Without further adieu, let's get this party started....
Can you tell us a little about how you started writing; was it something you have always wanted to do?
Honestly, since I was a kid I've wanted to be one, but I've always been very numbers oriented, crazy literal and logical. I guess I just wrote for fun thinking I didn't have enough creative aspect to ever do it for real. I lost a job a few years ago and decided pretty much too really just go for it. Doing what I thought I was "supposed" to in life with my degrees in corporate America made me miserable. So I sat down and in two weeks churned out a 100k mainstream book that had been in my head.
Who or what has been your biggest influence as a writer?
That's a LONG list. I'm a very eclectic reader, though I do tend to stay in fiction. Dante's Inferno is a big one. I love the idea that Hell isn't just Hell and Heaven isn't always Heavenly. Anne Rice is another one. My dog's named after one of her characters, Marius, after all. Laurell Hamilton's Anita Blake series takes the cake to me for originality and breaking molds. I'm all about pushing boundaries and reading authors like her shows me that I'm not the only one. And Charlaine Harris who I'd love to be when I'm all grown up. She's another one who doesn't write within the preset ideas of characters. The woman writes some bad ass fairies that don't make you think Tinkerbelle.
If you were transported to a place where people could really shapeshift or have powers, which would you choose and why?
Vampire, definitely vampire. I get a lot of migraines from stress and my mom always says I'm part vampire because I've always got the blinds drawn and hide in the dark. I also prefer to be cold over being hot and while I'm not drawn to blood, doesn't gross me out or upset me like most people. Plus when I was a kid before I understood that being a vampire wasn't really a choice, I used to answer, "what did I want to be when I grew up?" with vampire.
Tell us about your latest release(s). Are they part of a series and if so, can you give us the book order for readers please?
My Maven, My Everything: Sons of Thanatus #1 is the first in a new series. And it's about the closest I'll probably ever get to contemporary though they're immortal and can see souls. LOL.
Carson: Resistant Omegas #2 (the first being Tristan) is my take on how bigger isn't always better and Omega doesn't mean weak. Hell, small doesn't mean weak to me either. I really had fun pushing the boundaries of what people are used to with pack werewolves and mates.
Isaac Dragos: Beyond the Marius Brothers #1 was actually a demand from Stormy Glenn's & my own Yahoo Group. Isaac plays a vital role in Remus: Marius Brothers #2 and after #3 came out, they started talking because I said I was going to work on Victor #4 that was released last month and holy crap did everyone just jump in and beg for his story. Which was a trip for me because I'd never thought to give him one. I promised I'd think about it… and when I did I sat down and just cranked out 17k words the first day I worked on it. It was CRAZY and just took a life of its own. It's chronologically after Victor #4, but since he's not a Marius Brother I gave him a spin off series name in case I come along other characters in that world that need a story as well.
Who has been the most delightful character to write about? The most challenging to write about?
That's hard to answer… it's kinda like picking a favorite family member. All of my main characters, have at least a little bit of me in their personalities in some form or another. Riley from the Marius Brothers is one that's a LOT like me I think because if I could do college over again in an alternative universe I would have gone to medical school so he's my vicarious living.
Reed in Lust & Vamp was challenging because it was a way for me to work some things. The way he dances, what it means to him is how writing is for me. So it was very challenging to get it just right for my perfectionist personality
How much of your personality and life experiences are in your writing?
There's a lot of parts of people or things that I've experienced in life that come out in my books. For instance, Addison in My Little Kitty was a lot like a guy I had been seeing for a while and the way he reacted to my writing, etc. I use my stories a lot to work out my feelings or how I see things in life. But never exact character or names, thing like that.
What got you interested in writing M/M romance genre? Is there a sub-genre you haven’t done yet but want to in the future?
I read it & thought it was just hot. It was something in my mind that I could play a lot with action and suspense while still having the romance element without too much chasing around the desk that drives me a little nuts as a reader.
Generally, how long does it take you to write a book?
About a week or less if I'm really focused.
Are you in control of your characters or do they control you?
Both. I set them up, see them in my head, after that they kinda tell me where to go and take over.
What do you do when your muse decides to be a pita and not communicate with you? How do you kick start the muse again?
I've yet to really lose a muse, it's more picking one while all the others stay quiet in my head for a while. But when I'm stuck or need to figure out where to go with a story I either go outside & play fetch with pup until we both burn off the extra energy or start cleaning.
Please tell us about the projects you are currently working on; what can readers expect to see in the coming months?
I have a HUGE project coming up, that's super secret but there will be an announcement/unveiling of it around September. I'm really excited about it because I know it's like nothing anyone's done before, at least that I've ever seen or heard of.
And one was just announced as a joint project with Stormy & Gabrielle Evans. We're doing something very different and unique. We've been having a blast working on it and we think everyone's really going to love it. www.midnightmatings.com
Where can readers find out what's new and how can they contact you?
www.joyeeflynn.com; Facebook, & I have a Yahoo Group
Available at Siren Publishing
Buy HERE
Madden "Mad" Forrest is a Son of Thanatus, a secret order rumored to be descended from gods. The members possess the ability to hear the souls of the dead and travel the country speaking for those without a voice and helping to lay them to rest. After a particularly stressful job Mad heads to New Orleans and picks up a hot twink in the hotel bar.
