Interview/Giveaway with J.A. Saare

Today I'm excited to welcome J.A. Saare to my blog. She is the author of Crimson Moon and Dead, Undead or Somewhere In Between.

Hi J.A. , Welcome to Anna's Book Blog! I'm glad to have you here. To start off can you tell the readers a little about yourself?

First and foremost, I am a mother and a wife. I spend a majority of my time doing less than glamorous things -- such as laundry, cleaning, and helping my kiddos with homework -- but I wouldn't change a thing. My family is the most important thing in the world to me and always comes first.

As for the fun things -- I love to read, write, watch movies, and listen to music. I also have an addiction to Twitter, my blog, and love meeting and chatting with people.

Crimson Moon is your newest release, can you tells us a little about it?

Crimson Moon was the first story I’d ever written and, to be quite honest, I was never sure if it would be published. It’s about a girl who learns she’s anything but normal after she’s attacked by zombie like creatures, is saved by a man she discovers is a werewolf, and learns she is a descendant of vampire royalty.

At the time, I wanted to write a werewolf romance. However, the story evolved and became bigger and bigger. Before I knew it, I’d written three books total. I’m currently editing the second installment.

What is your writing day like?

With four children, it’s chaotic. I try to write as much as I can right after the kids go to school, during nap time (my youngest is only three and stays home), and after everyone goes to bed. Once upon a time, I could get writing done while everyone was going crazy around me, but since the children are older now (and require more of my attention) it’s a lot tougher to find “quiet time.”

When your not writing what kind of books do you like to read?

That’s a tough question, because I read so much. For the most part, I enjoy urban fantasy and romance. However, when the mood strikes I’ll go through periods where I don’t want to read anything but horror, or I’ll get into the classics and will pull out my Steinbeck novels.

That’s why I love the e-publishing industry so much; there is so much material to choose from. Not that the New York offerings aren’t great (they are!) but the diversity means there is always something to be enjoyed.

Since becoming published, what has been your favorite part of the process?

Meeting people. I’m a people person, so talking with everyone on Twitter and my blog has been fantastic. As you can probably imagine, I don’t get to leave the house much, so the interaction makes the days pass by so much more quickly. Not to mention, there are a lot of great people I’ve met along the way.

What are 3 things that are "must haves" for you when you sit down to write a book?

A drink of some kind -- right now, I’m on a Cherry Diet Dr. Pepper kick -- music, and a “feel” of what I want to take place on the pages.

Dead, Undead or Somewhere In Between was an exciting story with a cliffhanger that drives readers crazy, Is there anything at all you can tell us about the sequel?

When I wrote Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between, I had no idea of what was coming with the exception of one thing -- that the romantic interest, Disco, had to die. After I wrapped it up and gave it to my mother-in-law, she firmly stated that ending had to go and she wanted a redo. Never one to upset my Mom, I did as she asked and created the ending that people either love me or hate me for. It wasn’t done to make anyone angry, but was the result of trying to have fun and challenge myself to take it to a place my Mom wouldn’t see coming.

In The Renfield Syndrome, you’ll get more interaction between Paine and Rhiannon, as well as a rounder world built and insight into vampires and demon politics. I can’t really say too much, as not to spoil, but I think there are a few surprises that will shock readers. My hope is that I can write a story that is better than the first and make up for the cliffhanger and redeem myself to those who want to kill me.

Are there any real life people that have inspired the characters in your series?

I suppose in some ways there are, although I couldn’t think of specific people to link to characters. I think a majority of the characters I write come from the people I meet when I’m out and about. A hodge-podge if you will.

Recently you released a book called Eternity and a Day under the name Aline Hunter, why the name change?

When I started writing, it was all about romance and urban fantasy. Then, after I’d written Crimson Moon and Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between, I decided I wanted to write spicier material. I started by writing a short story, A Kiss Before Dying, and followed it up with another short story and a couple of erotic novellas at Amira Press. However, even with the erotic themes, the material wasn’t as hot as I knew future offerings would be.

After writing Eternity and a Day and being contracted by Loose Id (who are known for their steamy books), I began to worry. The reception to my racier material after people had read Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between wasn’t all that great. People were confused by the shift, and in some cases extremely annoyed. The duel identities were created as a way to keep things separate. The last thing I wanted to do was to have people purchase my tamer stories only to search for more of my work and discover the other offerings were erotic.

What is up next for you?

Right now I’m writing the sequel to Dead, Undead, or Somewhere in Between -- The Renfield Syndrome. I am also editing the second story in the Crimson series (following Crimson Moon), Crimson Sunrise. I’ve completed a contemporary erotic novella that is currently under submission, as well as a full-length paranormal erotic romance, Omega Mine, which I’m prepping to send out in to the world for a possible home.

I do have two things releasing this fall. First is my contribution to the Hungry For Your Love Zombie Romance anthology. I Heart Brains is a story that about a dead man, a widow, and their chance at life and love. The anthology was originally released at Ravenous Romance and, to our delight, the rights were purchased by St. Martin’s Griffin. The anthology will release in bookstores worldwide on September 28th and is already available for pre-order on Amazon.com and Barnes and Noble. I also have another short story releasing October 1st at Amira Press. Hunger Undone is an erotic paranormal novelette (part of another anthology) and is one of six stories that will be released later in a print edition. It will be the last erotic offering I’ll write under the J.A. Saare pen name, so I hope people enjoy it.

Thanks so much for having me on the blog, Anna. I’ve been a fan of your blog for a long time, and I appreciate how generous you’ve always been to me. I hope that I can continue to write things that you enjoy and that I can visit your blog again at some point in the future.

Jaime

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CRIMSON MOON
By: J.A. Saare

Out Now

Trueblood vampires. Those set apart from commons by right of blood. Graced with extraordinary abilities such as telepathy, clairvoyance, and precognition - they are the most powerful and feared among their kind. The secret lies within, a legacy evolving from the truest form of magic, and their living bloodlines are the key.
An average routine morning is exactly what twenty-year old Emma Johnson hopes to avoid when she visits Joe’s Café for a steaming cup of coffee and freshly made donuts. She’s jaded by her small town, the community that has ostracized her, and the empty house that symbolizes what her life has become; a hollow shell. Yet things are not entirely as they appear, and Emma is about to discover she isn’t the normal girl she once believed.
After she is rescued from a horde of demonic bloodthirsty creatures by Caleb, the most captivating and enigmatic person she has ever met, she struggles to accept the unimaginable truth he imparts. That he has been dispatched by the Father she has never known, a powerful vampire from the house of DeViard, to see her safely home. For Caleb is also unique, a werewolf procured to protect the invaluable royal bloodlines from harm.
Soon, the undeniable connection Emma and Caleb share evolves beyond mere attraction into something more substantial. But their time together is short lived, forced to an end when she is sent to the trueblood vampires that claim her as one of their own.

http://jasaare.com/
Crimson Moon is available in paperback and ebook

All Romance Ebooks|Amazon|Barnes & Noble|The Wild Rose Press
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GIVEAWAY:

THE GIVEAWAY PORTION OF THIS POST IS NOW CLOSED

Jaime has offered up a paperback copy of Crimson Moon to one lucky winner. To enter leave a comment along with your email address. Open to U.S. and Canada. The winner will be announced on September 22nd. Good Luck!