1-What inspired you to become an author?
My imagination and passion for
storytelling were my inspiration. I loved to tell stories as a kid and the
older I got, the more stories I told.
I decided to write romance stories
because I’m a romantic at heart and enjoy writing and reading about tortured
souls who find themselves and their soul mates and calling in life.
2-How did you come up with the title for your latest
series?
The title Mates of Nethermore came to me when I wanted to write an erotic romance
fantasy series about the nether creatures in folklore. I mashed all these beings together and came up
with some pretty malevolent villains.
As for the heroes of the series, well
they are paranormals or humans who get caught in the antagonists’ evil plots. Not
only do they have to fight to survive, but also to find true and lasting love in
the new harsh and cold dystopian world that has evolved.
3-Do you title the book first or wait until after
it’s complete?
I make up a title for a series before
I even write the overall outline of the storyline.
But as for individual story titles,
no, I always choose a title once the outline or the story is completely written.
4-What books are in your to read pile?
My Kobo Aura is stacked! I think I
have almost a hundred books I haven’t yet read. Most of them are the first books
in paranormal romantic suspense series, which I got free at Kobo. I love taking
chances on new authors I’ve never read before. I’ve uncovered so many good
books and writers this way. For instance I’ve recently discovered the talented
Bella Andre and Stephanie Rowe’s this way. I read the first book in a series
they offered on Kobo, got hooked, and then bought the rest of the books in the
series after that. Now I’m a huge fan of all their work. J
5-What is your current “work in progress” or
upcoming projects?
I’m writing the seventh book in the Shifters of the Claiming Kind series. There
is a new character I’m introducing to the series who is a big surprise for the
readers and for the Brooks brothers.
Once I’m done with this story, I’ll
either write the next book in Mates of
Nethermore or Harbor of Lost Souls.
It depends on which premise that I have in mind solidifies first.
6-Who designed the cover of your latest book?
The extremely talented and wonderful
cover artist Harris Channing has created all my covers. She is the best! She
always reflects what I want and how my heroes look in her creations. Actually,
her covers are even better than what I imagined they would look like. J
7-Do you have a song or playlist (book soundtrack) that
you think represents this book?
No, there isn’t a song or playlist
that I can say represents this story. But you know what. Please don’t laugh
when you read this. You’ll probably think I’m super weird, which I am. J
But I started listening to soundtracks of storms while I write. That’s what I
was listening to part of the time when I wrote To Mate a Wolf and all the stories since then.
It’s so invigorating, so powerful. It
actually stimulates my ears and in turn my brain to be more productive and
creative. J
I always used to love sitting on my
covered balcony during thunderstorms when I was a kid. Listening to the thunder
and watching the lightning strike the sky always gave me goose bumps. I never
really outgrew that interest. It always made me feel so alive to see how
powerful Mother Nature can be.
8- Do you have any advice for other writers?
It’ll take you some time before you
find your true voice. And you may change it a few or many times as you evolve as
a writer and as a person, but once you find the true author you, go for it with
your whole heart and soul. Write and keep writing from the heart. It’s the best
feeling ever!
To Mate a Wolf
Shifters of the Claiming Kind
Book 2
Jordan Ashton
Genre: Erotic Alternative Paranormal Cowboy, M/M, shape-shifters
Publisher: Siren Publishing
Date of Publication: October 2014
ISBN: 978-1-63258-432-8
ASIN: B00P89X9CO
Number of pages: 93
Word Count: 21,486
Cover Artist: Harris Channing
Book Description:
Evan Michaels has just become the mob’s number one target. They want him dead before he can tell the police what he knows. When the Brooks brothers, five kind and brave wolf shifters, offer their aid and protection on their cattle ranch, Evan jumps at the offer.
Chandler Brooks opened his home to Evan Michaels, a cute half-lynx who was in dire need of his and his brothers’ protection. But he never imagined he’d open his heart, too. All this time he thought an eternal mate didn’t exist, until Evan came into his life. He tries to win the frightened and cocooned half-lynx’s heart and make him his life mate. But a past lover returns, determined to ruin any chance Chandler has at love and happiness.
Can Chandler make Evan trust him and open his eyes to the everlasting love that exists between them, while protecting him from a hidden and deadly danger lurking nearby that’s ready to strike?
Available at Bookstrand Kobo Amazon Amazon UK BN
Excerpt:
When they got to
the range, Chandler removed his hat and rested it on a wooden post, then
waltzed up to a magnificent black horse. Patting its black mane, he said, “This
here is Wanda. She is a thoroughbred. I bought her from our neighbor Sal
Winfred. He owns several racehorses. She’s too old to race competitively
anymore, but she’s perfect for us.”
He turned to get
the burgundy leather saddle resting in the corner of the stall and hauled it
over her, securing the straps on both sides.
Jumpy and
fearful, Evan stammered, “D–do you have a super slow pony I can ride instead?”
Chandler
laughed, his pearly white teeth sparkled in the beaming afternoon sunlight.
“Wanda is the slowest and tamest we have, I’m afraid.”
Evan’s armpits
began to perspire with his apprehension, and he really regretted wearing this
light blue T-shirt which turned dark blue when it got wet. Soon he’d be a
sweating slob. And if he lost his grip on Wanda and landed on his ass or his
face in front of his dreamboat hunk, well, there went any chance of making a
good impression.
