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Wednesday, February 23, 2011

When I’m not Writing… with Jess Haines

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Hi my lovelies! I’m super excited to have Jess Haines, author of H&W Investigations series, with me today for a When I’m not Writing.. post. Jess is an amazing author, and an even better person. She’s so much fun! Follow her on twitter and you’ll see what I’m talking about *winks*

 

 

 

Oh, man.  Tynga has opened up Pandora’s box by asking me to tell you about what I do when I’m not writing.
Let’s get the boring stuff out of the way first.
Mostly, I work.  On top of my writing, I have two jobs.  Doesn’t sound like fun, I know, but it pays the bills, and I do enjoy what I do!  During the day, I write company policies and training manuals.  To keep myself from getting lonely, Bob and Not-Spot (not to be confused with Spot) keep me company.  
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Then, in the evenings, I work some more.  I’m usually on the phones, as you can see here.
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In all seriousness, that second job is working for my church.  We do a lot of things to help improve our neighborhood through our social betterment campaigns, our anti-drug campaigns, our Human Rights campaigns, our literacy campaigns—plus the services we actually deliver in the church.  It does keep me busy!  I don’t work at this job for the money; it’s for the difference I feel I am making to help others.  Ever since I was a volunteer minister at Ground Zero after the fall of the Twin Towers, I’ve wanted to do more to make a bigger impact.  I hope this helps explain why:
[Video link: http://www.scientology.org/videos/category/what-we-do/scientology-commercial-one-day.html]

When I’m not working, I have fun with my menagerie at home!  I’ve got two stinky cats, four crazy birds, two neurotic lizards, and a stuck up ball python named Monty.  They keep me busy as most of ‘em are constantly clamoring for my attention.  Chico, my cockatoo, is especially rambunctious.  He’s also insanely jealous of anyone or anything else that takes my attention off of him.  
This is Sugar being spied on by Chico:
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This is Mouse, who will run away and glare if you try to pet her, but secretly loves the attention:
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This is Booger, who is the only bird on the planet that purrs like a cat when you pet him:
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And this is Squeak Toy and Sunshine:
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Squeak Toy has a huge man-crush on Chico.  Chico does not appreciate the attention.
I also love watching movies.  My friends usually come over on Sunday nights.  We’ve formed the inimitable Sunday Night Movie Madness crowd.  We’ve been known to MST movies so bad, your eyeballs will literally wilt in the sockets, your IQ will drop, and your brains will dribble out your ears simply for sitting through them.  It’s awesome.

Of course, I take some time to read, too.  My TBR (“to be read”) pile is constantly growing at a greater rate than I can whittle it down.  I usually take books with me to read during breaks, so I do make some headway now and then.  When I have time left over (ha! I crack myself up), I review the books that really had an effect on me—good or bad—on my blog and on Goodreads. This is an actual picture of some of my book collection (and what you don’t see are the three identical stacks behind these, or the other books I have scattered around my house because I can’t find another place to put them):
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As you can see, I have plenty to keep me busy when I’m not writing!

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Thank you so much Jess for your time! It was nice to discover more about you! And what a lovely bunch of pets you got there =P

HuntedbytheOthers2_35204208_std

They are the Others — the vampires, mages, and werewolves once thought to exist only in our imaginations. Now they’re stepping out of the shadows, and nothing in our world will ever be the same again...

IN A TOWN LIKE THIS, BEING A P.I. CAN BE MURDER

Shiarra Waynest’s detective work was dangerous enough when her client base was strictly mortal. But ailing finances have forced her to accept a lucrative case that could save her firm — if it doesn’t kill her first. Shiarra has signed on to work for a high-level mage to recover an ancient artifact owned by one of New York’s most powerful vampires.

