Welcome back to my writing blog page where I try to share whatever I think may interest you. Today I interview another fellow author. I love meeting other authors and promoting them. It's so much fun. Why talk about myself when there are so many wonderful authors out there and everywhere waiting to share with us. With me this time is Multi-published author Jami Gray, as she discusses writing and her current book, Tangled In Shadows, which was released on September 15, 2015 from Black Opal Books.
(Interested in winning a free copy of one of Jami's books? Read on below.)***
Welcome, Jami and
thanks so much for joining us here. You’ve lead such a well-traveled life.
Shall we begin to learn more about you and your writing?
Jami: I managed to outrun the Fur Minxes and dodge the
Prankster Duo, so I’m all yours, SJ!
Author Jami Gray.
SJ: (Laughs.) Good one, Jami. Love it. First off, Jami, I
love your series, The Kyn Kronicles, and though, I’m sure you’ve probably been
asked this before, how did you get the idea? Can you tell us a little bit of
how the idea evolved?
Jami: I wish I could share some profound inspiration for the
Kyn, but yeah…no. I always knew magic
would be a key component of my world crafting.
One of the greatest mind benders for me has always been how would our
world reacts to the existence of magic? How well could the everyday populace
handle the reality of werewolves, vamps, necromancers, demons, witches, and
every other story ever told? And because life has a darker side and the Grimm
Brothers never met Walt Disney, what would those in power do to harness such
abilities for their own advantages? So I
knew Raine McCord, my main character for Shadow’s Edge, had to be intimately acquainted
with the pros and cons of the reality of magic. She’s part of the magical
world, but thanks to some human scientists who just couldn’t resist playing
god, she’s a bit more than even she expects.
I was adopted at 14, so I find my main characters tend to come with some
baggage and Raine’s not any different.
Since I firmly believe that you have two choices when life starts
putting you through the wringer, stand up or fall down, my women (and men) tend
to stand up, even if they’re weaving on their feet, faces bruised and battered,
they’re up, so bring it on.
As for the PSY-IV Teams: I’ve always been fascinated by the
arena of psychic abilities, plus I may have a teeny-tiny bit of a conspiracy
theorist residing in a small dark corner. I read a great deal outside of
fiction, and one particular book, THE SEARCH FOR THE MANCHURIAN CANDIDATE by
John D. Marks, which follows the history of behavioral science and the CIA,
helped sparked the idea. After finishing that book, I moved on to THE
PSYCHOPATH NEXT DOOR. Um, yeah, my research library of non-fiction titles would
be scary to an outsider.
Jami's newest release.
SJ: Definitely does. Please tell us about your newest
release, Tangled In Shadows. Why short stories?
Jami: (laughs) It was a dare, given to me by one, maybe two,
of my writing partners. Due to the fact I enjoy complex world building, I was
whining worrying that short stories presented too many restrictions on my story
telling abilities. They dared me to take these smaller stories I knew existed
between the full-length novels and share them. I’m not one to back down, so I
created Tangled In Shadows so readers could re-join Raine and Gavin outside of
the books, and delve a little deeper into Ryuu Kern from Shadow’s Moon.
SJ: I’m so glad the
dare worked out for you. You’ve written many books that make up two different
series, one mostly Urban Fantasy with the Kyn Kronicles, the other Paranormal
Romantic suspense. How extensive was your research for each one?
Jami: I’m a self-admitted research fiend. When I first sat
down to write the Kyn Kronicles, my research focused on mythology, namely
European mythology. Fascinating cast of characters over yonder. You think our
modern day soap operas get convoluted? Try following family lines of the Greek,
Romans, or Irish. Not to mention the Nordic folks who make genealogy a hot
mess. Yet it’s a great place to start when you’re building a modern day world
filled with the fantastical. Creating believable worlds for readers requires me
to understand where our stories come from and why. Thanks to the Kyn, I got to delve into the
psychological reasons behind werewolf stories, how historical man tried to
explain away more “primal” instincts by giving his more frightening desires a
physical presence—a slathering, maddened predator who hunts by the light of the
moon and added it to my character motivation. When you’re able to meld the whys
into a what if, you can create a character with depths to ponder.
