Guest Author: Jeaniene Frost

2 September 2010 Jackie Jeaniene Frost, LE Guests 37

Today, I get to welcome the fabulous author Jeaniene Frost to Literary Escapism. Jeaniene has just released the second novel in her Night Huntress series, Eternal Kiss of Darkness.

n immortal war has been brewing in the darkness…and now one woman has stumbled into the shadows.

Chicago private investigator Kira Graceling should have just kept on walking. But her sense of duty refused to let her ignore the moans of pain coming from inside a warehouse just before dawn. Suddenly she finds herself in a world she’s only imagined in her worst nightmares.

At the center is Mencheres, a breathtaking Master vampire who thought he’d seen it all. Then Kira appears – this fearless, beautiful….human who braved death to rescue him. Though her burns for her, keeping Kira in his world means risking her life. Yet sending her away is unthinkable.

But with danger closing in, Mencheres must choose either the woman he craves, or embracing the darkest magic to defeat an enemy bent on his eternal destruction.

Seriously…how are you not running to the bookstore to purchase this yet?  Okay, so maybe I’m a little bias – I’m already a huge fan.  Regardless, make sure you stick around, we’re giving away three copies of Eternal Kiss of Darkness to three lucky readers.
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Beginnings

Imagine you’re on a blind date. You wait at the restaurant you’ve agreed to meet at, hoping you’ll have a nice time. Just in case, though, you’ve arranged for a friend to call you after about twenty minutes so you can fake an emergency if your date turns out to be boring, insufferable, or both. No one wants to sit through a miserable evening if they don’t have to, and sometimes you can tell right off if you and your companion are not a good fit.

On the surface, blind dates might not look like they have much in common with the beginning of a book, but let me point out some similarities. In my example, the reader will be the person at the restaurant, and a new book will be the date she’s waiting to meet.

Let’s assume I show up on time (literary equivalent would be a book being available for you to browse through), I’m dressed presentably (you liked the cover), and hey, if I’m lucky, some of your friends have said nice things about me (you’ve seen good reviews/had my books recommended to you). But until we sit down together and interact, you just don’t know if we’ll click. After all, you’ve got a lot of other options (just look at all the titles online and in book stores) so you’re open-minded, but it’s up to me to impress you into staying. And if I don’t, well…you’ve got that phone call scheduled for a quick getaway (you usually give books a chapter or two to hook you before you move on to another one).

Beginnings. They’re on my mind as I write the first few chapters of the sixth Cat and Bones novel. They’re critical to any relationship, whether friendship, romance, or the relationship readers have with a book. As an author, the pressure’s on me to write beginnings that give readers enough information about my world to intrigue, but not too much to bore. I only have a small window to highlight my protagonists’ personalities, too, because with every word, a reader is deciding whether to spend more time with them, or to signal for the metaphorical check. If I’m writing in a series, I also have to include enough information about important prior events that new readers won’t feel lost, but not too much information that existing readers will feel overburdened (had a date who droned on and on about their prior relationships? Yeah, you’re probably not still with him or her).

Considering all the above, it’s probably no surprise that beginnings are what I struggle the most with as an author. Not because I don’t care about other parts of the book, but because the beginning chapters are the ground that the rest of the novel will stand – or topple – on. To give you an idea, it takes me about the same amount of time to write the first 20 thousand words of a book as it does to write the next 80 thousand. Setting up the foundation is a painstaking process, but first impressions might be all you get before your date decides to get up and leave. But when it’s done properly, a solid beginning can lead to a promising relationship (your date just told her friend thanks for the getaway call, but she’s decided to stay for the rest of the evening).

What do you think about beginnings, readers? Am I stressing too much over them? Does a slow or bad beginning make you put a book down, or do you soldier on through several chapters first? Everyone who answers will be entered in a giveaway of my latest novel, Eternal Kiss of Darkness. I’ll have Randomizer select three winners out of the comments, and yes, I’ll ship internationally. Good luck!

