Visual Inspiration and Tasty Treats: Faith Hunter's BROKEN SOUL (Pinterest Reveal and Giveaway)

So, I'm excited. In just over a week, this happens:

On October 7th, Faith Hunter's BROKEN SOUL releases! And we all get to enjoy a new adventure from the most entertaining Cherokee shapeshifter and sentient puma to ever share one body:

Jane Yellowrock is a vampire killer for hire—but other creatures of the night still need to watch their backs....

When the Master of the city of New Orleans asks Jane to improve security for a future visit from a delegation of European vampires, she names an exorbitant price—and Leo is willing to pay. That’s because the European vamps want Leo’s territory, and he knows that he needs Jane to prevent a total bloodbath. Leo, however, doesn’t mention how this new job will change Jane’s life or the danger it will bring her and her team.

Jane has more to worry about than some greedy vampires. There’s a vicious creature stalking the streets of New Orleans, and its agenda seems to be ripping Leo and her to pieces. Now Jane just has to figure out how to kill something she can’t even see…

Wow. Jane's pretty good about overcoming insurmountable odds, but this sounds like things are about to go sideways in her eighth book even worse than normal.

So, today we have a real treat, one that definitely speaks to me because I like taking photos (and not just pictures of my cats): The brand-new boards at the Jane Yellowrock Pinterest site!

The first is the Visual Inspiration board. Here readers get to check out some of the author's collection of images she uses to help inspire her writing.

"Inspiration by Night" — This one's my favourite.
image used with permission

I love taking photos of places and things that look cool, especially when I can later use them in my writing. So I think it's fantastic that this collection is here for us fans to check out. Sure, nothing beats Jane's impressions of the Big Easy, but this adds a colourful new dimension to further enhance the reader experience. And here we get to see a few teasers for what's to come in Book 9.

The second is a board after my own stomach: the Southern Cooking board.

"Beignets and Café au Lait"  — Oh, my.  
image used with permission

Excuse me. I think I hear a Tim's French Vanilla calling my name. Which totally doesn't do this flavourful picture justice, but for now, it'll have to do.

So there you have it: two great ways to interact with the world of Jane Yellowrock. As I mentioned, her eighth big adventure, BROKEN SOUL, is available for pre-order. But if you're in the US, you can also enter to win a copy right here! Just leave a comment telling me about your favourite picture in the pinterest boards I've shared. Or, share how you've used photos for your own visual inspiration!

Now, excuse me. I suddenly have the urge to spend my day off cooking...

"A Constantly Evolving Animal": Faith Hunter, BLACK ARTS, and a Few Notes on Fantasy

Even for a vampire hunter, Jane Yellowrock is fairly unique. A Cherokee Skinwalker (shapeshifter) who, as a child, accidentally merged her soul with a puma's, Jane stalks her prey on both two legs and four. Half the story is told from the mountain cat Beast's perspective, adding a perspective that is at times equal parts humorous and harrowing. And in her very first tale, SKINWALKER, Jane was hired by vampires to rid New Orleans of a threat even they needed help with.

But as readers quickly learned, her story was far from over.

Now, seven books in, Jane's path takes a darkly personal twist when she learns that her best friend Molly has gone missing. Jane and Beast must face a greater menace than ever before.

And as usual, readers won't be disappointed!

I had the chance to chat with the brains behind this wild storyverse and its two driven heroines. You may have seen some of her contributions from my ConCarolinas notes. Faith Hunter not only writes the Jane Yellowrock series, but is one of the creators of MagicalWords.net, a group writing blog dedicated to the craft from a genre-based perspective. And today, she's here to share a few of her insights. Welcome, Faith!

Laura: What, to your mind, are the core elements of good urban fantasy?

Faith Hunter: Good UF is a constantly evolving animal. It incorporates a good mystery with danger to the main character or people the MC loves. Three are usually a few good fights. And some romance. (nods head) Sometimes some hot romance. But the main thing is that urban fantasy is not just one thing. It is a blend of all the other genres, whipped into intensity.

Laura: What is the most important element in writing fantasy—to you?

FH: I know I’ve said it before, but, voice. Character voice, narrative voice, authorial voice. Think about the sound of a Sam Spade crime / mystery novel versus a Sue Grafton crime / mystery novel. No one would mix up the two. The voices of these mysteries are different, and it’s the voices that set the mood and tone of a book. In the Jane Yellowrock world and series and books and shorts, every single Point Of View character has a unique voice. When I write in Molly Everhart Trueblood’s POV, she thinks and sounds differently from the way that Jane Yellowrock sounds. Rick LaFleur’s voice is more different still. And of course, Beast, well, Beast is a voice that takes unique to new levels.

Laura: You’re one of the founders of Magical Words. Tell us how that came about and what it is, please.

FH: I met David B. Coe / D.B.Jackson (who writes urban fantasy, historical urban fantasy and epic fantasy) and were best friends instantly, totally. It was so instantaneous that it was weird. We wanted to do something together PR-wise and came up with a fantasy writing site that would cover everything. Writing, plot, blocks, muses, characters, character development, good writing chairs, good tea, PR. Everything. I brought Misty Massey (my other best writing pal) in and we 3 fit nicely together. Besties! And www.magicalwords.net was born.

Laura: What do you see as the future of the fantasy genre?

FH: For the last three years, I have taken a shot at this question and this year (once again) I want to change my opinion totally. Urban fantasy is a constantly evolving genre. Now I am seeing more young adult books, more innocent romance in place of erotica, and more genre blending. Much darker stories, with much more innocent characters.

BLACK ARTS is available in stores and online January 7th.

U.S. residents: want to win a copy? Simply leave a comment here to be entered in a random draw for the prize!