Strong, Clever Women. Tough, Sexy Men. Blaze Ignites by J.L. Madore.

Welcome! Today I’m interviewing J.L. Madore, author of Blaze Ignites, Book One in the The Scourge Survivor Series. If, like me, you enjoy a great fantasy/paranormal romance, then this book should be right up your alley!

ISBN: 978-0-9916763-1-6

Number of pages: pdf- 276, epub- 172

Word Count: 107,000

Cover Artist: David Wysotski

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Book Description

Blaze Ignites blends strong, clever women and tough, sexy men in a fast paced, volatile cocktail of action, seduction and wicked humour.

"Destiny my ass." Jade Glaster refuses to believe the Fates rule her life. Orphaned after an attack by Scourge soldiers, a young Jade vows never to be powerless again. Once grown and strong, wielding the affinities of fire and healing, Jade protects innocents as an enforcer for her world's elite policing agency—The Talon.

When an emissary mission to reinstate a race of exiled Elves brings Galan into her life, Jade finds herself overwhelmed by new passions, some welcome, some not. Although Galan's antiquated views on women offend her to her heated core, when the Scourge attack his family, she helps him navigate the outside worlds he knows nothing about—the magical Realm of the Fair and, stranger still . . . the modern streets of Toronto.

Through their sensually charged pursuit of justice, Jade discovers that when dealing with the Fates—destiny is never random.

Interview time!

SKY:  If you could spend an hour in real life with one of your characters, who would it be and why?

J.L.:  That's a tough one. I find so many of them interesting (which sounds funny and a little conceited considering they sprang from my head, but they intrigue me) I can't lie, I have a major crush on Bruin, but I think the one who I'd really like to spend time with is Aust. That guy has so much going on under the surface. He's quiet, yes, but it's only because he's been dumped on for a century. Over the course of the series, I think he's the one who grows the most to discover who he really is. And come on, he's a hot, sweet Elf, who can turn into a white tiger and speak to animals. He's f-awesome.

SKY:  Tell us a little bit about the conflict in your story.

J.L.:  Jade is a strong, sassy woman who overcame a childhood tragedy and swore she'd never let herself be weak again. But when Galan comes along, they're sexual chemistry draws her into his life, even against her own will. With the push and pull of their relationship escalating, the war against the evil forces in their world takes a turn and they're all left scrambling. Blaze Ignites is a sexy, humorous journey about figuring out where you belong and who you belong with.

SKY:  Tell us about your book cover and how it relates to your story.

J.L.:  I love my cover. My artist is a local guy, David Wysotski, who is not a buddy of my brother's, but happens to be insanely talented. I think the cover speaks for itself. He took my description of Jade in her battle gear added Naith by her side and showed her element –fire. The details of her whip and Bruin's claw skirl all tie in to the content of the book. We didn't put Galan on there, because this really is Jade's story (and I think everyone will have their own image of Galan in their mind's eye and I hate ruining that for anyone).

SKY:  Are you currently working on another story? If so, we’d love some details.

J.L.:  I'm working on so much I'm almost paralyzed. Books 2 and 3 in this series are written and in edits, book 4 is mostly written. I also have a paranormal erotic romance series in progress and headed to an agent next week. I also have another series floating in the back of my mind but I haven't had time to research it or get much on paper. I need more hours in my day.

SKY:  What sort of personality does your heroine have?

J.L.:  Jade is me. Anyone who knows me laughed when they read the book and instantly made the connection. I think being my first novel and being in first person, alpha-female perspective, it just happened. She's confident (stubborn), honest (blunt), vocal (smart-mouthed) and is fiercely loyal and committed to her family. And what do you know, I paired her with a hot Elf. Who could have seen that coming . . .lol.

SKY:  Did you enjoy writing one scene above all the rest? If so, share.

J.L.:  Yeah, I loved writing the grotto scene where Jade and Galan finally have it out and then get naked. I write lineally, but that scene came to me and was written well before I got there. I just knew where they were headed and thought it was tense, sexy and then, of course, I had to have Tham and Lexi finish it with some humour.

SKY:  Tell us about your favorite writing environment. Is it indoors, outdoors, a special room, etc.

J.L.:  I do most of my editing at my desk in my home office, but if I'm treating myself to a block of indulgent writing, I take five or six pillows, pile them against the headboard of my bed, lay back under my blankets, bend my knees and set my laptop up on my lap. I can lay there for hours typing . . . and often do. Usually with my hubby sleeping beside me. (He works far too hard through the week and usually sacks-out on the weekend.)

SKY:  What sources do you use for research?

J.L.:  Depends. For genre research, I have books I love, marked with Post-its so I can see how other authors handled things. For real issues, I either use internet or try to get an actual source. For example, I've been in contact with a few Canadian First Nations Bands regarding my heroine for book two in the series. If it's real I want to get it right. If it's fantasy based, I just make shit up.