And in honor of beginnings, below are links to the first 20% of my books. If you haven’t tried me out before, here’s a strings-free way to do so. You won’t even need to schedule that phony emergency call in advance *wink*.

Halfway to the Grave, Night Huntress book one: via HarperCollins
One Foot in the Grave, Night Huntress book two: via HarperCollins
At Grave’s End, Night Huntress book three: via HarperCollins
Destined For an Early Grave, Night Huntress book four: via HarperCollins
First Drop of Crimson, Night Huntress World, book one: via HarperCollins
Eternal Kiss of Darkness, Night Huntress World, book two: via HarperCollins

-Jeaniene Frost

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Want to purchase Jeaniene’s novels?
Night Huntress

  1. Halfway to the Grave at Amazon or the Book Depository
  2. One Foot in the Grave at Amazon or the Book Depository
  3. At Grave’s End at Amazon or the Book Depository
  4. Destined for an Early Grave at Amazon or the Book Depository
  5. This Side of the Grave at Amazon or the Book Depository (2011)

Night Huntress World

  1. First Drop of Crimson at Amazon or the Book Depository
  2. Eternal Kiss of Darkness at Amazon or the Book Depository

Anthologies
Weddings From Hell at Amazon or the Book Depository
Unbound at Amazon or the Book Depository
Four Dukes and a Devil at Amazon or the Book Depository
Death’s Excellent Vacation at Amazon or the Book Depository
Haunted by Your Touch at Amazon or the Book Depository
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Thank you Jeaniene for taking the time to visit Literary Escapism!

Contest Time! Jeaniene has graciously offered to give away three copies of her latest novel, Eternal Kiss of Darkness. All you have to do is answer this one question: What have been some of your favorite beginnings?

As always, there’s more ways of getting your name in the hat (remember, these aren’t mandatory to enter, just extra entries):

  • +1 for each place you post about today’s contest on your blog, social network, or anywhere you can. Digg it, stumble it, twit it, share it with the world. Wherever you share it, make sure you add a link to it along with your answer.
  • +1 to any review you comment on, however, comments must be meaningful. Just give me the title of the review and I’ll be able to figure it out from there.
  • +1 If you are a follower of Literary Escapism on Facebook and/or Twitter
  • +10 Purchase any of Jeaniene’s novels (listed above) or any novel through LE’s Amazon store or the Book Depository sometime during this contest and send a copy of the receipt VIA email for your purchase to: jackie AT literaryescapism DOT com. Each purchase is worth ten entries.

There is one thing I am adding to my contests now…the winner must post a review of the novel someplace. Whether it is on their own blog, Amazon, GoodReads, LibraryThing or wherever, it doesn’t matter. Just help get the word out.

The contest will stay open until September 9th, at which time I’ll determine the winner with help from the Research Randomizer and the List Randomizer.

I have not been contacting winners, so you will need to check back to see if you’ve won.

About Jackie 3282 Articles
I am a 30-something SAHM with two adorable boys and a supportive husband who is very tolerant of my reading addiction. I love to read and easily go through about a dozen books a month – well I did before I had kids. Now, not so much. After my first son was born, I began to take my hobby of reviewing a little more serious and started Literary Escapism to help with my sanity. I love to discuss the fabulous novels I’ve read and meeting all the wonderful people in the book blogging community has been amazing.

25 Comments

  1. My favorite beginging is the first line in Spider’s Bite. “My name is Gin, and I kill people.” Once Upon a Time is good too.

    Facebook follower

  2. If someone has recommended a book and it starts out slow I will push through. I like to have a OMG moment in the first chapter, but I love character building so I can be a good little reader and wait . Looking forward to the next Bones books (who is that chick that hangs around him again )

    don’t enter me to win cause I already have the book :)

  3. Hello! Great interview! I actually met Jeaniene when I was at the RomCon. You are a fabulous person and I strive to be a great author like you. My question is …. do you ever have character talk to you and want you to write their story but you just don’t have the want to write? What do you do in those situations.

