Welcome Amarinda Jones to Love Romances & More! I look forward to chatting with you and seeing what is new. Thank you for being here with us. 

Can you give us a glimpse into the person behind the author? 

Short, average, cranky, always on a diet and I never have enough time. No seriously, none of that is true but for the short – cranky – diet - time bit.    

Can you tell us a little about how you started writing; was it something you have always wanted to do? 

I sort of played around with writing but I never took it seriously until I could afford to buy a computer. Then I say down and banged off all these terrible books until I ended up with Rose Perfect and Cerridwen Press wanted it. Amazing, Grace.  

Who or what has been your biggest influence as a writer? 

My mother was a great believer in the fact that her kids could do anything. So I tend to go through life believing this until it is proved otherwise. I thought, I’ll have a go at writing and see what happens. My mother gave me the belief and confidence in myself to try anything. She is my biggest influence.     

Your work is very popular with readers and reviewers; how does it feel to have such positive recognition for your work?  

It’s great of course. I still get shocked when someone sends me a fan letter or I get a great review about a book. I think really? Me?  But I think you have to remain grounded and not get caught up in the hype. I am someone who tries to write a book that a reader can zone out with and not think about what is going on in their life for a couple of hours. If I accomplish that – great.    

What do you consider to be the key elements of a great story? 

I try and make the characters identifiable. They’re not perfect, they mess up but they do their best. I also like banter in books especially when it comes to romance so I try to keep the dialogue snappy. And of course you have to want to believe the hero and heroine are perfect for each other and will get together despite all the obstacles that are thrown in their path.   

Could you tell us a little about how you develop your characters? Who has been your favorite character to write? The most challenging?  

I would like to say I have this amazing formula for developing a character but I don’t. I just start writing the character and rest falls into place. I like all the characters I have written so far – maybe Alex Navarro in Last Man Standing edges into the lead as a favourite as he wants so much out of life yet he knows he must deny himself to save others.  None have been really challenging – touch wood – so far.  

Please tell us about the projects you are currently working on; what can readers expect to see in the coming months? 

Lots of romance, hot sex, tattooed heroes and demons. I have a tattoo fetish at the moment. I expect I’ll snap out of it shortly. Some of the books coming out – 

Marlow’s Curse – the sequel to Shades of Gray. 

Unbreakable – hot, younger man makes older woman realize love has no age limit.

Anyone But You – what if the man you want to hate is the love of your life?

Penned Again – a demon bets his immortality that he can gain back the love of his mortal wife.    

Micah Blue – Gorgeous, part time garbage truck driver thwarts one thousand year old demon to win the love of his life.      

Where can readers find out what's new and how can they contact you? 

All the latest news, contest and releases are on my blog www.amarindajones.blogspot.com or please check out my website www.freewebs.com/amarindajones/ 

Do you have a strict writing schedule? How do you balance your personal and writing time? 

I’m not big on strict schedules. I fit writing in when I can - generally before work or after work or if no one’s watching - at work. I believe if you really want to do something you will find the time.

Who or what has been the biggest influence on your work?  Who or what has been your biggest support?   

My family and friends have been a huge support as they never question what I write. Sure I get the odd eye roll from them but they believe in me as a person so I am lucky. My editor has been a tremendous influence as she steered me towards Ellora’s Cave. At first I said ‘I can’t write normal sex. It would have to be complicated, silly sex.’ And she said ‘Do that.’ I cannot thank her enough for the push in that direction.  Also she is extremely direct and to the point and I like that.     

Which author(s) is your favorite? And who has most influenced you work? 

I like all sorts of different writers because I appreciate their different strengths. I try not to let anyone influence me as I don’t want to be a carbon copy of another as readers deserve more that that.   

Do you feel your writing is character driven or plot driven? How do you balance these two elements? 

Gee, I would like to say I sit down and work out a well crafted plot with carefully drawn characters but that would be a fib. I tend to write like I speak and everything somehow falls into place. There is no formula. It’s more the haphazard, chaotic approach.  

Your latest book out at Ellora’s Cave is called Shades of Gray. You are receiving some wonderful reviews on this one. Can you tell us your inspiration to do a different take on vampire genre?  

I am really pleased people have enjoyed this book -more so that they want to read the sequel Marlow’s Curse. That’s always gratifying. I wanted to try and write a vampire book but I wanted to make sure it just did not follow the same vampire route. I take writing a particular genre, like vampire, very seriously as readers who love their genre have high standards. My different take is inspired more on what I would do if I came across a vampire. My heroines are based on my thoughts, beliefs and actions. 

