Jun 20, 2011

Interview with Jocelynn Drake + GIVEAWAY

Hey all! I have Jocelynn Drake over here today for a little Q&A! I asked her a few questions awhile back about the series and other whatnot! And don't forget that the FINAL Dark Days novel, Burn the Night, releases June 28, 2011! I can still remember when I first heard of Jocelynn's books at it was at RT 08, I had went just for the signing day and while I was at Rachel Vincent's table she gave me a postcard with Jocelynn's upcoming book on it! And thus I was sold!

JESS: How does it feel to be ending your first series? Besides the feeling of sadness for leaving familiar characters, do you feel it's necessary as some other authors have when they ended their own series?

JOCELYNN: I’m definitely sad to be closing the book on the series. I’ve known Mira & Co. for several years. They’ve been in my thoughts for so long that I feel as if they are my family and it’s hard to say good-bye to them. Every once in a while, I still think of something that I didn’t have time to accomplish with them or a character that I wish I had had a chance to spend more time with. I think that’s part of the danger of creating such a big, detailed world. There just isn’t enough time for everything.

But in the end, I think it was time to bring it all to a close. I had started the series to tell Mira’s story as she battled the demons from her past that were threatening to eclipse her future. I got the chance to see both her and Danaus grow into wonderful people and what parent couldn’t be more proud of that?

JESS: There has been a lot of tension growing between Mira and Jarbari throughout the series, so is there going to be a big fight, so to speak, between them?

JOCELYNN: Oh, yeah! There’s definitely a big fight between Mira and her former mentor Jabari. By the close of the fifth book, Wait For Dusk, Mira has accomplished what Jabari needed her to do and she has now become a liability that he can’t afford to let live. She’s threatening him and his desires. I have to admit that in the early books, I sometimes wondered if there can be some kind of reconciliation between them, but as he revealed more and more about himself, I knew that Jabari was only concerned with his own desires. While Mira and Jabari sometimes wanted the same thing, Jabari could only trust Mira so long as he could control her. His betrayal was something that Mira has struggled with for a long time.

JESS: In 5 words how would you describe your Dark Days series overall?

JOCELYNN: Dark, Dangerous, Deadly, Devious, and Delicious.

JESS: Would you ever consider writing a YA series alongside your adult one? Why or why not?

JOCELYNN: I have tossed the idea around and even tried to plot out a YA a time or two, but I’ve not succeeded. I don’t feel like it’s a good fit for me right now. I think part of it is that when I was trying to work on those YA stories, I was trying to force my mind back to memories of when I was a young teen and I couldn’t come up with any really good memories to draw off of. And right now, I feel like I still have a lot to say to adult readers through a number of genres.

However, I recently turned it on its head and wondered what I would say in a book if I were writing to my children (not that I have any, but I do have an over-active imagination which helps). I’ve gotten stronger, more positive feelings that way, so I’m not totally ready to close the door on YA yet. It just might be a while.

JESS: When not writing or working, what do you like to do in your free time?

JOCELYNN: I love to read, play video games, and watch movies. (As you can see, I don’t get out of the house much.) I also visit with my family frequently as they live close to me.

JESS: What's your next project going to be about?

JOCELYNN: I am also hard at work on the first book in a new series. This is a totally new and exciting world. After working in a closed/hidden world, where humans were in the dark, I decided to throw the doors open on this one. In this world, magical creatures live along side of humans, but they are all lorded over by powerful witches and warlocks. In an effort to get ahead in this world, many people will turn to the tattoo artists, who, for the right price, can give you love, luck, or revenge with the right tattoo and potion. The series centers on a skilled tattoo artist and his co-workers as they struggle with their hidden pasts and the interesting customers that come through the door.

JESS: What books are you currently reading or read last?

JOCELYNN: The last books I’ve read recently include: “Eat Prey Love”, “The Undead Next Door”, and “How To Marry A Millionaire Vampire” by Kerrelyn Sparks, as well as “Vampire Interrupted” by Lynsay Sands. I also fell in love with “Sins of the Heart” by Eve Silver. I have been searching for some lighter reading while still in the paranormal genre as it helps to keep my mood up. When I read dark, I tend to write dark, and I’m trying to keep my new series lighter than the Dark Days series.

JESS: What's the most embarrassing thing that's ever happened to you at a conference or signing? (if you care to share!)