    As for the contest … I totally but this on twitter and my facebook! Will be buying one of your books soon!

    Love it!

    Liz ^_^

  5. I do agree – the first 2 chapters are what keep me in a book. I will push through more of the book if I read a review that says “slow beginning but great book” but I just love action right away – even if I don’t fully understand the world the characters live in yet.

  7. The first 2 – 3 chapters are critical. A friend loaned me the first Nighthuntress book to read and was captivated from the beginning. Read all of them several times now.

  8. What a great post and I love the blind date analogy, it is so true! I think you do an awesome job hooking us in the first few chapters but I will agree that those first few chapters are important. It’s what hooks me. Although I won’t put a book down and usually get into it eventually the first chapters are what sets the mood for me and makes a book a “stay up until 4am reading because I can’t put it down” or a “will read when I get a chance” book. The Night Huntress series are def. “stay up until 4am reading because I can’t put it down” books! And I can’t wait until Feb. for This Side of the Grave.

    3 points for posting on blog, FB and being a follower on FB. Thanks!

  9. I do believe the beginning of the book has to catch the eye of the reader instantly. If these questions don’t pop along your mind: “Why is she or he doing that?” “Who is she or he?” “What is going to happen next if that happens?” Then you’re on the right track. If you don’t want to go on and read the next chapter to find the answers to the questions you seek about the first chapter that intrigue you to do just that-ask questions and read on, then the you’ve lost a potential buyer/reader. It’s evident we are not asking for the first chapter to be the best chapter in the entire novel, no, however, we are asking for something that is different and unique that triggers us to ask questions and read on. Isn’t that what a book is about? Reading it until the end because of the originality and the way it sucks us into a den that is impossible for us to get out of? Of course. I’m a writer and on my first novel I think I spent more time editing and revising my first chapter which is my prologue than anything else in my book. As you go on to your second novel, you see that it isn’t as hard as it was with the first novel to create something compelling to the readers eye. I love writing the beginnings it what makes my fans want to read on! It’s exciting for me. The end is, however, the most exciting to write because you know you have finished and can’t tell anyone, yes, even your closets friends and family!
    With that said I’d like to tell the top three beginnings!

    1: Nalani Singh-Angels’ blood-A Guild Hunter Novel

    This is my favorite book published in the world. If I could go on and on about how fantastic and brilliant the idea itself to create the world she has in this series then It would take me hours and hours to explain how much I love it. The beginning which is our main focus here is just off the back INTRIGUING. Everything you could ever want in a first chapter is right there. You can’t get anywhere better than that. Even though I dislike third person and feel a deeper connection to the novel in first person this is a phenomenal read. The best you will read. I guarantee you that.

    2: Now picking this was difficult because I also love Richelle meads beginning in the first novel in the Vampire Academy series. But I had to chose Jeaniene frost who took her place for second. Do I like to see a heroine who is a young woman and strong and bad ass? Yes and this first chapter simply gave that to me instantly. Cat I loved off the back because I love young women who like to get their hands dirty and kill off the damned. This happened right in the first chapter! How can you not fall in love? I’m referring back to the first novel-Halfway to the grave-A night huntress novel. I have been a huge fan. I was a virgin to the Series and I had found it on GOODREADS(a website that show cases novels in all genres) I instantly told my best friend about it because she is the one who got me into the paranormal world because before I had only stuck to R.L stine fear street novels. I was only 14-years-old at the time and had always loved his books as a young girl. But last year she got me hooked. I had started out with YA novels and The night huntress novel was my first ADULT BOOK! And every since I haven’t read a YA novel besides Richelle meads.I can only read adult now because I’m hooked. Back to the point, so my friends mom bought the entire series at Barnes and nobles for us and I was the first to take home the books! Yaya me. I loved them and read them probably ten times (well my fav parts)! So Yes the beginning was awesome and got me to read more!