As for the PSY-IV Teams, my research history will make
Homeland Security sit up and take notice. I’ve meandered into everything from
Sniper school, weaponry, most dangerous operating bases overseas, military
strategy, psychic studies, psychological profiles, and diving into the depths
of each branch of the US military. It’s scary and fun at the same time.
SJ: Fascinating, Jami. Wow! If you could turn one of your
books into a film, which one would you choose and why?
Jami: (grins) I think either series would work well. The Kyn
Kronicles strike me as a blend of Underworld and Supernatural, while the PSY-IV
Teams is a cross of NCIS and Heroes. Depending on what kind of flick you’re
looking for, either one would work.
SJ: Where do you get your inspiration and ideas from?
Jami: I grew up on stories of magic in everyday life. For
the longest time I really believed my freckles were directly related to the
brownies who were sneaking in kisses while I slept. I grew up on Disney stories, then moved on to
Star Trek and other sci-fi books. I hit
high school and started sneaking my mom’s romance novels out of the house
(sorry, mom!) to help supplement my book habit in-between the fantasy and
murder-mysteries I was able to snag from the school library. I headed out into the big bad world at 18,
and as I stumbled through the maze of life, I discovered my characters were
suddenly becoming harder to hurt (emotionally and physically). I’m sure a therapist would have a field day
with this, but needless to say my reading needs changed as well. I started hunting down books where the heroine
didn’t always need the hero to ride to her rescue. Sometimes it was more satisfying if she
rumbled up to his rescue on her Harley.
So nowadays, my ideas tend to percolate from “what if”
questions, and those are the most fun because they lead down some rather twisty
roads.
SJ: What do you love most about being a writer? Least?
Jami: I’ll answer least thing first, because it’s easier for
me. The worst thing I deal with as a writer is finally getting a solution to
that scene/character motivation/plot line you’ve been hung up for EVER while
you’re in the shower—with shampoo in your hair and knowing you have to jump out
and write it down before you FORGET IT.
This happens more than you want to know.
Best thing I love about being a writer—readers who take time
out of their lives to pick up your stories, fall in love with them, and then actually
share that experience with you. Writing is a solo endeavor, so when a reader
tells me how much they enjoyed a story, it makes my entire week!
SJ: What writer
inspired you most and how?
Jami: There isn’t just one, when I was younger I would get
lost in the worlds of Lloyd Alexander and his Taran the Wanderer series, or
Susan Cooper’s The Dark Is Rising series.
As a teenager I found Terry Brooks’ Shannara books, Anne
McCafferty’s Dragonriders of Pern books
and Andre Norton’s Incarnations of Immortality. All of them wove such believable worlds which
could suck you in and never let you go.
I still have all of these on my bookshelves, tucked securely next to
their newer companions of Hamilton, Butcher (both Mr. & Mrs.), Ward, Feehan, Murphy, Showalter,
Kenyon, Estep, Andrews, Briggs and many, many others.
SJ: If you could give just one piece of important writing
advice to an aspiring writer, what would it be?
Jami: Write. Don’t talk about, don’t just imagine it, sit
down and do it. Don’t listen to the latest “trends”, write the story that is
burning a hole through your soul. That’s the one we’re going to want to read.
SJ: What is a favorite book you enjoyed reading and would
recommend without hesitation? Why?
Jami: Oh wow, it’s hard to narrow down to just one. I tend
to read in series, so I’m always jonesing for Christine Feehan’s Ghostwalkers
series, or Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series or Patricia Briggs’ Mercy
Thompson’s series. But I have soooooo many authors I enjoy, the list could take
up pages.
SJ: In closing, and without giving too much away, do you
have any more projects in the immediate future? We’d love to hear about it.
Jami: (rubbing hands together with an evil smile) I’m in the
middle of MARKED BY OBSESSION, the third book of the PSY-IV Teams, and the goal
is to have it in to my editor by end of year. The second book, TOUCHED BY FATE,
just completed first round of edits, so my fingers are crossed for an early
2016 release date. After Marked, well, my evil plan is to begin a third series
of the post-apocalyptic romantic suspense variety. I recently took on a new day
job, so my schedule is a bit stressful, but totally doable. Here’s to seeing if
I still have a brain left by next summer so I can do the fifth book of the Kyn.
