10 Questions with Author Tess Black

I was lucky enough to get a chance to interview one of my favorite new authors, Tess Black.  She released her first book this year, Heart and Soul, which I read – and when I say read I mean I couldn’t put it down until I finished it.  We have a lot in common too, she writes about hot elves and I love to read about hot elves!!

Trina: What are you working on currently?

Tess: I am working on book two of the Solaria Trilogy (Tolan’s story) and an untitled contemporary romance (something I thought I would never do.) I am a slow writer.

Trina: Who have been your greatest influences in becoming a writer?

Tess: LaVerne Thompson, J.R. Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, and several friends who have become published authors.

Trina: Who is your biggest cheerleader?

Tess: I have a few friends who support my writing and they also give me a swift kick in the ass when needed.

Trina: Do you like to listen to music when you write and if so can you tell us what you were listening to? If you don’t like music do you have a special writing process?

Tess: I love music, but I do not like any external sounds, other than the tapping on my keyboard, while I write. It distracts me. I don’t have a special writing process other than to NOT have FB on, to have silence in the house, visualize my scene, and then just type.

Trina: If Heart and Soul were made into a movie who would you pick to play Caelan and Greer?

Tess: This may sound odd because most authors have a visual for their characters, but there isn’t really anyone I’ve come across who are my ideal Caelan and Greer.

Trina: Do you have any pets, if not do you have a favorite pet from childhood?

Tess: I have a dog, Lucky, and four cats; Molly, Daisy, Zoey, and KiKi. Yes, I am a crazy cat lady.

Trina: What made you become a writer?

Tess: I’ve always wanted to write stories and have them published but didn’t have the time. I dabbled in roleplay/storytelling for a couple of years. Then I was asked if I would like to write a short story for an anthology that didn’t happen, so the publisher took it on its own.

Trina: When you’re not writing do you have any hobbies you’d like to share?

Tess: I mostly read in my spare time. I also like to travel, New Orleans being a fave spot.

Trina: What’s your favorite book and why?

Tess: I read so many awesome books that I can’t pinpoint a favorite, although I have a soft spot for ‘Seize the Night’ by Sherrilyn Kenyon from her Dark Hunter series.

Trina: Who are you reading right now?

Tess: I just finished MacRieve by Kresley Cole. Loved it!

Thank you so much for the interview Tess, and I can’t wait to read the next installment in the Solaria Trilogy!!  Please check out the first installment:

Heart And Soul by Tess Black

Blurb: What would you do if you were given a second chance at life and love?

On a mission to rid herself of her engagement ring, jilted attorney, Greer Ivers, loses control of her vehicle in a freak snowstorm. She finds herself awakening to a mind-blowing world and in the arms of a handsome man. The intriguing Caelan Virilion, a hidden witness to the tragedy from another plane of existence, discovers himself in an unacceptable situation. Spending a few days together in Caelan’s world draws them closer in more ways than one and feelings they are fated surface in the heat between them. With only a few days until she must return, will they recognize risks are worth taking for true love?

About the author: Tess Black was born in Massachusetts and now resides in a small Midwestern town. After spending many years as a stay-at-home mom for two lovely daughters, she has now found the perfect time to start her writing career.

Previously an avid reader of most genres, particularly fantasy, she was surprised when several years ago a new friend suggested a book series from a genre she was unfamiliar with, Paranormal Romance. (Shout out to Kiwi!) The rest is history! Although she still occasionally reads normal fiction, her love of paranormal romances, the edgier the better, has grown into an obsession.

She is currently working on Book Two of the Solaria Trilogy; Tolan’s story and writes for an interactive storytelling website, www.rpworldgroup.org.

Most days you can find Tess’ physical body sitting with her Nook Tablet in hand or in front of her computer typing away; her mind, though, is off somewhere in an imaginary world.

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£6.19 per Witching Hour (Paranormal Personnel Saga #1) by Joanna Mazurkiewicz

Hardcover: 300 pages

Published: June 7th 2013 (June 1st 2013, first publication)

ISBN: 139781484146361

Language: English

 

Synopsis at Good Reads:

Julia Taylor works as a recruitment consultant for Paranormal Personnel in London. Her days at work seem normal. She sees clients that regularly are looking for work; she searches for new vacancies, updates CVs and visits employers.

Everything is pretty ordinary for her, apart from the fact that Julia is half elf and Paranormal Personnel is not an ordinary recruitment agency at all because all jobless supernatural creatures come to the agency to look for work. Fairies, vampires, witches, hags, wizards, mermaids, elves, giants and trolls, they all need to find employment, and during this economic climate, this seems pretty challenging.

Julia doesn’t want her life to be complicated, but when her day is interrupted by the shapeshifter with the chain saw, she just has to deal with him as she always does. She is normally calm, confident and is not afraid to stand up for herself, but when the meeting with Nathaniel’s Corporation goes not as well as she had hoped, she wants to bury herself under the ground and die.

Then, to make matters worse, Mr. La Caz gets under her skin, lighting up a fire inside her. She accidentally reads his thoughts and learns that he craves her; he wants to suck her dry, but she is convinced that he is not even a vampire.

(Mature New Adult Paranormal Romance novel – contains adult situations, high sexuality, violence, suited for ages 17 and up)

 

MY REVIEW:

 

I can’t say it enough that I enjoy it when authors create stories using fairies, vampires, witches, and elves.  Joanna even throws in trolls, giants and mermaids.  But this is no childhood bedtime story.  This story is set in London,  where Julia, a 22-year-old hardworking half human half elf, who runs a paranormal employment agency.  She spends her days interviewing and hiring werewolves, hags, trolls, giants, witches, vampires and more.  Her best friend, Ella, is human who knows nothing about the existence of paranormals.  Which makes it really interesting trying to hide that fact from her BFF, especially since Julia’s exboyfriend, Jasper, is a dark wizard who is currently stalking her.

 

Julia’s world turns upside down when she meets Nathaniel La Caz, a vampire who is owner of La Caz Corporation, filthy rich, and intoxicated with Julia. He wants her as his lover and won’t stop until he gets what he wants; and he always gets what he wants.  Julia gets pulled into a world of corporate espionage, kidnappings, and dark magic.  In a world where Elves are forbidden to fall in love with Vampires, only time will tell if their love or lust will survive.

 

Visit Joanna’s website click here.