Interview: Author Faith Hunter + Giveaway

Filed in Faith Hunter , Giveaways , Interview , The HEA Lover Posted on January 12, 2011 @ 7:00 am 44 comments
Today we have the pleasure to welcome Author Faith Hunter on Book Lovers Inc. Mercy Blade, the 3rd book in her Jane Yellowstone series, was released last week. Jane is a very ‘wild’ vampire-hunter and she is always very well surrounded…just sayin’ *wink* Please give a warm welcome to Faith! Stay until the end for a chance to win 1 of the 5 copies of Mercy Blade and a gorgeous pearl and crystal necklace!

BLI: Faith can you please tell us a bit about yourself?

Faith: I am a fantasy writer, born in Louisiana and raised all over the south. As Faith Hunter, I write urban fantasy (Jane Yellowrock series) and post apocalyptic fantasy (Rogue Mage series). Under the penname Gwen Hunter, I write action adventure, mysteries, thrillers. As Faith and Gwen, I have 22 books in print in 26 countries. I make jewelry for relaxation, and for fun I RV with the hubby and the two Pomeranians to Class II and II rivers and kayak whitewater. (The dogs stay in the RV, in air-conditioned comfort!)
I am one of the founders and contributors of MagicalWords.Net, a forum for writers and readers, about writing and all things fantasy.

www.faithhunter.net, www.gwenhunter.com, magicalwords.net

BLI: Describe a typical day of writing? Are you a planner or pantser?

Faith: I am an outliner, for sure. I call it OOPS – Organic Outline ProcesS.  But what I outline are only plot points. What happens inside the character in the book, that is always such a surprise! And that surprise factor is why I keep writing.
My day is pretty mundane. Up at 8-ish. Take dogs out. Email and work. Rewrite previous day’s pages. Brunch. Write about 8 hours. Supper at 8. TV and dogs and hubby get attention. Bed at midnight. Except when I’m on the water. Then the schedule goes all to hell!

BLI: What do you think is the difference between a reader and a real Book Lover?

Faith: Oh wow. A reader will pick up a book and put it down to fix supper or watch a TV show. A book lover, however, opens a book and lifts it to her nose and inhales the ink scent. Yeah, I know it’s probably toxic, but work with me here! If she has a Kindle or Nook, she also buys the paper version so she can have the book-experience: the smell, the texture of the paper. When she opens a book, she’s looking for an experience, looking to be sucked in to a character’s world. She carries the book to the kitchen and the bathroom and forgets she has to work tomorrow until her SO rolls over and growls, “It’s two a.m. Shut off the light!” She tells all her pals about a book she loves and is always waiting for the next great book find. But mostly? If she has to choose between a pair of killer shoes and a month’s worth of good books – she takes the books! I know I do. I didn’t buy a pair of boots in 2010 at all. But I blew a lot of money on books!
BLI: Most parts of your Jane Yellowrock books are set in New Orleans. What do you think is the appeal of the Big Easy as a setting for a novel?
Faith: New Orleans, even after the devastation of Katrina, is unlike any place in the US. It is a vibrant, friendly town. It’s old and new, rich and poor, white and black, sitting cheek-to-jowl. It smells and feels old-world rich and old-world poor, nearly European in its energy, yet full of life and industry and an organic passion. It smells of coffee and food and you can hear music everywhere! I adore it!

BLI: Can you tell us a bit more about the world your novels are set in?

Faith: The Rogue Mage novels are set in a post apocalyptic world where the angels came back and billions of humans died of the plague they brought, of war with the demons and Darkness that followed. And when the first generation of PostAp babies were born – they could do magic. Thorn St. Croix is a stone-mage. And becomes a battle-mage as well.
The world of the Jane Yellowrock novels is our world in every way. Except for a shift in the historical time line when vamps and witches came out of the closet. When Marilyn Monroe was staked by the Secret Service while trying to turn the president of the US, in the oval office, the millennia-long secrets were revealed. From that moment, everything is both the same and very, very different. These books are more lighthearted and funny and real, in the sense that the world is our world.

