Monday, November 05, 2018

Interview - Mostly Innocent by J.M. Jinks




What inspired you to become an author?

I always loved to day dream. Still do. Eventually, my day dreams turned into stories, often ongoing, which progressed to writing. Being an avid reader I’d dwell on finished books for weeks, create my own character within other worlds or get inspired from them. Eventually, I had stories so stuck in my head I just needed to get them out. Writing is a cathartic outlet for the day dreaming.


Do you write in different genres?

I do write in different genres, but fantasy is my favorite. I have written YA fantasy, paranormal romance, new adult, and urban fantasy. I even have part of a spy thriller (which is a genre I rarely read so no clue how it popped into my head) somewhere in my laptop.


How did you come up with the title for your latest book?

I came up with Mostly Innocent while half way through writing it. Layla is a good person, but technically evil, and innocent of the crime she’s accused of. But, working for the devil, being a succubus and all, she’s not truly innocent. I then got inspired by this concept and added snippets of things that added a little more texture to this aspect of her.


Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?

There is no real message. I like to read, fantasy in particular, to escape everyday life and relax. So I wanted a fun quick read. With that said, as a woman in today’s world, I couldn’t write about a succubus, who feels she’s enslaved to her life, without discussing the idea of consent and exploitation. 

Is the book, characters, or any scenes based on a true life experience, someone you know, or events in your own life?

There are elements of real life throughout the book. But the most realistic character is Layla’s dog, Doby. He is directly inspired by my own wire-haired terrier, Maddux.

What books/authors have influenced your life?

So many. JK Rowling, Sarah J. Maas, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Laura Thalassa, Scarlett Dawn, Colleen Hoover, Erin Watt, etc.

If you had to choose, which writer would you consider a mentor?

I’d say Jennifer L. Armentrout because she writes across different genres and audiences (new adult, adult, YA, parnormal, urban fantasy, etc.) I’d love to be able to do that successfully and not box myself in one finite category.

What book are you reading now?

Laura Thalassa’s Dark Harmony

What is your current “work in progress” or upcoming projects?

Currently unnamed Mostly Innocent 2. Also, my YA fantasy sitting on the back burner.
Can you share a little of your current work with us?

*The unedited opening line of MI 2*

“A drag queen dressed as BeyoncĂ© stood on a small stage singing about how she is so damn in love she’s drunk—meanwhile I was just drunk.”

Just for fun - If you could have one paranormal ability, what would it be?

I think about this all the time. Definitely teleportation. I love to travel so the ability to go anywhere in a snap is entirely too enticing.

Mostly Innocent
A Powers That Be Novel
Book One
J.M. Jinks

Genre: Paranormal Romance/ Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Champagne Books

Date of Publication: 10/22/2018

Word Count: 58K

ASIN: B07JMCGNM6

Tagline: If you can’t beat them, seduce them

Book Description:

Meet Layla James, your typical smart and snarky chick—except for the whole succubus thing. After nearly a millennium on Earth, Layla’s settled down in a boring life in Palm Springs, until a smoking-hot hunter comes to arrest her for murder. But Layla knows the rules—she'd never kill someone and incite the wrath of The Powers That Be.

Elijah Daines is a hunter, maintaining the balance of good and evil in the mortal realm, his power stronger than any hunter she’s ever encountered. Plus, he’s a seriously sexy distraction. Too bad he’s accused her of a crime she didn't commit.

As the killer continues a murder spree that not only frames Layla but threatens to expose the existence of supernatural creatures to humans, Layla and Elijah team up to investigate. Hopefully, they can fight off their escalating attraction for each other long enough to exonerate her and stop the murder madness.


Excerpt:
He approached the counter. I, or maybe my succubus, decided on a whim I would not be intimidated by his power. I wasn’t sure where my sudden courage came from. He had to have felt my succubus signature. We weren’t a violent race when we controlled our urges. I’m Queen of Control over here. I’m sure he knows I won’t, hurt him. Right?
 But why was he here? Something must have been wrong.
As I walked toward him, I got a better look. His dark hair was in slight disarray and his bright blue eyes scoured my face. He towered over me in every sense of the word.
He and Jolene should go back-to-back so I can get an accurate measure of his height.
I shook away my thoughts of him—it was obvious he came here on a mission. Greek god or not, he was still a hunter, and I—I was a product of evil, aka something he hunts.
“Succubus,” he growled. The one little word was filled with eons of unabashed hatred. The word vibrated through me. All hopes of him wanting a new bathroom paint color vanished. No, this visit wasn’t going to be pleasant, not at all.
Perhaps I could seduce him. Hell, he could do me right on the floor of aisle nine next to the light fixtures, if it kept him from killing me. I bit my lip. But…hunters weren’t typically susceptible to succubi charms. A failed attempt of Aprhodisia could earn more problems.

I released a breath. Some buried deep natural instinct rolled through me again. With that feeling, I decided to stand my ground. I looked him in the eyes, stood up straighter, and replied, “Hunter?”

About the Author:



J.M. Jinks was born and raised in Southern California. She lives with her husband, two dogs, and two cats in her hometown. J.M. has a Bachelor’s in French and a Master’s of Education. She is a teacher by day and a writer by night. J.M. and her husband welcomed a baby boy in May 2018.



J.M. has always had a love of reading that progressed into writing. Mostly Innocent is her first completed manuscript.






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