Interview & Giveaway with Cheyenne McCray/Jaymie Holland

Cheyenne McCray/Jaymie Holland 

Interview Intro:

Hello everyone!  LITERAL ADDICTION and Book Monster Reviews are very happy to welcome Cheyenne McCray, a.k.a Jaymie Holland, to our sites today!  

Cheyenne is a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author whose books have received multiple awards and nominations including RT Book Reviews magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Awards for Best Erotic Romance of the year and Best Paranormal Action Adventure of the year, three RT Book Reviews Reviewer’s Choice Award nominations - including Best Erotic Romance, Best Romantic Suspense, and Best Paranormal Action Adventure, the Golden Quill award for Best Erotic Romance, The Road to Romance’s Reviewer’s Choice Awards, Gold Star Awards from Just Erotic Romance Reviews and the CAPA awards from The Romance Studio.

She grew up on a ranch in southeastern Arizona and has been writing since she was old enough to hold a writing utensil.  She penned her first poem in Kindergarten and always knew that one day she would write novels, hoping that her readers would get lost in the worlds that she created just as she did when she read some of her favorite books.

She has three sons, two dogs, and still lives in Arizona where she enjoys the desert, the sunshine, and beautiful sunsets.

Chey is the proud creator of the MAGIC, NIGHT TRACKER, LEXI STEELE, ARMED & DANGEROUS, and ROUGH AND READY series among others. 

As Jaymie Holland she produced THE AUCTION, and TAKEN BY PASSION series.

The reading order for each of Chey’s series can be found by clicking on the series names below.  She has a plethora of stand alone titles in her Chey backlist and Jaymie backlist that you should check out as well, but for our readers who are new to Chey and Jaymie’s work, and for the sake of today’s Event, we thought we’d give you the synopses for the first book in each of the series to pique your interests, as well as a couple of the most recent releases: 

MAGIC

“Forbidden Magic”, Book #1:

D'Anu witch Silver Ashcroft knows she walks a perilous line by practicing gray magic. But it's the only way to protect herself from the evil that surrounds her. After the horrors she has witnessed, Silver thinks she is ready for anything...until the most intensely arousing being she has ever encountered swiftly--and sensuously--proves her wrong...

Hawk is a Tuatha D'Danann warrior--powerful beings descended from the Fae. And for him duty has always come before pleasure. Then, clad only in moonlight, Silver Ashcroft welcomes him to her city of San Francisco and makes his blood sing with a passion beyond compare. She is the embodiment of fantasies he never knew he had, but the terrifying reality of his mission lurks in every shadow...

Only the strongest will survive the upcoming battle, and the forces of darkness are more powerful than ever. Now, warrior and witch must trust in their hearts above all else--for to claim victory, they first must claim each other....

NIGHT TRACKER

“Demons Not Included”, Book #1:

Meet Nyx. This half-human, half–Drow private eye investigates paranormal crimes by day and is an elite Tracker of demons by night. She prefers working solo—and playing rough. So when a terrifying force starts murdering innocent humans and paranorms, and leaving strange demonic symbols burned into their buildings, it’s a case Nyx takes very personally…

Meanwhile, Nyx’s fellow Trackers are being killed one by one—and a sexy new Tracker named Torin is shadowing her every move. Torin has powers Nyx can’t read, and sometimes she wonders whose side he’s on. Nyx’s instincts tell her something’s brewing in the city’s meanest supernatural streets, and that it’s ready to unleash hell on Earth. Who can she trust? Now it’s five minutes to permanent midnight…and Nyx’s last chance means risking everything—even her own life.

LEXI STEELE

“The First Sin”, Book #1:

Alexi Steele is determined, relentless, and driven to protect the innocent. She’s a top agent of the NSA’s clandestine Recovery Enforcement Division, specializing in human trafficking and sex crimes. Her current mission: To infiltrate the inner circle of Boston’s exclusive S&M clubs in order to save thirteen young women who are about to be auctioned off to the highest bidders. But Lexi’s only way in is under the “control” of her new partner in crime, Nicholas Donovan.

Nick will do whatever it takes to bring down the billionaire sex-ring mastermind who’s kidnapped his sister. But the games he must play as Lexi’s “dominant” are burning away his icy control, and blurring the lines between partners. Meanwhile, their enemies are closing in as they enter a devastating race against time…bringing them dangerously close to THE FIRST SIN.   