BLI: The vampire society in your novels is rather complex. How do you yourself keep track of those?
Faith: Oy. Not easy. Okay, it’s hard! I have a computer file that is in desperate need of updating. I never really expected the books to be as popular as they are, and I was sloppy in keeping the file up to date. I just turned in the 4th book of the series, Raven Cursed, and I have a month for other projects – one of which has to be updating the file!
BLI: What I always found exceptional in your novels is the concrete distinction between Jane and Beast. It made it very easy to distinguish who is in charge and it always fascinated me to see the different way both characters thought. How did you came up with that idea?
Faith: I’ve always heard voices. The story-telling voices not the other kind. Well, maybe the other kind too.  Anyway, I was sitting with Kim Harrison and we were exploring the idea of new books and series and I bounced it off of her. Then I read the first Temple Grandin book and I was hooked on the animal brain as opposed to the human brain versions. And I began to remember the old Tarzan movies. You know, Me Tarzan. You Jane.
BLI: Jane is a really complex character, not only because of her coexistence with beast. Can you try to give us a short rundown about her?
Faith: Try is right. It’s not easy, because to me, Jane is like one of those faceted crystal prism balls. When you hold it up to look inside, it looks transparent, but it also bends light around in strange and wonderful ways. It is clear, but throws off rainbow hues. Jane is like that. Violent, broken, tender, loving, giving, solitary. She is a Cherokee Skinwalker—possibly the last of her kind. She is a modern woman. She is a warrior woman who accidentally did black magic once, very long ago, and now has the soul of a mountain lion inside with her. She is … complicated, partially because her own history is lost to her in a version of traumatic, protective amnesia that left her isolated from everyone. I thought the series would be a way to unravel who she is, but is seems she is growing more complicated! Welllll… Her love life is growing more complicated…

BLI: In Blood Cross Jane was found kissing 2 very different men. Will we see more of Rick and Bruiser in Mercy Blade? *puppy eyes*
Faith: Yes. Oh my yes! Both men are a big part of her life. Jane likes one guy and her Beast likes another, so it’s hard to just pick one… And Beast assures Jane that, “Big-cats do not mate for life.” In Raven Cursed (book 4) we’ll see Rick and a new guy. And then a set up for a Leo and Bruiser book (5). Not that Jane sleeps around. She’s a little too uptight and reserved for that. But she is sexual. And men like her.

BLI: What can we expect of Mercy Blade?

Faith: A lot of action! A lot! Jane is torn in new and different ways with the appearance of weres in her life. She has an unwelcome houseguest. Rick goes missing, undercover again. Or is he? Bruiser is always there. But something isn’t right with him either. And then there’s the Mercy Blade (what is he?), and the weres, and the Grindylow, who is a different kettle of fish altogether.
BLI: In Mercy Blade the shifters are finally coming out to the world. How do you think our society would react to something that?
Faith: Panic, curiosity, denial, attack, delight. Every single person would go nuts in their own way. I would love it! I would even love watching the conspiracy nuts banging off the walls! The religious trying to adapt to a new world view. What fun!

BLI: Will there be more books in this series?

Faith: After Raven Cursed, I have nothing under contract. It all depends on the readers and how faithful they are to the series. Fans make or break books, and writers live on their joy and love of books. If fans buy books and tell their friends to buy books, then a writer gets contracts. So far, Jane Yellowrock is selling, If I do my job well and the fans like it well enough to do theirs, then yes! I can only hope!
BLI: You have also written the Rogue Mage series, do you have plans to have follow-ups, following Thorn or different characters?
Faith: Because the last book felt like there was more scope to explore some loose ends. I loved Thorn’s world, and I am hoping when that when my agent goes back to contract negotiations, she will be able to get a Thorn book. I have the 4th book all outlined! Also, I have the Rogue Mage world book / role playing game coming out some time this year, and that might spur some sales. So it is possible, and I am hoping!
BLI: Do you have anymore ideas percolating that you would like to write, for example like different genres?
Faith: I wrote so many books in the mystery / thriller genre, that I’ve enjoyed the break for the last 3 years, but I’m getting an itch to do another. Maybe a thriller crossover into Jane’s world, with another, secondary, male character as lead. I also thought I might like to do a historical thriller. We’ll see.
BLI: What is next on your schedule? Anything else we should keep our eyes open for?
Faith: I have 5 short stories to write. Raven Crossed comes out sometime at the end of 2011 or the beginning of 2012. I’d love to have an early release! And Rogue Mage, the RPG.

