Indie Angie Interviews Bijou Hunter...No Really

***Interview originally posted on the Indie Angie blog.***

Bijou Hunter is a brand new indie author. I should know since I created her a few months ago. Her first novel is the New Adult romance titled Damaged and the Beast. Let’s get to know more about her and why she exists.

Indie Angie: Why romance?

Bijou: Why not? Stop being such an elitist, Ang.

Anyway, I had written books heavy on romance including Ain’t No Angel which is somewhere between PNR and UF. When I was writing Blue Sacrifice, the plot was pretty romance heavy and I wondered if I could create a contemporary romance. No paranormal elements at all, just boy meets girl with a HEA. I’d been trying to push myself as a writer in the last year so I wanted to take a stab at a straight romance. No hiding behind vampires, zombies, or angels.

Indie Angie: Why New Adult?

Bijou: Most of my books feature MCs who fall into the age range of New Adult, but I just considered them adult. I know many people don’t even view New Adult as a real romance subgenre, but those two words have an appeal these days. Yeah, I sold out.

I do think the age range that falls within the New Adult designation is an exciting time in a person’s life. We change a lot during those years, allowing for angst that would seem stupid for thirty year olds.

Indie Angie: Why the pen name?

Bijou: When I find an author I like, I run out and buy more of their books. I don’t think the audiences for my two writing names would mesh well though. Damaged and the Beast is so different from what I normally write and I worried readers who loved the book might think my Angela books would be similar. Same with readers of the Angela books not necessarily jiving with the Bijou stuff.

Indie Angie: Cooper isn’t your normal kind of love interest. Did you sell out again?

Bijou: Sell out or stretch myself? Probably both. For my paranormal books, I rarely write the OTT alpha. I think only one guy could fall into that category and he had supernatural reasons for being a jerk. I wanted to see if I could write the bad boy/manslut that I usually avoid and make him likable. Did I manage it? Some readers would say, “Hell yeah!” Others likely think, “File a restraining order on that asshole!”

Indie Angie: So are you a romance slut now?

Bijou: I honestly didn’t know if I would write more romance. I did hope to write a second Damaged book, but even that was in the air when I published the first one. Having received positive feedback, I started writing the second book following Farah’s sister. I’m also working on new ideas for more romance books and series.

Indie Angie: I thought you loved paranormal. How cold are you to just leave it behind?

Bijou: Back off, Ang! You're not the boss of me!

Besides, I’m still a paranormal junkie and intend to finish the Blue Davison’s series as soon as the second Damaged book is complete. I’ll also finish my other paranormal series.

In the end, what I write long term will depend on the ideas I have and the feedback I get. Thinking as a professional author, rather than a hobby writer, means I can't write books simply for my pleasure. Yet, I do have a few paranormal ideas I’m dying to write even if no one ever buys them. For now, I’m leaving myself open to wherever my creativity takes me.

Get your copy of Damaged and the Beast at Amazon.

Follow Bijou on Twitter and Facebook.

Feedback from Readers: Part 1

Here are a few complaints I’ve seen from readers of Damaged and the Beast. Let’s see if I can clarify a few things.

Why does Farah cry so much?

Well, fine readers, I'm an emotional person and it seems I infuse my characters with my personality traits. If you think Farah cries over every little thing, let me list a few of the reasons I’ve cried recently:

1)   I lost my pen.

2)   I found my pen (tears of joy).

3)   My cat dissed me.

4)   I lost my pen again.

5)   I was bored.

6)   I was lonely.

7)   I found a different pen and it made me think of the pen I’d lost.

8)   I was frightened by a loud sound.

9)   My cat did something cute (tears of laughter).

10)  And finally, I was hungry which brings me to the next complaint…

Why is there so much damn eating in this book?

Again, it’s all about me and my crazy. I like food. I like to eat. I'm obsessed with those competitive cooking shows. My response to celebrating anything is, “Let’s go out to eat!” Plus, meal time is a big opportunity to talk with family and friends. So when I wanted something to happen in the book, I decided to have food around.

Why is Bailey such a bitch?

Originally, Bailey was such a bitch for a side reason I edited out. Then, she was just a bitch because I found her bitchiness entertaining. I also hoped for her to experience character growth over the first two books so readers MIGHT be interested in Bailey finding her HEA. At this rate, I might just have to off her instead. :P

Why does Cooper let Farah walk for so long before picking her up?

He’s an immature baby playing chicken and he lost.

