LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE LET ME INTRODUCE TO YOU, AMANDA JONES.
Blog posting originally appeared on:
JoeForrest.com
https://joeforrest.com/author-spotlig...
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE LET ME INTRODUCE TO YOU, AMANDA JONES.
I’ve been working a little with Amanda in the past few months and I’ve got to say that I expect huge things from her. She’s a talented writer, has a great personality, and hustles her ass off promoting her work. Her first book, The Fallen Chronicles: Dark Angel, was recently published by New Concepts Publishing and she’s currently on a blogging book tour, organized by Bewitching Blog Tours, to get the word out about her series. I was able to steal a few moments of her time in order to get the following interview. I found the answers insightful and full of promise for any of you new writers out there who may be doubting yourself. So, without further ado, Amanda Jones!
CAN YOU GIVE THE READERS A BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF WHAT THE FALLEN CHRONICLES SERIES IS ALL ABOUT?
The Fallen Chronicles is a new paranormal romance series that follows a group of angels that have been cast out of the heavens to live caught between the human world and the demonic realm of Sheol. Fate is a fickle mistress, and through a series of events, our anti-heroes are forced to confront their tortured pasts in order to figure out who they really want to be. Dangerous battles and sexy encounters ensue!
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THE BOOKS?
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always wondered what makes the bad guy bad. I’m also interested in cause and effect, how our actions ripple out and change the world we live in. So, when I decided to write The Fallen Chronicles I wanted to fall in love with anti-heroes. Angels are generally portrayed as perfect beacons of goodness and hope – so why not tell a story about the ultimate angels of darkness.
When you look at why these angels fell it’s actually pretty relatable (in my version at any rate!) – jealousy, hubris, and immaturity…I think we’ve all been there at some point…minus the world changing apocalyptic effects! Given the right motivation and circumstance, can they grab what’s left of the light inside them and make the right choice? I also wanted to explore whether it’s possible to hate the thing someone has done in their past without hating the person in their present.
Throughout the course of this series, we will definitely see some traditionally pure angels and some avenging angels, but they all have a story to tell. Love is a powerful force that has the ability to both motivate and destroy. This little crew of fallen angels has gone through the ringer and everyone will have to face their past and come to terms with who and what they’re becoming.
In everyone’s life change is inevitable, and there are always opportunities to make different choices. In the end is there really pure goodness or pure evil, or are we all just operating in shades of gray?
CAN YOU GIVE US A SPOILER-FREE PREVIEW OF WHAT WE CAN EXPECT DOWN THE ROAD?
The third book in the series, Forbidden Angel, follows Alex – a vampire we meet in Broken Angel (book 2) and his connection to a mysterious psych patient being hunted by forces of both the dark and the light.
“As he turned to leave a petite figure in the corner of the room caught his eye. The electric tingling of his skin intensified as his eyes locked with hers. Alex sucked in a breath. Her hair was long and knotted, and her face was pale from lack of sunlight, but she was still the most stunning woman he’d ever laid his eyes on. His heart had been still for centuries, but Alex could have sworn he felt it clench when he saw the pain and sadness swirling deep within her unusual black eyes. He was drawn toward her like she was his magnetic north – his feet moving of their own accord – but as he drew closer he watched those entrancing eyes clouded over as whatever monsters living inside her head won an inner battle for control.”
WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO OVERCOME WHILE WRITING THE BOOKS AND HOW DID YOU GET PAST IT?
The biggest obstacle to starting the series was the scope of it – I kept thinking there was no way on earth I’d be able to write a full novel – it just seemed so long! Once I got going, the story flowed and took shape. I still have issues with that nagging voice in the back of my head that makes me worry the stories won’t be any good!
WHAT WAS THE FIRST BOOK/STORY YOU READ THAT MADE YOU THINK THAT BEING A WRITER WAS THE PATH YOU WANTED TO TAKE?
I think Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles made me fall in love with the paranormal as a teenager…the writing was actually a happy accident. I’d played around with writing screenplays in the past, but found that I was a much more visual writer and decided to try my hand at writing a full-length novel. I was always that weird kid at school that loved the essay assignments, so I guess it was inevitable in a way.
WHAT IS YOUR WRITING ROUTINE LIKE?
My routine usually involves a metric ton of caffeine, the wee hours of the morning, my couch, and a TV show I’ve watched a zillion times before set on “play all” for background noise (right now it’s the X-Files but I’ve gone through every incarnation of Star Trek, Stargate SG1, Bones, and Ghost Hunters as well).
DO YOU BELIEVE IN WRITER’S BLOCK AND, IF SO, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO TO GET OUT OF THAT PLACE?