BLI: Now can you tell us 3 reasons why people should read your books?

Faith:

1. If you read urban fantasy, and you like a little romance with your action, Jane Yellowrock is your gal!
2. If you want something different in a character voice, well, Jane has two – herself and Beast.
3. My heroes are very sexy, complicated men. And Jane just can’t pick between them. Sexual tension is the name of the game.
4. (I know you said three, but I really do have four!) Bad guys you love to hate, and good guys who are To. Die. For. Maybe literally.

BLI: Which 4 characteristics should a perfect heroine have in your opinion? And do you think Jane fits this description?
Faith: Wow. That is the first time I’ve ever been asked this! Good question.
1. She should be strong. Readers want to read about someone who can do what they can’t do, but want to do. Like kick bad-guy butt.
2. She should be broken. Readers like to see characters who have flaws, problems, empty or dark places in their souls, people who make do and push through the darkness no matter what. Life is hard. If a broken character can do it and find joy, then maybe I can too. I think that’s why I write broken characters. I’m broken. Healing, but broken.
3. She should be tender. A character who is too hard is boring. A robot. A character has to care for someone. Otherwise she’s just a psycho killing machine. Something has to make her weep.
4. She should be capable of love, even though she fears it. She should be willing to step out and try love. Even though she’s scared.
And yes. Jane is all that. She is Beast-strong. Broken by her past and the years she lived away from humans in her Beast body. She loves Angie Baby and Molly, her godchild and best friend. She wants to love. Even though it hurts.

BLI: Could you give us a short summary of your novel twitter style (140 characters or less)?

Faith: I don’t twitter well, but here goes.

Jn Yllwrock vs wwolvs n bar. MB saves. Leo nuts. Ppl kild. Jane investgats & fights. Brusr n Jn n shower. Hot. Rick kdnppd & suprse endng.

That left out so much. But I’ll take it.
Thank you for the opportunity to be here.
You guys are GREAT!

BLI: Thank you Faith for taking the time to answer all our questions…even the evil ones *wink* 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Giveaway

Faith is generously offering lots of prizes:

– 5 copies of Mercy Blade to 5 lucky commenters
– A fantastic pearl and crystal necklace with an adjustable chain length

All you have to do is ask Faith a question or leave a meaningful comment about the interview.

(You can read our full giveaway policy here)

Please leave us a way to contact you.
(Email in blogger profile or twitter name – no way to contact you – no entry).

This giveaway is open worldwide!

Giveaway ends on Saturday January 29th and we will announce the winner on Sunday.

Bonne Chance!
Copyright 2010-11 Book Lovers Inc.

About Susi


Susi is a geeky vegetarian from Gemany. She just finished university and now works as a civil engineer in steel construction. Besides her reading addiction she also knits like a maniac while listening to audiobooks. Susi also blogs at the Secret HEA Society.

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44 Comments

Join the Discussion
  • debbie January 12, 2011 at 9:01 am

    I liked the interview, it was really good. You mentioned you would like to do a historical thriller. What is your favorite time in history?
    I would love to read your books.
    twoofakind12@yahoo.com

    Link
  • tina werner January 12, 2011 at 9:39 am

    wow, do i ever love your description of a book lover! LOL!!! i also did not buy a pair of needed boots last winter, but i did blow a lot of money on books haha! you've described me to a T.

    thanks for the interview!
    looking forward to reading your books!

    tina

    stampitchick at yahoo dot ca

    Link
  • RK Charron January 12, 2011 at 11:35 am

    Hi 🙂
    Thank you for the interview with Faith Hunter & thanks to Faith for sharing here & taking the time to write such indepth answers.
    All the best,
    RKCharron