It all sounds so
fascinating. Thank you so much, Jami, for allowing use to take some time out of
your busy schedule and interview you about your writing. It’s been a pleasure. Keep
writing.
Readers, take
note you may purchase a copy of any of Jami’s books at on-line book stores:
Amazon, Barnes and Nobles and from all major and Indie US book stores.
But before we go, it
wouldn’t be fair if we didn’t share the synopsis for Tangled In Shadows:
In a world of
intrigue and shadows, tangling with the monsters can leave its mark… Step into
the world of Jami Gray’s Kyn with this collection of short stories, and
discover why readers are disappearing into this exciting, Urban Fantasy series.
Wrapped In Shadows, .5 (previously published in Things That Go Bump For The
Holidays) The magic of the holiday season can be hell… Elite Kyn, Gavin Durand
and Raine McCord, are called in to investigate the aftermath of a Christmas
engagement party gone horrifically wrong, only to face an unexpected gift.
Submerged in Shadows, 1.5 Treasures from the deep come in all shapes and sizes…
Forced on an unwanted vacation, Raine soon discovers that boredom is the least
of her worries when danger washes ashore, bringing unexpected
complications. Masked by Shadows, 2.5
Nothing is ever easy… For Gavin and Raine the job is simple, deliver a package
to an interested party in New Orleans. Yet even the easiest job can mask
unexpected challenges. Ensnared by Shadows, 3.5 Deception leaves a tangled web…
Ryuu Kern, Motoki Pack’s Second, is no stranger to sticky situations, but when
delectable Division Agent, Iliana Krychek, comes to him for help, it will take
more than claws and teeth to untangle a deadly web of deceit.
Interested? Then
here’s an excerpt from TANGLED IN SHADOWS Submerged In Shadows (The Kyn
Kronicles 1.5). Read on and
enjoy:
“You
call this a vacation?”
“Until
a few moments ago, yes.”
He
didn’t bother to respond, but picked up the extra blanket from the second chair
and sat down. The night was closing in, light fading away under the gathering
storm clouds on the horizon, a chill with more teeth than bite rode the air,
but what else could you expect in November. At least it wasn’t raining. Yet.
“Why
here?”
Taking
another sip of tea, Raine McCord savored the delicate combination of chamomile
and spice in hopes it would wash away the bitterness his presence wrought. He
waited, his silence creating more pressure than being battered with questions.
Ryan Mulcahy, CEO of Taliesin Security and head of the Northwest Kyn, knew how
to work the non-verbal interrogation. She focused on the waves lapping the
edges of rocky sand. “It’s quiet.”
And
here, on Shaw Island nestled among the San Juan Islands in Washington, quiet
was an understatement. No street lights glared, no busy streets rumbled, no
bustle of shops distracted. Endless starry skies stretched above, while water
whispered over sand and stone below. Between them, there was silence. With
under three hundred residents, she didn’t worry about nosy neighbors or
unexpected guests during her impromptu vacation. Well, except for the man
currently sitting next to her, comfortable in his tailored slacks and pressed
shirt sans tie. He didn’t fit here. Hell, she didn’t fit here, but she needed
this after...Her mind shied away from the memories and the guilt.
“Not
the vacation spot I expected,” he said.
Her
lips twitched. She couldn’t help it, but to hide it she brought the mug to her
lips and murmured, “Did you think I’d go to Hawaii or something?”
“Or
something.” Quiet humor drifted in his voice.
“Yeah,
sorry Uncle, that’s not really my style.” The moody waters surrounding the
island matched her thoughts. Besides she was much more comfortable in the
shadows. Hawaii would have required a bikini, something she didn’t own.
“Surprised you made it out here.”
“Caught
the last ferry in from Anacortes.”
The
tension she fought so hard to lose came back in a heartbeat. For her maternal
uncle to make an effort to come here did not bode well. Her hands tightened on
her mug, and her jaw locked. It was difficult, but she managed to keep her
voice level. “You can’t stay here.”
“Can’t
leave until the morning ferry, and you choose the one spot without a hotel or B
and B.”
Damn
him. He was a master game player, one she had no hope of ever outmaneuvering.
