Today at Fallen Angel Reviews, we get to chat with author J.R. Mitchell about her books Wolf’s Den, The Curse of Solstice Springs, One with the Night, and Born of Fire.

Welcome Ms. Mitchell, I know how busy you are and I appreciate the time you’ve taken to chat with us today.

Please tell us about yourself and the books you have out now?

I was born in Montana and have lived all over the western US. I have settled in Santa Fe, NM and love it. Most of my books are based in places I have lived, it makes it seem more real to me. I started writing in grade school, and have never really quit. Right now I have Wolf’s Den which was a number one bestseller on fictionwise for 4 weeks straight. My first book out and it was pretty amazing to me. Born of Fire, I think was almost a challenge, all my friends asked how I could write something with no sex and no vampires…LOL I laughed and said, “You know I used to be a fantasy junky”

One with the Night is undergoing edits and I am hopeful that it will make publication on time.

You have a diverse writing style; poetry, newspaper, and your books. How do you keep the different aspects of your writing from bleeding into each other?

Ha ha ha. I don’t!! Just kidding actually, the poetry comes when it wants and usually comes out very raw, it is like a spurt of emotion needing to escape. As for the newspaper, it is mostly opinions with research to back up my opinions! For my fiction, consider it an alternative life style I let the voices in my head live out! They just happen to allow my fingers to tell the public.

I love the cover for Wolf’s Den, were you able to have a lot of input how it was designed?

Funny you talked about that. The cover artist is a good friend of mine, and she had designed me a “mock” cover for my account on WDC. After that anything less then perfect would not do, and yes I gave so much input she probably wanted to shoot me before we were both satisfied. Thanks Khylan, you’re the best cover artist I know!

Reading Wolf’s Den I found you made Ian as a shape shifting vampire. How did you come up with that idea?

Well I wanted to incorporate a shifter into the story and Ian is so animalistic I thought it a perfect match. Plus Ian told me when I was writing that in my head he always was a wolf so I just had to add it in.

Of all the characters you’ve written about, which one is your favorite? Which one was your hardest to write?

The answer is the same. Ariana Reynolds. I love her so much, if only we could all just pull a 9mm on somebody who makes us mad. No really she is a sweet character, my hardest problem with her is that I don’t want to lose too much of her attitude in the sequel. I have never written one before and so while writing I go back over it, I tell myself, “Ariana would just kick him in the face rather then try to compromise with him.” I want her to still be feisty yet seem more mature, and somewhat softer, she is in love with Ian ya know?

I saw that gorgeous picture of you and your husband. Did you use his as a model for any of your male leads, and if so, which one?

Well thank you! Almost all my hero’s have one trait or another from the hubby. Though I would have to say that Taben in One with the Night is most like him! *I just didn’t have the guts to name him Blaine* LOL

In Born of Fire, Kenna learns about her background and destiny with Finn’s help. It reminded me of a girl coming to age, is that where you got the idea?

Somewhat she is already older then most of us by our standing. She is coming of age, her mixed species ensures that she will age like a dragon but gain experience as a human. Her character develops rather quickly after she leaves her sheltered life. Kenna learns very fast and adapts as we human are want to do.

Has anyone ever dismissed you because of writing romance instead of “regular fiction”?

Actually I have been dismissed because I write erotica. I have a few author friends that do a lot of papers and articles that frown upon the way I write. But they are still my friends. We just talk about other things, or writing techniques as a whole. I do have one non romance story out there, Born of Fire, but in the sequel a romance starts…what can I say? I am just all romance I guess.

When you sit down to write is there a specific order that you do things? Like the notes have to be in a certain spot, etc.

Well let’s see, beer by the desk? (check) Good tunes playing? (check) Characters screaming to have me tell their story? Ha I have a limited amount of control, no outline, just a general idea of the ending and the climax, other then that I write. It either flows or it doesn’t!

If I walked into your office, what would I see?

Clutter, my own personal organization system, like so many. Books everywhere, mostly the reading kind, a jade plant and a bonsai, that I am killing Fish tank with my kid’s hand me down goldfish they don’t want anymore, and of course my laptop and desk.

With having two small children it must be hard to find the time to write. Do you wait until they’re in bed to work on your novels?

Most of the time I have to, although nap times are great as well, Mommy’s favorite time of day! No really they are pretty good and know when Mommy is working to help me out. I am on the computer a lot, and like all Mom’s we are good at multitasking.

If you were a comfort food, what would you be and why?

Green Chile Stew. Hot, spicy and totally satisfying. No really I live in New Mexico, have spent 80% of my adult life here, have a family here, it is home. Always will be and nothing comforts one like stew, we New Mexican’s just like a little spice in our lives to keep us honest.

Please tell us about your works in progress and when can we expect them to be out?

One with the Night of course, soon very, very soon. I am almost complete with the sequel to Wolf’s Den, called Twilight Springs, and will start the third in the series when I have sent it in for publication. I have a long time WIP, temporarily named Ozma about a girl in the future that is destined to follow her path and save the human race. And who knows when It will get done, Hehehe!
Blood Love after Midnight slotted for release in Oct. this year with Whiskey Creek Press Torrid, been waiting very impatiently but I know how the publishing world is. Also about vampires, Hehehe!

Also have a short with Amira Press coming out in Oct. this year called Winter Skinny Dip, also vampires. And then my newest contract is with Silk’s Vault, a short story collection about vampires, called Carnal Cravings. Not sure when it is scheduled for release but it is up on their coming soon link.

Other then that I am working on a few short stories, mainly vampires and shifters.

How can readers find out more about you, your books, and reach you?

www.jennifermitchell.com my website, though am working on a new one. It lists my email addy and what not. Has a coming soon page, a review page, and WIP page, plus a blog. I will be holding another contest this fall with any and all print books I have out as a prize, plus an afghan I am making and possibly some Chile coffee. Other then that anybody can drop me a line and always expect to get an answer. I love to hear from fans.

I want to say again, thank you so much for taking the time to sit and chat with us Ms. Mitchell. I’m looking forward to reading your books.

Thank You, I have enjoyed the interview immensely and hope to come and visit again some day! I would like to say I appreciate what you do at FAR and keep up the great work!

Interviewed by: Donna