Interview and Giveaway: Lisa Renee Jones

Please join me in welcoming Lisa Renee Jones to Debbie's Book Bag today! Lisa is here to talk about her new book, The Legend of Michael, the first book in her new Zodius series. The publisher is sponsoring a giveaway for two copies of Lisa's book, see details at the end of the post.

DEB: Lisa, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
LRJ: I left the corporate world for writing several years ago. I use to fly between Austin and Dallas almost daily. I worked crazy corporate hours and was completely absorbed by that world. But deep down writing was in my soul and one day I decided to give it a try and I knew then my corporate days were numbered.

DEB: Tell us a little about your book, The Legend of Michael?
LRJ: The Legend of Michael is the first book in the Zodius series—which is about a group of special forces soldiers who were told they were immunized but were given experimental DNA treatments at Area 51. They become something super human though they are still very much men. They all struggle in their own ways to deal with what has happened to them. These men split into two groups—good and evil. Michael is very tormented about his past and about the unique abilities he has that no one else develops. He can save the world but only one woman can save him.


DEB: What was your inspiration for this book? Have you always been interested in the paranormal? How did you get started with that?
LRJ: I didn’t like paranormal at all for most of my life. Then a friend convinced me to read FEEHAN and I read all her vampires back to back. Next, I met my DH who is a comic geek and paranormal addict. He opened doors for my imagination I am so very thankful for. I watched Angel and Buffy with him in matter of weeks back to back AFTER the shows were long cancelled.

DEB: What type of research did you do for your book?
LRJ: I read Area 51 books, watched shows and talked to military personnel. My ex of 17 years was army and his uncles all Special Forces. My cousin is also married to a Special Forces soldier. My DH is going to med school so he helped me with some of the DNA information. And then I went to Vegas and gambled and saw the city LOTS :) I Iove Vegas and use to go several times a year during my corporate days.

DEB: What is your normal writing day like? Do you have things that have to be in place to write comfortably?
LRJ: I love writing at coffee shops at least once a week to get out of the house. I tend to move around the house. I have a chair in the bedroom and I have an office I use during edits and real crunch times. I tend to write several hours in the morning, work out to work through plot issues, and write several more hours. I write 7 days a week or I lose the story.

DEB: What was it like when you got the word that your first novel would be published?
LRJ: My first book was an ebook and that felt special, even before the e-craze. Then I was in tons of anthologies and never had MY name on a book. Finally, my first Blaze hit a week before my birthday and it was so very sweet. I will never forget that moment, seeing it in Wal-Mart.

DEB: Do have any advice for new writers?
LRJ: NEVER give up and never judge your success by someone else’s. This is your unique path and it can’t be ranked by who did what first. Believe in yourself and embrace your journey.

DEB: When you’re not writing, what kinds of books do you like to read? Do you have a favorite author?
LRJ: I love to read historical because I don’t write historical. That means I escape and just really enjoy the read. However, I am a huge UF fan as well. I adore the Moning FEVER series as much as I love her Highlanders.

DEB: What are you working on right now?
LRJ: I just turned in a proposal to my agent and I have the first book in a Blaze trilogy due Friday which is America’s Next Top Dancer.

DEB: Tell us one thing that people may not know about you?
LRJ: Most people are shocked that I not only ran a staffing agency for 11 years but had my kids so young that they are both grown and on their own now. And I have a little cougar in me, by accident. My DH is 9 years younger than me. I didn’t know that until I fell for him. He knew I was going to freak and avoiding the age issue. I met him at Barnes and Noble. I knew I was in love when he loved books :)

GIVEAWAY DETAILS:

Sourcebooks is offering two copies of The Legend of Michael for giveaway to two winners from Debbie's Book Bag!

~ You must be a Google Friend Connect follower to participate
~ US and Canadian Addresses Only (Publisher Request)
~ Deadline to enter this giveaway is Midnight EST June 8th.

1. Please leave a comment in appreciation to the author on THIS post.
2. Please fill out the FORM.