Hi J.J.! Welcome to Fallen Angel Reviews! Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedule to visit with us. I am thoroughly excited about the opportunity to chat with you today and I know the readers out there are too.

First of all, can you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m a forty-two year old mother of two daughters, one twenty, and the other seventeen. I’m always busy, always thinking, and I believe that living is a learning experience. For the last ten years or so, I’ve been completely blind and adapting to MS – a constantly changing way of life. I think I’m getting better all the time… but my hair is a real mess.

If you were going to describe yourself in five words, what would they be?

Independent, resolute, smart, creative, welcoming

You have recently had four stories in the Montgomery series released through Venus Press. The first story, Acting Like Family, follows Riker Montgomery as he searches for his mate, Bethany Black. A mate he finds, loses just as quickly, and must fight to get her back. What was your favorite part of this story?

When Lakon gives Riker back his lost jacket. That entire scene is special to me, from the moment Lakon sits down – there were so many layers, so much feeling in that room.

Following Acting Like Family comes Family Harmony, where Lakon’s, Riker’s twin, world is about to change and the journey he takes to achieve happiness will be met with a few bumps. Having two strong alpha males in the family, did you find it difficult to create these two characters to be different from one another?

To be honest, they developed on their own. They were who they were with no forethought – I’m not a planner. I sit down and write the book with the characters’ help. So, no, I didn’t find it at all difficult.

In both of the first two stories, there is a secondary character by the name of Tavist that readers will love from the very beginning. Readers will be even happier when they learn the third installment, A Family Portrait, is dedicated to him. Tavist is an amazing character. If you were going to describe Tavist’s personality, how would you do it?

Tavist is giving, honest, sure, with an overdeveloped hero complex. He feels that it is his duty to save women and children, especially those he claims for himself.

I have been fortunate enough to read the first three. The fourth one, Managing A Family, has just been released and I am planning on reading it later tonight. This one features Yancey, Lakon’s manager. Can you give us a brief summary for this story and a sneak peak at what might be coming up next?

In Managing A Family, Yancey realizes, after he’s partied hard at the end of a tour, that he’s had sex with a female—a werewolf, and his mate. He meets her in wolf form and speaks with her and learns that he’s hurt her. He has to overcome that and convince her that he can be a good mate for her. A side story is the continuation of Myles and Ashley’s relationship—which continues until their story, Family at Risk

In Book Five, Family Doctor, we read about what’s become of Marc Fonteneaux. Without giving the entire story away, Marc meets a woman whom I think has a lot in common with me. Bernadette is a smart and strong woman who will do anything to give her child a good and healthy life, at the same time, she does what she loves and she’s good at it.

Now, all of these stories are centered around a family of werewolves. You also have a trilogy that features vampires called the Essence Trilogy. This trilogy follows three cousins that have been taunted by evil and their quest to overcome an evil demon from their past and present. Where did the idea from this trilogy come from? Do you have a favorite among these three books?

The idea of this Trilogy came from its star- Andrei Claude… oh, and my editor Tracey. She thinks everything I write should be a series. (*grin * It’s true) But I do love a series since I don’t have to say goodbye so quick. I don’t have a favorite –I love them all. These men represent the different facets of Andrei Claude’s personality, and maybe a bit of mine as well. Andrei, the hero from Anything, is honorable, well intentioned, and filled with hope for the future. In many ways, he is most like his namesake. Adrien is a bad boy. He’s sure of himself and not afraid to take chances. Aiden is angry, determined, mature, and he’s a tough guy. It should be fun seeing what happens with the entire trilogy.

I love stories that involve alpha males, are you drawn to alpha males or to the ones that support and follow the alpha?

I love to explore all of them. There is a place in the world, even a need, for both leaders and followers. I love them all.

To date, what has been the most rewarding aspect of your writing?

I have had many people write and actually thank me for showing them something they didn’t understand before reading one of my books. In one case, it was why a man might love another man. In another case, that it is possible to be both strong and need someone else at the same time. I’ve had some folks write and say that my books have taken them out of their own problems for a while. Those are HUGE compliments for me. HUGE. I love meeting and hearing from readers so much. I love to read and I feel such a connection when I know someone has read one of my books. That way, I can ask them if they were as surprised as I was when one thing or the other happens. It’s a ride and I like knowing I have company on the trip.

Do you have any special routine or ritual when you write?

Nope, no ritual. I write whenever the opportunity allows it. I like to have things quiet if possible – no music or anything while I’m writing. But if someone else is listening to music or watching TV, it usually is no bother at all.

