JENNIFER LYON-Interview and Giveaway with the Author

The Reading Cafe would like to introduce author Jennifer Lyon. Jennifer grew up under the shadow of the Matterhorn at Disneyland in Anaheim, California. She attended Walt Disney elementary school and her very first playmate was her beloved dog, Duke, who was cast in the role of hero in all their adventures.

Clearly Jen was born to daydream. But it took her years to figure out how to turn her imagination into a career as an author. After marrying and becoming a full time mom to three sons, Jen launched her career with the award winning Samantha Shaw Mystery Series and other romantic mysteries under the name Jennifer Apodaca. Later, she took the name Jennifer Lyon, combined her love of witches, alpha males and sizzling romance into another award winning series, the Wing Slayer Hunters. For more information on Jen or her books, please visit her website www.jenniferlyonbooks.com

TRC: Hi Jennifer and welcome to The Reading Café. We would like to start with some background information.

Jennifer: Thank you so much for having me! I’m excited to be here.

TRC:Would you please tell us about yourself?

Jennifer:   I’m pretty ordinary. I found my husband at the dog pound…now I know what you’re thinking. You got a man instead of a dog? Are you crazy? Well here’s the thing, my husband puts gas in my car and washes it. A dog can’t do that. So…Okay I’m kidding. I was working at the animal shelter, and my husband was sent there to do an audit. We fell in love, married and had three sons. I loved being a full time mom, but I also wanted to write. Eventually, my husband went back to school for his masters degree, and I realized it was time for me to start persuing my dream too. It took me eight long years, but I finally published.

TRC: Do you recall how or where your interest in writing originated? What inspired you to write your first book?

Jennifer: I originally got interested in writing back in high school. My father had passed away suddenly the summer before my freshman year, and we had to move states. I was alone a lot, became a voracious reader, and dreamed of writing novels someday.

TRC: Do you have a specific writing style?

Jennifer: Desperate? LOL! It’s hard for me to pinpoint a style, I just write what I think serves the characters and story.

TRC: You have also written romance novels and the Samantha Shaw Mystery series under the name Jennifer Apodaca. Which genre do you prefer and why?

Jennifer: That’s a tough question. I’d have to say that deep down, paranormal is my first love. It’s the bigger worlds, with higher stakes, and characters with more to lose that attract and hold my attention. In the Wing Slayer Hunter books, the heroes have more to lose than just the heroine; they are fighting to keep their souls. You know how people say, “I’d give my soul for him/her?” When these guys say it, they mean it quite literally. Writing the mysteries was a lot of fun though.

TRC: Many authors and writers bounce ideas with their spouses or significant others. Who do you bounce ideas (with)? Do you have a muse?

Jennifer: When I wrote the mysteries, I did bounce ideas off my husband. But in the paranormal world, I work with a critique partner, Laura Wright, and two author friends, Maureen Child and Kate Carlisle. The more I write, the less I talk about it randomly with people. I’ve learned to save that passion for the actual writing.

TRC: Would you please tell us about your Wing Slayer Hunter series? What was your inspiration for this particular series of storylines?

Jennifer: Even though the Wing Slayer Hunter series is nothing like the old TV show BEWITCHED, that was my original inspiration. I saw it in reruns when I was a kid, and even then, it absolutely drove me nuts that a smart, powerful witch was married to an unsupportive, and in my opinion, unworthy man. So I created men WORTHY of witches; strong, extremely alpha men who are not threatened by a woman of power. And then I put them in stories that forced them to fight to earn the right of loving, and being loved, by a witch. That was my initial goal. But the Wing Slayer Hunter world is very different from the old TV sitcom—much darker, more dangerous, emotional and very sexy.

TRC: Your latest storyline is the new release e-novella-Forbidden Magic. Would you please tell us the premise of this particular story? (see our review post below)

Jennifer: My premise is: Which is more powerful—the choice of love or the bonds of fate?

Here is the back cover blurb to the story:

Wing Slayer Hunter, Ram Virtos, must find his soul mirror witch and convince her to mate with him before his Thunderbird tattoo kills him. But while that witch might be able to save Ram’s life, it is the mysterious Ginny Stone who inflames his passion.

