You have until noon Eastern next Monday the 11th to contact me through my website so I can send you the book, or you can pick the excerpt. Either way, contact me at

http://www.jessgranger.com/contact

Hmmmm, I’m not sure. Probably “No Outlet.” I don’t seem to have the time for any of my outlets lately.

My husband says mine should be curves ahead because I have child bearing hips, or wide load (he sleeps on the couch a lot)
I rather think slippery when wet, but whatever, he is most likely right (don’t tell him i said that)

*fanning self*

I did a lot more reading when I was in school in the 90’s. Now I have much less time so I have a harder time finding books and just fitting in the time to read them.

Because of that, I think I’ve been inspired by a lot of the books written when the paranormal wave first started gaining a foothold.

I like the dark emotional, very high stakes tension of books written at that time, but there were a lot of things I wanted to do differently, especially with my heroes.

I want my heroes to be complicated and heroic. I don’t want my heroines to be forced to give up their whole lives so all would be okie dokie in the hero’s world.

If a heroine makes a life changing decision, it had better be because she believes it is the best decision for her. Not because there will be dire consequences for the hero if she doesn’t. Now at some point, I’ll probably have more heroes that need saving because of the heroine’s love, but I refuse to force her hand. Instead I’ll put a great big stick in it and tell her to go ahead and smack him.

What I liked about books written at that time that I think we’ve gotten away from a little is focus on the main characters and the romance. With the upswing of Urban Fantasy, I’ve seen the romantic arc turn more loosey goosey, they’ll get around to the love story eventually, experiment with someone different for a while, or whatever. Or I’ve seen series get so cluttered with the perspectives of other characters and their love stories I wonder who the book is really about.

I like having a focused love story. I also like feeling sure that these two characters are in it for good.

I don’t have any mentees at the moment. Linnea Sinclair recently tied a knot in my tail, so I always look up to her. I do try to answer questions and help out new writers on Romance Divas, and RWA Online.

Actually, sometimes I don’t feel carried away enough. Now that I have contracts and deadlines, I feel like I’m always fighting for time. For my world building, my worlds never take over my characters.

Usually, I think through the fundamentals of a world, then build it as I need it. If I do my job correctly, it gives me a viable and logical world that is easy to expand on or pull more details out of later.

My characters will carry me away sometimes. I’ve got a handle on my next two victims, oh, oops, I meant protagonists. Now I’m thinking ahead of who I’d like to torture, excuse me, I meant play with, next.

Yara turned out well. I really like her. She is powerful, smart, and has true grit. Her journey in this book is about learning what it takes to be a true leader.

As for picking you for an exclusive excerpt, your odds just got a lot better. LOL

And the cover model is a little beefcake, isn’t he? What can you do. I’ll refer back to Yara’s first description of Cyn in the chapter posted on my website…

The man in the corner leaned back in his chair with his arms crossed over his honed chest. There was nothing soft or tired about him. He bore no evidence in his body of long stretches of time spent in macrospace as he delivered his goods.

No, he was built like a cat, sleek muscle and lazy curiosity in his gaze as he watched her approach. She wasn’t fooled. Tuz always looked like that just before he pounced.

*shiver*

I also want to say, Jess, that your dedication to worldbuilding shines through your work. It really felt as though Soren and Cyani were organic to their worlds, if that makes sense.

Here’s my question: Will you pick me to win the exclusive excerpt of BEYOND THE SHADOWS? LOL!

I do like the cover of BTS, although I picture Cyn with more of a Han Solo body type.

At any rate, congratulations on your forthcoming release!