AAD Author Spotlight & Giveaway: Jae Lynne Davies

Authors After Dark is a yearly opportunity for romance readers to interact with some of the amazing authors who keep us up late at night, sharing their stories of true love and hot sex. There will be some big name New York published authors at the con. But there are also a number of small press authors, ready to open the door to a bigger audience.

Jae Lynne Davies is a small press Paranormal Romance author. She has a short story, called "The Contract" featured in the anthology Love's Immortal Pantheon, Vol 5. And she has a full length novel called, Mythic, to which she is currently working on a sequel. Jae Lynne was kind enough to answer some of my questions today, so I can introduce some of you to her and her work.

Jen: Explain to new readers what they could expect from Mythic?

Jae Lynne: Readers will follow along the journey of vampire hybrid Gianna Marino as she plans to enact vengeance upon the vampire responsible for the death of her family.

Disguising herself as a human wanting to be turned, she infiltrates the enemy’s coven with the hope of bending him to her will and destroying him from the inside.

But when a handsome stranger, enters the scene and is lured into their seductive game that results in a heated love triangle, she discovers a secret that blurs the lines between good and evil, forever changing the course of her existence, and destiny will soon determine on which side she’ll stand.

Jen: What inspired the story?

Jae Lynne: I can’t say there’s one single event that inspired the story of Mythic. However, there might be a few factors that guided me in the direction. I’ve been intrigued by vampire lore for as long as I can remember. When I made the decision to write, it was only natural that I gravitated toward the world of vampires. I found my subject, but I wanted to be different and wondered what would happen if vampires mated with humans. What sort of challenges would their offspring face? Would they be accepted in either world?

During that moment, Gianna Marino and the world of Mythic were born.

Jen: Who are your literary influences?

Jae Lynne: I have several favorite authors whose work I’ll stop everything to read. Joey W. Hill, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Larissa Ione, and Sharon Page are at the top of the list.

Jen: You write some really great love scenes. Are you comfortable writing those or does it ever feel weird? Tell me about your process for putting intimate scenes on page.

Jae Lynne: Thanks so much for the wonderful compliment! Surprisingly, I find loves scenes easiest to write. As a romance reader, I look forward to reading these scenes most, because it’s the chance for the characters to express raw passion.

How to I transfer intimate scenes from my head to a page? Well, I don’t do a thing until my iPod is blaring a selected playlist. Then I start with a believable setting that’s natural for the characters involved.  Once the passion ignites, I’ll place myself inside the scene and often write what I’d feel, if placed in the characters’ shoes. I’ll add notes of my favorite colognes and write how the fragrances might smell when intensified by body heat. There’s so much that can be said through a single touch, the way a man places his lips against a woman’s skin, and the manner in which lovers embrace.

There could be a character in a particular story who isn’t exactly expert in verbal communication of feelings and emotions, but the way they make love to their partner, seeking their lover’s pleasure above their own, speaks louder than any profession of devotion. The successful conveyance of these things makes a love scene a powerful transition in both the relationship of the characters and in the story as a whole.

Jen: Will we see more development of the Gianna/Mattias/Nicholas story in Dante's book?

Jae Lynne: Absolutely! I’m just getting started, but I can say the two men will remain a constant presence throughout her journey.

Jen: What else can we expect from Dante's book and when do you think it will be published?

Jae Lynne Davies

Jae Lynne: Dante’s book is a bit darker than the first. He’s bitter, tired of being second best, and is about to take EXTREME measures just to claim Gianna for himself. I dive deep into Ancient Greek mythology, and give a lineage to a god and goddess who were believed to have never created offspring. You know that can only mean trouble.

When word is received of suspicious vampire activity, Gianna Marino heads to Greece, where she discovers Dante—Mattias Vitale’s recently resigned second in command, and a dangerous prophecy.

For Dante Diakos is the last of a pure immortal bloodline—a descendant of the gods, and he intends to invoke the power of the entire pantheon on the eve of the Blood Moon which occurs once every millennia. If he attains the legendary abilities, he’ll be the most powerful being on earth, and plans for her to rule by his side.

I’m working diligently to have the novel turned into my editor by Christmas. Keep your fingers crossed and stay tuned for official info.

Jen: Is there anything else that you are working on right now?

Jae Lynne: Besides working on Blood Moon, I’m tackling Desires of a Dark Lord, an erotic tale of a hell-bound demon on a mission and a human woman whose soul he must claim.

Jen: When people see your name on a book, what should they be expecting?

Jae Lynne: Fantastic question! When people see my name on the cover of a novel, I hope they expect sexy, dark, action-packed and unpredictable.

Jen: What are you looking forward to most from AAD in New Orleans next year?

Jae Lynne: Where AAD is concerned, I always plan to have an absolute BLAST! While it’s always wonderful to reconnect with friends, I can’t wait to meet new readers and hear all about what THEY want to read. I hope to attend a few more panels next year and learn some new techniques to strengthen my craft.

You can find Jae Lynne on her website, Facebook, Twitter or Goodreads to learn more. And if you think you'd like to give Mythic a try, you're in luck.  We're giving away a free ebook. Just enter the Rafflecopter form below.  The contest is open internationally. If you give the book a try and you like it, please spread the word. Let's support our small press authors!

Thanks so much to Jae Lynne Davies for chatting with me today.