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  • Robin K January 12, 2011 at 11:57 am

    Absolutely fantastic cover. My favorite of the series yet. Thank you for the great interview. I love reading the twitter descriptions.

    robin [at] intensewhisper [dot] com

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  • Tynga January 12, 2011 at 12:10 pm

    Well by Faith's definition I am most definitely a book lover. I read at work and every 30sec I have a pick up my book and read lol WOuldn't want to waste away those precious seconds

    Thanks for the giveaway!
    TyngaUF(a)gmail.com

    Link
  • Katie January 12, 2011 at 12:57 pm

    Great interview! I haven't read any of Faith's books before, but they have been on my wishlist forever.

    I love the description of the worlds both series have. They sound interesting and fun!

    Thanks!
    Katie
    bigferret at email dot com

    Link
  • elaing8 January 12, 2011 at 1:39 pm

    Great interview ladies.Got some of my questions I had about the series answered.
    Thanks for the giveaway.
    elaing8(at)netscape(dot)net

    Link
  • LSUReader January 12, 2011 at 1:59 pm

    Yay for Louisiana folks!

    Thanks for a fun interview. Your books are new to me and I look forward to reading all about Jane.

    Question–using your criteria for a perfect heroine, can you give us your top three favs by other authors?

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  • Melissa (Books and Things) January 12, 2011 at 3:06 pm

    Wonderful interview!
    When researching the book for Jane, how did you come up with this way for jane to be a skinwalker? Since skinwalkers are usually not the "good" type because they have to skinwalk in a VERY different way.

    books (dot) things (at) yahoo (dot) com

    Link
  • Estella January 12, 2011 at 3:16 pm

    I enjoyed the interview. How did you decide on a mountain lion for Jane's beast?

    kissinoak at frontier dot com

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  • Jolene Allcock and Family January 12, 2011 at 4:41 pm

    Thanks for the interview and I loved your book description. Can't wait to get ahold of these books, sounds amazing

    june111@att.net

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  • buddyt January 12, 2011 at 4:52 pm

    I enjoyed the interview and getting to know a bit more about the author.

    What caught my attention as well was the remarks about New Orleans.

    I have always wanted to visit there especially at Mardi Gras time. It must be a fabulous time to see that great city.
    Thanks for the giveaway and for opening it to wordlwide entries.

    Carol T

    buddytho {at} gmail DOT com

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  • Sullivan McPig January 12, 2011 at 5:48 pm

    I got this series on my wishlist if only for the droolworthy covers! the Story does sound like my kind of story as well I will confess though 😉

    Link
  • Barbara E. January 12, 2011 at 7:39 pm

    I'm fascinated with Jane and her inner "Beast." I love the premise of a skinwalker with the soul of a mountain lion inside her. I haven't had a chance to start the series yet, and Skinwalker got a little buried on my TBR shelf, but with all the attention with the new book coming out, I'm putting it at the top of the list.

    Barbed1951(at)aol(dot)com

    Link
  • sablelexi January 12, 2011 at 8:01 pm

    I was sold with wanting to read your books when I read that the Jane Yellowrock novel's world's different than ours thanks to Marilyn Monroe…lol

    jlynettes @ hotmail . com

    Link
  • Laura H. January 12, 2011 at 8:18 pm

    Thanks for another great giveaway! My question for Faith–if Jane Yellowrock ever made it to the big screen, who do you envision playing the lead role?

    BornajhawkATaolDOTcom

    Link
  • Beverly January 13, 2011 at 5:25 am

    Great interview – I love that you put the author blurb at the top – grabbed my interest right away and made me want to read the rest.
    I loved how she describes the book lover! That is soooooo me! I can't tell you how many times my kids have had to remind me to make dinner!
    Do you base your characters partly on people that you know – or just build people you would like to know?
    Thanks for hosting the giveaway!
    Please enter me. I am an old follower.
    bevsharp@desch.org