I thought Farah wanted to be a teacher then she blows off her dreams for some sexy asshole. I call bullshit!

Calm down and nice bullshit calling, BTW. Farah does become a teacher. Her epilogue takes place a few years in the future when she’s still in college working on her degree. The epilogue for Tawny’s book will take place five years in the future and give a glimpse of Cooper and Farah. At that point, Farah will be teaching.

Finally…

Why did your book have to suck and disappoint me?

That I can’t answer because we all love and hate different things. What I can do is wish your next read is a great one!

Bijou Babbling: Release Expectation, Coop POV, Price, Thanks

I’ve been asked a few times (and I get squealy every time) about when Damaged and the Knight will be released. I’m aiming for June. Can’t say if it’ll be early or late in the month. Tawny’s writing her story in my head pretty quickly so I’ll publish it as soon as I can.

I’m also working on those scenes from Cooper’s POV. A few will be familiar scenes, but one will follow him on the days out of town. Hope to have those in a week or two.

Finally, I usually publish a book at .99 because I know as a reader, it’s just easier to give an unknown author a chance when it’s a dollar verses three (Amazon’s liberal return policy also helps readers take chances with possible train wrecks). On May 1^st at the two week mark after the release, I will raise the price to 2.99. Just wanted to give everyone a heads up so you’ll have time to grab up a copy at .99.

Once again, thank you to everyone who has enjoyed my book and done so much to tell others about it. I know there are readers who didn't like the book (even hated it) and I respect that view too. Books affect readers differently. Whatever you felt about mine, I hope your next read is a great one!

Damaged and the Beast Happy Dance!

It's been an exciting week. I've received positive feedback from most readers. I do hope the readers who didn't enjoy my book will enjoy their next read more.

For the readers who did enjoy Damaged and the Beast, I am currently writing Damaged and the Knight. The book follows Tawny Smith, the younger sister of Farah. Though she is seventeen when the book begins, the sexy times will take place a few months later when she's legal. It will not be YA.

If readers respond well to Tawny's book, I have ideas for a book starring Bailey Johansson. My working title is Damaged and the Princess. Clearly, she's the princess and the guy is damaged. Still, tossing around thoughts on that one.

Along with writing Tawny's book, I'm working on scenes from Cooper's POV. These will be posted on my blog for fans of the first book as a thank you for their support. The romance community is filled with such wonderful, opinionated, and vibrant readers and I feel blessed to be embraced by them.

Hope everyone has a fun sexy read in their future (and a fun sexy time in real life if possible!)

Damaged and the Beast Available

Get your copy of the New Adult Romance at Amazon for .99!

Farah Smith dreams of attending college and becoming a teacher. After suffering through a rough childhood, she embraces a chance to start over at a small college in Kentucky. Her dream finally within reach, Farah plans to keep her head down, work hard, and live a safe dull life.

Until she meets Cooper Johansson, the gorgeous heir to a family business on the wrong side of legal. Sporting tattoos and a crude manner, he reminds Farah of a past she desperately wishes to forget. What begins as lust soon grows into something more powerful than either expects.

Can Farah tame the beast inside the bad boy she desires? And will Cooper heal the damage inside the girl of his dreams?

Warning: This novel contains scenes of a sexual nature, violent themes, and coarse language. It is intended for mature readers.

Damaged and the Beast: Release Date 4-17-13

New Adult Romance
Farah Smith dreams of attending college and becoming a teacher. After suffering through a rough childhood, she embraces a chance to start over at a small college in Kentucky. Her dream finally within reach, Farah plans to keep her head down, work hard, and live a safe dull life.

 

Until she meets Cooper Johansson, the gorgeous heir to a family business on the wrong side of legal. Sporting tattoos and a crude manner, he reminds Farah of a past she desperately wishes to forget. What begins as lust soon grows into something more powerful than either expects.

Can Farah tame the beast inside the bad boy she desires? And will Cooper heal the damage inside the girl of his dreams?

Warning: This novel contains scenes of a sexual nature, violent themes, and coarse language. It is intended for mature readers.

Damaged and the Beast Release Date

The new release date for Damaged and the Beast is April 17th! Hell yeah, proofreading went well and I'm putting on the finishing touches for my first New Adult romance. Still polishing the blurb (it's a clunker), but my mind is already on those bonus scenes from Cooper's POV. Also, imagining a HEA for Farah's little sister, Tawny. So much to do, but I look forward to sharing the love story of Farah and Cooper with romance readers!