Interview & giveaway with Elle James

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Elle James to the blog today

Elle, can you please share with us a little about yourself

Elle James spent twenty years in South Central Texas, ranching horses, cattle, goats, ostriches and emus. A former IT professional, retired Army and Air Force Reservist, she’s proud to be writing full-time, penning intrigues and paranormal adventures that keep her readers on the edge of their seats or laughing out loud. Now, living in northwest Arkansas, she’s given up wrangling cattle and exotic birds to wrangle her muses, a malti-poo and a yorkie. When she’s not at her computer, she’s traveling, out snow skiing, boating, or riding her four-wheeler, dreaming up new stories.

ELLE JAMES

….escape with elle

VOODOO ON THE BAYOU (Cajun Magic) – Entangled Suspense

Website | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | GoodReads

Have you always wanted to be an author?

I don’t think I really considered being an author as a full-time job or lifestyle until I turned forty. All my life, I dabbled at poetry, wrote some short stories for fun and plays for fun at work as an IT Professional. I grew up with a pretty strong work ethic and knew I would work to support my family no matter what I did, thus the IT profession. When I about had my children grown, I started thinking about what made me happy. My sister and I joined forces and started on the path to becoming published authors and there’s been no turning back.

Can you share with us your typical writing day.  Is there anything you have to have while writing?

I start my day with a good breakfast, feed my dogs, grab my Diet Dr. Pepper and the mini Milk Bones (for the dogs) and head to my office. I go through emails and social media for about an hour then get started writing and go until 5:00. Sometimes it’s more, sometimes less. Depends on how well the story is coming along. And there are lots of interruptions—dogs need to go out, dogs need to play, dogs need more treats—you get the picture.

Most challenging or rewarding part of writing?

Challenging – writing when the story isn’t gelling.  Usually because I don’t know enough about my characters. I go back and dig a little deeper into who they are.

Rewarding: When my readers feel the same emotions I do when I’m writing the story. I love it when my readers laugh when I laugh, cry when I cry, or sit on the edge of their seats when the action is crazy intense.

Can you please tell us about your latest book?

Voodoo On The Bayou (CAJUN MAGIC Series Book #1)

A frog by day, man by night, a cursed, cynical lawyer hopes to break a voodoo spell by making a lovelorn scientist fall in love with him before the next full moon while helping her unravel the mystery of swamp pollutants.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I’m sure you recognize the fairytale in the story. It’s the Frog Prince told with a different setting, a different magic (Voodoo) and a suspense twist.

Can you share with us your current work in progress?

The Cajun Magic Series continues with VOODOO FOR TWO, Lucie Le Bieu and Benjamin Franklin Boyette’s story of a love potion gone wrong. Then DEJA VOODOO Alexander Belle Boyette and Ed Marceau’s story where Voodoo goes to the dogs.

Who are some of your favorite authors?

Michael Crichton, James Patterson, Stephanie Bond, Jennifer Cruisie, Sandra Hill, Jane Anne Krantz and Delilah Devlin

Do you feel that any of your favorite authors have inspired your writing style? 

I think they’ve inspired me to write what I love writing. My favorite author, Delilah Devlin (my sister) inspired me to reach for this dream. Without her love and continued support, I wouldn’t be where I am today.

Open your book to a random page and tell us what’s happening.

My heroine scientist, Elaine Smith, entered the marina’s bait shop and encountered a naked man behind the counter (Craig Thibodeaux). She’s a bit flustered…

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

The Athena Project by Brad Thor

Looking forward the action!

Is there anything else you would like to add?

I loved writing the Cajun Magic Series and hope to write more in the series soon. Look for the three books in the series:

VOODOO ON THE BAYOU (Feb 2013)

VOODOO FOR TWO (April 2013)

DEJA VOODOO (Jun 2013)

Any ideas title ideas for the next Voodoo book?

Leave a title suggestion for a chance to win a copy of THE WITCH’S INITIATION

Make sure to leave your email address too.  We have to be able to contact you.

Giveaway ends March 29

Amazon |  B&N |  Kobo |  Ibookstore

About Voodoo on the Bayou:

“By day a frog, by night a man, ‘til de next full moon…”

At first, lawyer and ladies’ man Craig Thibodeaux thought Madame LeBieu’s chant was a strange bayou joke. But the voodoo worked and Craig is spending his days as…well, a small green frog. Now he has only two weeks to find love, or his new froggy transformation becomes permanent.

When she receives the anonymous toxic water sample from Bayou Miste, research scientist Elaine Smith decides a trip to the bayou is the perfect excuse to escape the lab, and forget about her cheating ex-fiancé. Then she accidentally stumbles upon Craig’s oh-so-fine naked form, and her science-nerd brain is overrun with naughty thoughts about her new gorgeous night-time bayou guide.

But there’s more to Bayou Miste than voodoo curses and sexy late-night trysts. Dark secrets threaten the delicate ecosystem, and there are those who would do anything to keep those secrets hidden. Even murder…

Tour Stops:
3/12 – The Romanceaholic
3/14 – Book Lovers Inc
3/19 – Feeling Fictional
3/21 – Paranormal Haven
3/26 – Books-N-Kisses
3/29 – Cocktails & Books
4/3 – Just Romantic Suspense
4/4 – Froggarita’s Bookcase