Author Interviews

Author's Interview

Let's start with you telling us a little bit about yourself, JJ.
I live in West Michigan with my three children and one very tiny puppy. I tend to be a homebody and my idea of a perfect night is pajamas and a good book or playing video games with my kids. When I’m not writing or hanging out with my little monsters, I’m hard at work at my everyday job in the insurance industry.

I love writing, the paranormal and men falling in love.

What would people be most surprised to learn about you?
I hate sprinkles. I know, crazy but true. I can’t explain it but I detest the colourful little crunchy pieces of sugar.

When did you start writing, is it something you've always been interested in, or did it develop later in life?
I’ve always been an avid reader, bordering on obsessive. There’s nothing better than getting immersed in a book, losing yourself in the words and worlds the authors create. As the years went by, I started creating my own stories and characters in my head. I kept them to myself, until it got to the point that I had to get out on paper. Once I started writing them down, I couldn’t stop.

Has it been everything you thought it would be or not?
I always thought it would be fun to be a writer but I never realized how therapeutic it could be. I could be having the worst day ever but all I have to do is sit down with my computer or a notepad and, suddenly, none of it matters. It’s an amazing feeling.

How did it feel when you realized that your very first book was going to be published?
Honestly? I thought I was being punk’d. The idea that anyone would be interested in publishing anything I wrote was crazy. The only reason I submitted Accepting the Alpha was because my sister pushed me to step out of my comfort zone and take a chance. I owe her big time!

What's your favorite part of writing a book?
I love the feeling I get before I even begin writing, when a story idea pops into my head and I just know it’s going to work. It’s a big adrenaline rush.

Do you get time to read for pleasure? If so, which books do you enjoy?
I tend to go through stages of binge read. I can go a few weeks and barely read a thing, then I will turn around and finish five books in a weekend. Mary Calmes was my introduction to the M/M genre and is always my go to author. I autobuy everything new that comes out and I have reread all of her books multiple times. Other than that, I tend to gravitate toward anything paranormal and enjoy finding new authors that I’ve never read before.

Are there any other genres you'd be interested in writing?
I’ve been playing around with the idea of writing something contemporary but I don’t have anything set in stone yet. We’ll have to see where inspiration takes me.

Please tell us a little about your most recent release.
Psychic Says is the second book in the Revelations series. Stephen Jurgens is a powerful medium who uses his gift to aide communication between the living and the dead. He’s a workaholic who doesn’t leave himself anytime for a personal life, beyond the affection he holds for his closest friends. He especially doesn’t have time for alpha wolf, Maddox Blackwell, or the attraction he feels for the younger man. Unfortunately, he doesn’t have much of a choice. Cougar shifters are dying and Revelations is sending Stephen and Maddox with a team to investigate. They will be forced to face not only a murderer, but their growing feelings for each other.

What can we look forward to in the future from you?
I am currently working on book three in the Great Lakes Wolves series, which is Jai and Dylan’s story. I’m also working on a few non-series books that I am really excited about. Updates to come soon.

Anything you want to say to your readers?
I am so thankful for all the friendship and support I’ve received from my readers. It still blows me away when I think about people buying my books and enjoying the characters and stories that have been such a big part of my life. Without my readers, I wouldn’t have the opportunity to do what I love. I feel truly blessed.

JJ Black's most recent releases

Psychic Says (Revelations 2)
https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/psychic-says
 
A spirit is a terrible thing to waste.

Stephen Jurgens has always gone his own way, both professionally and personally. Disowned as a child by parents who did not approve of his gifts, Stephen struck out on his own and, along the way, became a highly sought-after psychic. Between his own private clients and the consulting work he does for Revelations, business has never been better. If only his love life was meeting with as much success. Despite his efforts to reach out and enjoy the dating scene, his heart remains drawn to only one man—Maddox Blackwood.

Alpha of the Pontiac wolf pack, Maddox Blackwood is the only man Stephen has ever met who has the power to destroy him. Their initial meeting led to a rejection of epic proportions that left Stephen wary of any kind of romantic entanglement. Now, eight years later, Maddox is back and ready to claim Stephen as his own, as he should have done all those years ago. The only question is, can Stephen find it in himself to forgive the past and accept the future Maddox is offering?

All thoughts of mating are put on the back burner when Revelations receives a call for help from a local cougar pride. People are dying, but are their deaths as mundane as they appear or is something more nefarious plaguing the Pride lands? With their investigation underway, Stephen and his team soon discover that things aren’t always what they seem, and just because you don’t see something, doesn’t mean it isn’t hunting you.

Ask the Oracle (Revelations 1)
https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/ask-the-oracle
 
When you absolutely have to know…

Grayson Muir is a know-it-all. No, seriously…he really does know it all. The strength of his abilities has him rumored to be the most powerful Oracle in the world. Gray couldn’t care less. All his life, Gray has played by his own rules. Whether through his own private clients or his work with the police, his only goal has been to use his gift to help as many people and paras as he can. With abilities like Gray’s, he doesn’t have time for any distractions.