    3: Richelle meads first novel- Vampire Academy in her Vampire Academy series! The first chapter gave you action right off the back. But I have to be honest. I did not like it after the first chapter. I wasn’t really into the first book. My best friend, however, told me to read the second and then thats when I fell in love and became a true fan!
    You’ll love it. Trust me. It is original in every way and has not been done before. You can’t ask for more! So check it out!

  10. Favorite beginnings? Hmm…well not to be talknig about beginnings of books in general, I love the beginning of my love for reading! I remember it picking up greatly when I was in 7th grade and trying to find paranormal YA back then was NOT easy. But I managed somehow. Now there are so many options it’s insane! I love it!

    Going with what some others have said, the first few chapters in a book are pivotal in keeping me engaged in the reading. If the characters aren’t doing anything in the first few chapters or couple of pages down the way, then it becomes a chore to read. Great books have the plot in motion within the first few chapters or some odd pages.

  11. Halfway to the Grave, of course! I also liked the beginning of Julie Kenner’s Tainted, and Jaye Wells had me hooked on Sabina Kane way earlier than it usually takes me to get into a book. I usually will trudge on if I’m not really into a book from the beginning, with mixed risk/reward. Usually it does set the tone though, whether I end up liking it, loathing it, or even thinking it’s just okay. One exception was Seanan McGuire’s Rosemary and Rue. I couldn’t get into the beginning, and thought I was going to hate the book. Once the story really got going (it didn’t take too long) it ended up being one of my favorites. I immediately ordered A Local Habitation and pre-ordered the next one.
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  12. Thanks for the interesting comments, everyone! And of course, thanks to Jackie for having on LE today.

    Elizabeth asked, “do you ever have character talk to you and want you to write their story but you just don’t have the want to write? What do you do in those situations.”

    *grin* I tell them to shut the hell up or they’ll get killed in the next book! In seriousness, though, if a character is “talking” to me a lot (and to non-writers, that doesn’t mean I hear actual voices, but it’s more like a particular character keeps popping up in my mind, teasing me with more and more info about him/her) then I usually want to write about that character. I love when certain characters become talkative and fill in the blanks on themselves, and usually, the more I know about a character, the more I want to share that information with readers through a book.

    But that’s just me, and every writer is different. So I actually don’t know what advice to give you about a chatty character that you *don’t* want to write about. Time limits me from writing about every character who’s chatty, but not usually lack of desire. Good luck with it, though! Let me know how it turns out. I may need the advice myself later :).

  13. My favorite beginning was in ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE, Night huntress book two. Cat leaves him in book one and you can feel their hearts are broken. In book two I couldn’t feel like the book had begun until Bones was back, and wow what a better way to bring him back than at the wedding. Love, love, loved it. Cat and her raging vampire jealousy and Bones’s neverending love and attraction to her made for one of the best chapters ever written. So along with the humor of the whole situation, it was my most memorable beginning. Jeaniene you’re brilliant!!!

  14. I love funny moments that just grab your attention and make you fall in love with the book immediately. One example would be Sherrilyn Kenyon’s Infinity and Nick’s snarky comment.

    +1 LE follower on FB

  15. Great analogy Ms. Frost!

    I can’t even imagine how hard it must be to continue a series, and I think you have done a brilliant job of it so far.

    I do have to admit that I’m one of those readers that will stop reading if I feel overburdened and the book bores me as it tries to fill in the blanks for new readers. Unfortunately, I think that is an easy trap for writers to get stuck in.

    But I also hate to leave things unfinished, so if I put a book down because it didn’t grab my attention, I will probably end up picking it back up later, some time only a few weeks pass, sometimes months. LOL!

    You’re a writer with a lot of experience, so I think you are on the right track regarding your thoughts on this. I know it is silly, but something that helps me identify a good book is sleep! I could be bone tired, but if I start a new book and it keeps me up, keeps me reading, until I lose track of time, and suddenly, without realizing it, I find that I’ve read the whole night and now it’s time to go to work, well then I know I’ve got a good book! If the book actually helps put me to bed, well then, something about it wasn’t as exciting.

