Good morning. It’s Meet and Greet Monday!

With us today is Romance Author, Missy Jane.

Welcome, Missy!

What goals have you set for your writing this year?
Well, I have quite a few works in progress to finish, most especially sequels to my archangel book and gargoyle book. Both of those were just released this year and I’m hoping to have the sequels out next year.

Tell us, what’s the first thought that comes to your head when you read the following words…
Wolverine … Hugh Jackman
Romeo & Juliet … Shakespeare
Candlelight … dinner
Dean Winchester … hot
Shapeshifters … werewolves

Tell us a bit about yourself. Where do you live, do you have a significant other, any young ones running around?
I live just north of Houston with my husband of 18 years and our four daughters. They aren’t exactly little though. I have three teenagers and a ten year old. 😉

Tell us about your “big break” in the publishing world. Was there any one person believe in your work first (besides yourself of course)? What did you do to celebrate your first contract?
My big break came in 2008 when I submitted my shapeshifter book to Samhain Publishing. I had taken a Beginning Writers course with Judi McCoy and she gave me a very encouraging critique. When I was offered my first contract on They Call Me Death, I danced around the house with my daughters.

Did you always want to be an author?
I’ve always loved reading and enjoyed writing, but photography was really my first love. I wanted to be a freelancer photographer.

Name one quirk you have.
This one’s kind of funny: no matter how messy and disorganized my desk is at home, my desk at work is impeccable. Everything in its place every day.

What is your favorite junk food?
Anything chocolate. I’m a huge chocoholic.

What is your favorite meal that you wish you could eat at least three times a week?
Spaghetti marinara with mushrooms. Mmmm.

What do you like to do for fun and relax?
Read, of course!

What are you a collector of?
Books, shot glasses, wall masks, and anything to do with clowns (including marionettes and harlequins).

What five items do you take everywhere with you – besides cell phone, keys and purse/wallet?
Does each of my daughters count? Lol. Probably: camera, pills, wedding ring, calendar, and checkbook.

If we were to come over to your house for dinner, what dish would you make us?
Chicken fajita tacos or chili if it’s cold.

No matter the story, where do you always draw inspiration from when you begin each story?
My characters. Each one of them is unique and they each draw me into their worlds in different ways.

What book – print or e-book – is sitting on top of your to be read pile that you are eager to read?
Scarlet Devices by Delphine Dryden.

What three words best describe you?
Mom, Wife, Writer

If you were given an all-expense paid, five day/night trip to anywhere, where would you go?
Ireland.

What is your one pet peeve about the writing business?
Pirates.

Who are some of your favorite authors?
There are A LOT! Sherrilyn Kenyon, Alyssa Day, Kerrelyn Sparks, Jodi Thomas, Lynsay Sands, Stephen King, Joe Hill, Clive Barker, John Steinbeck and Shakespeare.

Who is your celebrity crush?
Henry Rollins, J. J. Watt, and Tom Hiddleston.

Who/What are you currently reading?
I just finished rereading Sherrilyn Kenyon and will probably continue rereading her Dark Hunters until I catch up to the newest release.

What do you find most challenging about writing?
Staying focused on one project at a time. I often have many characters vying for my attention.

Choosing a Title & Cover Isn’t Always Easy

Titles and covers are two things many authors have absolutely no control over. Which is a shame since those are the very first things a person looks at when picking up a book. Of course, publishers know this and do all they can to make both the title and cover unique and eye-catching. Unfortunately there are often repeats of titles across genres, and stock images on covers can make them similar to many others. I’ve had at least one book featuring a couple who are on, to this date, six other books that I’ve seen. It’s not a happy feeling. However, I will admit I’m usually forewarned about both title and cover well in advance of the book release date.

Born of Stone is a title that popped into my head while finishing up a work in progress about gargoyles. I did a quick internet search and didn’t find the exact same title on any other romance book, so I kept it. Often when I make up titles, the right one hits me and just fits. This is one I really liked. Now I’m working on more titles for this series.

As for the cover, I went through the usual process of filling out a questionnaire from Samhain’s art department about the plot and characters. They created the cover and sent it to me for approval. It was almost exactly as you see it here today, with one exception. The shoulder pads were missing. My first impression was the guy didn’t look big enough to be a gargoyle. So, they beefed up his shoulders. I’ve had a few people say it reminds them of the game Assassin’s Creed. I love it. I think the colors and the image itself are a very good representation of my hero Orestes.

 

Blurb:

Within a body strong as stone beats a heart ready for love.

For seventy years, Orestes and his eleven gargoyle brothers have done their duty to protect King Kadmos’ realm. There’s only one annoyance in his life—humans.

He’s content to leave them to their idol worship. Until he notices a small, frail woman serving at his table, doing her best to remain invisible. Something about her calls to him like no human before.

Astrid is terrified. Not of the powerful magical creature with kind eyes, but of the staff overseer’s lash for calling attention to herself. Instead she finds herself whisked away to paradise, where she is bathed, fed, and made love to by Orestes as if she is his reason to live. But she isn’t naïve enough to believe she is anything more than a temporary diversion.

When Orestes is called away to search for a missing brother, Astrid is kidnapped by traitors intent on using her to bend Orestes to their will. Little do they know that the connection between them is no weakness, but a strength their enemies would be fools to underestimate…

Warning: This book contains paranormal fighting, steamy sex scenes, strong-willed females, and men made of stone who prove to be soft as butter in the right hands.

 

Read an excerpt and buy it here: http://store.samhainpublishing.com/born-stone-p-73413.html

Here: http://www.amazon.com/Born-Stone-Gargoyle-Masters-Missy-ebook/dp/B00IBDKQIY

And here: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/born-of-stone-missy-jane/1118602499?ean=9781619220232

 

Ms. Missy Jane is the alter ego of a married mother of four who was born and raised in Texas. A few years ago she finished reading a book by Mercedes Lackey and thought “Now, what if…” and a monster was created. Missy now spends most of her time lost in worlds of her own making, alternately loving and hating such creatures as vampires, shape-shifters and gargoyles (to name a few). When not writing, she spends her time reading, taking photos of her beautiful daughters and training her husband to believe she’s always right.

Excerpts from Missy’s paranormal and erotic tales can be found at http://www.authormissyjane.com and http://msmissyjane.blogspot.com/.

Missy can also be found online at:
https://twitter.com/msmissyjane & https://www.facebook.com/pages/Missy-Jane/208776832491620

 

 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~