Unfortunately, that is exactly what he gets when Andreo Demos, a six-hundred-year-old Lust Demon, pays him an unexpected visit. Dreo has been sent by the Demon Council with an appeal for assistance. The Lord of the Underworld has been murdered, the Demon kingdom has been thrown into chaos and Gray’s help is needed to identify the murderer.

Gray has his doubts. Demons don’t have the best reputations, after all. Still, despite his reservations, there is something about Dreo that calls to him. Whether it’s his dark good looks or the startling knowledge that Dreo believes they are destined mates, Gray can’t help but agree to offer his assistance.

Unfortunately, their road to happiness isn’t destined to be an easy one. Between court intrigue, their own unexpected mating and a murderer still on the loose, they are definitely going to have their work cut out for them. What are the chances, they’ll get their happy ending? Ask the Oracle.

Our Omega (Great Lakes Wolves 2)
https://www.pride-publishing.com/book/our-omega
 
Sometimes two just isn’t enough.

Noah Steele is a broken man. Though born a strong, confident Alpha, the torture and betrayal he experienced by order of his own father have left him a shell of the man he once was. Still gripped by the fear left in the wake of his trauma, he no longer trusts his instincts or his ability to lead. Shamed, he hides himself away, even from the mate he longs to claim as his own.

Dax Marshall needs some downtime. Between protecting the Pack in his role as Beta and leading teams to search for more of Alpha Steele’s facilities, his responsibilities are starting to overwhelm him. If only he could find the one person destined to soothe both himself and his wolf.

Between dominant wolves, power struggles are always an issue. Time and patience will be needed to make their mating work. Unfortunately, time is in short supply. New information has Dax, Noah and a team following a lead to a breeding facility—and much more. Among the prisoners, they find an abused young man who calls to them both in a way that neither of them understands.

While they scramble to adjust to fate’s curveball, more information comes to light showing just how far Alpha Steele is willing to go in his quest to rule the Packs. Will their new happiness withstand the madman’s plans or be destroyed by the malevolence of his ambition?

Excerpt from Psychic Says (Revelations 2):
The front door crashed open behind him and an enraged Trenton Kendrick filled the doorway, his face purpled with fury. “Who the fuck do you think you are?” Trenton roared as he stormed across the threshold.

Stephen cocked his head and pursed his lips to suppress his grin. “Is that a rhetorical question?”

“Not only did you embarrass me, but you also embarrassed my mother and tarnished the memory of my great-grandmother,” Trenton snarled, spittle flying from his mouth.

“I’m not sure I know what you mean,” Stephen answered coyly.

“You know goddamn well what I’m talking about!” Trenton thundered. “Spewing those lies about me and claiming they came from my grandmother was disgusting. You should be ashamed of yourself, not that I shouldn’t have expected something like this to come from someone of your ilk. Only someone mentally disturbed would pretend they can communicate with the dead.”

“That’s enough,” Stephen barked, anger finally pushing him over the edge. “Now you listen to me, Mr. Kendrick. You chose to go ahead with a reading, against my advice. I warned you that, without preparation, these sessions can be unpredictable. If you didn’t like what you heard, you have no one to blame but yourself.”

“But the things you said… Lies… And my great-grandmother…” A flush worked its way over his cheeks.

“You know damned well that there was nothing about the message I delivered that was untrue,” Stephen snapped, irritation making his tone sharp. Trenton made a noise of protest and Stephen raised a dismissive hand. “Don’t even start. The dead don’t judge, they don’t lie and they know more than you could possibly imagine. Now, I’m sorry that your greatgrandmother outed you, but, in my defense, I did warn you that I had no control over the message that came through. Perhaps you should have listened to me instead of assuming I was a fraud who was only out to steal your mother’s money.”

“It wasn’t the gay thing. I’ve been out to my family since high school.”

“Ah, I see.” Stephen nodded thoughtfully. “So it was the cross-dressing.”

“What?” Trenton gasped, his eyes blown wide with panic. “Of course not!”

“I don’t know what your problem is. It’s nothing to be ashamed of and your mother didn’t seem to care. She was more upset that you were being such a colossal asshole. Too bad for you, personal problems are outside my area of expertise. You could probably use the help of a professional.” Stephen heard the sound of an approaching car and a short double honk of the horn. “Well, that’s my ride. I can’t honestly say it was nice to meet you, but it was definitely memorable. You have yourself a nice life, Mr. Kendrick. Good luck with everything.”

“Wait! I don’t know what to—”

Stephen stopped him with a hand on his arm. “I’m not really the counseling type, Trenton. If you want someone to talk all of this out with, I’d suggest you call Revelations and set up an appointment with one of the counselors there. They are more equipped to handle these kinds of situations. I’m just the messenger. Have a good day.”

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