AAD Meet and Greet: Author Jean Murray Interview +

Jean Murray

A little about myself… I live in the DC metro area with my family. I write paranormal romance and urban fantasy. My inspiration comes from the most unexpected places. My favorite treasure-trove of ideas are found in the myths, legends, art and history that surround us. Where does your inspiration come from?

 

About you:

Do you have any hobbies?

My writing is my hobbies besides reading. It gives me a way to escape my everyday stressors. Now that I have my Kindle, my hobby is even easier to feed.

What do you like to read?

I’m very much a paranormal reader. I like vampires, demons, and witches. Anything dark and gritty.

Can you tell us some of your favorite books you've read?

Jacquelyn Frank’s Nightwalker series, I have to say, are some of my favorite. If I had to pick a favorite Nightwalker, it would be Noah. Ms. Frank made me a paranormal convert. She does a fabulous job at romance and world building. I haven’t turned back since.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

I’m very much into dark paranormal now. Currently, some of my favorite authors are JR Ward and Laura Adrian. The series are very similar in nature and I think I like them because of the sense of brotherhood among the alpha males. They are willing to fight and die to protect the ones they love. And despite their alpha natures, they treat their women with respect.

If you can meet any author in person dead or alive, who would it be and why him/her?

JRR Tolkien, the father of modern fantasy literature. Now that man had an imagination and an endless supply of creativity. To create your own language for a novel is such a commendable undertaking. I would love to sit and discuss his philosophy on writing. It would be an amazing thing.

AAD:

What part of AAD are you most looking forward to?

The people. The authors, other readers and Stella’s amazing gift of MC made my experience fabulous. I had attended the first AAD in 2009. Everyone was so friendly and open, a much better experience than mega conferences. It was very personable. I was utterly shocked at the devotion of some of the fans who had flown miles to see their favorite authors. At the time I had just started writing, but thought what a great uplifting experience that had to have been for both the author and reader.

What do you hope to walk away with from AAD?

More readers and friends in the community! I’m hoping to actually connect with readers and other authors and get to know them. What they like to read and write? What are they hungry for? How can I feed that craving through my writing? I’m looking for my next series theme, and I really believe the readers have the answer.

Have you ever been to AAD before? If so what was your favorite part?

I went to the very first AAD in 2009. My favorite part was sitting down to eat. Yes, the food was great and plentiful, but it really was the small table discussions that made it memorable.

Are you on any panels? if so can you tell us which ones to look for you on?

I’m so excited that this year I get to sit on the other side of the table. I am going to be on the following panels: e-book authors, light paranormal, spontaneously paranormal, food and clothing in romance and most importantly, I’m one of the featured authors at Blogger Sleep Over and the Mythos Ball. What better venue to talk about Egyptian gods. Plus, there will be plenty of free Soul Reborn give-aways to take home.

Your Writing:
How did you first get into writing? Has it always been your dream?
Funny you should ask. My journey to writing was very unconventional. After having three kids, I was desperate to find a new hobby. What I didn’t realize, the answer was buzzing around in my head in the form of stories and plot lines that I would think up to pass the time while doing a multitude of other chores. It was my form of relaxation. During a long business trip with no kids and only time on my side, I pulled out my laptop and started writing. It was my hobby come true. The words, characters and plots poured out of my fingertips with ease. When I finished my first manuscript, I printed it out and gave it to my husband to read. I’m not sure what I thought he would say, but he said the most unexpected words. This is really good. You should publish this. At the time I was stunned. This was just a hobby, right? Two years later, I accepted my first publishing contract and have dedicated my debut novel to my husband. To Paul, my husband, who saw my potential, believed in my abilities and encouraged me to try.

What genre do you write?
Dark paranormal, all the way. I must not get enough stress out in my day job, because I like to come home and torture my characters. LOL. I very much like darker side of emotion, initially. For me as a writer, next to a fascinating plot, the characters have to be real and sometimes that isn’t pretty. The journey the character must take and the emotional tolls of life I think are the most moving part of a story. To finally lift out of the darkness and find happiness is rewarding not only for the hero and heroine but the reader, as well.