Why did she even try? She glared at him, but the effort was lost as he
continued to stare out over the inky stain spreading across the waters. “Why
are you here?” Each word escaped with a snap.
His
head turned slowly until he faced her. The light spilling from the small cabin
behind her and the last gasps of dusk brushed over his face, carving illusions
of emotions she knew damn well he’d never show. “He’s coming back.”
Her
heart stalled, then picked up a panicked pace. He was Gavin Durand, the man she
led straight into a nightmare because she trusted the wrong person. A nightmare
he was still fighting through.
“You
need to be there when he arrives.”
Guilt
rushed in and wrapped choking hands around her throat. Under it, shame coursed.
She turned back to the water and brought her shaky mug to her lips. The
incoming storm clouds crept closer. Winds nipped over the water and curled
around her, leaving the tea’s warmth useless against the chill in her veins.
When the cruel grip of memories eased, she choked out, “I’ve done enough to
him. He won’t want me there.”
Fascinated like I
was? Want to read more? Here’s the purchase links for your convenience for both
The Kyn Kronicles and PSY-IV Teams, in all formats at all on-line retailers and
independent booksellers everywhere:
http://jamigray.com/psyivteams/
For more about Jami and her writing,
remember to check out her website at:
***Win a copy of one of Jami's books. Leave a comment here on her interview during the month of November 2015 and you can win a copy of either Shadow's Edge or Hunted By the Past. Your choice. Two winners will be picked so take a chance. Nothing ventured. Nothing gained.
Of course, feel free to connect with Jami all over the
internet, her social media links are as follows:
Black Opal Books:
www.BlackOpalBooks.com
Muse It Up Publishing:
http://museituppublishing.com
Facebook:
https://www.facebook.com/jamigray.author
Facebook Author Page:
https://www.facebook.com/JamiGrayUFWriter
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/JamiGrayAuthor
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/JamiGray
Google+:
https://google.com/+JamiGray
Amazon Author Page: http://amzn.com/e/B006HU3HJI
Newsletter: http://eepurl.com/LvoZn
That’s it for this time. Thank you all for
visiting with us. Until next month, every one please stay safe. Smile. Be
happy. Show compassion. Be nice to others. Put a little love into your heart.
Please speak up for those without a voice, whether it be a dog, cat, elephant
or monkey. One person, one voice can
make a difference. Read a book. Review it. Share it. Pass it along.
Regards,
S. J. Francis
Advocate for the
underdog, and cat, et al.
In my debut novel, Shattered Lies:
"It's All About Family."
Available now from Black Opal Books and on-line retailers and indie booksellers.
“Some secrets should remain that way….”
My Black Opal
Books Author Page:
View My Shout Out:
http://bit.ly/1r3oynM
My web page: http://sjfranciswriter.com
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/sjfrancis419
Face Book: https://www.facebook.com/pages/SJ-Francis/480058115420325
My Writing Blog: http://sjfranciswriter.blogspot.com
A Book Review 4 U: http://abookreview4u.blogspot.com
A Consumer's View: http://aconsumersview.blogspot.com
One for the Animals: http://
onefortheanimals.blogspot.com
Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/sjfrancis419/
Google
Plus: https://plus.google.com/u/0/104831238907682620486/about
And now for some
legal stuff: Copyright 2015 by S.J. Francis. Opinions expressed here are solely
those of the author, S. J. Francis and the guest author and are meant to
entertain, inform and enlighten, and intend to offend no one.
Happy Saturday, SJ! Big thank for letting me crash your site. I'm in the midst of battling through Nano, but I'll be sure to check in through out. I'm off now to get beaten and bloody as a wrestle 50,000 words in 30 days...
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jami for stopping by. It was my pleasure. Have fun in the NANO writing contest. You're welcome back any time.
DeleteCheers! S.J. Francis
I love Jami's books--always entertaining and well written. She's a talented writer and story teller. Thank you SJ & Jami for the amazing interview!
ReplyDelete~Carole Avila
Hello Carole! Thanks so much for stopping by and leaving a comment. Jami and I greatly appreciate it!
DeleteCheers! S.J. Francis
Awww, thanks Carole ((hugs)). Thank you for coming by and visiting!
ReplyDelete