Book Features & Interview: By Xandra James

We have today the author of two paranormal erotic novels - details of which can be seen at the end of this post.  

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Xandra James has always wanted to write romance books. Even when she was sneaking peaks at the hot bits, too young to fully appreciate them, she dreamt of writing her own.

Now, older and wiser, she's got the opportunity to project her slightly dark and wacky, British sense of humor onto others, whilst still writing the hot bits - bonus!

When not writing, Xandra is thinking of excuses as to why she shouldn't be doing the housework, looking after a husband and cats that refuse to pick up after themselves and climbing the mountain in her house that's affectionately called her tbr pile.

She currently holds the crown for Queen Procrastinator – something she's very proud of – so you can usually find her online, somewhere, when she really should be writing.

AUTHOR ONLINE: Website | Facebook | Romance Blog | Goodreads

INTERVIEW WITH AUTHOR XANDRA JAMES

1.Is there an inspiration behind why you chose writing?

I've always been a reader – obsessed with books actually since very young – so when myself and a friend started writing 'for fun' at about 10 years old, I caught the bug. Thinking back it was a natural progression so you can completely blame her for me being here today!

2.When you were little, what did you want to be when you "grew up"?

A  lawyer (my reasoning was that I could argue like a pro!), an archaeologist (but when I clocked that there might be spiders involved in going through long hidden treasures, I quickly forgot about that one). When I started writing though, I knew that was where my heart was.

3.Finish the sentence- one book I wish I had written is....

How to marry a millionaire vampire by Kerrelyn Sparks is definitely one that springs to mind as it was one of the first that got me back into paranormal romance. But there's so many more! Many by Johanna Lindsey and Janet Evanovich. I also grew up with Sidney Sheldon so became a big fan of many of his books.

4.What are your current literary works?  Any sneak peaks?

I've just finished Her Demon Charms: a short paranormal romance in Evernight Publishing's anthology called Keyboard and Kinks (out June). It's about a succubus, May Frost, who has made a deal with the devil to turn mortal. Problem is, the terms of the deal state she's to find someone to declare their love to her to win. Via a dating web-site. So no cheating by showing her…erm… assets. ;)

It was a fun little story to write and I can't wait to see it with the other fantastic reads that Evernight has put together.

5.If you could travel in a Time Machine would you go back to the past or into the future?

The past, definitely. I could go back to the Sixties and see Marilyn and Elvis in their time. Or back to the Ancient Egyptians. Maybe back to the Victorian era in London. There are just too many places to mention and I would be like a kid in a candy shop if I got my hands on a time machine…

6.Which topics would you like to explore in your future books (assuming there are more to come)?

There's no specifics at the moment, but I do love revenge (insert evil laugh here, lol). I do like the mechanics behind a good revenge; so much planning goes into it and I admire a dedicated person ;) I also like action and adventure. I appreciate the art of quick pacing in a story because once it hooks you in, you're toast for a couple of hours!

7.Please tell us in one sentence only, why we should read your book. 

Because I try to give a little bit of the real me to each of my stories – and I give out free coffee and cookies to admirers… ;)

8.Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.

Seeing the book on Amazon is amazing. I almost felt like a real author then. Also getting cover art is a happy moment too. Release day is amazing – I can't forget that. Yeah, there's too many dancing moments in this business. It's definitely worth all the procrastinating and long nights :-)

9.What's one piece of advice you would give aspiring authors?

Finish those stories, learn your craft and keep writing. Reading always makes me more inspired too so make sure you try and keep up with current books in the genre you're trying to get in to. And finally, write the book of your voice. Don't try and change too much to suit a particular publisher/line. You'll find a perfect fit if you're meant to be in this business.

10.If you could jump in to a book, and live in that world, which would it be?

I'm going to have to come back to Kerrelyn Sparks, Love At Stake series. It's just so fun to be a vampire (or a vampire lover!!) lol. My favourite is Be Still My Vampire Heart. Just love it and can't wait to find time to re-read it.

11.If someone wrote a book about your life, what would the title be?