    Thanks for sharing this experience with us! I squeed out loud when I read “the sixth Cat and Bones novel.”

    For the giveaway: I’m a follower of LE

  16. I think beginnings are very important, that is what gives the initial taste + hook. A favorite is Elizabeth Hoyt’s beginning from ‘The Leopard Prince’…”After the carriage wreck and a bit before the horses ran away, Lady Georgina Maitland noticed that her land steward was a man.”

    I would love to read your latest, Jeaniene, thanks for blogging!

    +1 Follower on Twitter (@scorpio1m)

  17. My book buying decisions have changed a lot since I got my Kindle and am able to sample the first pages of any book I’m thinking about buying. Now, if the author is otherwise unknown to me, the sample has to grab me. My only exception to that is if the plot is one of my favorite tropes, then I’ll usually give it more of a chance, even if it starts slow.

    I remember reading the first pages of Richelle Mead’s Storm Born and immediately one-clicking. I know I had the same reaction to Halfway to the Grave (thank you for so much reading pleasure). Recently, I read a book called Branded by an Indie author named Keary Taylor that had such a unique beginning that I just had to read it. Another one that stands out is Laura Kinsale’s book Midsummer Moon. The ebook version was being offered at a very cheap price and although the blurb didn’t sound too interesting, I downloaded the sample just to check it out and yep, immediately had to one-click. Thanks for the giveaway – I haven’t read ETOD yet (and no, I haven’t sampled it either), but it’s on my wishlist.

  18. love the beginning of Karen Marie Morning’s fever series. It was so lol funny that when I read it to my 19 yr old son he throwed the book in the buggy and said I’m getting that one lol.
    follow you on facebook and twitter. Pamk258

  20. My most favorite beginning started the summer of 2008 when I first moved to Louisville, Kentucky and it in turn started my book craze. Now I’m back in my hometown with my very own library in my room. Reading through life, and lovin’ it!
    I know that’s only one beginning but it’s my favorite of all time, because without, I probably wouldn’t be entering this contest today. :)

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  21. re: What do you think about beginnings, readers?I like beginnings.

    re:Am I stressing too much over them? I think maybe so just an eensy bit. But I like that you are stressing because that means you aren’t resting on your laurels knowing your fans dig what you write and will read whatever you write. We will, because it’s good.

    re:Does a slow or bad beginning make you put a book down, or do you soldier on through several chapters first? It depends if it’s a new to me author or someone I trust. If it’s a new author and I’ve heard some good things about said author, then I’ll continue. If it’s an author I trust, then I carry on for a little while.
    If the rest of the 50 pages that is my cutoff, I use my ‘life is too short’ rule and set the book aside.

    VWinship at aol dot com

  22. Some of my favorite beginnings were; moving from TN to Chicago, starting college, going to my first concert, writing my first song, and recording my first song.

    Posted this on FB http://www.facebook.com/?ref=home#!/profile.php?id=715614198

    My cat’s twitter (don’t ask) http://twitter.com/joeybeancat

    My twitter http://twitter.com/amberlane

    My digg it account http://digg.com/news/entertainment/guest_author_jeaniene_frost_literary_escapism

    And I’m following Literary Escapism on my FB, my twitter, and my cat’s twitter.

    Thanks!

  24. My favorite beginning is the first time I became a Mother and my beautiful baby boy was placed in my arms for the first time. Twelve years later he is still my best friend.

  25. Hmmm. I have a lot but I think When Bones ask cat to marry him in “At Graves End” that was one of my favorite beginnings I thought that it was so sweet how he got all nerves and all. Also Magic on the Storm by Devon monk how in the beginning how Allie and Zayvion seem happy to be together and enjoying there company for the first time no drama well of course until the drama came but still I love Allie shes one of my favorite heroines cause she knows how to kick ass. Last but not least The Darkest Lie By Gena Showalter OMG I love Gideon and I was just so happy to finally get my hands on that book that when I picked it up I just loved every single page and chapter.
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