Second Skin Blog Tour

Today, as part of the SECOND SKIN BLOG TOUR, I welcome author and writerly friend, Judith Graves from up north in cold Canada to the blog. Second Skin is the sequel to Under My Skin, book 1 of the Skinned series.

Here's a description of book 1:

All her parents wanted was for Eryn to live a normal life…

Redgrave, Alberta had its share of monsters before Eryn moved to town. Mauled pets, missing children. The Delacroix family is taking the blame, but Eryn knows the truth. Something stalks the night. Wade, the police chief’s son and Redgrave High’s resident hottie, warns her the Delacroix are dangerous. But then so is Eryn–in fact, she’s lethal. But she can’t help falling for one of the Delacroix boys, dark, brooding–human Alec. And then her world falls apart.

A normal life? Now that’s the real fairytale.

Leap Books, 2010

ISBN-13 978-1-61603-000-1
ISBN-10 1-61603-000-3

And here's what book 2 is going to be like:

ith FIENDS like Eryn…

Monsters. Bloodsuckers. The evil. The damned. Eryn McCain knows they exist— she’s been hunting them since she was a child. At sixteen, she’s ready to take on all comers. Being a shapeshifter gives her an advantage when it comes to her unusual part-time job. The hours suck and the pay is, well, non-existent, but bonuses like inhuman strength and night vision make tracking scary beasties a dream come true. Especially in a town like Redgrave.

When an ancient demon targets Redgrave High, Eryn and her crew of hunters must face their innermost fears to prevent the Harvest Moon Dance from becoming one serious Monster Mash. Loyalties are tested and temptations abound. With questions ever brewing, can Eryn share a future with the brooding, noble, human Alec—the hunter after her heart? Or will she succumb to her enemy’s son, Wade, a seductive predator as bloodthirsty as she is?

What happens when you’re both the beauty and the beast?

Leap Books, 2011

ISBN-13 978-1-61603-006-3
ISBN-10 1-61603-006-2

And now let's see what Judith had to say when I asked her a few questions!

1. Tell us a little about what to except in Second Skin. Eryn McCain is back, of course. And I love the line on your book trailer, "What happens when you're both beauty and beast." But can you give us a few hints about book
Oh, she’s back alright, she’s feisty that way. ;) Eyrn is a monster hunter, she tracks rogue paranormal creatures and banishes them from this world, however, she’s a bit challenged with this roles as she herself is half-human, half-wolven. She can shapeshift into a wolf. But she hasn’t fully shifted – she’s scared of what her wolf will bring. Bloodlust. Rage. Instinct over compassion. Each day it gets tougher to resist her dark side. In Second Skin her small (but creepy!) town is invaded by an ancient demon and suddenly everything Eryn fears comes to pass. She’s living a nightmare and can’t wake up. Hopefully some questions are answered in Book 2, but be prepared for a killer ending to setup Book 3 of the SKINNED series, Skin of My Teeth.

2. You're a speculative fiction/paranormal kind of girl. Why? What attracts you to genre fiction? What books/films inspired your writing?

I write in this genre because I’m also a huge fan. I’ve always read horror/paranormal/sci-fi/fantasy and while I do occasionally branch out to other genres, I often find myself wishing contemporary fiction or thrillers would bust out and incorporate some supernatural elements. I often feel something is missing. Some aspect of the unknown.

I’m a huge Buffy fan, I admit that freely. Eryn, the lead in the SKINNED series, was inspired by her – the snark, the insecurities, the ass-kicking. I also adore Jim Butcher’s adult urban fantasy series, the Dresden Files. Hmm…if I compare Butcher’s Dresden and Whedon’s Buffy – it’s clear I enjoy reluctant hero types living in dark, hidden, mystical worlds – fighting a new creature each week. I think that sums up the SKINNED series as well.

3. Not everyone may know that you are also a screenwriter, which you talk about on your blog. Why screenwriting? How is it different than novel writing? Any screenplay role models you'd like to chat about?

I’ve recently dabbled with writing scripts and have several in the works. I’ve co-writen a spec script for network television - with my brilliant writing partner Dawn Ius. We’ve also developed a new series treatment and pilot episode which is being pitched around. Hollywood for hurry up and wait. ☺ The plot structure I established for writing scripts has actually helped enormously with plotting my fiction projects. I recommend every fiction writer read Blake Snyder’s, Save The Cat: The Last Book On Screenwriting That You’ll Ever Need. Changed my writing life, it did.

Steven Speilberg (Poltergeist), Diablo Cody (Juno, Young Adult), John Hughes (Breakfast Club, Uncle Buck, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off), William Goldman (The Princess Bride), James Cameron (Terminator) and Shauna Cross (Whip It) are current influences.

4. Will Eryn have any more adventures after Second Skin? i.e. -- is there a book 3 in the works?

You betcha! Skin of My Teeth will launch in 2013 and sees Eryn taking on a deck of malevolent spirits possessing the Redgrave High student body via a trading-card game. It’s all fun and games ‘til somebody dies.

4. Tell us a little about the Alec/Wade love triangle in the book. Do you enjoy writing romance scenes?

As Eryn learns more about her wolven side, things heat up between her and the boys. Her internal struggle – beast against human nature - is reflected in the push / pull she feels for Alec, the noble human hunter, and Wade, the bloodthirsty vampire with magical powers. In many ways the love triangle serves to highlight Eryn’s own growth / conflict.

I enjoy generating sparks between my characters and struggle to keep it “real” while building some heat. These scenes are often more challenge to write than what I would call, fun.

5. What's up next for Judith Graves?

A few things. There’s Book 3 and possibly Book 4 of SKINNED. I also have a steampunk prequel series to SKINNED coming out in 2014 called STRANGEWAYS after the lead character, Amelia Strangeways – a ghosthunter / necromancer working for the Hunter Council. The same Council that may or may not be corrupt in Eryn’s day. There are cross over characters between both worlds – aka, the immortal ones.

You can read the intro tale, Strangeways Versus The Wraith in SPIRITED, an anthology of ghostly tales featuring authors such as Maria V. Snyder, Candace Havens, Shannon Delany, Dawn Dalton, Kitty Keswick and more! Proceeds from sales of SPIRITED go to 826 National, a literacy-based charity.

7. Advice for aspiring writers?

Read. Write. Repeat.

8. Buffy or Edward? Why?

Buffy! She has my enduring loyalty – especially after the “Buffy vs. Dracula” episode.

Additional stuff:

Here’s my website: www.judithgraves.com and the site for my new steampunk series: www.strangewaysnovels.com

The trailer for Second Skin: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t-k3nLeITPU

Follow me on Twitter: @judithgraves

Thanks so much, Joy!

Thank *you* Judith!

For the rest of the Second Skin Blog Tour Schedule, click HERE!

And stop by Judith's blog this morning because we're having an interview exchange and she's asked me all about ANASTASIA FOREVER and THE SWEET DEAD LIFE!