Interview and Giveaway with Jocelynn Drake

I love this series and I will be sad to see it end. Burn the Night will be the final installment and Jocelynn Drake was gracious enough to grant me an interview and giveaway spot on her blog tour. Exciting! The details for the giveaway will follow the interview. Make sure you check out my review. Enjoy!

*Burn the Night is the final book in the Dark Days series. Are you sad to say goodbye to Mira and the gang, or do you feel it was “time” and ready to move on to other things?

I’m definitely sad to be closing the book on the series. I’ve known Mira & Co. for several years. They’ve been in my thoughts for so long that I feel as if they are my family and it’s hard to say good-bye to them. Every once in a while, I still think of something that I didn’t have time to accomplish with them or a character that I wish I had had a chance to spend more time with. I think that’s part of the danger of creating such a big, detailed world. There just isn’t enough time for everything.

But in the end, I think it was time to bring it all to a close. I had started the series to tell Mira’s story as she battled the demons from her past that were threatening to eclipse her future. I got the chance to see both her and Danaus grow into wonderful people and what parent couldn’t be more proud of that?

*I love how Mira and Danaus are like children to you. I think that shows just how close you are to your characters and it really shows in your writing. Speaking of new things, I’ve read you are starting a new series called The Tattoo Artists. Could you tell us a little about that?

This is a totally new and exciting world. After working in a closed/hidden world, where humans were in the dark, I decided to throw the doors open on this one. In this world, magical creatures live along side of humans, but they are all lorded over by powerful witches and warlocks. In an effort to get ahead in this world, many people will turn to the tattoo artists, who, for the right price, can give you love, luck, or revenge with the right tattoo and potion. The series centers on a skilled tattoo artist and his co-workers as they struggle with their hidden pasts and the interesting customers that come through the door.

*Wow that sounds really fascinating! I cannot wait to read it! So, how do you choose your character names?

For me, it’s mostly a feel thing, which I know doesn’t make much sense. I rely heavily on my copy of “The Writer’s Digest Character-Naming Sourcebook”. With the Dark Days books, I looked closely at names that were popular for the region that the character was from. Jabari was an Egyptian name, Sadira was Persian. Gabriel and Michael just naturally fell into place as Mira’s guardian angels. Danaus… I’m not sure where that came from… divine intervention… his soul calling out to mine …

*Haha.. That sounds like Danaus. If your books were to be made into a movie who would be your top picks for the cast?

Wow, hard question! I have to admit that I am a huge fan of all the sci-fi/action movies that Milla Jovovich has done and I think she would do an excellent job as Mira. As for Danaus, I think in my mind I will always have the image of the video game ad, though the cover of Pray For Dawn is very close. The only actor that has come closest in appearance would be Oded Fehr as he appeared in The Mummy movies. I've never found a good fit for the other characters and I love hearing the thoughts of my readers.

*Really great choices, especially Milla. I love all her movies and think she would make a perfect Mira. If you could tell readers one thing about yourself or your books what would that be?

The Dark Days series is a dark look into the soul and trying to see what you would do to save that which is important to you. How far would you go for someone you loved? Even more, how are you willing to change for love?

*I think that sums up the "moral" of the Dark Days Series perfectly. I loved seeing their journey and the lengths they would go for the ones that they love. What are some of your favorite books in the paranormal genre?

I can’t say a favorite book. There are just too many. I’m better off listing favorite authors, who include: Kim Harrison, Vicki Pettersson, Rachel Vincent, Simon Green, Jim Butcher, Kerrelyn Sparks, Lynsay Sands, Christine Feehan, Charlaine Harris, and Richard Kadrey. I’m sure there are more, but this is a good sampling.

* Wow we have very similar tastes. You picked a lot of my favorites. Have you always wanted to be a writer, and how long did it take you to achieve your dream?

I was about twelve years old and I had just finished reading a wonderful retelling of the story of Robin Hood. I loved the story, but had walked away wishing that there had been a strong female character that could keep up with all the boys. I spent that summer sitting on my bed, rewriting the story of Robin Hood in an old notebook so that it included a strong, fearless female character that could keep up with Robin Hood and the rest of his merry band.

