It’s a pleasure to welcome Reena Jacobs and her paranormal romance novel, SHADOW CAT. To learn more about her inspiration and upcoming books, read on!

 

 

 

 

 

Tell us more about yourself.

I’m a daydreamer. If the world was on my schedule, I’d lounge around a good portion of the day just thinking and daydreaming my life away. Lucky for me, I have a family who needs me to be functional and productive; otherwise I’d get nothing done.

 

Tell us more about Shadow Cat.

It seems like forever since I’ve talked about my debut novel, but in reality, I
probably talk about Shadow Cat every day. Haha Shadow Cat is a paranormal romance set in the Malaysian rainforest. How about a blurb?
Eric Randall’s plan is simple-fix the mess his researchers have created in Malaysia, experience the pleasures the country has to offer, and return to the comforts of America. All it takes is one beautiful aborigine, and Eric finds himself stranded in a world of Malaysian myths and legends.   A novice shaman amongst her people, Berani is free and independent. Yet all is not well in her homeland. Demons prey on her people, pushing them to extinction. When a strange speaking man invades her forest, she has one more worry to add to her already troubled life. Attraction or no, she will fight Eric tooth and claw to maintain her freedom. But will she destroy herself in the process?   If Berani wishes to save her family… if Eric wishes to reclaim his old life, they must stand together against the threats of encroaching wehr-tigers and bloodsucking demons… or perish.

What inspired you to write this book?

It all started back in 2008. I realize psychology wasn’t for me and dropped out of my PhD program to search for a job. In the meantime, I decided to fill my time with writing a book. I love shape-shifter romances but wanted to do something other than werewolves. But what? Since I’m a wild cat lover, I decided to go with tigers. One thing led to another, and a year later I was typing “the end” on Shadow Cat.

 

Why did you choose this genre and the title of your book?

My favorite genre at the time was paranormal romances, so I figured I start with what I enjoyed. The title-Shadow Cat. If you don’t mind, I’ll forgo that question to avoid spoilers. Instead, let’s talk about the subtitle: The Striped Ones. When I was researching Shadow Cat, I came across Malaysian folklore regarding weretigers. Some believed using the term ‘weretigers’ would attract the creatures’ attention. Instead, they used the term orang belang which means ‘the striped ones.’

 

How does this book describe you? How does it express your thoughts?

For the most part, I just wanted to write a book I wanted to read with the hope others would also enjoy the story.

 

What similarities do you find between yourself and the protagonist?

Eric, the hero, can be quite hypocritical in his actions. I’m not ashamed to admit, I have strong opinions, but I don’t always do what’s right in my eyes. I don’t let myself off the hook though. I acknowledge my shortcomings. As for Berani, the heroine, she has a tough façade. She’s independent, but deep down she wants someone she can trust and depend upon. I’m so like that. I hate showing weakness, but at the same time, would like to relax my guard and feel safe enough to be vulnerable.

 

What about you do you see in the antagonist?

In Shadow Cat, Eric and Berani are more antagonistic to themselves than outside forces. For me, there’s always a bit of dissonance between who I want to be and who I am.

 

Where do you get your ideas?

Everywhere!

 

How do you market your book?

I’m horrible at marketing but use social media mostly: Twitter, Facebook, Goodreads, blogging. I’ve also spent a bit of time seeking reviews. I don’t think anyone has developed a true formula. Luck plays an important role in getting the word out.

 

What do you think about the future of ebooks?

Oh man. That’s a broad question. All in all, I think the prospects for ebooks are favorable. I imagine eBooks will be to print as the iPod is to CDs.

 

What are you working on now?

My current work in process is a new adult story called I Loved You First. I’m hoping to release it in August 2011. In fact, I’m trying out a Kickstarter campaign for it now. I’ve been playing a bit with a blurb:

 

Alexandria (Alex) Carmichael guards two secrets close to her heart. One–she’s in love with her best friend, Seth. Two–he’s gay.  As a freshman in college, Alex looks forward to fun times with her best friend. When Seth decides cycling through girlfriends is the way to fit in with the straight crowd, Alex must make a choice: watch Seth give his affection–though phony–to another while her heart breaks or come clean with her feelings and risk losing his friendship forever.

 

I have the first unedited chapter available on my blog.

 

Add a question of your choice. (Get creative with this one You’re stuck in solitary confinement with one book to get you through the lonely days. Which one do you have on hand?

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan. I took a women’s history course in college and was forced to read it. I laughed. I cried. I related. As torturous as reading the same book over and over would be, that’d be the one to get me through.

 

Thanks for having me, Angel.

 

Reena Jacobs is just your typical writer who loves to see her words in print. As an avid reader, she’s known to hoard books and begs her husband regularly for “just one more purchase.” Her home life is filled with days chasing her preschooler and nights harassing her husband. Between it all, she squeezes in time for writing and growling at the dog.

 

You can find Reena on Ramblings of an Amateur Writer, Amazon, Goodreads, Barnes & Nobles, and Smashwords.

 

Reena Jacobs – Author of Lots of Words
www.reenajacobs.com
www.reenajacobs.com/blog
http://twitter.com/ReenaJacobs

 

 

They formed a bond so strong, death couldn’t keep them apart.

 

Shadow Cat available at Amazon, Barnes and Nobles, and Smashwords.

 

 

 

Ask me how you can receive a free copy of Control Freak! Available at Amazon and Smashwords.

 

International Blog Hop & Giveaway

Reena Jacobs is one of seven authors I have teamed up with for an international blog hop to launch my thriller, Bloodletter, and YA fantasy, Legacies of Talimura: War of the Witch.

 

This International Blog Hop started July 1st and runs for 30 days. There are well over 50 books to giveaway (mostly ebooks but some paperbacks as well) so there are lots of chances to win!

 

To enter, visit: http://www.angelhaze.com/2011/07/01/blog-hop/

For the blog tour schedule, visit: http://www.angelhaze.com/2011/07/06/blog-tour-dates/

 

 

 

Tags: Amazon, Angel Haze, author interview, authors promoting authors, Blog Hop, Book Launch, ebooks, epic fantasy, fantasy, Giveaway, Legacies of Talimura, Reena Jacobs, Shadow Cat, Slade Sewell, Writing, YA fantasy

This entry was posted on Wednesday, July 6th, 2011 at 6:18 am and is filed under Author Interviews and Success Stories, July 2011. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.