JOCELYNN: Does sounding like a babbling idiot while surrounded by awesome writers on a panel count? No, I don’t think I sounded like an idiot, but I’m always afraid of making a fool of myself in front of a crowd. Give me time, I’m sure I will eventually. I’m not always good about censoring what I say.

Anywhoo… I’m always embarrassed when I misspell someone’s name when I’m signing books. I have spent my entire life correcting people when they say or spell my name incorrectly so I am very conscience of it when I misspell someone else’s name.

CONTEST TIME! Jocelynn has offered up a SIGNED copy of Burn the Night to 1 lucky reader! And this is open to International readers as well!

Contest is open now through Saturday, June 25, 2011 at 11:59 PM (CST) winner will be announced Sunday the 26th.

To enter leave a comment with your email address and tell me how you first found out about Jocelynn's books, or if you haven't started them yet, what led you to want to read them?


**Also just wanted to let everyone know that I will be out of town this weekend and into next week. I might not be around in the blogging world for a few days, but I will absolutely try to get the winner picked and emailed. Should be able to squeeze that much in!

36 comments:

  1. Hi There! I just found out about these books today. They just sounds great!

    lisasworldofbooks @ charter.net

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  2. I originally discovered the Dark Days series through posts in Jeaniene Frost's blog. I became completely hooked and it has become one of my favorite series of all time.

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  3. Honestly I don't remember how I started reading the series. I will say that I work as a book seller and I am always recommending the series to people that are looking for a smart series to read. I've already prepaid for it to be downloaded on my Nook on the day it comes out. I would LOVE LOVE a signed copy to finish off my collection though!

    devyndawson@yahoo.com

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  4. dragonflame_94@yahoo.com

    I first found out about Jocelynn's novels when I was looking for a good vampire book to read to start off for a summer. I ran across Nightwalker, I read the description of the novel and I just had to buy it. I was addicted after the first page. I loved her series ever since.

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  5. I found Jocelynn's books through random chance. I was grocery shopping one evening and was kind of board so I wandered over to the book section. As I was casually scanning them the cover of Nightwalker grabbed by eye. I picked it up and read the cover blurb. Intrigued, I turned to chapter one and started reading. By the third page I had that warm feeling you get when you find a well written story and thought "Oh yeah, this is coming home with me!" Into the basket it went and I walked straight to checkout so I could head home and start reading.

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  6. I first started reading the Dark Day novels last year when my best friend introduced me to them. To be honest, at first I wasn't really into them, but overtime I found them to be very addicting. Now, a year later, I'm freaking out because I can't wait for Burn the Night. Amazing series! ^_^

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  7. hey there what a great interview. i have to say this is my first introduction to them. but i just went and put them on my amazon wishlist. they sound amazing and i cant believe i havent heard bout them before.

    babydoll82959307(at)aol(dot)com

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  8. I picked up the first book in the series while browsing in a book store and I've been hooked ever since. I had the pleasure of chatting on Facebook with Ms Drake and she is very nice. I am very excited, but also sad, to read the last book in the wonderful series.

    My email: lmdewalt@gmail.com

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  9. my mom told me about thre series we read a lot of the same books. vbarton24 at gmail dot com

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  10. I found the first book on a display at Barnes & Noble and was hooked from the beginning. I can't wait to read the last book!!

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  11. I found out about these books from this interview - retweeted by my bookishways. It was a great interview and the author's site cinched it for me. I'm adding this series to my TBR list!

    shauntih(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  13. I really can't remember how I found out about this series.
    Probably the usual way.
    I just Google whatever I'm in the mood for reading & then read the reviews of the books that pop up.

    But I definitely know that I have been a fan before the 3rd book was published :)
    I must have read the books 3-4 times already.
    Can't wait!!

    rocmuller@gmail.com

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  14. I haven't read her Dark Days series yet, but after reading so many good reviews I added it to my wishlist. Thank you for the interview and for the giveaway! :D

    Giada M.

    fabgiada (at) gmail (dot) com

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  16. I came across the Dark Days series while checking out other authors who wrote about vampires shapeshiters etc, I bought them, read and got hooked on them and now sad that the series is coming to an end which sucks as it seems a few authors I read have series ending too....
    So I would love to win a copy of the last book....
    jomjorg@yahoo.com

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  17. Great giveaway!!! Thanks for making it international!

