J A Saare - Interview and Contest

PVN is delighted to welcome J. A. (Jaime) Saare as she tours throughout the blogosphere to introduce readers to her sexy vampire romances. I have asked her a few questions about vampires and their place in her works, as well as some of the joys and difficulties of the writing life.

Please note that at the end of her tour there will be a drawing with prizes for commenters and tour hosts. More detailed information follows the interview.

PVN:  What attracts you to vampires?

J A Saare:  That’s a loaded question. *smile* I know that it’s bad form to answer a question with a question, but…what’s not to like?  If it isn’t enough that vampires have all the physical traits that make heroes appealing–increased strength, reflexes, and senses–it certainly doesn’t hurt that they are breathtakingly beautiful immortals that will be forever young.  There is so much writing potential as well.  Someone that’s lived a thousand years is bound to have one whopper of a story to share.

Or perhaps it’s mortal vanity that draws me to them.  There is nothing better, in my opinion, than crafting (or reading) a story in which my hero and heroine will exist together for an eternity. That is the ultimate happily ever after.

PVN: What are the characteristics of the vampires you have created?

J A Saare: This is going to sound completely silly, considering the subject matter, but I want to keep my paranormal stories as believable as possible.  Certain fantastical elements won’t draw a reader from the world you’ve created, while others will.  It all depends on what you’re writing.  So by vampire standards, I’m fairly tame when it comes to abilities. In A Kiss Before Dying, Sebastian Arsov is faster, stronger, and more beautiful than a human. But he can’t phase or dematerialize.  In my urban fantasy, the vampires are much the same, but have unique talents they discover upon transformation.

One common trait all of my vampires share is a desire cling to their lost mortality, or if they’re born into the condition, the desire to connect to the mortals around them.  They are not perfect, and they certainly are not infallible. I suppose, for me, immortality must come with a price. I don’t do the tortured thing too heavily, as it’s a worn path to follow. But a person, be it a mortal or immortal, is doomed to repeat the past if they forget it.  I try to keep that in mind when I work.

PVN: Describe Adam Trevlian for us. 

J A Saare: Admirable, loyal, and protective…that’s Adam in a nutshell. *smile* He’s six-feet, five inches of Alpha Lycae male that has served his pack for centuries.

One night in the French Quarter, he meets his mate.  Trouble is Kassia is only eighteen at the time, and due to pack law, he can’t claim her until she’s twenty-one.  Turning away from her was one of the hardest things he’s ever had to do.  He’s a man that comes from a race that mates for life, and has the intense yearning to raise and nurture a family.  But above all, he wants the one woman intended for him.  Moon Kissed is his story, but he makes an appearance in Soft as Moonlight.  He’s got a very dark sense of humor, and he’s not the nicest Lycae you’re likely to meet.  But when it comes to family, he’ll die to protect them.

PVN: Which authors have inspired you? 

J A Saare: Boy, oh boy.  That’s a tough one.  I read so much, and the material really varies.

For romance, it’s Joey W. Hill, Kresley Cole, J.R. Ward, Elizabeth Lowell, Catherine Coulter, and Heather Graham (to name a few).
 
For urban fantasy, it’s Kim Harrison, Patricia Briggs, Charlaine Harris, Laurell K. Hamilton, J.F. Lewis, and Jim Butcher. 

I do enjoy horror and the classics, namely Stephen King and John Steinbeck.

PVN:  Please describe your writing environment and your writing day. 

J A Saare: With four children, the answer is simple–chaotic! I start out my morning at 6am, making lunches for my oldest two while feeding them all breakfast.  Around 7:30, it’s time to check the email, take a gander at the calendar, and take care of the small things (loops, blogs, returning emails).
I once tried to write between the hours of 9-5pm, and then again when the kids were snug in bed, but gave it up a few months back.  It’s too difficult to finish a scene when you’re being pulled away from it constantly. Not to mention that little monster called networking.

I now accomplish my writing from 7:30pm-1:00am, starting after my children are in bed. When the magic hour arrives, I huddle down in my office.  It’s quiet, dark, and more importantly, totally mine.  I select a list from my iTunes (or let it go on random), get something to drink, and barricade myself in the room.
 
On Saturday and Sunday I write a majority of the day, unless we have plans with the children.  I’m very fortunate in that my husband is fantastic about taking care of things and allowing me to work.  I wouldn’t get anything done without him!

PVN: Do you have any favorite paranormal TV series or movies? 

J A Saare: Back in the day, there was a vampire show I loved called, Kindred: The Embraced.  I was devastated when it was canceled. After that, I fell in love with Buffy the Vampire Slayer, and watched it all the way through the end. I also adored the now canceled show Moonlight, and was really sad to see it go. 

I’m sure I’m among the majority when I say I’m a True Blood fan.  I also watch Sons of Anarchy and Heroes. I enjoyed the first couple of episodes of The Vampire Diaries.

As for movies, another good question!  I’m a horror movie fanatic and paranormal and horror go together like peas and carrots!  Most of my favorites are classics: An American Werewolf in London, Cat People, Company of Wolves, Fright Night, Sundown: The Vampire in Retreat, To Sleep With A Vampire, Night Breed, Vamp… the list goes on and on. 
More modern movies I loved were 30 days of Night and The Underworld series.

PVN: What do you do to relax?

J A Saare: I leave the keyboard, phone, and responsibility behind, and take a long, uninterrupted bath.  Even if it’s twenty minutes, it helps me get centered and find focus.  I wish it were something more profound, but right now I’ll take what I can get! *smile*

PVN: Tell us about some of your current works.

J A Saare: Moon Kissed is about Adam Trevlian, Soft as Moonlight is about Wolfe Trevlian (Adam’s cousin), and Lick of Frost is about Luke Trevlian (Adam’s brother).  The timeline is continuous as well.  Soft as Moonlight picks up a couple of months after Moon Kissed and Lick of Frost picks up directly following Soft as Moonlight.

They can be read individually, but they do go in order.  From Moon Kissed, to Soft as Moonlight, to Lick of Frost. 

PVN: Do you have a publication date for Soft as Moonlight and Lick of Frost.

J A Saare: Final edits are scheduled for Oct 9th.  I’m not positive, but I believe they will be released before Halloween.  Lick of Frost was submitted when Amira had a call for Halloween stories (it takes place on Samhain). 

Thanks for having me on your blog, I really appreciate it!
Jaime

PVN: It was a pleasure having you here!

 Contest information

J. A. will be giving away a $10 Amazon.com gift certificate to one randomly drawn commenter from the tour and a $25 Amazon.com GC to the tour host with the most comments, excluding duplicates or J. A.’s responses.

Tour Stops:

October 5: Anne Kane
October 6: Shelley Munro
October 7: Love Romance Passion
October 8: Fang-tastic Books
October 9: Hey! Lady Jane!
October 10: Amber Scott Project
October 11: Wendi Zwaduk
October 12: Patricia's Vampire Notes
October 12: (second stop) Long and Short Reviews Author Spotlight
October 13: Long and Short Reviews Author Spotlight
October 14: Long and Short Reviews Author Spotlight
October 14: (second stop) Jacqueline Paige
October 15: Long and Short Reviews Author Spotlight
October 16: Razlover's Book Blog
October 16: (second stop) Long and Short Reviews Author Spotlight
October 17: Book Junkie
October 18: Geek Girl Reviews
October 19: J. K. Coi
October 20: Readaholic