Please give a warm welcome to Jeaniene Frost to the Blog today, one of the Featured Authors for the Coastal Magic Convention that will be at Daytona Beach, Florida (February 22-25, 2024). Check out the Interview below with Jeaniene, where you get to read about five fun facts about her, learn more about her latest release, her fave tv show(s) and movie(s), and so much more.
FranJessca: Tell us five fun facts about yourself that some readers may not know.
Jeaniene:
I married my husband when I was only nineteen, and we’re still in love thirty years later.
I almost never drink. Not because of any moral objection to liquor—I just hate the taste of alcohol.
I’ve loved vampires since I was a child and told my Sunday School teacher that the cross on the wall was only there to keep the vampires out.
I’m afraid of heights, but I frequently dream that I can fly.
The first book I ever wrote became a New York Times bestseller (still shocked about that!)
FranJessca: What comes first for you — the plot or the characters — and why?
Jeaniene: The characters always come first for me. I can’t even begin to plot until I know some details about them. For example, before I wrote the first page of my very first novel, I already knew that the heroine was a half-vampire who’d left her full vampire boyfriend years before even though she still loved him. I also knew her vampire ex had been searching for her the entire time, and wasn’t about to give up on her now that he’d finally found her. Asking myself “Who is this girl? How are half-vampires a thing? Why did she leave this guy if she loved him? And how did a full vampire fall in love with a half vampire to begin with?” eventually led me to write HALFWAY TO THE GRAVE, or book one in the Night Huntress series.
FranJessca: What genre/subgenres do you write?
Jeaniene: It’s called Romantasy now, but it’s also been called paranormal romance and urban fantasy.
FranJessca: Tell us about your latest book release and what’s up next on your writing schedule.
Jeaniene: My last release is BOTH FEET IN THE GRAVE, which is “Bones’s side of the story” of how he searched for, found, and romanced Cat back into his life while also battling vampire enemies both unknown and very close to him. It was great finally getting to show what Bones was thinking and feeling, as well as all the things readers didn’t get to see when the story was told through Cat’s eyes. There’s a lot about the supernatural world that Cat didn’t know in this, not to mention secrets about Bones’s past that readers now get to discover, too. But it’s not just for existing fans. New readers also can pick up BOTH FEET IN THE GRAVE because it’s a complete story just like the original book was. In fact, I’m loving people saying that they discovered the Night Huntress series through Bones’s story versus Cat’s for a change 😊
Next up is a new book set in a completely different paranormal world that’s unrelated to anything I’ve written. I’m not saying much else because I’m only a third of the way into the book, and as an organic writer, things are subject to change right up until the book is finished. But, once it IS done, I’ll be excited to share all the details! It’s a story and world that’s been teasing my mind for a few years now, and I’m so excited to finally tell it.
FranJessca: Who designs your book covers?
Jeaniene: Most of my book covers were designed by my publisher since they were traditionally published. However, my last two novels, THE OTHER HALF OF THE GRAVE and BOTH FEE IN THE GRAVE were self-published, so the covers were designed by me and my literary agent. I picked out the model images, font colors, and said what I wanted for the background, and my agency put it all together.
I’m really happy with how they turned out. I’ve said before that the model doesn’t necessarily look like Bones, but he has the “vibe” I was going for, especially with the cover for THE OTHER HALF OF THE GRAVE. The way he’s looking directly at the reader practically screams “Open me. I dare you.” That attitude is all Bones, even if the image isn’t because I haven’t found anyone who looks like Bones does in my head.
FranJessca: How do you celebrate when you finish writing a book/series?
Jeaniene: It depends on what time of night it is when I finally type “The End,” lol. If it’s before 8pm, I’ll probably go out to dinner with my husband to celebrate. If it’s very late, like midnight—and that happens sometimes–then I’ll probably just grab a snack and pass out.
FranJessca: What are you looking forward to most at the Coastal Magic Convention?
Jeaniene: I love getting the chance to interact with readers in person, whether it’s on panels, at the luncheon, or during the signing. Most of the time, I can only chat with readers online, but at conventions, you get to put faces to online friends, and meet so many new people, too. It’s a blast spending time with book lovers. I call myself a story junkie, and that’s only something another book lover can understand. When I’m at a convention, I’m with my people!
FranJessca: Favorite TV Show or Movie?
Jeaniene: I can’t pick just one! It depends on my mood. For shows, I recently binged SUITS and loved it, but I also really loved WEDNESDAY and JUSTIFIED, too, and if I ever turn into a real-life villain, I’m blaming it on Netflix cancelling SANTA CLARITA DIET and Fox cancelling PRODIGAL SON.
As for movies, I have to give it up to Marvel for all the movies from IRON MAN to ENDGAME for telling a great, complete story without screwing up the ending (looking at you, GAME OF THRONES! I will die mad about how Daenerys’ character was done so dirty by that finale.)
FranJessca: Coffee or Tea or something else?
Jeaniene: I always start my morning with a cup of coffee. I literally can’t function without it, but in the afternoon, I’ll vary things up with a cup of tea.
FranJessca: Favorite Season: Autumn, Winter, Spring, or Summer?
Jeaniene: Autumn. It’s getting cooler out, the leaves are turning colors, and it’s the beginning of Spooky Season where horror movie marathons are on, and I can decorate my house with fake skeletons, bats, and other Halloween-themed fun. What’s not to love?
Check out her Website and Blog. Follow her on her Social Media Accounts: Bookbub | Facebook | Threads | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube. Add her books on GoodReads
FIRST GIVEAWAY – $25 Amazon egift card (US winner only)
a Rafflecopter giveaway
SECOND GIVEAWAY – OPEN INTERNATIONALLY – Any Book from Jeaniene Frost’s Backlist, Winner’s Choice
a Rafflecopter giveaway
For a full list of Featured Authors, Information about the weekend, and link to register to attend, visit http://www.CoastalMagicConvention.com. And be sure to watch for more Featured Author spotlights coming up here each month!