Per your website, I see that you have travel to many different places over your life? Do you have a favorite place you would love to return to for a visit?

I loved Japan. Labrador was cold, but worth the trip. I wish I’d gotten to travel more in Germany. I LOVED the South Seas. I think my favorite place in the world is the coast of North Carolina, but I threaten to move to Nova Scotia all the time. I feel like I could have my ocean and nobody would come there if they didn’t really want to see me. I love the peace of it there. My friend Nix lives in Seattle and there is quite a bit about it that appeals to me. That may be my next stop.

In talking with various writers, I have learned that most are avid readers. Do you read the paranormal tales of vampires, werewolves, etc like the ones you write or are you drawn to a totally different genre? What and who would we find on your bookshelf?

I do read paranormal tales. In fact, the reason I wrote my first book was that I couldn’t find what I wanted. I was looking for a werewolf tale with Cajuns, so I wrote Everyone Has A Weak Spot.

I read a bit of everything. Nix Winter is, of course, a favorite of mine. I read her work before I ever met her. Rae Monet, Rae Morgan, Sasha White, D.L. Taylor, M.L. Rhodes, Stephen King, J.K. Rowling, Dean R. Koontz, Ken Baker, JJ Giles, Patricia Cornwall, Anthony Burgess, Arthur Conan Doyle, Kahlil Gibran, Melissa Glisan, a new favorite is Kacey Hammell, Ayn Rand, Philip K. Dick, Dr. Seuss, Shel Silverstein, Piers Anthony, Jude Mason, Bryn Colvin, Emy Naso, ummm is that enough?

If you were stranded on an island somewhere and could only have three things with you, what would they be and why?

Things – you aren’t counting Cosmo, right? He goes everywhere with me. Okay, discounting food and drink, I’d have:

A laptop with Internet so that I could write and share it. I’m a writer, I need the full circle of the story. I have to put my story down on “paper” and share it, or it isn’t done. Having someone read my story is as important as my writing it in the first place. The computer and Internet are two things that let me communicate as an equal with the rest of the world, as if I weren’t blind. I can read other stories and write my own and share both. Aside from that, I’d need a shelter so that I and my accoutrements would be safe from the elements.

Is there something that you make sure you never leave home without?

Yes, I never leave home without my dog, Cosmo. He’s my eyes and my security. He represents freedom and independence. Thank you to everyone who has ever trained or given to service animals.

Can you tell your fans something about you they would never guess?

I have absolutely no accent. I’ve lived in so many places among so many different people that I never developed an accent at all.

How do you like to spend your time when you are not writing?

I like to talk to my friends and family. Otherwise, when I’m not writing, I like to think about the next book I plan to write.

Can we get a teaser for what else you are working on right now? (grin)

Hmm, a teaser? Well, as it happens, I’ve got a 3 part Confession To Venus coming up. The first one will be released early in April. Its called: Wizard. So… for 1.49, you’ll be able to get the first book in that little series soon. Now this isn’t edited AT ALL (sorry Tracey) But here’s a peek:

As the leader of his coven and the head of a Fortune 500 company, Tabæus was afforded much respect. Having been born into the role of leader, he had been taught as he grew.

It wouldn’t matter, though. Tabæus Magus was a leader of men. At forty-one he was a natural leader and was used to others recognizing that both consciously and subconsciously. It no doubt added to his self-assurance and inherent steadiness.

He was steady as a rock, completely unflappable. And a good thing that was, too. When Tabæus was angered, fires broke out. As a baby, weaning him had been very dangerous. As a small child he’d nearly burned down the corner store when his nanny refused him a treat while shopping.

…. And that’s it for now.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

Yes, I would like to share the release of my book, Counting Midnight, an illustrated novel, available at www.loveyoudivine.com . Most of my work will be available at www.venuspress.com, as everyone knows. At loveyoudivine, I will sometimes release different works, such as a manga I hope to finish soon, and a host of short stories, yaoi, and illustrated works, even a serial novel or two. Also, please look at www.yaoitales.com from time to time and see what I might have there. The book Knights & Cookies is available there in ebook and print. I wrote it for Nix as a Christmas present and she published it as my present. We compliment each other well. In fact, our book Storm View, the sequel to Storm Whispers, will be available in April as well. We’re having a wonderful time writing it and I just hope the readers have as much fun reading it.

Thank you so much for stopping by J.J.; it has been a pleasure chatting with you. Readers if you have not had the opportunity to read any of J.J. Massa’s stories jump over to her website www.jjmassa.com and see what you have been missing. I know that I hope that there are many more stories out there waiting to be told.

Interviewed by: Jessica