but they are everything to me, and frequently serve as fodder for elements of my novels, poems, and posts. They take it all in stride, though, and with good humor. So, it’s really a perfect give and take relationship!

I belong to RWA national and the Desert Rose Chapter of RWA, where there are outstanding people writing fabulous stories. I can now say I’m a published author! I have poetry published in the anthology, Hippoetry, coming soon. My first paranormal romance, TRINITY, A Brethren Novel, releases March 22nd, as will RELIC, the second book in the series! Thanks, Decadent Publishing!

I grew up in Philadelphia, home of the most amazing soft pretzels, oh and the Liberty Bell. My husband and I began our own family in New Jersey, and just a few short years ago, Arizona called to my spirit and tempted my husband with much better weather! We moved our family, and the rest is history, or the present, as the case may be!

These are a few of my favorite things: writing and reading of course, chocolate, music with lyrics or melodies that speak to me, soaking baths, singing in the shower, dancing with my buds, romantic dancing with my hubby, scrapbooking, watching my girls enjoy what they love to do, and laughing at jokes because Lord knows I can’t tell one!

Check out author’s websites at www.deenaremiel.com and http://brethrenbeginnings.wordpress.com/

Buy at http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?products_id=234&osCsid=qhuc4gbau5e6tjhd74e6giprm0