SKY:  Do you write books in series? If so, share a bit about the series you currently have published or are coming soon.

J.L.:  Yes. I haven't managed to write a single title yet. Every time I think I might, my imagination starts doing the . . .  and then they'll . . . and that guy will . . . then the bad guys will . . . and before I know it. It's a series. I think I'm too chatty to get it down in one book. And forget about a short story. My writing group has 350+ members and we're always having short story contests. I help with the admin because everyone knows I'll never be entering. I just can't contain myself to 1500 words.

SKY:  Great interview, J.L.! Thanks for joining me today.

Excerpt

~ Chapter 1 ~

Gun versus wand.

Lexi and I saw the standoff escalating beyond the crush of half-naked, leather-clad bodies on the dance floor. The patrons of the tavern, human and not, ceased shimmying to the techno-rock of the house band and drew wands and daggers in every direction.

"Let us through people." Raising my palms I called my powers. "Castian, come to me." A surge of arcane energy lifted my hair as my affinity awoke. "Down!" I shielded Lexi and avoided the white-gold energy bolt zinging past our heads. It hit the mirrored wall over the bar, bursting into a shower of sparks and jagged shards.

A shot rang out. Shit.

Magic buzzed and crackled in the air like a bug-light in August. I threw out some heat to part the remaining sea of bodies. Ignoring the sneers of rubberneckers, we pushed through and my sister and I joined the altercation.

A scruffy, brute of a man sporting a bandana stood, gun poised, staring straight into the wand-tip of one of the Academy of Affinities' fifth-year wizardry students.

"Problem, gentlemen?" I asked, easing into their circle.

With shoulders rigid and wand steady, the student, Nash Blackpaw, focused straight ahead. "Jade, this asshole thinks he's dragging my friend back to the Modern Realm."

I assessed the native girl shielded behind his back. She looked shaken but unharmed.

"I don't think," the brute hissed. "This is a family matter. Jade is it?"

Pushing down the urge to wipe the amused sneer off the bastard's face I tried to remain professional. "Jade is what friends and students call me. You can call me Blaze. That is my official nom de guerre."

I held up my wrist and revealed my Talon brand. Cold, sharp eyes narrowed on my copper skin as the trademark golden hawk of a Talon enforcer appeared. "Sir, you are armed with intent to do harm on Haven grounds. This entire mountain is a sanctuary. According to Fae law, the girl is welcome to claim refuge here."

"Screw the laws," he spat, shifting the business end of the gun toward me. "Fae laws force our race to live in the Modern Realm—force us to hide who we are as if we're worth less than those fucking humans. The gods won't care about one worthless runaway. Tell your boy here to lower his wand and we're gone."

Catching Lexi's eye, I glanced toward the girl and my sister dissolved into the crowd.

"Again, that would be no." The muzzle of the gun pointed at my chest at an almost point blank range. My skin tingled warm. I pushed back my temper. "I know how you must feel—"

"You know nothing," he snapped, spittle flying. "You are human."

With his full attention on me, I wove more persuasion into my words. "As a Talon enforcer, I ensure the laws of both realms are upheld. You smuggled a gun from the Modern Realm onto sanctuary grounds. There's no chance you're leaving with the girl. The Portal Gates are sealed for summer solstice and you have things to answer for. Your only option here is to lower your weapon."

My suggestion had the barrel wavering. He clutched the grip with both hands and stabilized it. His jaw clenched as his index finger tightened on the trigger. I gave another push of energy and when I thought I was at my limit, I pushed further. Perspiration beaded across his furrowed brow. I held on. Needles of pain ran through my jaw as I clenched my teeth. After another minute, the Glock clattered to the tavern floor.

He lunged.

My feet left the ground as his shoulder caught my cheek. Something solid connected with my ribs and I hit the dance floor in an awkward half-twist. My back connected with the wood plank right before my head bounced. I was still seeing white splotches bursting in front of my eyes when the brute's staggering weight lifted and two Were-lion bouncers took control.

One snatched the weapon and shoved it into the waistband of his jeans. His litter-mate grabbed the guy's thick arms and wrenched them back until I expected to hear the snap of bone. Rumbling like a storm cloud, the pair of Weres cable-tied the guy's hands and signaled to everyone that the show was over.

"And a good night was had by all." Lexi rolled her amethyst eyes and offered me a hand up.

About the Author

September 2009 marked the beginning of my journey with writing paranormal/fantasy romance novels. After spending a year hiatus in Panama with my family, I returned to Ontario relaxed and ready to let stories flow from my mind onto the page. The only problem was—I didn’t know a thing about the craft of writing.

Almost four years later, after dozens of workshops, reading hundreds of books, joining a writing community and two critique groups, I've won two writing scholarships and believe I've got a handle on what I’m trying to say and the voice with which I want to say it.

Currently, I am working on the five book Scourge Survivor Series as well as a darker, erotic/romance paranormal series currently called Watchers of the Grey.

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