Josh McGreggor is out for a night of pleasure before heading off to a new job. The perfect man who invites him over to his table is answer to his desires. What neither expected was the strength of their feelings after one night's passion or that they don't want to part in the light of day.
Can the two men navigate through the minefield that arises from their roles to find love or will they be destined to continue their lives all alone?
PG-13 Excerpt
“And people wonder why I demand witnesses,” I grumbled to myself as I ran my fingers through my shoulder-length black hair. I knew I was so going to tie one off when I got back to my hotel room after this shit.
“Fuck you!” Mike made a lunge for me, but I stepped to the side as Tim grabbed his arm. “You’re just a fucking nut job who thinks he sees dead people! Next you’re going to tell us that you can talk to them, too.”
“No he’s not, Boyle,” Chief Handly said calmly as he joined us with Officer Sanchez right behind him. “I called him in here. Are you questioning my orders and ability to be a cop?”
“No, sir.” Mike got himself under control then as Handly gave him a nod and then waved me to follow him. We walked about twenty feet away before the Chief turned to stare daggers at me. He was shorter than me, but only by a few inches. I was six-six, which helped people not fuck with me often, given what I did.
“Start talking, Forrest.”
“I need to know a few things before I risk you killing me for what I’m about to tell you,” I said slowly, eyeing the man over. He raised an eyebrow as he crossed his arms over his chest before giving me a nod. “How did you find out about me, or I guess who to contact for help?”
“A buddy of mine who works for the FBI. He and I served together in the Army years ago. When I told him about my missing officer, he told me who to contact and what you guys did. I’ll be honest, I’m not sure I’m buying what you can do. But if he believes it, and he’s one jaded son of a bitch, I’m willing to take a leap of faith.”
“Did he tell you that we can do more than just find a body?”
“Yeah,” Handly answered slowly, his eyes starting to go wide. “He said you can hear the last thought the person had before they died. Something like the soul repeats it over and over and cannot rest until it’s heard.”
“That’s about right,” I said, rubbing my hands over my face in frustration. “How long have you had Mike Boyle in your department, Chief?”
“A long time. Are you getting at what I think you are?”
“Yeah, and it’s not just Garrett over there, it’s his wife, too.”
“Why would Boyle—” Chief started to ask but then cut himself off. “He was banging Garrett’s wife, wasn’t he? Did Garrett find out?”
“Garrett walked in on them, and Boyle killed them both so he didn’t lose his plush life when his wife divorced him. I guess she’s got a nice prenup.”
“Fuck, fuck, fuck,” Handly swore, his voice rising in volume each time. “I can’t prove this off of what you’re saying, Madden.”
“No, but it gives you a step in the right direction on how to solve it. And it also makes me think I’m his planned scapegoat. So that’s why I asked Sanchez to get you in here.”
“You didn’t tell any of them where you were staying, right? You got a hotel in a different town?”
“I always get one at least a county over. As soon as I show you, I’m getting the hell out of dodge,” I answered firmly. This wasn’t my fight, and I wanted no part in it. I was about to do what I was sent here for, and only that. “You ready for this?”
“No, but let’s do it anyways.” I felt bad for the Chief. This was a mess I wouldn’t want to clean up either. He suddenly looked older as he shook his head and turned to walk back to his men. I followed him, feeling the urge to help the two poor murdered souls get stronger the longer I was around.
Once we got back to the group, I took the lead and led them to Garrett and his wife. As soon as they were visible, Mike made his move and launched at me. He was lucky that Meyers stepped in because I had no problem laying the asshole out. And again, with what I do, knowing how to defend myself was a must. I had black belts in several forms of martial arts, and also was as an accomplished marksman.
“Sanchez, escort Madden back to his car,” the Chief ordered as he and Meyers restrained Boyle. He turned to me then. “I’ll be in touch. Thank you for your help.”
“You’re welcome,” I replied with a solemn nod. We didn’t get paid for what we did from law enforcement or most people who contacted us. It was more a trade of favors. The Chief knew if one of our people was ever falsely accused of a murder when we were called in, he’d be asked to step in and attest to what we could do. It wasn’t blackmail or asking for the police to be in our pockets. It was about having credible references.
“I don’t know how you did what you just did, or what the fuck is really going on,” Sanchez said as we got to my car. He stuck out his hand for me to shake. “But thank you. Garrett was a good guy, and no one deserves to just get dumped like a bag of trash like that.”
“I agree. It’s why I do what I do.” I shook his hand and got in my rental car. I know it might seem cold to find two murdered people and leave like that. But given everything that was going on with Boyle being involved, I wanted to get the fuck out of there for self-preservation.
Review for Second Chance Bite HERE
Review for Second Chance Bite HERE
5 comments:
Love that you write series. I would like to add My Maven to my TBR list soon.
jrobe10689 @ gmail.com
Sounds like the start of a great series, I've really enjoyed all the excerpts I've read so far.
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
Happy Easter Weekend Everyone
I really love your books. When will the next Marius brother book come out and whose book will it be?
Rita S.
mlynn3451@yahoo.com
The excerpt has me intrigued about this story, and I would love to read more.
caity_mack at yahoo dot com
Great interview.
Wow, only a week to write one of these great books. Wish I could do that. Maybe I'd actually finially finish one to submit.
carolcobun(at)yahoo(dot)com
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