ARMED & DANGEROUS

“Zack”, Book #1:

Ever since bad boy Zack Hunter left her ten years ago, breaking her heart, Sky MacKenna hasn't been able to find a man who sets her on fire the way he did. Then he comes striding back into her life--bigger, badder, and sexier than before....

Zack Hunter never thought his job as an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent would lead him back to his small hometown, and he never thought he'd set eyes on Sky again. Leaving her behind had been the stupidest thing he had ever done, but this time he isn't going to let her go. And as soon as Zack lays eyes on Sky, he makes it clear that he intends to make her his all over again.

When Sky becomes entangled in the case he's investigating, Zack can't help but take the threat personally. As the danger mounts, their passion burns even hotter.

ROUGH AND READY

“Satin and Saddles”, Book #5:

JUST RELEASED 4/25/12

Carly Abbot has absolutely had it up to here with men. Cheating, lying—no more, thank you very much. So when a rancher wins her in a card game, all she’s out for is some fun.

Dillon Cameron believes in making his own luck, and winning Carly for a weekend is only the start of what he intends to turn into much more. All of Carly’s resolve is put to the test. When it comes right down to it, Dillon is a good man.

Geoff Burnside, a man Carly used to date turns up in the small Arizona town, and he seems to be everywhere she goes. It isn’t long before Dillon figures out something is very wrong about the man… Only he discovers Burnside’s past too late.

When Carly goes missing, it’s up to Dillon to find her—and save her.

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13618558-satin-and-saddles - #

“Roses and Rodeo”, Book #6:

JUST RELEASED 5/23/12

When Danica Cameron meets Creed McBride, the last thing she wants to do is get involved with a bull rider. Men who willingly put themselves in that kind of danger aren’t for her. It didn’t matter that he was mouthwateringly hot and she was more than attracted to him.

Creed wants Danica from the moment he spots her after a bull riding event. She’s beautiful, sexy, and intelligent. Her attempts at putting him off only make him want her more.

Danica finds she can’t resist Creed’s cowboy charm and soon she finds herself falling for him. That is until something so emotionally devastating happens that she knows she can never trust him again.

THE AUCTION, written as Jaymie Holland

“Sold”, Book #1:

Christy Clarkson finds herself at an exclusive charity auction where she’s agreed to be one of the participants who will be auctioned off and will share a weekend for two at a resort hotel with the high bidder. There is added intrigue when she learns that members of an elite kink club are participating in the auction.

Years ago, she broke up with Zach Nikas when she found his pictures of bound women. She was naïve about what his bondage interests meant and she ran from the relationship. Ever since she left him she’s explored the kink only to discover that it intrigued her, though she never actually participated.

When Zach show up at the auction as a bidder, Christy is exhilarated to see him. No one else stands a chance of winning her over Zach.

Her curiosity about kink is about to become experience.

He’s hot and sexy, intelligent and successful, and just happens to have a well-outfitted dungeon. A dungeon where Christy learns what Zach and “play” are all about.

TAKEN BY PASSION, written as Jaymie Holland

“Taken by Passion”, Book #1:

After being cheated on yet again, full-figured Alice O'Brien decides that she will leave behind her dreams of Prince Charming. From now on she will be a "love 'em and leave' em" kind of girl. However, when she—literally—tumbles down a rabbit hole, she discovers that she has left the familiar chaos of San Francisco behind and stepped into something vastly different. And it is here that she meets the fierce, powerful shapeshifter named Jarronn, who is one of the four irresistible brothers who rule this strange and fascinating land.

Jarronn quickly seizes Alice for himself and threatens to introduce her to untold pleasure and to steal her furiously pounding heart. However, Alice soon learns that Jarronn deliberately lured her into his kingdom in order to make her his mate in hopes of averting a dark danger that threatens his people. But can their bond of passion save them?

We know, too much and not nearly enough all at the same time!  Make sure you get them added to your TBR and stake them out from your favorite bookseller, but for now, let’s see what Chey had to say when we sat down to interview her.  

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:  Hi Chey!  We’re very happy to have you here today.  Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat with us.

CHEY: Thank you for having me!

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:  We always start by getting to know our guest author a little bit better.

Q1): Can you tell us 3 things about yourself (no matter how random) that we couldn’t find out easily on the Internet?

