Cate: Next up in the Romancing Your Dark Side Author Tour is A Jacob Sweeny. Please give her a warm welcome! A Jacob, will you please share a short bio with us?
A Jacob: Well, my degree is in History with an emphasis on Ancient Near East. Currently working on a Master’s Degree in archaeology, these characters came to me one night and insisted on being put down on paper. That’s how Pulse Of Heroes got its start. I have worked with children of all ages, and I think I have always been a storyteller at heart.
Besides writing, I enjoy spicy food, I once owned a ‘67 Mustang, and I regularly stay up very very late with bouts of creative insomnia.
Cate: Tell us about Pulse of Heroes and where it's available.
A Jacob: Pulse of Heroes weaves together elements from several different genres: romance, suspense, myth/fantasy, paranormal, history and at its core, a heroine’s journey and transformation. I tries to craft a true and sensitive coming-of-age narrative of a quirky teenage girl protagonist becoming a confidant young woman with her own voice. And at the same time draw the reader into a gripping adventure filled with fantastic historical elements and the crushing intensity of first love. Pulse of Heroes is a YA/crossover novel with lots of (hopefully) memorable characters and multiple story arcs. It has a multicultural perspective with characters from around the globe, and a prominent female point-of-view. It is available from the official website: www.pulseofheroes.com where you will also find links to other available formats such as Kindle on Amazon.
Cate: Please tantalize us with a story blurb or excerpt.
A Jacob:
Michelle felt no pain at all. She stretched out in the hot bath that was big enough to be a small pool and leaned her head back on the built in headrest. She was mesmerized by the image of the beautiful angels above her and wished that it was lighter outside so she could see the colored glass better. Suddenly, as if by magic the stained glass came to life with a bright light shining down on it from above, emphasizing the bright reds and greens of the robes the angels wore and the orange and yellow curls that framed their faces. The whole scene looked to be made of colorful gems.
“It’s a sin to look at it in darkness,” Haden said, pointing a remote control towards the ceiling. Michelle turned around to see him, then immediately covered herself up with her hands. Haden knelt down next to her and looked up at the window, smiling. “You’ve got to admit that you don’t see something like this everyday. I paid a lot of money to have it done just right. Many years ago I used to have one just like it above my bed, but I don’t really want angels looking down at me in bed,” he laughed. Haden took the small washcloth that lay by Michelle’s neck, dipped it in the water, and wrung the water out of it down her face and neck. She closed her eyes.
Cate: Can you tell us why we're going to love your hero?
A Jacob: I am going to use the words of an author friend to describe why Elliot De Costa is so loved. “He's hot because he's different... he's not typical... he's not perfect... he's flawed... he's mysterious... he's dangerous... he's a bad ass in a totally different kind of way...” May I add that he is beautiful, wise, and passionate about everything he does.
Cate: Wonderful. Tease us with one little thing about your fictional world that makes it different from others.
A Jacob: Pulse of Heroes is a big book, so there’s a lot of lively detail and depth of emotion. The sights, the sounds, the smells. I think this helps craft the adventure for the reader more realistically. I have had avid readers of other Paranormal Fiction tell me that they were looking for the “vampire” to show up on page 4 or 5, and then when he doesn’t, they finally settle back and allow themselves to enjoy the ride.
When they get back to me after having stayed up all night to finish (!), they seem to be thinking about the story long after they complete the last page (sometimes months) because they are invested in the characters and because the world that has been created is so complete.
Cate: What's next for you?
A Jacob: I am in the final stages of editing the second installment in The Pulse Series. It is due to be released at 12:00PM on October 31st, 2011! Happy Halloween!!
A Jacob: I am in the final stages of editing the second installment in The Pulse Series. It is due to be released at 12:00PM on October 31st, 2011! Happy Halloween!!
Cate: Congrats! What inspired you to draft your first story?
A Jacob: Honestly, I had a 16 year old cousin who loves to read, but was looking for something “more” than what’s out there. She was very interested in some of the stories I shared with her from my archaeological experience, and I eventually just decided to write this beautiful romance and coming-of-age story for her. I think maybe that’s why the readers can pick up on my sincerity.
A Jacob: Honestly, I had a 16 year old cousin who loves to read, but was looking for something “more” than what’s out there. She was very interested in some of the stories I shared with her from my archaeological experience, and I eventually just decided to write this beautiful romance and coming-of-age story for her. I think maybe that’s why the readers can pick up on my sincerity.
Cate: Very cool. Do you have a writing routine?
A Jacob: At this point I write all day. I wake up with a good cup of strong cappuccino and will work until I am absolutely starving. I then break for lunch for about 45 minutes and try and get some normal things done. Like laundry... or I might even venture out to buy food...
A Jacob: At this point I write all day. I wake up with a good cup of strong cappuccino and will work until I am absolutely starving. I then break for lunch for about 45 minutes and try and get some normal things done. Like laundry... or I might even venture out to buy food...
Cate: I can relate! Where can readers find you on the web?
A Jacob: At this point I am active in several forums. Including www.pulseofheroes.com and Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10550107-pulse-of-heroes But for day to day updates you are most likely to find me on my Facebook fan page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pulse-Of-Heroes/108874512509753
Cate: Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?
A Jacob: Yes... many readers mistakenly pick up my book thinking it is a commercial paranormal that follows the basic arc of most of the other various books out there. Pulse Of Heroes is not a light read. It is a long saga with not only a very delicate and succinct coming of age story, but also a historical epic that weaves through a number of plots other than just the primary romance. I would ask my readers to check out the reviews, feel free to contact me through the forums I listed, and most of all set aside a little time to invest in reading Pulse of Heroes. You won’t be sorry.
A Jacob: At this point I am active in several forums. Including www.pulseofheroes.com and Goodreads http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/10550107-pulse-of-heroes But for day to day updates you are most likely to find me on my Facebook fan page. http://www.facebook.com/pages/Pulse-Of-Heroes/108874512509753
Cate: Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?
A Jacob: Yes... many readers mistakenly pick up my book thinking it is a commercial paranormal that follows the basic arc of most of the other various books out there. Pulse Of Heroes is not a light read. It is a long saga with not only a very delicate and succinct coming of age story, but also a historical epic that weaves through a number of plots other than just the primary romance. I would ask my readers to check out the reviews, feel free to contact me through the forums I listed, and most of all set aside a little time to invest in reading Pulse of Heroes. You won’t be sorry.
Cate: A Jacob Sweeny is going to be giving away a 2012 Pulse Of Heroes magnet calendar to a randomly picked commenter.
Thanks so much for being my guest! Best of luck to you.
Readers, be sure to check back again tomorrow, and every day this week for a new author in the Romancing Your Dark Side tour!
