Book Tour: Interview & Giveaway with Xandra James

Xandra James is here today to do an interview and talk a little about her two recent books "Reluctant Revenge" and "Shadow Justice". She is also donating one of her books for a giveaway at the end so don't forget to enter.

I know you get asked this question over and over but can you tell us a little about yourself? Maybe something juicy. ;)

I'm afraid I'm pretty boring, LOL. I'm a British romance writer, married and I dislike celery J

When did you first start writing? Are you a full time author or do you do it on the side?

I started when I was about ten years old. I've always been an avid reader but a friend and I decided we should write a story… and I haven't stopped since. In fact, I never did finish the manuscript from when I was ten. It was a mish-mash of NKOTB love, nonsense and ya romance J A real treat, as you can imagine, lol. Currently, I'm in that transition stage where I'm juggling. I'm hoping to turn full-time later on this year.

Do you have an author that has really inspired you?

I love books that make me smile so I have an affinity for authors such as Janet Evanovich and Kerrelyn Sparks. There's loads more I love but these two kinda set me on a path of writing what I love – romance with a touch of humour on the side.

How long does it normally take you to write an average book or your last book?

Well my two novellas that have already been released took about a week to get a basic storyline together and roughly ten days to actually write. Then I had probably another week thoroughly editing and layering. My last short story which is soon to be released, Her Demon Charms, took about three days to write plus another two weeks of dithering over the end!! I'm usually quite a quick writer when I have an idea of where I'm going and my characters co-operate…

What do you think makes a story great?

That's a tough question. I think it's a combination of things; voice, plot, structure and a little bit of magic. Not all books manage it, but when they do? Kablamo!!! ;)

Can you describe each of your books "Shadow Justice" and “Reluctant Revenge in one sentence?

Err…I'll give it a shot, lol.

Shadow Justice: Desire explodes as a banished bounty hunter teams up with a wanted moon-witch when neither expects to fight a common enemy from their pasts.

 Reluctant Revenge: Nash and Sienna's chemistry is electric but can this hybrid hunter, now bound to her by blood, forgive her past and love again?

Tell us a little about these two books.

Here's the blurb for each –

SJ:    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

RR:    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?

Have you done lots of research for your books or do the stories just come to you?

For these particular stories, I just let my imagination run free. If I was to ever write in the historical genre, I think it would be a shock to the senses on just how much I would need to research (Work? Pah!! ;)

What are you currently working on?

I've just finished a short story called Her Demon Charms for inclusion in an Evernight Publishing anthology called Keyboards And Kinks. And I'm about to start plotting something else that could be more like a gothic romance… not sure yet. Oh and there's a contemporary novella and a paranormal novella half plotted and ready to go too. Hmm, maybe I should get writing then, huh? :D

Can you tell us about some of your prior achievements?

I'm afraid I'm just a struggling writer! I think the biggest achievement I could list is making it this far in life despite my tendency to be a klutz, LOL ;)

Is there anything that I didn't cover that you would like to talk about or say to your potential readers?

I'm always doing giveaways over at my website or along the way on this blog tour, so come and hi say and keep me company J

Just for fun:

Hardback or Paperback?  Paperback
Dog ears or Bookmarks?  Bookmarks!!! I hate dog-ears *grrr*
YA novels or Adult novels?  Adult for the most part.
Library or Bookstore?  Bookstore – LOVE 'em.
Reading glasses or No glasses?  No glasses
Snack while reading or No snacks? Snack (if it contains chocolate) but usually coffee.
Beach or Mountain? Beach because I love the sea.
Vampire or Werewolf? Vampire but if there's any werewolves out there, I'm willing to be convinced!
Hot or Flirty? Flirty leading to hot (is that allowed? )
Movie 1st or Book 1st? Movie, surprisingly.
Contemporary or Historical? Contemporary usually.
Page-Turner or Tear Jerker? Page turner  - I'll cry at anything and once you get me started it isn't pretty.

Thanks so much for hosting me today at Romance Book Junkies  - really enjoyed my stay!

Xandra James has been kind enough to donate a ebook copy of "Reluctant Revenge" for a giveaway. Thank you Xandra. Since the book is a ebook copy the giveaway is international. Just fill out the rafflecopter below.

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