Seven Deadly Sins and Cat Tricks.

LOL. I really don't know! I hope if I get to a point where someone wants a book about my life, they'd spend some time thinking about it and not rely on me.

12.What is your favorite scene in the book and why do you love it?

This one comes from Reluctant Revenge. It was just so fun to write as it was one of the first scenes I ever wrote for it, way back when, before RR had that name and Nash (the hero) had a past :-)

She was going to die and then have to lie in the morgue with a hole in her head wearing a dress that looked better on the hanger.
The second shot of the evening rang out and Sienna closed her eyes. She waited for the moment that her body was ripped apart by hot metal. A moment or two later, when pain wasn’t forthcoming, she opened one eye and looked down at herself. No blood. Opening the other eye she sighed. Had she had a reprieve?
Another gunshot sounded behind her, jolting her from her thoughts and making her bring her hands up to her ears as she unceremoniously hit the deck, knees first. Where was it coming from?  There was slight movement from one of the doorways a short distance down from where she was half sprawled. Sienna blinked, trying her best both to stay inconspicuous and to actually see what was going on, but the other shooter stayed hidden in the shadowed doorway.
The man who had been chasing her dropped to the ground and shimmied the few feet across the dirty alley, right at her. The moment he’d caught sight of her, a frenzied smile spread across his chubby face. Frantic, Sienna searched for an escape route, still wary of the other potential threat possibly shooting at her from behind. Unfortunately for her, she wasn’t quick enough to get away. The man grabbed her wrist, twisting her towards him. His eyes were rife with emotion; anger and fear battled for supremacy.
"No, leave me alone, you pervert!" He had a strong hold on her, but she still punched and kicked out at him. "Help me, somebody. Please!" her voice echoed around the taller buildings.
"Quiet, bitch." He pushed her hard against the dumpster and knocked the wind out of her, some of the fight ebbed away as her back throbbed. Sienna began to cough in earnest.
"Throw the gun down, or I kill her right now." She blinked as she finally saw the second man, only now stepping out of the doorway across the way. Moonlight reflected off his weapon as Sienna took in the large, still faceless, shape.
She took her chance as her captor trained his gun on the mystery man, squirming out of her attacker’s grasp and onto her feet. An arm snaked around her neck, holding her against him though before there was a chance to take flight. He squeezed and she felt her eyes bulge.
Sienna could just make out that the other man walked towards them then, his gait slow and calm. She could see him better and wow, he was good looking. Hands were up in a gesture of surrender but his gun was still there in his right hand. He looked extremely dangerous. A fizzle of awareness tried to flutter in her chest but the fingers tightened a little more around her throat and the world started to shift.
Sienna wheezed, the restriction too much. This was going to be a slow and agonizing death, she just knew it. And what had she done to deserve it? Looking up at the sexy man standing just feet in front of her now, she could at least concede that her final look at this earthly plane would be at something of beauty. She just hoped in that last crucial moment she didn’t drool.
"Let’s put our cards on the table here, mate. You’re not going to kill her - she’s too important to your boss. You weren’t expecting anyone else to be here tonight though were you? So why don’t you just go back to your employer and tell him it didn’t quite go as planned. You walk away, no harm, no foul."
Oh dear Lord but his voice was sexy, velvety even. Fabulous, she was this close to being popped and she was fawning over a guy with a gun. No wonder she was single and had men run out on her on dates.
"I won’t tell you again, Demon, drop the gun or I drop her. And don’t go trying anything. I’m immune to your Magick."
Huh? The idiot was as confused as she was.
"Only my friends call me a Demon to my face and get away with it. Just." In any other circumstances, Sienna would have called a time-out on this conversation and asked what the hell was happening. Right now, she was pretty sure that her mind was playing tricks from the lack of oxygen. It had to be. The alternative was that they were talking about Demons and Magick and that would be just stupid.  Either way, the good looking man in front of her looked ready to rip this guy’s head off. She managed a glance up to the man who was still holding her in a death grip.
Beads of sweat appeared on her attackers’ forehead. Sienna wondered how much longer she could last before she lost consciousness. A minute? Seconds? Her options had all but run out but there was one last thing she could try.
Her concentration centred, she jammed her foot into where she thought his instep would be and hit the jackpot. His grip loosened as he pulled his foot away from her and she took in as big a breath as she could. He turned his head to snarl at her, his gun now pointing directly at her temple. There was nothing she could do to prevent it. A shot fired and she gasped as her windpipe was no longer being squeezed but her feet weren’t on solid ground anymore.
Sienna attempted to brace herself as she hurtled towards the ground face first but large hands grasped her waist before impact. She was lifted away from her sweaty attacker as he fell with a thump in a tangle of limbs.
Half dragged, half carried down the alley that only minutes before she had fled into, Sienna’s brain struggled to keep up. Its oxygen starved state couldn’t even figure out if she’d actually been shot when the gun had fired. There was no time for thinking though as she was bundled into a Jeep.
Sienna glanced back at the body they’d left lying motionless on the ground. She swallowed in an attempt not to throw up.   
"Who are you?"
He turned to look at her as he went to close the car door. A smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes hovered around his full lips. She licked her suddenly parched ones.
"Me? I’m the one that just saved that pretty little ass of yours."

