Full Moon Bites: Author of the Week Jaye Frances, Interview & #Giveaway! #FMBAuthor

Monday, December 24, 2012

Author of the Week Jaye Frances, Interview & #Giveaway! #FMBAuthor

Jaye Frances is the author of "The Kure," a paranormal-occult romance novel, "The Possibilities of Amy," a coming-of-age romance, "The Cruise-All That Glitters," a humorous adult satire about looking for love at sea, and "The Beach," a sci-fi fantasy about a man who is given the opportunity to receive his ultimate wish and lives to regret it. She is also a featured columnist for the NUSA SUN magazine. Born in the Midwest, Jaye readily admits that her life’s destination has been the result of an open mind and a curiosity about all things irreverent. When she’s not consumed by her writing, Jaye enjoys cooking, traveling to all places tropical and “beachy” and taking pictures—lots of pictures—many of which find their way to her website. Jaye lives on the central gulf coast of Florida, sharing her home with one husband, six computers, four cameras, and several hundred pairs of shoes.

Holly: Hi, Jaye! :) Would you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Jaye Frances: Thank you, Holly, for having me on Full Moon Bites this week. I grew up in the Midwest, where I learned to roller skate, play softball, and make tunnels through snowdrifts. I currently live on the gulf coast of Florida, where I’ve learned to build sandcastles, make huge margaritas, and apply sunscreen with my eyes closed. I love to cook, travel to tropical destinations, and take pictures—lots of them. I also write a monthly column for the NUSA Sun magazine, published in Florida and distributed internationally. Oh, and I’m a shoe whore—my husband thinks my collection borders on the obscene . . .

Holly: What is your favorite genre to read and what makes it so intriguing?

Jaye Frances: There are actually two genres that I especially enjoy. One is comedy, particularly satirical, edgy, wry—David Sedaris comes to mind. I also enjoy a great story woven around a supernatural element, even more so if
the author has included enough realism and authenticity in the characters, location, and background to suggest the story is based in fact, even raising the possibility it could be true.

Holly: Can you tell us a little bit about your books?

Jaye Frances: “The Kure” is a paranormal-occult romance novel set in 1860’s Kentucky about a young man, John Tyler, who finds himself in a rather unexpected and desperate situation. Seeking options for a cure, he discovers an ancient manuscript containing a forbidden ritual. When he learns that Sarah Sheridan holds the key to unlocking its secrets, he devises a plan to meet her and somehow convince her to join him in unleashing the book’s power.

“The Possibilities of Amy” is a romance novella, told from the perspective of David, a high school senior, who becomes infatuated with the new transfer student, Amy. When David discovers that his buddies have singled out Amy as the prize in a carnal contest, he is desperate to find a way to protect her from their hormone-driven antics.

“The Cruise-All That Glitters” is an adult satire about Dean, a thirty-something overly-confident single guy, who books passage on a cruise ship hoping to find the mother lode—a boatful of beautiful, sexy women to have his way with. When he meets two very different women, he learns a few hard lessons about expectations, fantasy, and love—or his version of it.

“The Beach” is a supernatural sci-fi suspense thriller about Alan, a less-than-likeable loner and self-proclaimed master of his sandy domain. When a stranger presents him with an opportunity to change his life, he negotiates the fulfillment of his deepest desire, making a decision he ultimately lives to regret.

“Love Travels Forever” is my newest release—a collection of my favorite, and very personal, short stories and essays, inspired by people who have touched me with their tales of courage, compassion, and love.

Holly: What made you decide to switch between so many genres each time you wrote a new story? And how are you able to do that?

Jaye Frances: I have a great respect and admiration for authors who are able to focus and align their creative talents to one particular genre, or perhaps to a continuing series or group of characters. I wish I had that kind of discipline. My own writing tends to vary in both point of view and genre based upon the inspiration for the story and the lineup of potential characters. One of those characters is going to be the better story-teller, often because they have the advantage of experience, or simply because they’re up close and personal with the action, which obviously provides them with the more interesting —and candid—perspective. While I’ve certainly been tempted to pre-define a project by the parameters of genre or from the expectations of an audience who live and breathe that genre, I find myself drawn to exploring the divergent, disturbing, or touching events that are constantly in play all around us.

Holly: Do you allow your spouse to critique your work?

Jaye Frances: I’m extremely lucky (and grateful) to have a talented and resourceful husband who not only supports my career, but also plays a very active part in its success. I value and trust his objective and honest opinions. And equally important, he calms me back to sleep when I wake up screaming from nightmares after spending the day working on a particularly frightening or gruesome scene.

Holly: What are the most important elements of good writing?

