Interview with Jess Haines and Giveaway - July 7, 2011

Please welcome Jess Haines to The Qwillery.

TQ:  What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?

Jess:  I do some of my best writing late at night, when I’m under the pressure of a deadline. Sad, but true.

TQ:  Are you a plotter or a panster?

Jess:  Both. I usually start out pantsing, then gradually gravitate over to plotting. The entire H&W Investigations series started out as an all-pants-all-the-time project, then grew into an overall plot which I am (for the most part) following now.

TQ:  What inspired you to write the H&W Investigations series?

Jess:  Stress. I write to relax. I finished the first draft of HUNTED BY THE OTHERS (H&W #1) in about 3 or 4 months. I needed an escape—and I write what I like to read.

TQ:  Why did you set the series in New York City?

Jess:  I’m originally from New York, so it’s always been near and dear to me. New York holds a lot of memories, so even if I don’t get to go back very often, I have a way of “visiting” by writing about it.

TQ:  What sort of research did you do to create H&W Investigations.

Jess:  I referred mostly to my familiarity with law (for my day job, I’ve worked for and around lawyers for over 10 years), as well as the hundreds of books I’ve read spanning many genres, to draw upon for H&W. Plus my encyclopedic knowledge of all things cheesy horror and sci-fi related, and my extensive experience as a Certified Geek™.

TQ:  Describe Deceived By Others in 140 characters or less.

Jess:  In a nutshell: OMG WTF BBQ PWNED OH NO HE DIDN’T WAIT WUT NOOOOOOO

TQ:  Without giving anything away, what is/are your favorite scene(s) in Deceived by the Others?

Jess:  The scene where the Nightstrikers start speaking geek and no one (save the author and perhaps a few World of Warcraft enthusiasts) can understand what the heck they’re talking about. *g*

TQ:  In Deceived by the Others, who was the most difficult character to write and why? The easiest and why?

Jess:  Chaz was the most difficult to write. Confession time—I’ve had a dislike of him that I’ve always found hard to set aside when writing scenes with him, particularly when he’s getting cuddly with Shiarra.

The easiest to write is Shia. I’m inside her head enough and know her so well that her responses to the obstacles I throw are her are always a breeze to write.

TQ:  Who should play Shiarra Waynest if the books become movies? Sarah Halloway? Chaz? Alec Royce?

Jess:  I like the idea of Dina Meyer playing the part of Shiarra, though she might be too old for it now. Someone on the fan forum recently suggested Rachel Lefevre, which may be the better choice.

For Sara, I think Katee Sackhoff would be perfect. She’s lovely and a fantastic actress. Also have to throw in Alan Tudyk as Arnold! Ever see him in that yellow T-shirt and glasses in Dollhouse? Rawr!

Chad Michael Murray would be an excellent choice for Chaz.

For Alec Royce, Paul Rudd or Robert Downey, Jr. (think of him as Tony Stark in Iron Man—hoo, boy!) would make my everything. I lean more toward RDJ, as that boy can really pull off the sleek, sophisticated, sexy asshole vibe that embodies my vision of Royce.

TQ:  How many books are planned for the H&W Investigations series?

Jess:  I’m currently contracted through six books, though I’ve plotted through nine, total.

TQ:  What's next?

Jess:  I’ve got a few things on my plate. On October 25th, if you’ve got a hankering for something funny and snarky, you can check out the upcoming anthology THE REAL WEREWIVES OF VAMPIRE COUNTY (includes stories from me, Alexandra Ivy, Angie Fox, and Tami Dane). Here’s the back cover info:

Drama. Scandal. Secrets. And a whole lot of supernatural goings-on.

I’M PUREBLOOD WERE, AND PROUD OF IT…
“Where Darkness Lives” by Alexandra Ivy

No one’s more surprised than Sophia when she’s struck by an unfamiliar maternal urge to move near her daughters. But instead of being greeted by a welcome committee, she’s targeted by kidnappers…and saddled with a gorgeous bodyguard on a mission to protect–and seduce…

I’M A TOMBOY AT HEART, BUT I WANT A MAN WHO MAKES ME FEEL LIKE A REAL WOMAN…
“Murder on Mysteria Lane” by Angie Fox

When a werewolf trophy wife is found dead in Vampire County, Heather McPhee goes undercover to investigate. Heather’s never been a mascara-and-manicures sort of girl, but she’s willing to learn. Especially with sexy vampire detective Lucian Mead posing as her husband…

WHO’S AFRAID OF THE BIG, BAD WEREWOLVES? NOT ME, THAT’S FOR SURE…
“What’s Yours is Mine” by Jess Haines

Still Waters is like many other exclusive gated communities–except that it’s home to one of the largest werewolf packs in the state. But Tiffany Winters isn’t frightened of her big, bad new neighbors. In fact, she intends to take her place among the pack…

THIS IS A TOWN FULL OF SECRETS. AND I INTEND TO UNCOVER ALL OF THEM…
“Werewolves in Chic Clothing” by Tami Dane

Ever since Christine Price moved in with her fiance, Jonathan, and his twelve year old son, she’s worked hard to fit in with a cadre of local women whose lives seem picture-perfect. Except no one in Jon’s upscale neighborhood is quite who they appear to be. Least of all Jon…

I’m also going to be making an appearance at the Authors After Dark convention in Philadelphia in August. It’s the lone in-person appearance scheduled on my calendar for this year, so if you want to shake hands or hear me speak on a panel, I think there were a few spots still open last I checked.