Yes and no – for me it’s more like the stories are unfolding in my head faster than I can write them at times. I know where the plot needs to go, but occasionally have issues finding the right words to start me on that path. There are a few things I do to get out of that funk – I’ll leave the story alone for a while, I’ll listen to music that puts me in the right head space, or I sit down at the computer and force myself to write until the story flows again. Sometimes the simple act of sitting down and writing SOMETHING…ANYTHING…helps blow out the cobwebs and a sentence I fall in love with comes out and BAM I’m back!
ANY SHOUT-OUTS YOU WANT TO GIVE ANYONE?
Without the help of my fabulous and patient editor Kristan Roetker (owner of Edit LLC), these books would be error-riddled flaming garbage piles! Her attention to detail is astounding and I just hope she knows how much I appreciate all she’s done for The Fallen Chronicles!
Joe Forrest – I don’t know how you managed to pull it off, but you made me look good!!! Every author needs an attractive, informative, easy to navigate website – it wouldn’t have happened without your help!
It takes a village to get a new series off the ground – here are a few folks who gave me the confidence and inspiration to keep going:
Stacey is Sassy!
Carla Maggiolo
Frank Caruso
Filippo Nativo
Richard Goodship
Roxanne Rhoads
SOUNDS PRETTY DAMN GOOD, DOESN’T IT?
Well, we’re going to do you one better. How about a short excerpt from her second book, Broken Angel? That’s two free previews in one article. Pretty good, eh?
“Before she could react, B sat up and grabbed her with his freshly set hand, drawing her face towards his. He felt his heart leap as their lips touched ever so gently at first. He’d dreamed of kissing her since the first time he’d laid eyes on her, and could only hope that the feelings she’d admitted to were true. Her lips moved softly upon his, her tongue darting out to lick along the line of his lips. B opened his mouth and let her in, their tongues sliding together sensually as his body came to life. It was a feeling he thought he’d never fully experience, the blood pounding in his veins, his heart jumping in his chest. Mara’s arms came up to circle him, one around his back, the other sliding up his neck, her nails raking along his scalp near the nape of his neck. The tiny shivers from her sharp little nails were more erotic than any sexual experience he’d ever had. B’s heart felt like it was soaring free. Maybe there really could be a happy ending for him.”
JoeForrest.com
https://joeforrest.com/author-spotlig...
LADIES AND GENTLEMEN, PLEASE LET ME INTRODUCE TO YOU, AMANDA JONES.
I’ve been working a little with Amanda in the past few months and I’ve got to say that I expect huge things from her. She’s a talented writer, has a great personality, and hustles her ass off promoting her work. Her first book, The Fallen Chronicles: Dark Angel, was recently published by New Concepts Publishing and she’s currently on a blogging book tour, organized by Bewitching Blog Tours, to get the word out about her series. I was able to steal a few moments of her time in order to get the following interview. I found the answers insightful and full of promise for any of you new writers out there who may be doubting yourself. So, without further ado, Amanda Jones!
CAN YOU GIVE THE READERS A BRIEF SYNOPSIS OF WHAT THE FALLEN CHRONICLES SERIES IS ALL ABOUT?
The Fallen Chronicles is a new paranormal romance series that follows a group of angels that have been cast out of the heavens to live caught between the human world and the demonic realm of Sheol. Fate is a fickle mistress, and through a series of events, our anti-heroes are forced to confront their tortured pasts in order to figure out who they really want to be. Dangerous battles and sexy encounters ensue!
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THE BOOKS?
I don’t know about you, but I’ve always wondered what makes the bad guy bad. I’m also interested in cause and effect, how our actions ripple out and change the world we live in. So, when I decided to write The Fallen Chronicles I wanted to fall in love with anti-heroes. Angels are generally portrayed as perfect beacons of goodness and hope – so why not tell a story about the ultimate angels of darkness.
When you look at why these angels fell it’s actually pretty relatable (in my version at any rate!) – jealousy, hubris, and immaturity…I think we’ve all been there at some point…minus the world changing apocalyptic effects! Given the right motivation and circumstance, can they grab what’s left of the light inside them and make the right choice? I also wanted to explore whether it’s possible to hate the thing someone has done in their past without hating the person in their present.
Throughout the course of this series, we will definitely see some traditionally pure angels and some avenging angels, but they all have a story to tell. Love is a powerful force that has the ability to both motivate and destroy. This little crew of fallen angels has gone through the ringer and everyone will have to face their past and come to terms with who and what they’re becoming.
In everyone’s life change is inevitable, and there are always opportunities to make different choices. In the end is there really pure goodness or pure evil, or are we all just operating in shades of gray?