If you could be one of your characters - Who would you be? And why? 

I believe most authors are already like their characters, even in a small way. I  am probably most like Miranda out of Because I Can as it’s written from personal experience – except the elevator scene – though every time I get into a elevator, I smile. Miranda is a character that is faced with a lot of problems at work and has to deal with them strongly and it does not make her popular with management.       

If we looked on your bookcase, what authors/books would we see? Any favorites? 

I like the intrigue in Tess Gerritsen books and the complex plots that Robert Goddard writes. I love Jennifer Cruise and Janet Evanovich’s humor that showcases everyday women. As for true romance I believe Georgette Heyer and MM Kaye were the queens of it. But really, if you saw my bookcases you would see I read anything and everything. My laptop is also full of all different types of e-books. I love to read.      

You also write under the name Janet Davies for Ellora’s Cave’s sister line, Cerridwen Press. How do you keep the two names separate and equally intriguing to readers? What made you decide to write under a different name? 

When I started to write for Ellora’s Cave, my editor suggested the change of name as some readers may not want to read erotica and I respect that. Regardless of the name I am the same person and I write the same but I give people a choice of romance. Luckily most of my readers tell me they like to read both genres.  

Who or what influences you when you write? 

Everyday people and situations. I find the people around me and those that I meet fascinating because they always have a story and I try to make my characters ordinary people who have extraordinary things happen to them and write about how they cope with them.        

What do you do on a typical writing day? 

A typical writing day with no interruptions? I let all the phone calls go to the answering machines, I don’t answer the door and I eat junk food and grunt occasionally to let people know I am alive.   

When you have writer's block how do you break free? 

Go for a walk, ring up my best friend and gossip or contemplate cleaning the house – that snaps, me right out of it.    

In 5 years, where do you see yourself? - In general and in your writing career- 

I am not so someone who plans five years ahead as I believe life changes too quickly and you have to change with it. Obviously. I’ll write more books and I’d like to get over to the RT convention. But who knows where I’ll be? I kind of like not knowing.     

Who is your perfect hero?  And why? 

My perfect hero is one that looks beyond the superficial and sees the real woman. He is smart, funny and strong. He is the type of man that will kick down the gates of hell to save his woman but alternatively is aware that his lady can look after herself just as well.      

What do you do for inspiration? 

Everyday life and people inspires me. I try to write situations that readers will recognize then I give then some added twist.     

Is there a genre of book you would like to write but haven't yet? 

I’m sure there is but I tend to write as the mood takes me. I don’t set my sights on a genre and think ‘I will write that.’ I am a very shambolic writer. I take it seriously but I don’t make hard and fast goals and refuse to deviate.         

When did you first decide to submit your work? Please, tell us what or who encouraged you to take this big step. 

I wrote Rose Perfect in 2006 and I thought ‘what the hell I’ll submit it to Cerridwen Press and see what they say.’ I am a great believer in myself and in taking a risk as the worst someone can say is ‘no’. They said yes. I was gobsmacked. Now, if they had of said no, I would have asked for feedback and learned from that and submitted again or somewhere else. I know there are some really good closet writers out there who just need to get the confidence to take a risk. Don’t let the fear of rejection stop you – you may be pleasantly surprised by a yes.   

Do you belong to a critique group? If so, how does this help or hinder you? 

No, I don’t. I believe they work for some writers but not for me. My most helpful critic is my editor. She is completely honest and does not hesitate to tell me if my writing sucks. I appreciate that. I don’t what someone who is trying to ‘save my feelings’. If I am writing something that readers will not like then I need to know and I always appreciate complete honesty.    

Do you outline your books or just start writing? 

Gee, I wish I could say that I sat down and committed myself to a purposeful schedule but that would be a big fat lie. I tend to just write in a mad rush then stop, eat junk food and then take another crack at it.    

For fun: If you could have a day with any celebrity, who would you choose and what would you do? 

I would like to hang out with Hillary Clinton. Why? Because I think she is a smart, fascinating woman that is a great role model for women. Love her or  hate her she is not static and will not sit on the fence and we need people like that.   

Thank you for joining us at Love Romances and More Reviews. I enjoyed learning more about you and your books, Amarinda. Please add anything else you think readers should know. 

Thanks mate, I enjoyed it.