Tuesday, October 23, 2012

Krystal Shannan Interviews - Jinni James - The Wolfs Maine


Help me welcome Jinni James to the blog today! 

Tell us a little about yourself. 
Thanks for having me today Krystal.  I am a thirty year old wife, mother, and full time administrative assistant who now is an aspiring author. I am born and raised from Huntsville, Alabama and have no desire to move anywhere else.  I love the South.  I just finished my first novel The Wolfs Maine, I have a second one in the editing process, and two more being written.  I am getting there just one step or book at a time.

Did you always want to be an author? What made you choose to write romance?
Secretly I did.  I’ve always had a passion for writing ever since I was a teenager.  I was always writing something whether it be a story or poems.  I didn’t have the courage to begin publishing until last year though.  I chose Romance because who doesn’t love a good romance story?  I am addicted to romance stories so I felt like why not write about what I love?  It just made sense for me.

What is your favorite part of being a writer/author?
My favorite part has to be creating stories from scratch and being able to share those stories with the world.  

Tell us a little about your book. What inspired you to write it?
The Wolfs Maine is a very personal story for me.  I took a risk in writing it but I felt like if I could relate maybe a lot of other people could as well and maybe even if they couldn’t relate they could at least fall in love with the characters.  My inspiration for this story was basically my life.  I was in a horrible marriage and I thought about things I wrote in this story many times so once I got a divorce and met my soul mate the characters and story line just came to me.

Available @

Excerpt:
I laid there with Jaci and watched her sleep.  She only woke a few times but luckily she did not scream.  She just moaned a little and tried to readjust herself.  Hard to do when you’re strapped to a bed though.  I don't know what Michael gave her but it made a world of difference.  Once she was resting quietly again I would lay my head back down next to her.  It felt like I was only asleep for five minutes but before I knew it Lena was shaking me awake.  "Avalon. Wake up. I can take it from here."  I sat up and rubbed my eyes. I couldn't believe Lena was already here to take over.  "What time is it?"  "It's three o'clock in the morning. Go rest a little with John and I will take care of Jaci. Everything go alright?"  "She has been fine. A little moaning here and there but I would talk to her and she would calm down. Nothing like it was before." Lena was so sweet and seemed so much more relaxed now that everyone knew about her and she realized she wasn't alone.  "Okay Lena. If you need anything just come get me. John's room is the one straight down the hall and to the left."  "Sweet dreams Avalon.  That is if you sleep."  Lena let out a giggle and gave me a slight push towards the door.  I must say I am liking this easy going and happy Lena. 

I make it to John's down and I have to stop for a minute and take a breath.  The man I love, actually love is on the other side of this door.  Probably sleeping peacefully so I should be quiet.  I creep open the door and shut it behind me.  Luckily he left his bathroom light on and the door cracked so I could still see.  He thinks of everything.  I started to make my way over to the bed when I heard John moving around.  "Hello beautiful."  "John. You should be sleeping."  He let out a little laugh and rolled over to face me.  "It's a funny thing.  I used to be able to sleep just fine but just the thought of you in another room of my house now causes me not to sleep.  I think I may have dozed off a time or two but nothing all that long really.  Now strip those clothes off and get into bed with me."  I was thanking the heavens that it was dark in here because I know I was blushing.  I had been with men before, not a lot but a few and nothing felt I had ever experienced felt like this.  Sex was always just sex.  It was an act, nothing special.  Now it was like a drug.  The passion, the chemistry, and the connection was enough to make someone lose their mind.  It was addicting.  I striped off my clothes until I was completely exposed and exposed was the perfect word for it too.  I had never been totally exposed to anyone in my life but John made me feel so comfortable.  He lifted the sheets for me to get in and then wrapped his strong arms around me and nuzzled my ear.  "Breathe my Ava."  I let out a long breath and sighed.  Again I could hear the sounds of the water crashing against the lighthouse outside and the bugs of the night singing away and now I could hear the sound of him breathing, I think that was my favorite sound of all.  He nuzzled up near my ear again and pulled me in tighter.  "Are you tired?"  He was playing dirty by nibbling at my ear and neck as he asked knowing damn well I'm not going to be tired with him doing that.  Now I had no trouble breathing at all in fact it was beginning to escalate rapidly.  "No John my love. I am not tired."  He rolled me over onto my back and was facing me.  "I am so in love with you.  I have loved you for years Ava. I can hardly believe your here now.  I'm afraid this is all a dream and I am going to wake up and you will be gone."   Tears began to fall from my eyes. I could feel them rolling down my cheeks.   "I love you too. This might sound crazy but I feel like I have known you my entire life."  "It is because you have."