CAN YOU GIVE US A SPOILER-FREE PREVIEW OF WHAT WE CAN EXPECT DOWN THE ROAD?
The third book in the series, Forbidden Angel, follows Alex – a vampire we meet in Broken Angel (book 2) and his connection to a mysterious psych patient being hunted by forces of both the dark and the light.
“As he turned to leave a petite figure in the corner of the room caught his eye. The electric tingling of his skin intensified as his eyes locked with hers. Alex sucked in a breath. Her hair was long and knotted, and her face was pale from lack of sunlight, but she was still the most stunning woman he’d ever laid his eyes on. His heart had been still for centuries, but Alex could have sworn he felt it clench when he saw the pain and sadness swirling deep within her unusual black eyes. He was drawn toward her like she was his magnetic north – his feet moving of their own accord – but as he drew closer he watched those entrancing eyes clouded over as whatever monsters living inside her head won an inner battle for control.”
WHAT WAS YOUR BIGGEST OBSTACLE TO OVERCOME WHILE WRITING THE BOOKS AND HOW DID YOU GET PAST IT?
The biggest obstacle to starting the series was the scope of it – I kept thinking there was no way on earth I’d be able to write a full novel – it just seemed so long! Once I got going, the story flowed and took shape. I still have issues with that nagging voice in the back of my head that makes me worry the stories won’t be any good!
WHAT WAS THE FIRST BOOK/STORY YOU READ THAT MADE YOU THINK THAT BEING A WRITER WAS THE PATH YOU WANTED TO TAKE?
I think Anne Rice’s Vampire Chronicles made me fall in love with the paranormal as a teenager…the writing was actually a happy accident. I’d played around with writing screenplays in the past, but found that I was a much more visual writer and decided to try my hand at writing a full-length novel. I was always that weird kid at school that loved the essay assignments, so I guess it was inevitable in a way.
WHAT IS YOUR WRITING ROUTINE LIKE?
My routine usually involves a metric ton of caffeine, the wee hours of the morning, my couch, and a TV show I’ve watched a zillion times before set on “play all” for background noise (right now it’s the X-Files but I’ve gone through every incarnation of Star Trek, Stargate SG1, Bones, and Ghost Hunters as well).
DO YOU BELIEVE IN WRITER’S BLOCK AND, IF SO, WHAT DO YOU LIKE TO DO TO GET OUT OF THAT PLACE?
Yes and no – for me it’s more like the stories are unfolding in my head faster than I can write them at times. I know where the plot needs to go, but occasionally have issues finding the right words to start me on that path. There are a few things I do to get out of that funk – I’ll leave the story alone for a while, I’ll listen to music that puts me in the right head space, or I sit down at the computer and force myself to write until the story flows again. Sometimes the simple act of sitting down and writing SOMETHING…ANYTHING…helps blow out the cobwebs and a sentence I fall in love with comes out and BAM I’m back!
ANY SHOUT-OUTS YOU WANT TO GIVE ANYONE?
Without the help of my fabulous and patient editor Kristan Roetker (owner of Edit LLC), these books would be error-riddled flaming garbage piles! Her attention to detail is astounding and I just hope she knows how much I appreciate all she’s done for The Fallen Chronicles!
Joe Forrest – I don’t know how you managed to pull it off, but you made me look good!!! Every author needs an attractive, informative, easy to navigate website – it wouldn’t have happened without your help!
It takes a village to get a new series off the ground – here are a few folks who gave me the confidence and inspiration to keep going:
Stacey is Sassy!
Carla Maggiolo
Frank Caruso
Filippo Nativo
Richard Goodship
Roxanne Rhoads
SOUNDS PRETTY DAMN GOOD, DOESN’T IT?
Well, we’re going to do you one better. How about a short excerpt from her second book, Broken Angel? That’s two free previews in one article. Pretty good, eh?
“Before she could react, B sat up and grabbed her with his freshly set hand, drawing her face towards his. He felt his heart leap as their lips touched ever so gently at first. He’d dreamed of kissing her since the first time he’d laid eyes on her, and could only hope that the feelings she’d admitted to were true. Her lips moved softly upon his, her tongue darting out to lick along the line of his lips. B opened his mouth and let her in, their tongues sliding together sensually as his body came to life. It was a feeling he thought he’d never fully experience, the blood pounding in his veins, his heart jumping in his chest. Mara’s arms came up to circle him, one around his back, the other sliding up his neck, her nails raking along his scalp near the nape of his neck. The tiny shivers from her sharp little nails were more erotic than any sexual experience he’d ever had. B’s heart felt like it was soaring free. Maybe there really could be a happy ending for him.”
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