Ginny has been deeply fascinated by Ram for months, but dared not act on it or she’d be torn from her mortal life on earth and thrust into her dreaded destiny as a half-breed angel. But when her beloved brother’s soul is at stake, she must do the one thing she both fears and desires…

Take Ram to her bed.

TRC:  Will Ram and Ginny ever see their HEA–together?

Jennifer:  I want that very much. I have their book planned and intend to write it. Next is Linc’s book, then Eli’s, and then Ram and Ginny. The answers the two of them are searching for just aren’t as easy as they had hoped at the end of FORBIDDEN MAGIC.

TRC: Your next instalment in the Wing Slayer Hunters series is Cage Magic. Will you please tell us something about the premise for this particular storyline?

Jennifer: This is Linc and Risa’s story. Evil erupts on the Las Vegas strip, and shield-witch Risa rescues a baby girl and runs, only to be captured by a true demon spawn. Linc touches Risa’s blood left at the scene of the abduction and quickly realizes they are soul mirrors. Now he must win Risa in a death match cage fight. And that’s just the first battle as the two of them struggle to overcome dark pasts and deep secrets while battling to defeat a fiendish enemy and save the baby that Risa loves as her own.

TRC: Your publisher has decided against continuing your Wing Slayer Hunter Series but your many fans and readers of the series have urged you to publish independently. What did you learn through the process to indie publishing?

Jennifer: I am still learning! First, I have to say that I am touched and amazed by the support of my fans. They, combined with my love of the series, are the reason I’m doing this. It’s a huge motivator for me. Otherwise, I’m essentially turning into a publisher as well as a writer. That’s something I thought I’d never want to do, yet as it turns out, I love the freedom and the control that gives me. It takes time to search out editors and various professionals to help me deliver a solid book, but I like having control of the production process of the book.
The downside is that I feel I’ve lost a safety net. I’ve worked with some really great editors, and I always knew they’d catch things like dropped plot threads, uneven pacing or characterization problems. Now it’s all on me, and I feel that responsibility deeply.
I will make mistakes, but so far, I’m enjoying the process and absolutely thrilled to be able to share more Wing Slayer Hunters with both established and new fans.

TRC: What were your challenges bringing Forbidden Magic to self-publication?

Jennifer: Many of the challenges were in my own head. And I ran into some scheduling headaches—all normal stuff that so far that I’ve been able to manage. I’ve had great support, particularly from Laura Wright and Maureen Child who were my first readers, helping to find any problems in the first draft. Also, my husband has been extremely supportive. I can’t think of a huge challenge, but I’m sure I will run into a few on this journey.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Jennifer: I know the publishing industry is changing rapidly, but I don’t think our desire for good, fulfilling stories will ever change. I love connecting with readers who love books as I do. Thank you so much for giving me this opportunity to hang out fellow book lovers!

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Right now, I’m into Chicken Bruschetta Pasta

Favorite Dessert: Chocolate Lava Cake Dark or Milk Chocolate Dark

Favorite TV Show: Big Bang Theory

Favorite Movie: Ghost is the movie that springs to mind, but I don’t think I have a true favorite.

Last Movie that you saw: Act of Valor

Pink or Red Roses: Red

Do you have any pets? No, but I have visiting rights for my son’s dog, Bailey. He’s a Miniature Pincher/Chihuahua mix who has won all our hearts.

TRC: Thank you Jennifer for taking the time to answer our questions. We look forward to your next storyline in the Wing Slayer Hunter series. And we wish you the best of luck as an independent publisher.

Jennifer: Thank you! I’ve enjoying visiting with all of you today.

LINK TO: Jennifer Lyon’s Site

*************GIVEAWAY**************

The phenomenal Jennifer Lyon has offered a giveaway to 3 of our eligible members at The Reading Cafe: One signed copy of Night Magic:  One signed copy of Sinful Magic: one ecopy of Forbidden Magic

1.  You must be a member at The Reading Cafe.  If not, please register today, using the social log-ins or at the bottom of the page.

2.  Paperbook giveaway open to CANADA and U.S. only

3.  ecopy open internationally

4.  Giveaway open from April 26 to May 1, 2012