Jaye Frances: I’ve always believed good writing becomes a great story when it engages the attention of the reader by developing an emotional and intellectual connection—one that refuses to be broken, no matter how high the flood waters are rising! While there will always be the essential elements of character development, setting, and tone, the most telling aspect of any book is how it is received by a reader—a completely subjective experience.

Holly: If you are self-published, why did you decide to take this route of publishing?

Jaye Frances: The road to publication was a rather circuitous one with lots of detours. I initially pursued the traditional approach, believing my books had to be in a bookstore before nyone would buy them. But two years ago—about the same time as Amazon and the Kindle began to revolutionize the publishing industry—I realized I wanted more control over the marketing and sales process. I also began finding books from new authors—really great authors—who were self-published. For me, it was confirmation that writers could reach an audience without the frustrations, delays, and politics of traditional publishing. And just as important, it also meant the stigma attached to self-publishing was being replaced by expectation and possibility. So I jumped in. The biggest hurdle since is trying to wear all the hats in both a creative and business mindset. I’m still learning, but I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Holly: Do you have anything you would like to say to your readers?

Jaye Frances: Today’s readers have an incredible selection in the number and variety of books from which to choose, owing primarily to the emergence of new and effective self-publishing platforms. And that influence has dramatically changed the role of writers and the relationship they form with their audience. Instead of taking their pointers from publishers, authors are listening to readers, often engaging them on a one-on-one basis, requesting feedback and comments. The result is more diverse genres, greater specificity in meeting reader’s expectations, and just plain better writing.

From a personal standpoint, the fact that someone decides to read one of my books is incredibly gratifying. I encourage you to take risks and chances with your reading selections. Wander into unexplored territory, curl up with a new author, one who promises to challenge your barriers and boundaries. Set your expectations high. And write when you find work.

Random Quickies!

Holly: Ebook or hardcover/paperback?

Jaye Frances: Ebook for the convenience and fun factor, paperback for the tactile fix, hardback to keep my desk from wobbling.

Holly: Favorite color?

Jaye Frances: White – pure, simple, innocent . . . something I wish I were!

Holly: Night or day?

Jaye Frances: Daybreak and sunset. Everything in-between . . . not so much

Books by Jaye Frances

The Kure is a paranormal-occult romance, set in 1860’s Kentucky. I have some background information on my website about the dark historical practices taking place at that time, and how they contributed to the inspiration for the story. Because of the storyline and theme, The Kure is best suited for an adult reader.

The Possibilities of Amy is my New-Adult/Mature YA coming-of-age story about high school romance. (It contains some mature language.)

The Cruise-All That Glitters is a twisting, edgy adult satire on romance, about a single man looking for love, or his version of it, on his first cruise vacation. (The story contains mature language and situations, and is best suited for an adult reader)

The Beach is scheduled for an August 15 release, and is a sci-fi fantasy about a man who has the opportunity to change his life, and is horrified when he lives to see it come true. The story is paired with a novella called Short time, where you’ll meet a respectable but bored middle-class executive who exchanges his future for six months of excess and extravagance, only to find out the price he must pay for his hedonistic indulgence is beyond anything he could have imagined. (The stories contain mature language and themes.)

In Love Travels Forever Jaye

Frances

captures the reader’s heart with an inspiring collection of seventeen stories filled with romance and passion, the hopeful innocence of youth, and a love so strong that it transcends the mortality of life. Here are just a few of the people you’ll meet.

Enter below to win a kindle copy of The Kure!

"In vain thou shall use many medicines, but thou shalt not be kured. And even though you search for a virgin to lay upon her balm, there is no healing for you. You multiply your remedies in vain as your cries fill the earth, and you will stumble, one over the other, and both will fall down together." - The Book of Eternal Regret

John Tyler, a young man in his early twenties, awakens to find a ghastly affliction taking over his body. When the village doctor offers the conventional, and potentially disfiguring, treatment as the only cure, John tenaciously convinces the doctor to reveal an alternative remedy—a forbidden ritual contained within an ancient manuscript called the Kure.

Although initially rejecting the vile and sinister rite, John realizes, too late, that the ritual is more than a faded promise scrawled on a page of crumbling paper. And as cure quickly becomes curse, the demonic text unleashes a dark power that drives him to consider the unthinkable—a depraved and wicked act requiring the corruption of an innocent soul.

Ultimately, John must choose between his desperate need to arrest the plague that is destroying his body, and the virtue of the woman he loves, knowing the wrong decision could cost him his life.

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Labels:2012,Author Interview,Author of the week,December,Giveaway,Jaye Frances

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