Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy Author JL Durfey Visits Us!
Hi friends!
Since you still have some time to wait before Protected is released this Summer, I thought I’d try to hold you over a bit!
JL Durfey, a new author to the paranormal and urban fantasy world, is stopping by this evening to chat about her writing and her book, Dreamer (The Kali Lockton Trilogy Book 1). JL is amazing and one of the great new friends I have met on this new adventure.
Her book, Dreamer, is available NOW to buy. I really enjoyed it and if you are here because you like paranormal romance/urban fantasy – I think you will too!! Don’t worry I’ll give all those where to buy details later. For now, I’m going to grab my glass of wine and share my chat with JL!! Enjoy!
PS when you see Italics it is when I interjected my own thoughts lol.
What inspired you to start writing?
Well, I’ve always been a writer. What began as poetry and inspirational quotes somehow led to full-fledged “I think I want to write a novel.” A few months before I began writing Dreamer, I had a story in mind, mapped it all out and found myself losing enthusiasm over the planning part. Fast forward to August of 2012, I sat down one day and just decided to try and write. I had no idea what my story would be about or who my characters were, I just let my crazy imagination take over and it all began unfolding in front of me. I loved it, it was exciting and I became addicted. Now I couldn’t imagine doing anything else.
Since we’re on the topic now, what is Dreamer about?
Hmmm… I’ve always had a difficult time putting my story into a short description. Haha! Kali, the lead female, has a prophetic mind of sorts. She’s never been able to explain the visions she has or how she has them. She’s lived her life as the only person who took them seriously and would always make it her mission to try to prevent the catastrophes shown to her.
Things change for her, in more ways than one, when Jared, a smexy detective, shows up at her doorstep. Not only does he believe in her visions, he also seems to know a thing or two about some of the more recent and seemingly impossible ones she’s had.
As the weeks pass, she is faced with the dilemma of confronting Jared about the things she sees, things that can’t possibly be real. Deep down, she believes he can answer the questions that have haunted her.
Once she does open up to him, everything begins to make sense, but she must accept the possibility of a world outside of her own. What scares her most, however, is the realization that she’d become the center of the dangers revealed to her in her sleep.
Jared will go to any length to protect her, even if it means putting his own life at risk. It is his world that has haunted her sleep, and he’ll stop at nothing to keep her out of the hands of the ones who would love nothing more than to possess her and her ability.
So Jared…SMEXY detective and love interest???
Ohhh, yes! Jared is the love interest.
I’m interjecting here: he’s jump into the book, swoon worthy, YUMM!!! But he isn’t the only sexy male to grace the pages of the book! I don’t want to spoil too much though.
Why will people enjoy reading Dreamer? Especially those who are fans of paranormal/urban fantasy?
Haha. Well this is a hard one to answer. If I remove myself from the author spotlight and think like a reader, I’d say because of the ability to relate to the characters, even the non-human ones. I would also say because it’s different. This isn’t a typical PNR/UF with vampires, werewolves and fairies, but hosts a world of realms and beings that are unique. I also love a good romance and I feel like I’ve successfully incorporated a believable and deep love between Kali and Jared. Yes, yes you have JL
This talk makes me want to re-read it! Can you tell me what your favorite part is without giving too much away?
As far as the written word goes, my favorite part is a rather angsty scene when Jared is forced to leave her in the protection of Alex, a natural born enemy to Jared. Who also happens to be a hottie!!!
What has been your favorite part about writing this book?
I think the excitement of creating and sharing my creation with the world. It’s a thrill to experience a full-out takeover of a story that has become so real to you, a story that won’t relent until you put it on paper. Above all though, I was most excited over watching my characters begin to breathe a life of their own, so much so, that I couldn’t help but relinquish control to them.
Now, I know the first question from people once they read the book will be…When is Book 2 coming out??
I’m aiming for the end of August, but the date will be determined by when I get it back from my editor. The absolute latest will be early September.
So before we leave, how about a teaser from Dreamer (The Kali Lockton Trilogy Book 1)?
He chuckled, jerking my attention back to his face. Bad idea. My cheeks burned with fresh humility. I’ve never been awkward or shy around men, so I couldn’t understand how one glance at this man could dissolve my solid bones into a vapid puddle.
Sighing inwardly, I scolded myself for acting so pitifully. Regardless of who he was or what he looked like, he was only a person, no more or less than I. Forcing myself to think of him as nothing spectacular – which offered me little comfort, mind you – I held my head a tad higher and managed to act slightly less pathetic.
Daring to look straight into his eyes, I managed to hold his gaze and I proudly add that I did not spontaneously combust.
“Tea or ?”
“Water,” he interrupted with a ravishing grin. “I’ll take some water, Ms. Lockton.” His eyes danced with suppressed humor.
“Thank you.”
“Call me Kali,” I wavered, managing a small smile. “Ms. Lockton makes me sound like I’m your teacher.” I laughed, grateful that my confidence was on the rise again.
“Okay, Kali.” He winked, sending another flush of heat to my cheeks.
Turning briskly towards the fridge, I filled the glasses with ice and water before walking back around the counter. I set his glass in front of him and took mine with me as I sat down. The close proximity between us felt uncomfortably electric, although I doubted that sensation was mutual.
Sipping my water and chiding myself once again, I decided not to feel intimidated by him by reminding myself he was, after all, just a person. Every time I looked at him, I gulped down my thoughts of admiration quickly before making a fool out of myself again.
Detective Miles took a sip of his water and set it back down. He stared at me intently as his long fingers drummed the hard surface of the counter top.
Before he could unnerve me once more, I broke the uncomfortable silence.
“So you want to talk to me about my dream?” I asked tentatively, dropping my gaze to my hands and twiddling my thumbs nervously.
Now where can we buy Dreamer?
A BIG thank you to JL Durfey for spending some time with us! Now go snag a copy of her book and get lost in itIf you’d like to contact JL directly, you can!! Visit her here at JL Durfey’s Facebook
Have a great night out there!!
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