Blog Tours: “Embers in the Sea” by Jennifer M. Eaton – Interview and Giveaway

I am absolutely stoked to be the host on a stop on the blog tour for “Embers in the Sea”. I did an interview with Jennifer M. Eaton about her fascinating new novel. Make sure to enter the amazing giveaway happening right now for the chance to win your own copy!!

(Banner curtsey of Month9Books)

Title: EMBERS IN THE SEA (Fire in The Woods #3)

Author: Jennifer M. Eaton

Pub. Date: January 31, 2017

Publisher: Month9Books

Format: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 300

Find it: Goodreads | Amazon | B&N | TBD

Alien scientist David has dealt with disappointment his entire life, but failing to breathe life into the planet Mars is his greatest regret. Out of options and in need of a new home for their people, the alien Caretakers rekindle their plan to inhabit Earth. First they will have to eliminate the human race, including Jess, the only human David holds dear.

Humanity has one final chance at survival. David needs to emulate Earth’s precipitation on Mars. But the catalyst to make it rain lies in the fathomless depths of Earth’s ocean.

The clock is ticking down to humanity’s last hours as Jess and David face a world more alien than either of them can imagine. The sea hides secrets, but some secrets don’t want to be found.
Now onto the interview!!!

1) Where do you get your inspiration for the plot lines?

I wish I had an answer for that. Plots come to me at any time of the day for no rhyme or reason. Sometimes I may be craving chocolate, and watching a monster movie, and then I get this great idea about a monster destroying a city one building at a time, and then some scientist finds out he’s only looking for chocolate, and they lead him back to his island with a giant Hershey’s bar. Don’t laugh. That’s a great premise! Aren’t you glad I don’t write everything I come up with?

2) Do any of your characters have traits that resemble people that you know in real life? If so, which ones.

No. I’ve never really done that. I write for fun, and part of fun is escaping reality. I like to write people of my own invention, rather than spending my “me” time with people I hang with every day. (That probably makes no sense whatsoever, but, yeah, there it is). J

3) Is there another book in the works?

I was contracted to write three books, with an option for a fourth. I have submitted a premise and outline and timeline for a fourth book. If my publisher declines the option, I will most likely write and self-publish at least one more Fire in the Woods book.

4) How did you come up with the relationship between David and Jess? Was it something that you wanted to be a downfall between them or was it something that you wanted them to be able to prevail in the end?

Hmmmm That’s kind of a spoiler-ish question. There are definitely some HUGE issues that Jess and David have to deal with. In the end, they will need to decide if their feelings for each other are strong enough for each of them to give up parts of their culture and, more importantly, ignore or work around basic biology. I never intended this to be a perfect, easy romance. I don’t thank your normal-cookie-cutter relationship can work for two people of different species. I think if I made it too easy, it would be a cop out. An overall theme in Fire in the Woods is overcoming incredible odds. Jess and David have saved the world a few times already. Let’s hope they can find a way to overcome the pesky differences keeping them apart.

5) About how long does it take to write a novel (from your perspective)?

There are several phases to writing a COMPLETED novel.

#1. Plotting/outlining/planning (a week or so)

#2. First draft – getting it all on the page while the ideas are fresh (about three months for 50,000 words)

#3. Editing – This includes adding scenery, emotional impact, inner thought (1-3 months depending on quality of first draft)

#4. Beta readers – The most important part – getting input from as many QUALIFIED readers as you can. (1-2 months, done in 50 page sections so you can work on one section while they start the next)

#5. Repeat steps 2 and 3, and maybe even 4 if changes were extensive.

(a few weeks to a few months, depending on the manuscript.)

So, that’s about a year. At this point the manuscript goes to the publisher, and editing will start all over again.

I’ve completed the entire pre-publisher turnaround of a book in as little as 4 months, but it was not a pleasant experience. I’d much rather take my time and enjoy writing rather than rushing through the text.

6) Can you please explain how you personally overcome writer’s block?

Dunno. I’ve never had that problem. (Luckily enough, and knocking on every piece of wood I can find). Occasionally I’m not sure where to start. In that case I drop a character in a random setting and describe the setting from their eyes. That is usually enough to get me started.

7) If you could go back and rewrite a scene or chapter in “Fire in the Woods”, “Ashes in the Sky”, or “Embers in the Sea”, would you? If so, which ones and what would you change them to?