    Link
  • Mikki-Manó January 13, 2011 at 11:10 am

    First of all, thanks for the giveaway. I love these kind of books. Every time I hear or read about New Orleans, vampires and other creatures come to my mind, and I don't know why. It may sounds a little bit strange, but maybe I read too much paranormal book.
    I read the reviews of the books of Jane Yellowrock series and I liked what I read. I can't imagine someone who can turn into any creature she desire. And your heroes are sexy and complicated? Hmm, be sure you just got a new reader =) =)

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  • Tore January 13, 2011 at 1:25 pm

    Faith I would love to read your books. They sound really good. What suggestions would you have for someone who would like to write a book for the first time? Please enter me in contest. Tore923@aol.com

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  • Mikki-Manó January 13, 2011 at 1:31 pm

    Oh, and I forget my email, sorry:

    mikki-mano (at) hotmail (dot) com

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  • Bethany C. January 13, 2011 at 4:26 pm

    These are some of my favorite covers ever! Obviously urban fantasy but unique, and just overall stunning.

    If it were up to you to decide, what do you think the ideal amount of books in this series would be? Do you think some go on too long (and characters eventually need resolution) or do you think that if a series is good it could go on indefinitely?

    b(dot)cardone(at)hotmail(dot)com

    Link
  • -petit January 13, 2011 at 6:33 pm

    I didn't read any of Jane Yellowstone books yet, but they seems wonderful! They're already in my shopping list! Thanks for the giveaway!
    sweet.sayumi@yahoo.com.br

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  • Elizabeth January 13, 2011 at 11:31 pm

    I love the Jane Yellowrock series, I read the first 2 back to back last year when the 2nd one came out. I also love your description of a book lover which totally describes me. I have a huge TBR pile & tell everyone about the books I love

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  • Teril January 14, 2011 at 12:24 am

    This book sounds just amazing. I have not read the series but now that I saw so many great snippets it is a total TBR for me.
    Thank you for coming on and inspiring me more. I have total cover love on this book!
    terilhack at gmail dot com

    Link
  • Kaya H January 14, 2011 at 12:26 am

    I saw a few reviews on this title out there and I must say i love a good strong heroine. The cover is amazing! It needs to be a poster on my wall!
    This series sounds amazing. I don't know why my local bookstore has never had any in stock. I will mention that when I go in to rave about hearing this book! Thank you so much for coming on here. I cannot wait to check these titles out.

    kasuranna at yahoo dot com

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  • Keisha Talley January 14, 2011 at 3:47 pm

    Great interview
    Who is your favorite author and why?

    Ktalley28@gmail.com

    Link
  • Melinda Carlo January 14, 2011 at 4:12 pm

    Thank you so much for the interview! Before I never had a hobby, but I started reading a couple of years ago and I'm totally addicted.. Reading is my heroin 😀 I look forward to your books they sound intriguing. Thank you so much!!

    chicky_baby23_2000@yahoo.com

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  • heatwave16 January 14, 2011 at 8:35 pm

    Loved the interview. Great description of the perfect herione. i think that definitely sums up what I look for.

    With all of your different books, is one topic your favorite? do you find Jane or your Rogue series easier to write?

    heatwave96(at)hotmail.com

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  • Jessica Peter January 15, 2011 at 12:53 am

    It's so exciting to see another person who both writes and crafts! I try to balance both, but it's the writing I hope will be an income-generator one day. 🙂

    Another way to tell of a real book-lover? Reading at stoplights. Something I'm definitely guilty of. (And that's another reason why I'm not giving up paper books for my e-reader – using the e-reader, even at a stoplight, would be illegal!)

    Link
  • Meredith January 15, 2011 at 10:37 pm

    My question is Do you feel there are any other cities that would be a good setting for a vampire story?

    meredithfl at gmail dot com

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  • drey January 16, 2011 at 12:25 am

    Awesome interview! I've read ALL of Faith's books, and I love them! I found Jane through another favorite author (C.E. Murphy), and picked up Thorn because I ran out of Jane (but boy am I glad I did!).