Do you plot and outline or do you just write?  Plotter or Pantser?
I think I do a good mix of both.  Before I begin writing I plot out most of my characters, definitely the main ones and I have a basic outline of how I want the story to go and unfold however, as we all know that is not set in stone.  As I write things change or I think of something new or a twist to throw in so the story does change while I write.  Sometimes the entire thing gets changed so I back up and start over.  

Can you tell us about the process of getting your first book published?
Since this was my first go round I had a lot to learn.  I still do actually.  But this time I saw where author Tina Folsom uses Createspace to do hers so I decided to check that out.  Turns out it made the process extremely easy.  I made a few hiccups here and there but went back and fixed them.  It was a long process but it was so worth it.  

What advice would you give new authors?  What have you learned about the business?
Given how I am a new author myself I need some more advice. Haha.  So far I have found that paying for an editor and a cover artist is well worth the money.  If your going to self publish I highly recommend paying for these services if it is within your means.

Do you have another book in the works?
I do.  In fact I have three.  I have a book that is in the editing process now called Business and Pleasure.  It’s a contemporary romance.  It is completely different from The Wolfs Maine, no vampires or shape shifters in this one.  This one should be out next month.  I am also working on a sequel to The Wolfs Maine that focuses on Jaci’s story and I am also working on a novella that is yet to be named that is another contemporary. 

What do you like to do in your free time, besides read and write of course?
Spend days out with my family and watching Greys Anatomy. 

Where do you dream of going on vacation?
England/Paris!  

Boxers or Briefs?
Both! Hehe.

Cookies or cake?
Cake

Pizza or hamburger?
Depends on the mood I’m in.  But I’ll say pizza because the only time I want a burger these days is if I’m going to Five Guys. Lol.

Beer, Wine, or mixed drink?
Wine or a martini of some sort.

(Hero/Heroine Character Questions)
What were your first impressions of each other?
John:  Well, since I’ve known Avalon since she was three my first impression of her was how incredibly passionate she was and still is with everything.  My first impression of her once I saw her again later on in life was how truly beautiful she is inside and out.
Avalon:  My first impression of John was how strong he is, not to mention extremely handsome.

What’s your favorite characteristic of each other?
John:  It is so hard to pick one characteristic that sticks out more than any other but I would have say it’s her strength.  She is the definition of a strong woman.
Avalon:  My favorite characteristic of John is his capacity for love.  He loves with every fiber of his being.  

What are your plans for the near future?  
Avalon:  Rest, love, and hopefully finishing up a book tour.
John:  Plenty of love, sex, and maybe a wedding. *wink*

One autographed copy of The Wolfs Maine to one lucky commenter! Winner chosen by Jinni. No email = No entry.

Where to find Jinni @

13 comments:

  1. Great excerpt and I love the cover! Thanks so much for the giveaway opportunity.

    sandy(dot)wolters(at)q(dot)com

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  2. Wow sounds like a really good book. Sometimes it takes a real lemon of a man b4 we find our soul mate. :)

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    1. Thanks! Yes that is very true. It definitely makes finding our soul mate worth it.

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  3. sounds like an awesome book!
    mygirls01@yahoo.com

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  4. sounds like a good read, and thanks for the contest. look forward to reading it either way, as i am also adding it to my tbr list :D

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    1. Thank you!! I hope you enjoy it when you do get to read it! :)

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  5. Nice cover and excerpt.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  6. The cover of this book is gorgeous! I think it's really great that you were able to use some of your own life experiences as inspiration for the book.

    Jyl22075 at gmail.com

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    1. Thank you! The cover couldn't be more perfect for this story and I definitely enjoyed being able to mix in my own personal tid bits into the story. :)

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