    tasnim-sheikh[at]hotmail[dot]com
    twitter - @star_light91

    Tasnim x

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  18. I have not read any yet my mom told me about her wonderful books and is letting me borrow the first of em to read. vbarton24 at gmail dot com as far as wanting to read them the books got me when I read witched and warlocks lol vbarton24 at gmaildot com

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  19. I came across the books while I was at the library. It looked interesting. It was the cover that caught my eye. And I started reading it. Once I did, I couldn't wait for the next book. Once I started, I had to keep reading. And I am in love with the series. I've reread them six times. And now I'm waiting for the last book.....I'm getting impatient, though.

    mdelaluz-92@hotmail..com

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  20. I have been hooked ever since I saw the first one on a new release table in Borders.

    bacchus76 at myself dot com

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  21. I first ran into this series at a Border's. The cover of the first book caught my eye and after reading the back I was hooked. Great books and an amazing author. I can't wait to see where she will go from here.

    aydinfirechild@yahoo.com

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  22. This series popped up on my amazon recommendations and I'm SO glad I checked them out. I've been hooked since the first! : )

    Semisweetbookblog@gmail.com

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  23. So sorry to see this series end. I ma looking forward to what you come up with next.
    linda at gordonvalley dot com

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  24. I can't believe this series is ending.Its one of my favorites.I'm looking forward to reading her new series,it sounds so good.

    How I came across this series? It was through a review I read for the first book.I went out that day and got book 1.
    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

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  25. Thanks for the giveaway!
    I have all the previous books in the series but only read the first two so far. I like to drag the pleasure lol
    I don't remember how I first heard of it though.
    TyngaUF(a)gmail.com

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  26. I have a friend who has the same taste in books as I do. She gives me books and I do the same for her. The first 3 of the Dark Days series were in the first set of books she gave me. I have been hooked on them since then. I love Jocelynn's style of writing and fell in love with her characters from the beginning. She makes it very easy to become attached. I have read every book so far and am very much looking forward to 'Burn The Night'.

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  27. I heard about Jocelyn's books when Nightwalker first came out and then I met her at RT '09. The Dark Days series is wonderful and I'll be sorry to see it end. I know Jocelynn will come up with something new and fabulous in her next series and I can't wait to see what that is.

    Barbed1951 at aol dot com

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  29. Hey! I got to learn of this series while i was browsing through a list of recommended books in Goodreads.com, and when i got to read the synopsis of Nightwalker, i was like, this sounds like it has some plot potential, and so i have started reading the series. At first, i thought there were too much violence and no romance or funny parts to soften everything, but as the plot progressed, i found that that there was more wit, love, compassion and humor than i at first thought possible. It really is a great series and i cant wait to read the final instalment.

    cypsays_hi(AT)hotmail(DOT)com

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  30. I cant think of off hand where I heard about Jocelynn's books but when I first started reading a lot i searched a lot of times for Urban Fantasy Series and I assume I got them off of one of my many searches.

    Chllkybrd(at)gmail.com

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  31. Oh oh oh, this looks good. Count me in!

    queen_tui AT hotmail DOT com

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  32. Hi!! My sister recommended me the books. At first, I wasn't sure i would like cause i was a little tired of vampires and werewolves. But Mira and Danaus captivated me from page one, and have become one of my favourite couples in urban fantasy.

    Jocelynn has become one of my favourite authors too, and now my sister and I have something interesting to talk about lol.

    herdys(at)gmail(dot)com

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  33. I first found out about Jocelynn's books when a friend of mine who lives in Australia sent me the first book in the series as well as the first book in 2 other vampire series. I read Jocelynn's book loved it and ran to pre-order book 2.
    It was the best book gift I have gotten by an author I had never heard of. I have all the books now and love them all!

    moiraethefates(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  34. Hello, I found her books randomly and was so glad I did as I love them all. I have read them all and cannot wait for this new book, however, I am sad that it is the final book for Mira. I can't wait to see what she does next. Also, I met her last summer and would really love to have a signed copy of this book to go with my set! Thank you!
    -Lindsey
    linzbeth07@yahoo.com

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  35. I first heard of Jocelynn's books through Jeaniene Frost as well; I bought the first two (Nightwalker & Dayhunter) in the hard cover and was hooked. Can't wait for Burn the Night!
    Thanks for the giveaway!
    folksohana at gmail dot com

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  36. I started reading these after a coworker brought me the first one. I instantly fell in love. Thanks for the giveaway!
    ferretvamp14[at]live[dot]com

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