“All right. I–I
guess I have no choice but to ride her,” he stuttered.
“I’ll be riding
with you, if that reassures you.” He gave him a slanted, flirty smirk.
Panic and
excitement twirled around Evan like a tornado, making him anxious and super
uneasy. He hoped he didn’t forget to put on deodorant after coming out of the
shower, because with all the sweating he was doing, he’d start smelling like
the horse they’d be riding pretty soon.
“Unless you
prefer to go solo…” Chandler tilted his head to the right.
Evan shook his
head. “No, believe me, the last thing I want to do is ride Wanda solo. I’m
scared I’ll hurt her or she won’t like me and hurl me off.”
Chandler held
out the stirrup, grinning. “No, she would never do that to you. She likes you a
lot. You’re a super likable guy, you know.”
Evan blushed as
he put his foot into the stirrup and hoisted himself onto Wanda. Her wide girth
had his tense inner leg muscles stretching.
Once he was
settled, he absorbed Chandler’s words. You’re a super likable guy. Was that a
good thing or a bad? Was he likable as in he could be a good friend? Or was he
likable as in a boyfriend-boyfriend relationship? He hoped Chandler meant the
latter.
After Chandler
positioned himself behind him on the horse, he wrapped his arms around Evan to
reach for the reins. Evan lost his breath when Chandler’s nose tickled the back
of his neck through his stretching movements. His heart raced fast. He could
feel its pulse in his throat.
“Sorry about
that,” Chandler apologized.
“It’s okay.”
Evan squeaked and coughed, trying to clear the nervousness from his throat.
Chandler’s
cologne smelled sweet, alluring, and very familiar. Was it Drakkar Noir he
wore? Before he could ask him if it was, Chandler squeezed Wanda’s sides, and
she began to gallop slowly.
Evan gasped.
“You okay?”
Chandler’s warm breath caressed and tickled Evan’s ear and cheek.
“Yeah,” he
mumbled, trying to get a grip on his raging hormones and stop his churning
stomach.
Wanda continued
to gallop at a steady pace. Soon Evan’s drumming heartbeat settled to its
natural pace as his fear began to subside. He stared out at the vast
grasslands. It was breathtaking. He’d only witnessed this type of view in
movies or still life photos, but never in real life.
As if reading
his mind, Chandler said, “It’s thirty acres. My parents started this ranch some
thirty-one years ago. They had just moved to Oklahoma when someone told them
that this place was being sold through an auction. The previous owner had
passed away. He had no kids or wife, or any other family who could inherit it,
so it went to the state upon his death.
“They got it at
an amazing price. My brothers and I have always lived here. It’s the only home
we’ve ever known.”
Evan sighed
slowly, still admiring the land. “And it’s beautiful.”
Chandler nodded,
gazing around as well. “Yes, it is.”
After a moment’s
silence, Evan turned to stare into his eyes. He said, “Felix told me your
parents died when you were only twenty-one and you had to look after your four
younger brothers all by yourself.”
Chandler stared
back in silence. He wasn’t smiling nor frowning, and he seemed to simply be
thinking. Evan wondered if he was remembering the past and how it must have
been hard for him to have so much responsibility put on his shoulders at such a
young age.
“Yeah, I did. I
also had to take care of the ranch. It was really difficult at first,
especially with Bane, my hardheaded brother. It isn’t easy for two alpha wolf
shifters to get along. And at that time he was a rebel, to say the least. But
we all found a way to get along and work together.”
Staring deeply
into Chandler’s eyes, Evan said in a soft, low voice, “You’re remarkable.”
Chandler
chortled. “Thanks. No one has ever called me that before.” His laugh turned to
a soft smile. “And so are you.”
Blushing once
again, Evan lowered his gaze. “No, I’m not. I was never like you. I wasn’t a
responsible person or caring of others. I was the opposite. I let my brother
and my mom down.”
Chandler gently
touched his chin, lifting it so Evan’s eyes would meet his. “You were young,
and didn’t know any better. But now you do and have changed. So stop putting
yourself down and be proud of who you’ve become. Evan Michaels, you are one
remarkable, handsome, amazing guy.”
He leaned in,
joining his warm lips to Evan’s. Electricity traveled through their contact,
taking Evan’s breath away.
About the Author:
Jordan Ashton is a writer and wife whose passion for reading romance novels led her to writing them, too. She believes love can conquer all and that it makes the world go round, not money. Her heroes, heroines, and the worlds she creates bring this belief to life. She is and will always be a true romantic at heart.
Bookstrand: www.bookstrand.com/jordan-ashton
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Author_J_Ashton
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100006608238654
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5 comments:
Your books look so good!! Ty for the giveaway!! xoxo
Thanks, Roxanne,for interviewing me and featuring my book on your blog. :)
Hi Jodi. It's nice to meet you. Thank you. Good luck with the giveaway. :) :)
Sounds like a fabulous read
Thank you for an interesting interview. I often find it difficult to listening to music if I am working so if I want to relax & concentrate I have a background noise of cats purring and its surprisingly productive. Thank you also for the giveaway.
Tysm its a pleasure to meet you as well! :)
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