Book Review And Author Interview

Description (Goodreads):- They’re here, and they’re real. . .werewolves, vampires, mages, and other creatures of the night. For New York P.I. Shiarra Waynest, taking care of Others business started out as a way to stay solvent. But now business is getting very, very complicated. . .

Shiarra’s relationship with sexy werewolf Chaz may be somewhat unconventional. Still, after a few bumps, Shia is finally ready to get serious. That means meeting family—or in this case, bringing Chaz’s entire werewolf pack along for a rollicking full-moon weekend in the Catskills.

Soon after they arrive, threatening notes appear, warning Chaz to go home. Then their cabin is ransacked. Shia starts digging to find out whether it’s the work of upstart teenaged werewolves or something more sinister. Yet as rumors about her vampire connections arouse the pack’s hostility, Shia has to contend with other dangers. Not just from an adversary about to make his fatal intentions known, but from a threat that’s even closer than she knows. . .

Review:- This is the third installment in the H and W Investigations. I am a huge Jess Haines fan and love this series. Shia is a great protagonist and does not fail to disappoint in this book.

Shia and her hot werewolf boyfriend Chaz start off on a road trip. There relationship has many ups and downs, the main cause being Chaz is a werewolf, an Alfa at that and Shia is a human, not ordinary human, but still a human none the less. Shia is ready to take the relationship to the next level, in the physical sense. So while his clan are off turning into big furry things when the full moon is high in the sky, in a resort, they head off too. Shia thinks this will be a nice bonding session, however she is not welcomed and becomes a target. She uses her PI head, but finds out more than she could have imagined.

Only thing I was disappointed in was that Alec, whom is an old vampire didn’t feature in it more. A very small disappointment and didn’t spoil my enjoyment of this book. This book is a roller coaster of a ride which will keep you hanging on until the end. As with previous books, this is not short on action. You are left with a cliffhanger ending and unsure of Shia’s future. But we have to wait until the next book to find out.

This book is a real page turner, one I would highly recommend for all urban fantasy fans. Shia is a fantastic main character, whom has one kick ass personality. I cannot wait for book four.

The lovely Jess Haines, agreed to an Author interview, which I love and hope you find interesting.

1. What inspired you to write the “H&W Investigations” series?

I’ve always loved to write, and this book just “flowed” once I started writing it. Getting it done took next to no time. Getting it edited is another story…

2. What are your main forms of inspiration?

Anything and everything. I have a lifetime of cheesy movies and novels at my back. Oddly enough, my study of philosophy may have had a hand in some of it. The works of authors like Kim Harrison, Jim Butcher and Laurell K. Hamilton were the ones to inspire me to write urban fantasy. Bill Watterson may have had a hand in developing my sense of humor. Stephen King taught me the value of suspense and horror.

What inspires a particular idea to write about could be anything. Sometimes it’ssomething I overhear. Sometimes it’s a picture or painting. A movie. A song. Someone I pass on the street. Ideas come to me all the time. Finding the time to put them all down on paper is the hardest part.

3. What was the hardest scene to write?

A sex scene in book four. The entire time I was writing it, I had to force myself not to recall that my mom reads my books… *blush*

4. Do you edit your first draft as you go along, or do you wait until it is completed?

If I edit as I go along, I never finish a draft. I force myself to wait until a draft is complete to do any editing, other than catching some obvious typos or grammar errors.

5. Do you write in silence or do you listen to music?

Both. I’ve also been known to write while the TV is going in the background. I’m actually writing my answers to this while a DVD is playing right now.

Background noise isn’t much of a distraction to me. Since I have so little time to sit down and write, I do it whenever and wherever I can.

6. What is your favourite supernatural creature and why?

Dragons. They’ve got treasure, long lifespans, the ability to fly, magic, and they’re the biggest kids on the block. What’s not to love?

7. Who are you favourite authors?

I’m a huge fan of Stephen King, whose work encouraged me to think outside societal norms. Bill Watterson (Calvin and Hobbes) taught me that imagination coupled with humor knows no bounds. Janet Evanovich taught me that sometimes the hero doesn’t start out special or strong or talented, but becomes that way over time. Laurrell K. Hamilton introduced me to urban fantasy and first planted the idea that I could get something published in the genre, too. Jim Butcher, and Kim Harrison taught me that a sense of humor in fantasy was not only okay, but something to strive for. Lastly, but certainly not least, Greg Costikyan taught me that you don’t have to reinvent the wheel in fantasy to create a worthwhile and engaging story.

There are many other books and authors that have touched me in some way, but I think those cover a lot of the bases.

8. What was your favourite book as a child?

There were a lot of books I loved. My favourite is a tossup between THE TRUE CONFESSIONS OF CHARLOTTE DOYLE, INCIDENT AT HAWK’S HILL, and THE ISLAND OF THE BLUE DOLPHINS. They all address a certain love of nature and the elements, and a young person overcoming adversity in some of the harshest conditions imaginable. I don’t know what that says about me, but they have stuck with me and I still have and occasionally reread my copies of every one of those books.

9. What are you currently working on?

I’m hard at work on books four, five, and six in the H&W Investigations series. I’ve also been poking and prodding at a paranormal romance novel set in the same world, but featuring different characters. It may or may not ever see the light of day, but I’ll be putting more attention on it as soon as I wrap my deadline for book 4.

10. What advice would you give to aspiring and unpublished authors?

Writing: Do not attempt without coffee and/or chocolate. No, seriously—trite though the statement may be – don’t give up. Work hard at your craft, be open to constructive criticism (versus out-and-out carping criticism), and be willing to improve your work.

There are a few advice posts I’ve written for various blogs, such as Guide to Literary Agents. You can find many of them linked on my website: www.jesshaines.com. I’ve occasionally given writing advice amidst all the other stuff I ramble about on my blog, too. Visit me anytime: http://www.jesshaines.com/blog

Thank you so much Jess for stopping by and doing this interview. It’s been lovely having you and hope you stop by again soon. x

Disclaimer:- I was sent this book by the lovely Jess in exchange for my honest review.