Blog Hop! Week 24 of The Next Big Thing - J. Kenner

Blog Hop! Week 24 of The Next Big Thing

“Ninety-nine percent of the wives and moms in the country will identify with this heroine. I mean, like who hasn’t had to battle demons between car pools and play dates?” Jayne Ann Krentz, New York Times bestselling author


This blog hop is like a game of tag. One author posts and tags a few other authors who link back to their website the next week and tag five new authors. If you follow the blog hop long enough, you’re bound to find some books you’ll love!

I was tagged by Niecey Roy. You can learn more about her book Fender Bender Blues on her website www.nieceyroy.com.

This blog hop includes ten questions to help you learn more about an author’s current book or work in progress:

1: What is the title of your book?

I literally just uploaded the digital re-release of CARPE DEMON to the various sites (Amazon, Nook, Smashwords)!!

(I also have a brand new book, RELEASE ME, coming in January!  But this hop is All About Demons)Cover to J. Kenner's Release Me - erotic romance coming January 2013

2: Where did the idea come from for the book?

I don’t usually know the answer to that, but this is one book that has a very specific origination.  I was trying to think of an idea for my next romance series, and I wanted to do something paranormal, with alpha males (I know, how unusual, right?).  I figured the men could be demon hunters (I wanted non-vamp heroes).

At the same time, I was trying to come up with a chicklit idea … but I was a new mom and wanted to do something other than the struggling 20 something.  Like, maybe, a soccer mom.

Ponder, ponder …

And then bam! The two ideas smashed together like a Reese’s Peanut Cup:  A demon hunting soccer mom.

And, woot!  Kate Connor was born!

3: What genre does your book fall under?

(sub)urban fantasy.  Or paranormal mommylit

4: Which actors would you choose to play your characters in a movie rendition?

I think Reese Witherspoon or Jennifer Garner or Jennifer Aniston for Kate would be awesome!  As for Stuart … dunno.  For Allie, Miranda Cosgrove would have been great, but she’s too old now for a 14 year old.  Hmmm

5: What is the one-sentence synopsis of your book?

A retired demon-hunter turned stay-at-home-mom is called back into action when a demon crashes through her window, disrupting the tidy suburban life she’s built.

6: Will your book be self-published or represented by an agency?

The book was originally published by The Penguin Group (Berkley for trade paper and Jove for mass market).  I’m excited to be doing the digital re-release!

The film and audio rights are still repped by my agency (and the book is in development as a feature film with 1492 Pictures!  Heard good news recently, so fingers crossed!

7: How long did it take you to write the first draft of your manuscript?

It wrote fast!  About three months.

8: What other books would you compare this story to within your genre?

At the time, the book was pretty unique.  Folks have said I started the paranormal mommy lit genre (if there is such a thing)!  Out there in pop culture land, it’s like Buffy the Vampire Slayer … but grown up!

9: Who or What inspired you to write this book?

See above, about how I came up with the idea.  Basically, my life inspired me.  New mom … all those parent-related demons!

10: What else about your book might pique the reader’s interest?

I’ve been thrilled by the fan and reviewer reactions to the book (and the series).  Here are some awesome reviews.

“I LOVED CARPE DEMON. … It was great fun, wonderfully clever.”—Jayne Ann Krentz, New York Times bestselling author

“This book, as crammed with events as any suburban mom’s calendar, shows you what would happen if Buffy got married and kept her past a secret. It’s a hoot.”—Charlaine Harris, New York Times bestselling author

“I welcome the novels that decide to be utterly over-the-top and imagine paranormal and superhero lives for their chick- lit heroines. Take Carpe Demon …” —Detroit Free Press

“Sprightly, fast-paced . . . readers will find spunky Kate hard not to root for in spheres both domestic and demonic.”—Publishers Weekly

“Smart, fast-paced, unique … a blend of sophistication and wit that has you laughing out loud.”—Christine Feehan, New York Times bestselling author

“Tongue-in-cheek . . . fast pacing and in-your-face action. Give it a try. Kate’s a fun character and keeps you on the edge of your seat.”—SFReader

“Ms. Kenner has a style and delivery all her own . . . fun and innovative . . . [Carpe Demon] shouldn’t be missed.”—Fallen Angel Reviews

“You’re gonna love this book! A terrific summer read with lots of humor and crazy situations and action.”—Fresh Fiction

“This book was so much fun to read. I highly recommend this exceedingly entertaining read!”—Midwest Book Review

“A fun netherworld thriller that readers will treasure.”—The Best Reviews

“A+ … I am very ready for the next installment in Kate Connor’s life.”—The Romance Reader’s Connection

“Kenner scores a direct hit with this offbeat and humorous adventure, which has an engaging cast of characters. Car pools and holy water make an unforgettable mix.”—Romantic Times

Here is a list of authors who will be joining the hop for week 25 on December 12th. I hope you’ll visit their blogs next week and learn more about their books. Maybe one of them will become your new favorite author!

1 Alexa Bourne

2 J.P. Smith

3 Cheri Williams

4 Julie Ortolon

Check ‘em out!

And don’t forget about my holiday contest!

For the rest of this month, you can use the Rafflecopter widget below to enter for a chance to win a $25 gift certificate! (if the widget is wonky, try refreshing the page)

a Rafflecopter giveaway

7 Comments

Tess H.

Carpe Demon sounds like a very fun and interesting read! I love Buffy and the storyline for your book has got me intrigued! I’m going to add this to my TBR list!

And Release Me is already on my TBR list – I’m really anxiously looking forward to read it!! 🙂

Thanks for the giveaway and Happy Holidays!

Tess
tess_halim(at)hotmail(dot)com

Reply
Julie

Awesome, Tess! The sequel to Carpe, California Demon, is now available for Nook and Kindle (and Carpe should be up by tomorrow … fingers crossed!)

Reply
Sandy Lion

I actually have RELEASE ME on order and have Carpe Diem in the TBR list. I loved your J.K.Beck series and cannot to read more of your novels. sdylion(at)gmail(dot)com

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