I don’t think I would change anything about Ashes or Embers. There were a few scenes I might want to strengthen in Fire in the Woods, simply because I have grown as a writer. There is one small part at the end of Fire in the Woods (five spoken words) that I added because the book was written as a standalone. As a series, I wish they were not there, but I’ve managed to wiggle around them.

8) Is there anything you want your readers to know?

I’d love you guys to know that I appreciate it to pieces when you share pictures of my books online, and talk about Fire in the Woods with your friends. Word of mouth is so important, and the more people are talking about the books, the more people will read. (Which means more books!) Seriously… thanks so much, guys. You make all this work worthwhile.

Have I peaked your interest a bit? Check out the other books in this series!

Title: FIRE IN THE WOODS (Fire In The Woods #1)

Author: Jennifer M. Eaton

Pub. Date: October 28, 2014

Publisher: Month9Books

Format: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 331

When a plane crashes in the woods near Jess’s home, the boy of her dreams falls out of the sky—literally.

But David’s not here to find a girlfriend. He’s from another planet, and if Jess can’t help him get back to his ship, he’ll be stuck on Earth with nothing to look forward to but the pointy end of a dissection scalpel. But her father runs their house like an army barracks. and with an alien on the loose, Major Dad isn’t too keen on the idea of Jess going anywhere.

Ever.

So how the heck is she supposed to help the sweetest, strangest, and cutest guy she’s ever met? Hiding him in her room probably isn’t the best idea. Especially since her Dad is in charge of the squadron searching for David.

That doesn’t mean she won’t do it.

It just means she can’t get caught. Helping David get home while protecting her heart—that’s gonna be the hard part.

After all, she can’t really fall for a guy whose not exactly from here. As they race through the woods with Major Dad and most of the U.S. military one breath behind them, Jess and David grow closer than either of them anticipated. But all is not what it seems. David has a genocide-sized secret, and one betrayal later, they are both in handcuffs as alien warships are positioning themselves around the globe. Time is ticking down to Armageddon, and Jess must think fast if she’s to save the boy she cares about without sacrificing Earth—and everyone on it.

**FIRE IN THE WOODS is Star-Crossed meets Close Encounters of the Third Kind!**

Title: ASHES IN THE SKY (Fire In The Woods #2)

Author: Jennifer M. Eaton

Pub. Date: March 15, 2016

Publisher: Month9Books

Format: Paperback, eBook

Pages: 331

After inadvertently saving the world, eighteen-year-old Jessica Martinez is ready to put adventure behind her and settle back into the familiar routine of high school.

Though when she’s offered an opportunity to photograph the inside of an alien space ship, Jess jumps at the chance. After all, she’d be crazy to turn something like that down, right?

Spending time with David on the ship has definite advantages and the two seem to pick up right where they left off. But when Jess discovers a plot to sabotage David’s efforts to establish a new home for his people on another planet, neither David’s advanced tech nor Jess’s smarts will be able to save them.

**ASHES IN THE SKY is an action-packed, romantic Sci Fi adventure that will leave readers screaming for more.**
In case you’re wondering about the author…

About Jennifer:

Jennifer M. Eaton hails from the eastern shore of the North American Continent on planet Earth. Yes, regrettably, she is human, but please don’t hold that against her. While not traipsing through the galaxy looking for specimens for her space moth collection, she lives with her wonderfully supportive husband and three energetic offspring. (And a poodle who runs the spaceport when she’s not around.)

During infrequent excursions to her home planet of Earth, Jennifer enjoys long hikes in the woods, bicycling, swimming, snorkeling, and snuggling up by the fire with a great book; but great adventures are always a short shuttle ride away.

Who knows where we’ll end up next?

Giveaway Details:

(1) winner will receive a Perfectly Posh, Posh To Meet You Set ($20 value), US Only.

(1) winner will receive an Alien Charm Necklace, US Only.

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Tour Schedule:

Week One:

1/30/2017- Sharon Lee Hughson, Author– Excerpt

1/30/2017- Dani Reviews Things– Review

1/31/2017- Hidden Worlds Books– Guest Post

1/31/2017- The Fearless Reader– Review

2/1/2017- So Few Books– Interview

2/1/2017- The Starving Bookworm– Review

2/2/2017- Lisa’s Loves(Books of Course)– Guest Post

2/2/2017- Don’t Judge, Read– Review