13.What TV show/movie/book do you watch/read that you'd be embarrassed to admit?

I'm not embarrassed about any of the tv shows I watch – although my hubby thinks they're dire, lol. I love things like Lost, Castle and NCIS.  I used to watch all the ghost hunting shows too but found that I was scaring myself too much in a dark and lonely house before bed :D

14.What books do you most recommend to friends?

My own?? LOL.

Friends of mine in the writing business because a) I know how hard they work and b) they're awesome stories too. People like Cherie Nicholls, Doris O'Connor, Raven McAllan and Karina Buchanon (and many more – go to my website to see the books I recommend!)

15.One food you would never eat?

Celery. And beef Hula Hoops. YUK!!

QUICK ANSWERS

Favorite place?
Venice

Best christmas present?
A laptop.

Favorite book?
Oooh… too many but possibly Sidney Sheldon's Windmill Of The Gods.

Favorite author?
Janet Evanovich.

Favorite smell?
Vanilla.

Favorite series?
Love At Stake.

Nickname?
I'll respond to anything that is mildly flattering… ;)

Favorite writing spot?
Sofa. Or back room, looking out onto garden, and watching the birds.

Favorite movie?
Pirates of the Caribbean. The first one is fantastic.

Favorite dish?
Roast dinners.

Favorite color?
Black

Favorite quote?
"She is too fond of books, and it's turned her brain." Louisa May Alcott.

Favorite flavor of ice cream?
Vanilla

Your best trait?
Ability to laugh at the good and the bad (imho).

Your worst trait?
I'm very moody so watch out.

Thanks so much for inviting me here today – I enjoyed answering your questions :-)

BOOKS BY XANDRA JAMES

Nash was bound to Sienna completely – by a blood connection and a deep desire. An Enforcer for the Supranormal community, he was obligated to protect his sexy assignment, despite her family devastating his world.

After being betrayed, Sienna falls into the arms of her surly protector; a demon with a secret of his own. But can she face her destiny knowing she's more dangerous than those Nash was protecting her from?

Luka was a bounty hunter who just wanted to do his job and get paid. Being a banished Shadow, he'd learnt the bitter lesson long ago that he was alone, after he was expelled from his home world by his own blood. Now, he needed to understand why he was wanted dead whilst his desire for the fiery haired witch erupted, out of control.   

As a rare moon-witch, all she'd ever known was a life of misery under the oppressive Fae-Guard. Nine years ago Cerys escaped the Meta-World after regretting the forced banishment of a Shadow. Now, she leads a normal life without her abilities and all she wants is to blend in. When a bounty hunter wants to take her back for a crime she didn't commit, she's willing to take a chance on her future by trusting the man who had no idea she'd wronged him years before.