Interview and Excerpt: Forbidden Forest by Tenaya Jayne
Thanks to Tenaya Jayne for stopping by with a Q&A and excerpt from Forbidden Forest. Please visit her tour page at CLP Blog Tours for more information and a giveaway!
**Interview**
Can you describe Forbidden Forest in a tweet (140 words or less)? A story about overcoming abuse and prejudice with love #hotnewmustreads :)
Why was Forbidden Forest a book you wanted to write? It wasn't actually. When the idea fell into my head, I was a little bemused by it. I had another project on my agenda at the time. I didn't want to write something so mainstream, but the plot just bloomed so easily in my head,What are you currently reading?Vows of Revenge by J F Ridgley.
Do you experience writers block? Any tips on overcoming it?I get writers block as often as I get spurts of inspiration. For me, writers block is not a problem of not knowing what I want to write, it's getting the words to flow smoothly. When I'm suffering from not knowing what comes next, or needing a killer scene, I turn to other forms of art for a breakthrough. Music, movies, paintings, and poetry all help. However, nothing helps more than my best friend, Amanda. She's the best sounding board and reader I could ever hope to have. As a tip to other writers to send your writer's block packing, I'd say talk to Amanda, but I don't really mean that. She's mine and I'm not sharing. Get your own. :) Where do you complete most of your writing? Any certain time of day that you prefer?I have a desk, but I do most of my best work at the kitchen table, where I can keep an eye on my kids. And because of said kids, the best time of day for me is early in the morning before they get up.
Are you currently working on another novel?Oh, yes! I'm working on the sequel to Forbidden Forest, Forest Fire. I'm trying to complete it by spring and release it by the summer. After that, I'll choose another project from my list, either that or I'll be derailed again by my unruly muse. :)
**Excerpt**
Forest pressed her back against the cool concrete wall, wanting to remain aloof from the entity of the crowd. She chose her position in the shadows, out of the paths of the roving, multi-colored spotlights. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of the undulating human pheromones flying around on the air. At the beginning of every shift, she allowed herself a few minutes of this alien/human experience, though she didn't fully comprehend the combination of dancing, drinking, and ear-breaking sound waves. They loved it, however, and never seemed to deviate from the recipe. These were the people she was sworn to protect. She had developed a light affection for the human race and considered them a benign, if not slightly silly, bunch of creatures. Her religious passion for her job was rooted in hatred of that which harmed the humans, not a superhero tendency to protect the weak. Forest opened her eyes and focused all her senses to sniff out the illegal suckers that tried to sneak through the portal. She was in the zone tonight, and not for the first time did she feel that hers was the best job in existence. It was a shame she couldn’t legally kill suckers in her native world. Over the next two hours, Forest didn’t move from the wall. She monitored the light traffic through the portal: two shifters and one elf, each of which nodded to her respectfully as they passed. Yawn. The shifters left the club to enjoy the delights of Austin’s nightlife elsewhere. The elf would have been breaking Regia’s law had he left the club, but he dutifully seated himself at the bar and ordered a fuzzy navel. He wore a plaid, porkpie hat, pulled down over the tops of his pointed ears. Forest didn’t know him personally, but she had seen him in here before. The bartender surveyed him with narrowed eyes as the elf nervously tugged his hat down further and ordered a few more girly cocktails. Intent on making sure that not one sucker was able to sneak past her, Forest was blindsided by the drunk bubba who had been trying to catch her eye for the last twenty minutes. He had finally decided to stagger over to hit on her. “Hey babe, you’re too beautiful to look so lonely. How’s ‘bout I buy you a drink?”“How’s ‘bout I call you a cab instead?” Forest mimicked his drawl. “Only if you share it with me, Darlin.” He leaned in closer, and Forest’s throat began to sting from the noxious fume of booze mixed with his natural musk. “While I appreciate the offer, Jethro, It seems only right to inform you that I’m not actually attractive at all. If you leaned in a little closer, you’d see that you’ve fallen victim to the effect of beer goggles. A hag like me can’t take advantage of a stud like you.”As he leaned in, Forest instantly enlarged her nose, pockmarked her skin, evaporated her front teeth, and added a large black mole with a long hair sprouting from it for good measure. “You’re no hag, baby! You’re the sexiest little thing in…I…uh… ” He stumbled backward. “Good grief! Sorry, sorry…” he stammered, retreating. “I’ve gotta quit drinking,” he mumbled as he turned away.Forest chuckled to herself once he absorbed back into the crowd. Being a shape shifter sometimes had unusual perks.
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Tenaya's tour page will be entered in the giveaway! One winner will receive 1) $15 Amazon gift card 2) $15 Starbucks gift card and 3) One of kind notebook – image on the right! Anyone who purchases their copy of Forbidden Forestbefore December 17 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries!Please note this open for US/Canada residents only.**
Author Bio:
Hello. My name’s Tenaya and I’m an addict. I mean author. When I was growing up, writing was just something I played at from time to time. I knew I wanted to be a writer, but I was one of those people who could never finish anything. When my eldest son was diagnosed with Autism, I began to write seriously. Writing became a necessity for me in the midst of my heartbreak. It was either that or take up drinking. I ‘m thankful I chose writing as my escape because I discovered it truly is my thing. I want to be swept away when I read. Tha
I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful sons. I’m an advocate for Autism awareness, and women trapped in abusive relationships. I try to always look on the bright side and help others do so too. I’ve lived many places but I currently reside in Missouri. I love reading, indie and foreign films, gardening, and moody music.
