TQ: What inspired you to become a writer?
Jess: When I was a teenager, there was a girl who introduced me to Dungeons & Dragons, and the different book series that were based off campaign modules (DragonLance, Ravenloft, etc). Mostly, it was the DragonLance books that did it. I had always had a special place in my heart for dragons, so I thought they might be fun to write about. I had written stuff before then, but the desire to write grew as I did projects like working on the school paper, creative writing classes, and (don't laugh!) roleplaying on AOL. As I grew older, my desire to try my hand at professional writing grew exponentially. It just took me a while to get over some internal issues that held me back from ever attempting to reach out to publishers with my work.
TQ: What is the most challenging thing for you about writing?
Jess: Writing the naughty bits when I know that people I know -- like my mom -- are going to read them. It sounds silly, but it's true. When it came to a certain scene in STALKING THE OTHERS, I almost wanted to bury myself in a hole forever and ever even though I know it's ridiculous. My New England prudish sensibilities rearing their ugly head, I suppose.
TQ: What writing achievement are you most proud of?
Jess: That I'm published at all. Long ago, someone nearly made me give up that dream entirely. It took me a long time to get over some of the things he said and take a chance. Though I've grown past the shocked speechless stage, it still surprises me now and then when people tell me they like my work.
TQ: What one thing should everyone know about your writing?
Jess: I've been told by a few people that they were very surprised that Shiarra is human, and they were expecting her to be more powerful or kick-ass from the get-go. This is her story about how she grows into her big girl panties and becomes that kick-ass UF heroine, so be prepared to deal with a normal girl who works her way through her fears and becomes her own version of Superwoman.
TQ: Please tell us about your latest and upcoming works.
Jess: Sure thing. The book I am promoting now is STALKING THE OTHERS. It's the fourth in the series, so here's a little description of all four books for those who are unfamiliar:
Book 1 – HUNTED BY THE OTHERS: Shiarra Waynest, a private investigator, is blackmailed into retrieving an artifact from a vampire. The problem? As a human, she doesn’t stand a chance against the Others.
Book 2 – TAKEN BY THE OTHERS: With the artifact destroyed, Shia believes her dealings with the supernaturals in town are over—but the vampires, werewolves, and monster hunters in town believe otherwise…
Book 3 – DECEIVED BY THE OTHERS: Determined to get away from the troubles plaguing her in the city, Shia goes on a vacation with her werewolf boyfriend—along with his entire pack—in the Catskills.
Book 4 – STALKING THE OTHERS: After the events and subsequent betrayal Shia experienced in the last book, she’s done being pushed around. If she’s going down, she’ll take out as many of her enemies as she can—and hope that in the process, she keeps whatever humanity she has left...
So, in this book, Shiarra is in a very bad place. She’s lost her family, her boyfriend, and probably her business and license as a private investigator—and some might feel she’s also lost her marbles. She’s ready to take on the world, and get some payback from the people who turned her life into her version of a living hell.
It’s not recommended as a starting point—this is the continuation that picks up right where my last book, DECEIVED BY THE OTHERS, left off.
TQ: Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery.
Jess: Thanks again for having me and being part of the STALKING THE OTHERS blog tour!
About H&W Investigations
Stalking the Others
H&W Investigations 4Zebra, July 3, 2012
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 352 pages
Vampires, werewolves, mages—the Others are very real, and wreaking havoc in Shiarra Waynest’s life. But now, she’s returning the favor…
Once, she was one of the good guys—or as close as a New York P.I. can get. Then Shiarra Waynest was drawn into the world of the Others. Every faction has its own loyalties and agenda. And Shia’s recent betrayal by her ex-boyfriend means that she may be on the verge of becoming a rogue werewolf at the next full moon…
Of course, with all the threats against her, Shia’s not sure she’ll live long enough to find out. The enigmatic vampire Royce wants her back in his clutches, as do two powerful werewolf packs, along with the police. Instead of going into hiding, Shia is enlisting the aid of her enchanted hunter’s belt and every dirty P.I. trick she knows. If she’s going down, she’ll take out as many of her enemies as she can—and hope that in the process, she keeps whatever humanity she has left…
Pre-order
Deceived by the Others
H&W Investigations 3
Zebra, July 1, 2011
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 352 pages
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…
Taken by the Others
H&W Investigations 2
Zebra, January 4, 2011
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 352 pages
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…
Hunted by the Others
H&W Investigations 1
Zebra, May 4, 2010
Mass Market Paperback and eBook, 352 pages
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…
About Jess
You can also visit Jess on the web:
Website: www.JessHaines.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JessHainesAuthor
Twitter: http://twitter.com/#%21/Jess_Haines
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/jesshaines
THE TOUR GIVEAWAY
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I absolutely love this series and am so looking forward to reading this next installment. Thank you for participating in this fun tour and giveaway opportunity!
ReplyDeleteYour books sounds great. I just love winning books by "new-to-me" authors!!
ReplyDeletebettysunflower@
The books really look interesting and I love expolring new authors. I love the paranormal and you seem to have all my favs in one world. sdylion(at)gmail(dot)com
ReplyDeleteGreat interview and interesting books!
ReplyDelete