Please welcome Jess Macallan to The Qwillery as part of the Stone Cold Revenge Blog Tour! Stone Cold Revenge, the 2nd in Jess' Set in Stone series, was published on January 20th.
TQ: Welcome to The Qwillery.
Jess: Hi, and thanks so much for having me here today! This is always one of my favorite blog stops.
TQ: Thank you. We're always happy to have you visit!
TQ: What would you say is your most interesting writing quirk?
Jess: It’s a toss-up between making color-coded spreadsheets to keep track of info on my books, and that I don’t pick actual people or pictures to base my characters on. There are some gorgeous people out there to choose from if I needed inspiration, but I prefer to create them in my head. It’s awesome to hear who people picture when they read my books. The color-coding thing is my attempt at organization, though I spend time on picking the right colors than entering information.
TQ: Are you a plotter or a pantser?
Jess: I used to be a pantser all the way, but I’d call myself more of a hybrid—a plotser. I love the freedom of starting a book in the middle or the end and letting the story grow organically. But I’ve also learned the value of outlining my characters and a few critical plot points to keep myself on track. I approach each story a little differently, but my personality is definitely pantser. Winging it is more fun.
TQ: What is the most challenging thing for you about writing?
Jess: I’m a recovering perfectionist, and it’s challenging to remember not every day will be a great writing day, and other days need to be all about being a mom. I used to strive for balance, but realized there’s no magic formula because life happens and things pop up when you least expect them to. I have to continually remind myself to take each day as it comes and do the best I can. A secret stash of chocolate helps immensely.
TQ: What inspired you to write the Set in Stone series, Stone Cold Seduction and Stone Cold Revenge?
Jess: An idea, a whim, and a dose of inspiration. The first draft of Stone Cold Seduction came together pretty easily. Whenever I start a book, I usually have a character or single scene I see vividly in my head, and I try to flesh it out to see what would happen. My muse was thankfully cooperative with this series, and I’ve been surprised by new characters and plot twists along the way. Elle isn’t the typical kick butt heroine. She wants a normal life with a great guy, and her life is so full of complications and unwanted paranormal issues it seems like an impossible dream. I took that idea and ran with it.
TQ: Why Gargoyles?
Jess: They’re one of a few types of paranormal creatures who haven’t been shown as much love as they deserve. I thought they had the potential to be fun with a sexy twist. I also didn’t have anything new to add to angels, demons, vampires, or werewolves as protagonists. I love the mystery and purpose behind gargoyles as protectors. Even though many people consider them to be creepy or ghoulish, they aren’t always. And some of them are incredible works of art. Like Jax. *winks*
TQ: Tell us something about Stone Cold Revenge (Set in Stone 2) that is not in the book description.
Jess: Elle’s anti-fairy godmother, Luna, throws a wrench in Elle’s plans. Elle doesn’t know if she’s there to help or complicate things, and she’s definitely late to the party. Also, as Elle gets bits and pieces of her memory back, she learns her past is about to come back and haunt her. Her father might not be the worst thing she has to face.
TQ: In the series so far who was the easiest character to write and why? The hardest and why?
Jess: So far, Luna has been the easiest to write. She’s got a big personality in a little package, and lacks the filter most of us employ between our brain and mouth. I had a lot of fun writing her character and dialogue. The hardest to write is Jedren, Elle’s father. He’s so cold and power hungry, it makes getting into his head difficult. I don’t know if my dad has read the books, but many of his friends have, and he gets teased about being the inspiration for Jedren. He’s not, but my family now worries when they’ll show up in my books. That kind of leverage is good. *grins*
TQ: Without giving anything away, what is/are your favorite scene(s) in Stone Cold Revenge?
Jess: I have two favorite scenes, and I’ll keep this short to avoid spoilers: the first is when she chooses her mate. The second is when her father officially declares her as his heir and she’s forced to use her abilities. That was a tough scene to write, but so important for what’s going to come for her. I wish I could say more, but I hope readers will read the book to see for themselves.
TQ: What's next?
I’ve temporarily switched gears. I’m finishing up school for holistic nutrition and am writing a non-fiction book about wellness and living your best life. I’m also working on a steamy contemporary I hope to have news on as far as a contract and release date in the next month or so.
TQ: Thank you for joining us at The Qwillery.
Jess: Thanks so much for having me here today! I love to chat with readers, and hope you’ll connect with me on | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | JessMacallan |
About Set in Stone
Stone Cold Revenge
Set in Stone 2
Entangled Edge, January 20, 2013
eBook, 266 pages
Forced by her maniacal father, the king of the shadow elves, to live in his house and train to become his heir, newly minted princess of the paranormal Elleodora Fredricks doesn’t think things could get much more complicated. On the outs with her gargoyle love interest, Jax, and confused about her relationship with her childhood sweetheart, MacLean the phoenix, Elle knows her fate decrees that her powers will manifest themselves in full on her twenty-eighth birthday, which is quickly approaching…
With help from two long-lost family members, some long-forgotten memories, and even her long-gone mother, Elle discovers there’s more to being part shadow elf than she ever knew. But will she be able to harness her unique abilities in time to take revenge on her enemies? For Elle, it’s all in a day’s work…
Stone Cold Seduction
Set in Stone 1
Entangled Edge, January 20, 2013
eBook, 254 pages
(previously released in Trade Paperback )
When a regular night of Robin Hoodery results in the manifestation of some, um, unusual paranormal abilities, perfume-maker Elleodora Fredricks realizes the normal world she lives in isn’t quite… normal. And neither is she, thanks to her father, king of the shadow elves. Not only is he evil incarnate and the reason Elle moonlights as a burglar-someone has to take care of all his victims - he’s stolen her memories.
And only reading her fate can fix that.
Good thing she’s got a trio of hotties willing to help her find said fate, but only if she gives them something in return. Saving her oracle BFF’s fiancee, falling in love with the gargoyle, and making up for breaking the phoenix’s heart ought to be a piece of cake for the princess of the shadow elves.
If only the king didn’t want his daughter dead…
About Jess
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