Interview of Author J.A. Garland

Today I'm pleased to present an interview of romance author J.A. Garland.
Latest Book: Instinct
Buy Link: Amazon

 BIO:
J.A. is a full time firefighter in the state of California, an addicted trail runner, a connoisseur of all things cheese puff, and an author for BURST Books. When she isn't slogging through the obstacles at a mud run, you can find her hunched over her computer unleashing demons, vampires, and werewolves upon the world.


Q: What part of the book is the hardest for you? Why?
A: Well, it isn't exactly part of the book...but finding time to write is so difficult. As a full time firefighter, I work two 24 hour shifts, then two twelve hour shifts. I cannot write on shift, so at least two days are out, and I'm too exhausted after the two twelve hour shifts to be very creative. If I don't work mandatory overtime on my days off, then I can squeeze in some time here and there around family commitments.


Q: Who is your favorite character in your book and why?
A: I'm going to have to say...Slade. He's a good guy, but dangerous enough to keep one step ahead of the bad guys.


Q: What hobby do you enjoy when not writing?
A: If you know anything about me, you know that I am a self professed cheese puff connoisseur. I spend a lot of time researching and sampling different types of cheesy goodness. Which leads me to my next favorite thing to do...running. Thank goodness, right, or else I would be a tank! I'm also very 'into' the P90X workout videos. I tried 'Insanity', but wasn't all that thrilled. It was all indoor cardio, and besides missing my trail runs, I lost a lot of strength from not lifting weights. So, I went back to running and P90X. It is the perfect balance!

Q: What is your favorite romance book that you’ve read?
A: I read what I write. And I think I've read just about every one of Sherrilyn Kenyon's books. Which is quite an accomplishment since she is quite the prolific writer! No, I have never stalked, er, met her. I would love to talk to her though, but not at a stuffy, automated book signing. I'm thinking it would be fun to chat about life and writing over coffee and beignets in a New Orleans cafe. What do you think, Sherrilyn? Are you up for it?


Q: What genre would you like to try writing in but haven’t yet done so? Why?
A: Science fiction. Which probably isn't too much of a jump for a fantasy author. I'm something of a technology geek, so I think it would be fun to cover futuristic space travel and space aliens. Gotta have space aliens.


Q: Facebook, MySpace, Blogs, Chats, or Twitter. Which do you like best and why?
A: Facebook is a black hole through which I could throw all my spare time. So, I'm more of a Twitter peep. 140 characters is the perfect length to say, "Hey!" But not bombard people with, "I ate yogurt this morning, then I brushed my teeth, then I went for a run." (Lol, I could probably be accused of posting something along those lines though).

Tell us where to find you: website(s), publisher’s page(s), blog(s), Facebook page(s), etc. List them all!
Website: https://www.jagarland.com
Twitter: https://twitter.com/j_a_garland
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jagarlandurbanfantasyauthor


BLURB:

When war erupts among the Shadow creatures, can enemies become allies?

Lone wolf, Rory Archer, never failed a single mission. Now the hunted instead of the hunter, Rory unwinds a twisted trail leading back to Amber Arlington, a spirited Halfling tied to a world of Shadows. Bound to vows initially forged out of necessity, Rory and Amber's relationship surges into more than either of them had bargained on. Scrambling to identify their attacker before joining the casualty list, Rory is forced to do the unthinkable, or watch Amber become a slave for his species.


EXCERPT:

San Francisco, March 13, 0700 hours

Anxiety prickled Rory’s chest before fanning out to raise the hairs on the back of his neck. Dropping quickly, he pressed his torso and legs flat to the ground. Prone was never first pick, but a small silhouette was the best concealment the area offered.


Lifting his head, he scanned the beach. Early morning waves rolled onto the shore, a salty surf leaching down to darken the sand. He twisted, angling to look overhead. No birds, no surfers, no stray animals. Nothing. The absolute absence of activity confirmed his instincts.


Rory sprang to his feet in a protective half-crouch and turned, just in time to see a man come out of nowhere. Lowering his head and steeling his body, Rory head-butted his attacker square in the gut.


“Shit!” The man grunted, expelling an angry rush of air as he hit the sand.


Rory resisted the urge to leap back into the fray. He’d been in enough fights to know men with tunnel vision didn’t live to fight another day. Giving himself a buffer, he took a few steps back. “I’m not here for you.” This wasn't the Otherkind Shadow whose dossier he'd spent the better part of the evening memorizing.


Who was this man and why was he tangling with him?


“Do yourself a favor and stay down,” Rory growled while looking around. Several distant figures headed their way from the north and the south. It was entirely possible they weren't friends of the man who'd tried to jump him. They could be nothing more than the early morning runners they appeared. But other runners never made him feel this on edge. Just what in the hell was going on?


“You might not be here for me, Wolf, but we're here for you,” the man said as he scampered to his feet, clearing away Rory's doubts about the approaching men. His wide smile was reminiscent of the smug expression Rory once saw carved into a coyote totem pole.


Coyote slid effortlessly into the horse fighting stance, “Well, come on now. Don’t be shy. I promise to be gentle.”

Anything else you’d like to add?
I love meeting new people, and, giving away free stuff! Comment for a chance to win certificates from Ana Banana's Bath & Body Treats, (because the zombie soaps are to die for), or the big Bag O' Swag grand prize, which includes: A gift certificate for the ebook INSTINCT, monogrammed J.A. Garland jelly belly tins, a coffee mug, a tote bag, magnets, pens...and more!