Do you have any must haves when you sit down to write?
Music. It inspires my muse. My choice depends upon the story I’m writing. For Soul Reborn, I used very dark music to set the tone while I wrote. Bands like Evanescence, 3 Doors Down and Skillet were my favorite while writing Soul Reborn. For the second book, Soul Awakened, I listen to Skillet most often.

Can you tell us how a typical writing day for you is?
After I tuck the kids to bed is when I write. It is the quietest time in the house with limited interruptions, except maybe my husband snoring. LOL. Nothing a little music can’t cover.

What is one thing you think sets you apart from other authors?
That is hard to say, there are so many talented authors out there. I guess if I had to narrow it down, a large majority of paranormal is dedicated to vampires and for good reason. Their hot and persistent! For me, I wanted to try something different, a blend of the different subgenres, witchcraft, shifters, vampires. The Key to the Cursed series is based in Egyptian Mythos, which is teaming with opportunity. I chose to bring the Egyptian gods out of their 5,000 year old slumber to present day. The Egyptian Underworld gods, my heroes of the series although benevolent, crave living energy in the form of souls, blood, sex— you name it. Their hunger allows them to fulfill their commission in the Underworld, but it is also their Achilles heel. The series has witchcraft, curses, zombies, shifters, and yes, bloodletting. I think it will grab a broader base of reader or at least I hope. I made sure it is an action packed ride from start to finish.

Your Books:

Soul Reborn

THE HUMAN REALM, HIS BATTLEFIELD.


Asar, the Egyptian God of the Underworld, has been tortured and left soulless by a malevolent goddess, relegating him to consume the very thing he was commissioned to protect. Human souls. Now an empty shell of hatred, Asar vows to kill the goddess and anyone involved in her release, but fate crosses his path with a beautiful blonde huntress who has a soul too sweet to ignore.


DEADLY SECRETS BETTER LEFT UNEARTHED.


Lilly, fearless commander of the Nehebkau huntresses, is the only thing standing in the way of the goddess' undead army unleashing hell on earth. But Lilly has a secret—one she is willing to sell her soul to keep. If the Underworld god discovers her role in the dig that released the goddess, she will lose everything, including his heart.

TAGLINE “Only the strongest love can unlock the souls of the Underworld.”


Publisher: Crescent Moon Press
Web Address: http://www.crescentmoonpress.com/
Marketing Director: Marlene Castricato midnightcandle1@yahoo.com ;
Purchase Link: http://crescentmoonpress.com/books/SoulReborn.html
Purchase e-Book
Purchase Print
Genre: Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 978-0-9828200-6-3
Length: Novel
Publication Date: Feb 2011
Cover art by Ash Arceneaux

Can you share with us anything you are currently working on?

I’m working on the second book in the series, Soul Awakened. Kendra is the youngest of the three sisters and the most innocent. Bakari has been tortured for five years and Kendra is the key to his awakening. But, Kendra has caught the eye of Bomani, the Commander of the Underworld Legion. May the best man win!

Can you share with us your first book ever published?

Soul Reborn is my debut novel. I’m so excited to share it with you today and the next. Tomorrow, I’ll be reading an excerpt so stop by and listen.

Can your share with us your most recent release, or a soon to be release?

Soul Reborn will be released in a few weeks. Please visit my blog for the release date that is soon coming. www.wickedromance.wordpress.com .

What has been your favorite book you have written so far? why is this one your favorite?

Soul Reborn will always hold a special place in my heart as it was my break out novel. I love the hero and heroine, Asar and Lilly. They set the tone for the series— second chances at love and redemption. But I have to say, Bakari, Kendra and Bomani will be just as compelling.

Extras:
Where can readers find you?
Blog - http://www.wickedromance.wordpress.com/
website - http://www.jean-murray.com/ –coming soon.
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/profile.php?id=1654613283
(not sure how else to post this link)
BOOK TRAILER: http://www.youtube.com/user/KeytotheCursed

Do you have a link to your book list?
 http://crescentmoonpress.com/books/SoulReborn.html

Do you have a newsletter?
 Not yet.

Would you like to stop by and chat with the commenter's in the comment section?
Absolutely.