This evening here at Coffee Time Romance, I have Jennifer Turner with me. Author of a new series of vampire novels set in modern day USA complete with ancient heroes and a few new legends to entertain us. Book one introduces us to the master of New York and a young woman seriously down on her luck.
Welcome to Coffee Time Romance Jennifer, I’m Hollie and I’ll be interviewing you this evening. I have just finished reading Eternal Seduction and I must say you have some gorgeous vampires there.
Thanks, Hollie! I’m excited to be here and can’t thank you enough for your time and questions. And yes, I have to agree, they are some gorgeous vampires.
Talking of your vampires what made you decide to write of vampires thousands of years old?
A hard question right out the gate… I love it! LOL
Truthfully, I really couldn’t see it going any other way. I’ve always loved the idea of vampires, and wanted mine to be right there at the beginning of the world, so to speak, a presence among humans since time began. I think the idea of someone living that long is unbelievably intriguing. I mean, when you think about all the events your parents and grandparents have witnessed in the course of their lives, all the choices they’ve made and how each one probably shaped their character somehow, it’s pretty astounding. Now consider what living for 10,000+ years would do to someone. The complexities of their personality, the push and pull of the ancient ideals and history they carry inside them, clashing with the speed and beliefs of the modern world…for me it’s just fascinating to think about. Trying to bring that conflict out in my Ancient vampires, who all deal with it in a very different way, is probably why I’ve made some of them as old as they are.
Not to mention the fact that every time we turn around, historians and scientists are finding new evidence that intelligent humans have been around a lot longer than anyone previously thought…and that only feeds my already wild imagination.
Eternal Seduction is a complex story and as the first in your series it covers a lot of very interesting background information about how vampires and other supernatural beings came into existence. How long did it take you to create your amazing world?
Once I decided I was going to throw my hat into the ring as a writer, I’d say it took about two days to really solidify my world. I started by writing The Legend, the story of how my world came to be, because I needed to have the beginning/rules set for my supernaturals before I could go any further (I’m a nerd like that!). I think I sat on that story for another day or so, reading it over and over before I finally started writing Eternal Hearts, which at the time was meant to be the first book in the series.
To this day, I still don’t know how it happened so fast. All I knew was that I wanted something different, a vampire world that kept some of the legends we all know and love, but also left room for new ones – and rewrote a little history in the process.
Logan is a complex character who has had a difficult life why did you decide to have drug addicted homeless girl as a lead character in your first novel?
I chose Logan because I wanted a very non-traditional, human heroine for my first book. Someone vastly different from the women you usually find in romance novels. And I have to admit from the moment she came to life in my brain, addiction and all – I found myself cheering for her, wondering if I could balance her flaws and strengths enough to make her understandable, if not likeable in the end. I think more often than not in paranormal romance novels, it’s the vampire hero who has the darker side, so the idea of turning the tables was a challenge I just couldn’t pass up.
Stefan is the oldest, strongest and most intriguing vampire I’ve ever come across. He very quickly became one of all time my favorite vampires. Is his or any of your characters based on real people?
It’s so funny to hear all the different reactions to Stefan. Some readers love him while others hate him with a passion. I’d have to say I’m with you though, Hollie. I absolutely adore the man.
But to answer your question, Stefan actually has some traits very reminiscent of my husband. An eye (or lack thereof in Stefan’s case, LOL) always focused on the future, a strong sense of family, and an oddly arrogant/all-knowing yet charming and sometimes disarming personality. Boy, I sure hope he doesn’t read this!
As for the other characters, a lot of them, although they aren’t perfectly modeled after people I know, share some of their traits…good and bad.
Does Kerestyan find Syn a mate?
Yes, he does. You’ll have to keep your eyes peeled for Odin’s book, where Syn and his Lady make a guest appearance.
If you could make your story three dimensional which sense would you add and why?
The dirty side of me says touch, because…um yeah! Who wouldn’t want to touch or be touched by Kerestyan or Odin? But the writer in me says, smell. If I could bottle the rich, mystical scent of Nelek Castle or really any of my Ancient vampires, and spray it all over the books – I’d do it in a heartbeat.
Some of my greatest memories are directly connected to a specific smell. I can only imagine it’s the same for other people, too. I could be wrong, but I’m going with smell!
If you could have lunch with one of your characters, which one would it be? And why?
OOoooh, this is a good one. Wow, I’m torn between Justin Black and Stefan Nelek.
Stefan, because, well – he’s Stefan. Even though he lacks eyes, he sees what’s really going on and accepts his place as both a Master and pawn in the game. He’s hard and sometimes unyielding, firm but understanding. And while he may have built his army from the ranks of his own Children, at the end of the day, he leads each son or daughter by standing strong behind them. Oh, and because he’d probably scare the bejeezus out of the wait staff and other patrons!
Justin, because he holds a very special place in my world, and in turn occupies a very, very special place in my heart. He’s such a strong and confident man, but in the same breath, he’s so hurt and so…lost. It would probably mean a lot to him to have a meal with someone who knew exactly what he was, but didn’t want anything more from him than his company.
If you won a million dollars what would you do with it?
Hmmmm. First, I’d pay off all my bills. Then I’d send my husband to college because more education is something he’s always wanted. From there, I’d probably spoil my daughter a little bit…okay, a lot. J And I’d buy a new laptop, one of those 17” monstrosities with all the bells and whistles.
What is your writing process? Do you outline the story or fly by the seat of your pants or a combination of both?
Oh, my pants have wings…trust me. I’ve tried to plan out books but it never seems to work for me. I usually get about 3 chapters in and then at least one of my characters goes all-out renegade, totally wrecking everything I thought I’d so carefully planned. Now, I just sit down with the laptop and go. If the hero I’m working with gets overshadowed by a friend or brother, or the heroine falls for someone other than who I thought she would, I let it happen – even if it means turning chapter 11 into chapter 1 and tossing the first 10 in the trash. It’s a lot like the square peg in a round hole adage.
If I were to ask your friends what would they say are your strongest characteristics?
If I’m being completely honest, I’d have to say pessimism. I’ve never been one for seeing the silver lining, even on a sunny day. I’m always looking for what can go wrong and more often than not, expect it. I guess I’m one of those ‘plan for the worst but silently and very cautiously hope for the best’ kind of people.
After that, I’d go with loyal and stubborn. Loyal, because I’d do anything for someone I care about. Stubborn, because once I get my mind set on something, it practically takes a force of nature to change my direction.
You have a number of books listed on your site for this series can you tell us when they are due to be published?
My plan is to release a book every six months. Books 2, 3 and 4 are written and going through final revisions, and I’m writing book 5 on the in between. Eternal Hearts (Book 2) is due out on May 1, 2009. It’s Drake’s story…and I can’t wait to share it!
Right now, I have about 13 novels planned for the series, but each book stands completely alone. (The only strings that loosely connect them are the large plot arch behind everything, and some of the characters who are family, friends, etc.)
Other than your website, www.darknesswithinnovels.com is there anywhere else readers can find you or can contact you? Such as a reader email address, MySpace etc.
Readers can contact me at jent@darknesswithinnovels.com any time they like. I also have a MySpace page, www.myspace.com/drkness_within, a blog at www.jen-turner.blogspot.com , and an official fan site at www.darknesswithinnovels.ning.co
Thank you for your time and for giving me the opportunity to read such an amazing story.
You’re very welcome, Hollie. Thanks for your questions, compliments, and just for reading and enjoying the book! And thanks to Coffee Time for the 5 cup rating and the awesome interview opportunity!
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