TQ:  Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery

Jess:  Thanks very much for having me!


About the H&W Investigations Novels

Hunted by Others
H&W Investigations 1
(Zebra Books, January 4, 2011)

They are the Others—the vampires, mages, and werewolves once thought to exist only in our imaginations. Now they’re stepping out of the shadows, and nothing in our world will ever be the same again…

In A Town Like This, Being A P.I. Can Be Murder

Shiarra Waynest’s detective work was dangerous enough when her client base was strictly mortal. But ailing finances have forced her to accept a lucrative case that could save her firm—if it doesn’t kill her first. Shiarra has signed on to work for a high-level mage to recover an ancient artifact owned by one of New York’s most powerful vampires.

As soon as Shiarra meets sexy, mesmerizing vamp Alec Royce, she knows her assignment is even more complicated than she thought. With a clandestine anti-Other group trying to recruit her, and magi being eliminated, Shiarra needs back-up and enlists her ex-boyfriend—a werewolf whose non-furry form is disarmingly appealing—and a nerdy mage with surprising talents. But it may not be enough. In a city where the undead roam, magic rules, and even the Others aren’t always what they seem, Shiarra has just become the secret weapon in a battle between good and evil—whether she likes it or not…

Amazon : B&N : Book Depository : Borders


Taken by Others
H&W Investigations 2
(Zebra Books, January 4, 2011)

Jess Haines draws readers deep into the mesmerizing world of the Others—werewolves, vampires, and mages who make their home among humans, and are turning Shiarra Waynest’s life upside down…

Once, New York P.I. Shiarra Waynest’s most pressing problem was keeping her agency afloat. Now she’s dealing with two dangerous, seductive vampires who have been enemies for centuries. The only thing Max Carlyle and Alec Royce agree on is that they both want Shia—for very different reasons.

Max is determined to destroy Shia for killing his progeny, while Royce’s interest is a lot more personal. That’s not sitting well with Shia’s werewolf boyfriend, Chaz. As the feud between Max and Royce gets ever more deadly, a powerful vampire-hunting faction is urging Shia to join their side. Shia has always believed vamps were the bad guys, but she’s discovering unexpected shades of grey that are about to redefine her friends, her loyalties—and even her desires…

Amazon : B&N : Book Depository : Borders


Deceived by Others
H&W Investigations 3
(Zebra Books, July 5, 2011)

They’re here, and they’re real…werewolves, vampires, mages, and other creatures of the night. For New York P.I. Shiarra Waynest, taking care of Others business started out as a way to stay solvent. But now business is getting very, very complicated…

Shiarra’s relationship with sexy werewolf Chaz may be somewhat unconventional. Still, after a few bumps, Shia is finally ready to get serious. That means meeting family—or in this case, bringing Chaz’s entire werewolf pack along for a rollicking full-moon weekend in the Catskills.

Soon after they arrive, threatening notes appear, warning Chaz to go home. Then their cabin is ransacked. Shia starts digging to find out whether it’s the work of upstart teenaged werewolves or something more sinister. Yet as rumors about her vampire connections arouse the pack’s hostility, Shia has to contend with other dangers. Not just from an adversary about to make his fatal intentions known, but from a threat that’s even closer than she knows…

Amazon : B&N : Book Depository : Borders

The Real Werewives of Vampire County

(Kensington, October 25, 2011)

Preorder - Amazon : B&N : Book Depository : Borders

About Jess

The author has over 6 years freelance experience in technical writing, editing and screenplays.  More recently, this repertoire has expanded to include short stories and a series of urban fantasy novels in progress.

Jess' Links

Website
Blog
Facebook
Twitter





The Giveaway

THE RULES

What:   One commenter will win his or her choice of one of the H&W Investigations Novels: Hunted by Others, Taken by Others, or Deceived by Others.

How:  Leave a comment answering the following question:

What is your favorite video game?

Please remember - if you don't answer the question your entry will not be counted.

You may receive additional entries by:

1)  Being a Follower of The Qwillery.

2)  Mentioning the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. Even if you mention the giveaway on both, you will get only one additional entry. You get only one additional entry even if you mention the giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter multiple times.

3)  Mentioning the giveaway on your on blog or website. It must be your own blog or website; not a website that belongs to someone else or a site where giveaways, contests, etc. are posted.

There are a total of 4 entries you may receive: Comment (1 entry), Follower (+1 entry), Facebook and/or Twitter (+ 1 entry), and personal blog/website mention (+1 entry). This is subject to change again in the future for future giveaways.

Please leave links for Facebook, Twitter, or blog/website mentions. In addition please leave a way to contact you.

Who and When:  The contest is open to all humans on the planet earth with a mailing address. Contest ends at 11:59pm US Eastern Time on Thursday, July 14, 2011. Void where prohibited by law.

*Giveaway rules are subject to change.*