This week my guest author is none other than Missy Jane. Please give her  a warm welcome to the blog.

 

 

Q: What genre do you write in, and why?

A: My current release is listed as a Paranormal Romance, though I consider it more Urban Fantasy. I didn’t start writing it with any certain genre in mind, but that’s mostly what I read so it’s what came out.

 

Q: How long did you write before you received your first contract for publication?

A: About five years, give or take. I’d only submitted to one publisher and received that rejection before submitting to Samhain.

 

Q: So, if you don’t mind sharing, would you tell us about your latest work in progress?

A: Absolutely! It’s actually a sequel to my current release, They Call Me Death, and stays in that same world of humans and shape-shifters learning to live together. It’s the story of Emily and Lance, two minor characters in the first book.

 

Q: Out of all the stories you’ve written, which is your favorite?

A: The first book I wrote is a fantasy novel in which I included all four of my daughters’ names. I really love that one and I’ve submitted it after major rewrites. I would be ecstatic if it got published, but even if it doesn’t, it holds a special place in my heart.

 

Q: Do you need to be in a specific place or atmosphere before the words flow?

A: Unfortunately not. I can’t tell you how often I’ll be driving and the words just come to me. I’ve started carrying a pen and paper everywhere and learned to repeat the lines in my head until I can pull over and write them down so I don’t lose them.

 

Q: If you could offer one tidbit of information for new writers, what would it be?

A: Take each and every piece of constructive criticism and use it to your advantage. I’ve met writers online who can’t take even a hint of criticism and take everything very personally. I know our words are heartfelt and our stories are our “babies”, but use each experience to grow as a writer.

 

Q: Do you have an evil day job or do you write full time?

A: I have a day job as a bank teller. I really don’t consider it evil because I love my job doing customer service and actually like the bank I work for.

 

Q: What do you like to do in your spare time?

A: I LOVE to read like most writers, and I love photography. I’m also a mother of four, so most of my free time goes to my daughters.

 

Q: Name one thing readers would be surprised to learn about you.

A: I didn’t start reading romance until about two and a half years ago. My favorite authors are actually Stephen King and Clive Barker.

 

Q: What’s your favorite dirty word?

A: pussy…*snicker*. I feel so bad even thinking it.

 

Q: What’s your favorite holiday, and why?

A: Definitely Christmas because I have little ones. Nothing beats the looks on their faces Christmas morning.

 

Q: Do you have any tattoos or piercings?

A: No. I promised myself if I ever had a flat stomach I would get a tattoo around my navel. Four kids later, still no flat stomach.

 

Q: If you could be intimate with three people (not necessarily all at one time *g*) without getting in trouble with your significant other, who would they be?

A: Mmmm, Henry Rollins, Jason Statham and a real live Spartan (after a shower and sans weapons)

 

Q: If you won the lottery tomorrow, what would you spend the money on?

A: After the bills I would take my kids on a Disney cruise.

 

Q: Which household chore do you abhor and why?

A: Ugh, I HATE vacuuming because it never seems to be done. It might be the crappy vacuums I’ve had my whole life but it never looks finished.

 

Q: What’s your favorite comfort food?

A: warm mint tea

 

Q: Do you have a favorite book or movie?

A: My all time favorite book is Of Mice and Men. Favorite movie, Singing in the Rain.

 

Q: Anything else you’d like to share?

A: I really love hearing back from readers, even if it’s to complain about my writing. I can take criticism and if it’s constructive I welcome it.

 

Q: In closing, tell us a bit about your latest release (& share a yummy excerpt for those who aren’t yet familiar with your work)

A: They Call Me Death, is the story of Alexia Williams, a human woman who has gone from housewife and mother to soldier in the army for the Combined Human States. Her family was killed by the shifters who now populate the northern half of North America in their own country, the Federal Nation of Therianthropes. Her job is to help keep the shifters on their side of the fifteen-foot wall that separates the countries. She lives her life from one monotonous day to the next until a Golden Eagle shape-shifter named, Andor, convinces her to help him. Shifters are disappearing on the human side of the wall and he is trying to find out why.

 

Excerpt:

“Show me.” He looked at me, doubt clear on his face as he
unsuccessfully tried to suppress a grin. “Show me, Andor. I won’t
freak out this time.”
He sighed and rubbed his face. I looked at how large his hands
appeared and wondered why I stood with a shifter I barely knew in my
space. The feel of my Glock still in my hand reassured me.
“Would it be too much to ask for you to place your gun…somewhere
else?”
I considered it, but not for long.
“Yes. I shower and sleep with my gun, Andor.”
He grinned and nodded in understanding. He took a step away from
my sofa into a clearer area of the room, removed his coat and shirt
and dropped them to the floor. His wings instantly unfurled from his
body, spreading across the room. I looked him over, and everything
else about him remained human, or as human as usual. I took a step
toward him before I realized what I was doing. Placing my cup on the
counter, I stretched my hand toward the tip of his wing and Andor
froze. I touched the feathers tentatively at first, amazed at the
sheer size of each one. They were soft and beautiful. I had a deep
desire to see them in full sunlight, wondering if they would shine
like gold.
I heard Andor’s breathing speed up, as if he were panting from
physical exertion. I still had my hand on his right wing when I
turned to look at his face. He was watching me with completely male
interest, and I became self-conscious.
“Can you feel this?” I asked, as I ran my fingers lightly over a
feather.
“Y-yes.”

 

You can also read the prologue online:

http://samhainpublishing.com/excerpt/they-call-me-death

 

And view the blurb:

http://samhainpublishing.com/romance/they-call-me-death

 

 

Ms. Missy Jane is the alter ego of a Texas mother of four who has been married to the same wonderful man for thirteen years. About five years ago Missy finished reading a book by Mercedes Lackey and thought “Now, what if…” and a monster was created. Missy now spends most of her time lost in worlds of her own making alternately loving and hating such creatures as vampires, shape-shifters and gargoyles (to name a few). When not writing, she spends her time reading, taking photos of her beautiful daughters and training her husband to believe she’s always right. Excerpts from Missy’s work can be found at www.msmissyjane.com.