    And as for reader vs book lover, I have to say I've done the read-till-it's-almost-time-to-wake-up-for-work thing too many times to count. That and the walk-into-stuff-that-gets-in-your-way-when-your-nose-is-buried-in-a-book thing. My bruised shins/knees/thighs/toes/etc are ample evidence that i'm not just a reader! *grin*

    dreyshouse at gmail dot com

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  • natalie23 January 16, 2011 at 7:53 am

    I'm definitely a book lover. I once missed my bus stop while reading. This would have been ok in summer, but in winter it means walking along narrow lanes in snow, in the dark, with hardly any houses near. I was only 15 at the time, since then I don't read im moving vehicles.
    My favourite male character is Bruiser, do you have a favourite, or do you like them all equally?

    natalie23[at]hotmail[dot]co[dot]uk

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  • Mel January 16, 2011 at 1:50 pm

    I love Jane & Beast – it makes them unique in UF as far as I'm concerned! The first two books are set in New Orleans with quite a heavu workload, so if Jane ever took a holiday where would you send her to relax for a bit? 🙂

    Mel S
    notanotherbookblog(at)hotmail(dot)co(dot)uk

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  • Deea January 16, 2011 at 2:41 pm

    Hey!

    Great interview! I already like Faith… and if I like the writer, I love her books!:)) The Jane Yellowrock series has been on my TBR list for a while, but because I prefer to read more books in a series in a row, I waited for Mercy Blade to be released before getting to it. Now Faith gave me the perfect 4 reasons to read the books, so I'm starting the first one right away! I hope I'll get Mercy Blade soon.

    Oh… and turns out I'm a real Book Lover, not crazy. *relieved* :))

    andreea(dot)c88(at)gmail(dot)com

    xoxo

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  • Stacy (Urban Fantasy Investigations) January 17, 2011 at 10:39 am

    I very much enjoyed Mercy Blade and would love to own it.

    Stacy
    CHllybrd(at)gmail(dot)com

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  • winnie January 17, 2011 at 2:37 pm

    Thanks for the interview and giveaway! I have never read any of Faith's books, but this series is now going on my TBR list for sure.

    chibipooh(at)gmail(dot)com

    Link
  • Marianna January 19, 2011 at 7:24 am

    I just am in love with the covers for the Jane Yellowrock series. I haven't read any of the books yet, but they are on the top of my TBR list.

    patronus89013 at yahoo dot com

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  • Deea January 20, 2011 at 11:05 am

    Update: Ok, so I finally read the first book in the Jane Yellowrock series and I'm in LOVE! I need Mercy Blade ASAP! *squee*

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  • Pink Panther January 22, 2011 at 9:53 am

    I've read some of Faith's books and they are simply… GREAT! The plot is intriguing and readers are guaranteed to be hooked!
    Thanks for the lovely giveaway! You can reach me at luvpinkpanther@gmail.com

    Link
  • Darlyn January 23, 2011 at 12:13 am

    Got to read your books!I love reading about complicated men (and sexy!)too! And bad guys to hate even! Cool interview. I enjoyed reading it ;p

    darlyn225 at gmail dot com

    Link
  • Wrayth Lethe January 24, 2011 at 9:17 pm

    I recently got hooked on this series and I couldn't wait for Mercy Blade! Love the ending, a really good ending sorta cliff hanger that just makes you really want to know "what happens next"

    My favourite parts of the series would probably be Beast, and also Jane finding out about her heritage 🙂

    sethos_lethe@hotmail (dot) com

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  • Diana January 27, 2011 at 8:59 am

    Thanks for the interview and giveaway!I haven't read any of the Jane Yellowrock series but they are on the top of my list now!

    artgiote@gmail.com

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  • Ina January 28, 2011 at 2:29 pm

    oh my, I can't believe I almost forgot to comment -.- so here we go – Faith, I can't wait to read your series!! It's already on my wishlist and it sounds unique, but unfortunately I haven't had the time to read it yet…
    thanks for a very interesting interview and congrats on your newest release!
    greetings, Ina

    Link
  • Offbeat Vagabond January 28, 2011 at 4:41 pm

    I have been dying to get my hands on this series. I discovered it pretty late. Sounds very unique. Great interview hon and thank you for sharing 🙂

    drharleyquinn87 (at) gmail dot com

    Link
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