CHEY: I looove peanut butter and chocolate, I collect Murano crystal sculptures, and I enjoy pedicures.

Q2):  What are 3 things that always make you smile?

CHEY: my grandson, my two dogs,

Q3):  If you could spend the day with any of your characters, who would you want it to be and what would you want to do?

CHEY: Nick Donovan from Chosen Prey and the Lexi Steele series. Anything he wants to do would work for me. J


Q4):  What are some of your hobbies and/or things that you enjoy doing when you’re not writing or taking care of other author business?

CHEY: I spend most of my time writing, but I do like to read, go to the movies, work out, and spend time with my boys.

Q5):  Are there any specific authors and/or titles that you feel may have influenced you to become the writer you are today?

CHEY: Elizabeth Lowell’s The Diamond Tiger was the book that made me want to try my hand at romance. Before that I wrote YA.

Q6):  What is a typical writing day like for you?  Do you have a routine that you follow?  Are there specific things that you have to have with you to get the creative juices flowing, etc?

CHEY: I like to work in a recliner. I have one in my bedroom and one in my office, and that’s where I do the majority of my work. I like to listen to country music when writing cowboys; suspense movie soundtracks when writing suspense; and fantasy movie soundtracks when writing paranormal.

Q7):  What type of scenes (dialogue, action, sex, etc) do you enjoy writing the most and why?

CHEY: I love writing action scenes the most.

Q10):  “Roses and Rodeo” was a new release for you.  Was there any specific inspiration behind the creation of the ROUGH AND READY series and what’s the plan for that one?

CHEY: I love to write cowboys. I love the hard working alpha male who treats his woman like she’s the most important thing in the world.

I set the Camerons of the Rough and Ready series in the San Rafael Valley in Arizona which is a magnificent part of the state. Kind of like a hidden desert jewel.

Roses and Rodeo is the 5^th and final book with the Camerons. There are 6 Rough and Ready books, but the first one is a collection of 3 unrelated stories.

Q11):  What about your other series as Cheyenne and/or Jaymie?  Which ones are finished, which ones are still going, which have upcoming releases, etc?

CHEY: Next up is a Rough and Ready novel featuring the McBrides, the first of which is “Corsets and Cowboys”. I’m not finished with the R&R series yet! Those series that are complete are: Magic, Night Tracker, Armed & Dangerous, Taken by Passion, and The Auction.

Q12):  What do you enjoy most and least about writing in each of the sub-genres you write in – paranormal, erotic, etc?

CHEY: I like the creativity of building a paranormal world, but at the same time that’s not always an easy task. I like the action in suspense but putting together all of the puzzle pieces can be tough. Erotic romance is fun but the challenge is keeping it fresh. Cowboys are great to write about—I tend to mix cowboys with suspense so twists and turns can trip me up.

Q13):  What has been the biggest challenge of your career thus far?

CHEY: The most difficult decision and the most challenging was deciding to turn down a 3-book contract with St. Martin’s Press and going it alone. It is also the best decision I’ve made in my career.

Q14):  What’s next for Cheyenne McCray and Jaymie Holland?  What do you have going on in the next couple months that your readers can look forward to?

CHEY: I have the Rough and Ready series that I’m still writing and a new series in the works called Riding Tall. I will have more bondage stories in the works as Jaymie.

Q15):  Is there anything special that you’d like to say to your readers while we have you here today?

CHEY: I appreciate all of my readers. You are why I do what I do and I thank you.

LITERAL ADDICTION/Book Monster Reviews:  Chey, thank you so much again for being with us today.  We’re very happy to help you promote all of your backlist for both personalities, and hope that we can turn some new readers on to your work.  We’d absolutely love to have you back to help celebrate your next big release if you’re interested.

CHEY: I would love to come back. Thank you for inviting me and sharing my work with your readers.

If you want to keep up with Chey, you can find her here:

Website:  http://cheyennemccray.com/ and http://jaymieholland.com/ 

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/CheyenneMcCraysPlace 

Twitter:  http://twitter.com/CheyenneMcCray 

GoodReads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/26738.Cheyenne_McCray   

Chey is graciously offering up a copy of LUKE: Armed & Dangerous            to a winner from Book Monster Reviews and another winner over at  LITERAL ADDICTION. 

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