Connect with Tenaya!
http://tenayajayne.com http://tenayajayne.blogspot.com
Buy the Book! Amazon
**Interview**
Can you describe Forbidden Forest in a tweet (140 words or less)? A story about overcoming abuse and prejudice with love #hotnewmustreads :)
Why was Forbidden Forest a book you wanted to write? It wasn't actually. When the idea fell into my head, I was a little bemused by it. I had another project on my agenda at the time. I didn't want to write something so mainstream, but the plot just bloomed so easily in my head,What are you currently reading?Vows of Revenge by J F Ridgley.
Do you experience writers block? Any tips on overcoming it?I get writers block as often as I get spurts of inspiration. For me, writers block is not a problem of not knowing what I want to write, it's getting the words to flow smoothly. When I'm suffering from not knowing what comes next, or needing a killer scene, I turn to other forms of art for a breakthrough. Music, movies, paintings, and poetry all help. However, nothing helps more than my best friend, Amanda. She's the best sounding board and reader I could ever hope to have. As a tip to other writers to send your writer's block packing, I'd say talk to Amanda, but I don't really mean that. She's mine and I'm not sharing. Get your own. :) Where do you complete most of your writing? Any certain time of day that you prefer?I have a desk, but I do most of my best work at the kitchen table, where I can keep an eye on my kids. And because of said kids, the best time of day for me is early in the morning before they get up.
Are you currently working on another novel?Oh, yes! I'm working on the sequel to Forbidden Forest, Forest Fire. I'm trying to complete it by spring and release it by the summer. After that, I'll choose another project from my list, either that or I'll be derailed again by my unruly muse. :)
**Excerpt**
Forest pressed her back against the cool concrete wall, wanting to remain aloof from the entity of the crowd. She chose her position in the shadows, out of the paths of the roving, multi-colored spotlights. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the feeling of the undulating human pheromones flying around on the air. At the beginning of every shift, she allowed herself a few minutes of this alien/human experience, though she didn't fully comprehend the combination of dancing, drinking, and ear-breaking sound waves. They loved it, however, and never seemed to deviate from the recipe. These were the people she was sworn to protect. She had developed a light affection for the human race and considered them a benign, if not slightly silly, bunch of creatures. Her religious passion for her job was rooted in hatred of that which harmed the humans, not a superhero tendency to protect the weak. Forest opened her eyes and focused all her senses to sniff out the illegal suckers that tried to sneak through the portal. She was in the zone tonight, and not for the first time did she feel that hers was the best job in existence. It was a shame she couldn’t legally kill suckers in her native world. Over the next two hours, Forest didn’t move from the wall. She monitored the light traffic through the portal: two shifters and one elf, each of which nodded to her respectfully as they passed. Yawn. The shifters left the club to enjoy the delights of Austin’s nightlife elsewhere. The elf would have been breaking Regia’s law had he left the club, but he dutifully seated himself at the bar and ordered a fuzzy navel. He wore a plaid, porkpie hat, pulled down over the tops of his pointed ears. Forest didn’t know him personally, but she had seen him in here before. The bartender surveyed him with narrowed eyes as the elf nervously tugged his hat down further and ordered a few more girly cocktails. Intent on making sure that not one sucker was able to sneak past her, Forest was blindsided by the drunk bubba who had been trying to catch her eye for the last twenty minutes. He had finally decided to stagger over to hit on her. “Hey babe, you’re too beautiful to look so lonely. How’s ‘bout I buy you a drink?”“How’s ‘bout I call you a cab instead?” Forest mimicked his drawl. “Only if you share it with me, Darlin.” He leaned in closer, and Forest’s throat began to sting from the noxious fume of booze mixed with his natural musk. “While I appreciate the offer, Jethro, It seems only right to inform you that I’m not actually attractive at all. If you leaned in a little closer, you’d see that you’ve fallen victim to the effect of beer goggles. A hag like me can’t take advantage of a stud like you.”As he leaned in, Forest instantly enlarged her nose, pockmarked her skin, evaporated her front teeth, and added a large black mole with a long hair sprouting from it for good measure. “You’re no hag, baby! You’re the sexiest little thing in…I…uh… ” He stumbled backward. “Good grief! Sorry, sorry…” he stammered, retreating. “I’ve gotta quit drinking,” he mumbled as he turned away.Forest chuckled to herself once he absorbed back into the crowd. Being a shape shifter sometimes had unusual perks.
**Everyone who leaves a comment on Tenaya's tour page will be entered in the giveaway! One winner will receive 1) $15 Amazon gift card 2) $15 Starbucks gift card and 3) One of kind notebook – image on the right! Anyone who purchases their copy of Forbidden Forestbefore December 17 and sends their receipt to Samantha (at) ChickLitPlus (dot) com, will get five bonus entries!Please note this open for US/Canada residents only.**Author Bio:
Hello. My name’s Tenaya and I’m an addict. I mean author. When I was growing up, writing was just something I played at from time to time. I knew I wanted to be a writer, but I was one of those people who could never finish anything. When my eldest son was diagnosed with Autism, I began to write seriously. Writing became a necessity for me in the midst of my heartbreak. It was either that or take up drinking. I ‘m thankful I chose writing as my escape because I discovered it truly is my thing. I want to be swept away when I read. Tha
I have a wonderful husband and two beautiful sons. I’m an advocate for Autism awareness, and women trapped in abusive relationships. I try to always look on the bright side and help others do so too. I’ve lived many places but I currently reside in Missouri. I love reading, indie and foreign films, gardening, and moody music.
Connect with Tenaya!
http://tenayajayne.com http://tenayajayne.blogspot.com
Buy the Book! Amazon
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