Interview With Jess Haines...and a Giveaway!

Jess Haines is the author of HUNTED BY THE OTHERS, and her new book in the same series, TAKEN BY THE OTHERS, was released on January 4, 2011.

Here's a description of TAKEN BY THE OTHERS per Jess's website:

Once, New York P.I. Shiarra Waynest’s most pressing problem was keeping her agency afloat. Now she’s dealing with two dangerous, seductive vampires who have been enemies for centuries. The only thing Max Carlyle and Alec Royce agree on is that they both want Shia–for very different reasons.

Max is determined to destroy Shia for killing his progeny, while Royce’s interest is a lot more personal. That’s not sitting well with Shia’s werewolf boyfriend, Chaz. As the feud between Max and Royce gets ever more deadly, a powerful vampire-hunting faction is urging Shia to join their side. Shia has always believed vamps were the bad guys, but she’s discovering unexpected shades of grey that are about to redefine her friends, her loyalties–and even her desires…

I had the pleasure of interviewing Jess this time around. The interview is below, and a contest follows thereafter. Enjoy!

Tyhitia Green--1.) What makes your series different than other urban fantasy series?

Jess Haines--Most urban fantasy novels are centered around a protagonist who isn’t completely human. The main character in my series, Shiarra Waynest, has no special powers of her own. Sometimes she picks up an extra boost from one of her friends—like the snarky, sentient belt that helps her hunt vampires—but underneath it all, she’s like you and me. No mind-reading, no zombie-raising, no super strength/speed/stamina—and, like anyone would expect, when she’s forced to deal with Others (supernaturals), it scares the bejeezus out of her. *g*


 2.) Do you prefer silence or background noise (television, etc.) when you write?

 JH--It depends on my mood. I sometimes crave silence so I can concentrate, but most of the time I prefer to have music or my friends chatting with me in the background. It’s a rare moment when it’s completely quiet around me.


3.) How many books are planned so far for your current series?

JH--Right now, I’m contracted for six. Two of them are out now:

1) HUNTED BY THE OTHERS (released May 2010)
2) TAKEN BY THE OTHERS (released January 2011)
3) DECEIVED BY THE OTHERS (coming July 2011)
4) Untitled Work In Progress (coming 2012)
5) Untitled Work In Progress (coming 2013)
6) Untitled Work In Progress (coming 2014) Whether it goes beyond that? We’ll see…


 4.) Do you have a particular food or drink you must have while writing a novel?

JH--Coffee and chocolate. It’s how I survive.


5.) Are you working on another series or stand alone novel?

JH--I am working on a stand alone paranormal romance novel! It ties into the world of H&W Investigations, but it is meant to be a story that can be read on its own. It may be a while before this one is ready to be shopped around for a home, so don’t count on seeing this on the shelves in stores anytime soon.
I also have a novella coming out in an anthology called THE REAL WEREWIVES OF VAMPIRE COUNTY later this year. Ever see or hear of those reality TV shows, “The Real Housewives of _______” (New York, New Jersey, Atlanta, Beverly Hills, etc)? Yeah. Give it a supernatural twist, some extra bitchy werewolves, and a prima donna supernatural hunter, and you’ve got the idea of what my story will be like. *g*

Thank you Jess for taking time out of your busy schedule to answer a few questions for me. To find out more about Jess Haines and her novels, you can find her here.

Now for the contest!

CONTEST RULES: For a chance to win a signed copy of TAKEN BY THE OTHERS by Jess Haines, all you have to do to enter is leave a comment, which equals one entry. And I've learned something from my friends who hold giveaways. You can receive an extra entry if you're a follower of my blog--old or new. That means current followers and new followers alike--so click the button. ;-) And tell me if you have one entry or two. So that means you will have TWO entries instead of one and will be twice as likely to win. Also, please list your e-mail address as follows: your e-mail (AT) wherever (DOT) com, so you won't get junk mail. The contest is open to everyone in North America only please. The contest will end on February 1, 2011 at 11:59 p.m. EST. Good luck. A winner will be chosen at random and announced on February 2, 2011.