As soon as Shiarra meets scary, mesmerizing vamp Alec Royce, she knows her assignment is even more complicated than she thought. With a clandestine anti-Other group trying to recruit her, and magi being eliminated, Shiarra needs back-up and enlists her ex-boyfriend–a werewolf whose non-furry form is disarmingly appealing–and a nerdy mage with surprising talents. But it may not be enough. In a city where the undead roam, magic rules, and even the Others aren’t always what they seem, Shiarra has just become the secret weapon in a battle between good and evil–whether she likes it or not…

My Review

Purchase: Amazon | Kindle | Book depository

Taken By The Others (H & W Investigations, #2)Jess Haines draws readers deep into the mesmerizing world of the Others--werewolves, vampires, and mages who make their home among humans, and are turning Shiarra Waynest's life upside down. . .

Once, New York P.I. Shiarra Waynest's most pressing problem was keeping her agency afloat. Now she's dealing with two dangerous, seductive vampires who have been enemies for centuries. The only thing Max Carlyle and Alec Royce agree on is that they both want Shia--for very different reasons.

Max is determined to destroy Shia for killing his progeny, while Royce's interest is a lot more personal. That's not sitting well with Shia's werewolf boyfriend, Chaz. As the feud between Max and Royce gets ever more deadly, a powerful vampire-hunting faction is urging Shia to join their side. Shia has always believed vamps were the bad guys, but she's discovering unexpected shades of grey that are about to redefine her friends, her loyalties--and even her desires. . .

My Review

Purchase: Amazon | Kindle | Book Depository

Tynga is a 32 years old mom of two, from Montreal, working as a lab technician in an hospital specialized in heart disease. In her free time, she enjoys reading all things Paranormal and photography.

Follow Tynga on: Facebook | Twitter

6 People left their mark' :

  1. Hey Jess! *waves*

    Thanks for telling us a bit more about you! Wow, how you manage to write your novels plus be an active and available author and reviewer is short of a miracle! :-) I'm amazed about your 2nd "job", it is wonderful with everything on your plate you still take the time and energy to contribute and do something to make our world and your neighbourhood better, I'm in awe, all my respect!

    And what cute pets you have, thanks for the introduction :-) Can't wait to meet more pets in the novels too ;-p (love Sara's cute pitbulls lol)

    Wow, your TBR pile is daunting!! and yet at the same time makes me envious :-D lol

    Thanks for sharing with us this post Jess! :-)

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  2. you think the two lizards are neurotic because there is a Ball Python in the house . I am impressed, two jobs and all those animals and you *still find time to write a kick-ass story (what do you eat for breakfast ?)

    I never miss the Saturday night SyFy original movies. They are cheese-a-licous!

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  3. I really enjoyed this post Tynga! Jess your animals are adorable! I wish I could own this many! Also your To be read pile seems to be getting out of control but that's totally fine since I love books and mine is starting to look like a miniature version of yours haha! You can never have too many books! I really like that you take part in your community to help improve the neighborhood! That is very admirable! Thank you for posting :)

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  4. I have the same problem with the TBR pile but that doesn't stop me from continuing to add to it :).

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  5. @ Stella -- Howdy! *waves back* You're welcome, and thank you very much for the kind words. I have seen people who were addicted to drugs handled, kids who were on the verge of flunking out or barely literate helped, marriages salvaged, and have participated in clean-up campaigns around Los Angeles to get rid of trash and graffiti. Every time someone tells us from the heart that they are thankful you saved their life, it makes the crazy schedule worth it. =)

    Oh, man, that isn't even the whole pile. When I say my TBR is a mountain, I'm not kidding, lol.

    @Sharon -- I think they're more afraid of the cats than the snake, hehehe! And breakfast is usually coffee. Lots and lots of coffee. Did I mention the coffee?

    @Moonlight -- Thank you very much! I'm glad Tynga put up with all my pictures, lol. I'm thinking I might do a giveaway to get rid of some of my books, but it's so hard to pick which ones to let go of...

    @Victoria -- I completely understand. ;D

    <3,
    -J

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  6. Great post! Jess I agree, your pets are adorable - I'm so sad that we moved into a duplex where we can't have pets (used to have 2 cats and a crazy dog). I really want a lizard, but we can't even have fish here! Anyway, you are amazing...writing books (haven't read yours yet but will add them to my list!), taking care of those pets, and your TBR books are insane! I have about 10 sitting around; but I don't think you can ever have too many books to read!

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