Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Guest Author: Joss Ware

I'm delighted to have Joss Ware on the blog today. I came across Joss's books last year, when I was asked if I would read Embrace the Night Eternal for a possible cover quote. I picked it up not knowing anything about it, and ended up devouring it.

I've now read both Beyond the Night and the as yet unreleased, Abandon the Night and thought they were fantastic. This series has very quickly become one of my new favorites - I can't wait for the next entry!

Please welcome Joss to the blog everyone!
____________

Joss Ware on the Envy Chronicles

About three
years ago, I was talking to someone about trends in paranormal romance novels. Vampires were hot, of course, and demons and shapeshifters were starting to get really popular as well—and we all know that angels soon followed ;-)—but this person said, “I think there’s going to be a trend toward post-apocalyptic romances.”

Huh, I thought. Wow. Then I immediately discarded the thought. I was writing the Gardella
Vampire Chronicles at that time, and post-apocalyptic settings were about as far from historical vampire slayers as you can get.

Besides. I couldn’t even begin to imagine something like that. How could anyone write a post-apocalyptic romance? How can anyone believe in true love or a happy ever after when the world is being destroyed around them? People are dying, in pain, kids, dogs, cats being destroyed, buildings in shambles…no thank you!

But then, one day, I was chatting with one of my friends, and she said, “I think you should write a post-apocaly
ptic romance.”

And I started to think about it. The more I thought, the more fascinated I became with the idea…or, more accurately, the challenge, of writing a romance set in such a dark time. I loved the idea of having a world that had all of our knowledge in technology and science, our pop culture and fashion…but without the infrastructure and civilization that we are used to today.


It would be like writing a historical novel (no cell phones, no computers or cars), but with the ability to know everything we do now. Fascinating.

But, yet, the problem of dealing with the devastation of the earth and civilization and all t
hese people dying still bothered me. So I decided to start my series fifty years after the horrible events that ruined the world and destroyed the human race.

Once I figured out what happened to destroy the earth, then the rest of it fell into place rather quickly. Was it a group of bad guys whose plans, for once, weren’t foiled? Was it nature? Was it aliens? An asteroid? Global warming? Nuclear war?

Then, I
started thinking about how to make a strong connection between our world (in 2010) and the new world (of 2060). I ultimately decided to build the series around a group of guys who somehow “miss” the catastrophe and suddenly find themselves in this strange new world.

They’re called The Awakening Heroes: Elliott, Quent, Simon, Fence, and Wyatt. Each one of them awakens with a changed life, to find that everything they once knew is kaput. Nada.

Not only that, but some of them have even acquired paranormal abilities. And of course, they meet sexy, smart, brave women as they try to build a new life in this strange, horrible world.

The series
is called the Envy Chronicles, and the first one, Beyond the Night, was released in January. The second book, Embrace the Night Eternal was just released last week, and Abandon the Night will be out in March!

I’d like to thank Nalini for having me here. What a thrill to be invited to her blog, and especially for her support for this new series! I’m flattered and very grateful when anyone enjoys my books and lets me know, but when it comes from a colleague, that makes it all the more thrilling!

Link to Joss's Website

15 comments :

s7anna said...

This sounds like a wonderful series...I'm putting on my Must Buy list...I love stories that are set in unusual settings.

Happy Reading
Anna Shah Hoque
s7anna@yahoo.ca

Jessica said...

LOVE this series! Great post Nalini and Joss. : )

Courtney said...

You pegged my main issue with post-apocalyptic romances: the depressing setting. But your premise sounds wonderful, especially the heroes who "skipped" the apocalypse. ANd I lovelovelove it when books are released back to back like that!

You are going on my TBB list, Joss. Thanks, Naliini, for continuing to bring wonderful authors to our attention!

MJFredrick said...

I'm almost done with the first book--read a bunch in the doctor's waiting room today. VERY fast paced and exciting! Do we find out where the gangas come from in this book, or a later book?

Edna said...

It would be like writing a historical novel (no cell phones, no computers or cars), but with the ability to know everything we do now. Fascinating.
I never thought of the book that way but you do make a great point and I agree that it is fascinating. You have done a fantastic job with book one (still need to read book 2 but I'm sure it's just as amazing). You created an exciting new world with captivating characters. I'm very excited to get to book 2 and I'm already eagerly awaiting book 3. Thanks for stopping by Joss and thank you Nalini for having her on your blog!

Ness said...

Thank you Nalini and Joss. I always love discovering new authors, and cannot wait to read this series.

:)

Lynnette said...

I've read the first book and have the second on hold for me at the book store that I work at. Can't wait to read it. Really enjoyed the original idea behind the books.

wandergurl said...

Am currently reading book 1 and enjoying it. I quite like the world building and post-apocalyptic scenario!

Joss Ware said...

Wow! Can't believe so many of you are reading the books already.

Thank you so much for the feedback. I'm glad you're enjoying them and that the world makes "sense."

Joss Ware said...

@MJ You learn a little more about the gangas and the Strangers in each book, but the one I'm working on now (#4) will give a lot more about the gangas.

You learn quite a bit in Quent's book about the history of the Strangers too.

Heather said...

I am adding this to my tbr pile. It sounds so good

Jennifer K. said...

Hmmm, I'm officially intrigued. Thanks for joining us and posting today, and thanks, Nalini, for continuing to bring other authors to our attention.

Giada M. said...

I've already bought the first book, even though I can't read it just yet because of my exams... But the temptation is so strong and I'm a weak woman :P I think I will surrender soon! XD

Courtney said...

I bought the first two today while on a diaper run to Target with the kiddos. I found Embrace the Night first and Beyond the Night wasn't shelved near it, so I almost skipped it because I hate buying/reading out of order, but I saw Beyond the Night two shelves down and three feet to the left, so I grabbed them both. Why not shelve them together, Target? *shakes head*

MJFredrick said...

I ended up finishing it last night because I HAD to see. Going to read something a bit lighter before I dive into book 2 ;)