From that moment, I was hooked on writing. I spent almost all of my time creating stories about high school romances and fantasies about elves and mermaids. I wrote down whatever came to mind, never believing that I could one day do it for a living. For me, there is just this deep love of wondering “what if?” I need to daydream about places and people and creatures that may have never existed but in my mind. I love the written word and the way certain perfect combinations can draw an emotion out of a person you’ve never met before. That kind of power is intoxicating.

Nightwalker started out as any other story that I wrote, just for me. By the time I was getting close to finishing it, I thought it was a really good story and that I just might be able to publish it. I spent about a year polishing the rough draft and then spent two years trying to get an agent. It was a long process with lots of rejection along the way.

*I am so glad you had the determination to stick it through. You are a very talent writer and I would have hated to miss the chance to read your books :) Could you tell us a little about you?

Born and raised in Northern Kentucky, just outside of Cincinnati, Ohio, I have been an avid reader and writer for most of my life. However, I never really expected to be able to pursue writing as a career. I had always heard how hard it was to get published so I generally kept my stories to myself. I started college as an engineering major but changed to a double major of journalism and English after my first year because of a deep hatred for calculus. While at times I miss science, my love of the written word runs deeper. I still live in a small town in Kentucky near my family with my two cats and my addiction to video games.

*What are your passions other than reading or writing?

Is there anything else besides reading and writing? Does daydreaming count? I am a daydream addict. I spent more time during the day in a world of my own creation than this thing people call “reality.” I love video games, good music, attending concerts, hanging out with my family, going to movies, and fires. Yeah, definitely got a thing for fires and explosions.

*Who doesn't love things that go "boom?" ;) What is the craziest or at least most interesting thing you have ever done?

I went to France on a student exchange program when I was 15. I was there for nearly three weeks and caught the flu. I went to Las Vegas to celebrate my 30th birthday. I’ve met amazing authors, danced in the ocean, dreamed about kissing hunky movie stars, and talked about the stock market on TV. I’m just a regular girl with big dreams.

*Just for fun. If you were stranded somewhere but had electric, what three things other than basic survival supplies, would you have to have?

A mound of books, a mound of chocolate, and my laptop.

*Very Good Choices. I always forget chocolate when I make my list. Finish this statement: "You'll like The Dark Days Series if.."

"You’re into strong, independent women, stubborn men, and great fight scenes.” 

Thanks so much for the interview!

Author Info:

The Oldest of three kids, Jocelynn grew up and continues to reside in the Cincinnati, Ohio region. She started writing when she was 12, spending all of one summer re-writing the story of Robin Hood in the battered remains of a notebook. While life has brought many changes and surprises, the love of writing and a good story has been a constant. When not writing, she can be found buried in a good book, wandering through the woods with her camera cradled protectively against her body, traveling to interesting locations, or relaxing with her family, who have also remained in the Cincinnati area.

Find Jocelynn online:

Website Blog Twitter Facebook Goodreads

Two Signed Copies of Burn the Night

Giveaway provided by the Author

Check out my review

The Great Awakening approaches . . .

After eons in exile, the naturi have broken their chains and now roam the Earth bent on revenge. It is the sworn duty of Mira, the Fire Starter, to protect the nightwalker race—though even she may be powerless to withstand the horrific onslaught. As Mira and her brave lover, the vampire slayer Danaus, stand ready to do battle, thousands of winged shapeshifters darken the skies. The war of ultimate extermination has begun, and the battleground is Mira's home turf.

The humans don't yet recognize the doom descending upon them. And the nightwalkers will surely perish unless they unite with outcast naturi who claim to want peace. But these unexpected "allies" are the same demons who have long worked for Mira's destruction—and in these darkest of days the lines between friend and foe will blur treacherously before the bloody end of all things.

Rules:

1. International is okay.
2. Leave a comment to enter with a contact method.
3. Please spread the word. (Extra entries with links)
4. Ends 7/8 at Midnight.