I present to you: Jaye Frances

Thank you, Lindsay, for hosting me on Just Another Book Addict today. I really appreciate the opportunity to talk about “The Kure” and to let your readers know about my Resolve To Read promotion on Amazon effective through the month of January

First and foremost, “The Kure” is a love story, and yes, it fits nicely into the popular genre of paranormal romance—typically full of passionate vampires, confused werewolves and wary but curious women who eventually opt for a little sack time with the irresistible undead.

One of the challenges for any writer attempting to initiate a romance within the unpredictable influences of the supernatural is getting the main characters together for that first kiss. Using just the right combination of magic, wonder, surprise, and confusion, that significant moment has to not only answer the reader’s question of when it’s going to happen, but also suggest that it will the first of many more.

So what is it about a first kiss that makes it so indelible? For me, I knew it had to be unexpected, and take place in the midst of a chaotic, even threatening, situation—the least likely place for it to happen. I wanted the characters to express a mutual desire for comfort, reassurance, and hope in an otherwise impossible predicament.

In the following excerpt, John and Sarah find themselves at the mercy of a tumultuous storm, fighting the brutal elements of nature and the demonic influence of the Kure. And then, at the most unexpected moment . . .

Here is a brief excerpt:

She looked up, squinting into the driving rain, searching for the moon. Only a sliver remained, and it was swiftly fading behind the thickening web of the storm. In seconds, it was gone.

“We’ve lost the light,” John shouted. “It’s over. We have to get inside.”

Sarah’s eyes flashed in defiance, her voice resolute. “We can’t give up now. The clouds will blow over and the moon will come back. We just have to wait for it.”

Given the choice, John would have endured the worst that nature could offer before denying Sarah. But the power of the cure had been swallowed by the convulsing sky. He had to move both girls to safety.

He drew her close. “No, Sarah, listen to me. It’s too dangerous. Take Beth’s arm and help me get her inside.”

“But we’ve seen it,” Sarah argued. “We need to try one more time.”

He knew her insistence was for his benefit, but the night had become a violent maelstrom, and he would not forsake his promise to protect her.

“Sarah, I can’t let anything happen to you. Not now, not ever! I made a vow. To keep you safe.”

She started to speak, but John brought a finger to her lips, stopping her. Even through the punishing torrent, he could see her disappointment. He brushed the water from her cheek and she instinctively closed her eyes, as though wanting to feel nothing but his touch.

It happened in the middle of a raging tempest, with John naked and shivering in the cold. It happened with the wind at Sarah’s back, the rain pelting them so hard John could only hope she would feel his caress. As he brought his lips to hers and let them linger, he let it all in, wanting to remember the moment forever.

Here is a brief synopsis:

John Tyler, a young man in his early twenties, discovers he has contracted a ghastly affliction affecting a most sensitive part of his body. When the village doctor offers the conventional, and potentially disfiguring, treatment as the only cure, John tenaciously convinces the doctor to reveal an alternative remedy—a forbidden ritual contained within an ancient manuscript called the Kure.

Although initially rejecting the vile and unholy rite, John realizes, too late, that the ritual is more than a faded promise scrawled on a page of crumbling paper. And as cure quickly becomes curse, the unholy text unleashes a dark power that drives him to consider the unthinkable—a depraved and wicked act requiring the corruption of an innocent soul.

Ultimately, John must choose between his desperate need to arrest the plague that is destroying his body, and the virtue of the woman he loves, knowing the wrong decision could cost him his life.

For a limited time, read “The Kure” for only $.99 (kindle version)

I always spend the last few days of December reviewing my writing plan for the coming year—to determine what’s going to receive priority and how I will budget my time to make sure I get it done. During one of those planning sessions, I noticed my husband was also putting a few goals together for the new year. When I asked him to tell me about his “resolutions,” he said that one of them was to read more, especially books that fall outside his favorite genres, “just to see what else is out there.” We began to talk about how many more people are now reading books of all kinds, primarily due to increased availability and choice of low-cost eBooks for the kindle and nook. I’m constantly reading comments from readers who decided to try a particular author’s work because it was ninety-nine cents, or in some cases, free. Then my husband asked an interesting question: “Why don’t you offer some kind of promotion to encourage more people to read The Kure, with the idea that they’ll be more inclined to read the book if you temporarily lower the price?” I really had to think about this one, but after realizing it might motivate a few more folks who are not familiar with The Kure to take a look, Idecided to do it. I’m calling it “Resolve To Read”, and it’s going on right now. Effective for the month of January, the kindle version of The Kure can be purchased for ninety-nine cents on Amazon. So if you were planning on buying a kindle version anyway, why not take advantage of the “Resolve To Read” promotion and save two bucks?

Hopefully, I’ve piqued your interest sufficiently to visit my website (www.jayefrances.com) to learn more about The Kure series.

I’d like to conclude by sharing a few details about myself. I was born in the Midwest and grew up surrounded by traditional values and conservative attitudes (which I quickly discarded). I’ll readily admit that my life’s destination has been the result of an open mind and a curiosity about all things irreverent, and I invite visitors to my website with a friendly caveat: “Be forewarned, my life has not followed the traditional path of homemaker, wife, and mother.” When I’m not consumed by my writing, I enjoy cooking, traveling to all places tropical and beachy, and taking pictures—lots of pictures—many of which wind up on my website. I live on the central gulf coast of Florida, sharing my home with one husband, six computers, four cameras, and several hundred pairs of shoes.

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