Meet Some UtopYA2015 Lovelies (Unofficial) : CJ Pinard

Please welcome the next guest in my Meet Some UtopYA2015 Lovelies (Unofficial) series.

Me with CJ & Jo Michaels at UtopYA2015

When I first walked up to greet CJ this year, my daughter was already there. She made it clear I was ruining her mojo, so I went back later. CJ is a gorgeous person, inside and out, and she’s always got a smile and kind word to share.

Thanks for hanging out on my blog today.

CJ: Hey! Thanks for having me! It was sooo great seeing you at UtopYA2015, and meeting your beautiful daughter.

My daughter lives for UtopYA. She actually asked for the ticket as her birthday gift. Speaking of birthdays, happy belated birthday. I'm a summer baby, too. Oh, and congratulations on your new release (and book birthday) for Soul Release (Rebel Riders #3). Tell us about Soul Release.

CJ: Well, Soul Release is the third installment of this trilogy. This series, like all my books, was supposed to be one book, but this story continued to stretch into more books. This will probably be the last. 

I think my characters like to get into so much trouble and have adventures that their stories just keep going. I really enjoyed this series, kinda sad to see it come to an end. With that being said, there’s a character who sort of tried to take over and I had to put a leash on him, so to speak, and he may be getting a novella for all his troubles!

You write both young adult paranormal and new adult romances. Which challenges you more as a writer? Do you have a favorite?

CJ: Definitely the romances. Paranormal is my first love, and those seem to flow pretty easily for me. But the romances I feel I need to put a bit more emotion into (which is why these are written in first person, versus my paranormal, which are written in third). I don’t want to write a flat and boring romance that doesn’t make the reader at least get some emotional investment from the characters and/or the storyline. I have cried while writing all of them, especially Tour of Duty. I have a soft spot for our military men and women. That one is my favorite to date. We’ll see after my new series comes out if I can outdo myself.

I have no doubt you can do anything you set your mind to. By the way, I'm impressed with the number of books you’ve published. What’s your writing schedule like?

CJ: Haha, thank you! I hear that a lot. Believe it or not, I still have a full time day job that I can’t leave because I’ve only got six years left until I can draw a partial retirement, so I plan on sticking it out. I write in the evenings mostly, but not every night. I just sometimes can’t or don’t want to. I think once I get on a roll, though, that I can produce a lot of words in a small amount of time. I think typing 100 WPM helps too, heh.

I bet it does. That's awesome. I've been asking everyone... What is your favorite inspirational quote? Why?

CJ: “Scars are souvenirs you never lose.” That one small lyric has resonated with me for years. We all carry scars, some on the outside, some on the inside. I decided a long time ago that mine were going to be something to treasure and learn from, not something I was gonna let break me or weaken me (and I have a lot!). I will use mine to better myself, and I teach my children the same thing. If only I could guard them from obtaining any scars, ya know? I truly believe scarred people are the most genuine and kindhearted.

I won't forget that one now. Thanks for sharing. So, what do you think makes UtopYA, renamed Utopia for its fifth year in 2016, so special?

CJ: I think it’s sort of an original concept that has now been copied. Not just a one-day book signing, but several days of panels, keynotes, and fandom. I think it’s great that it appeals to both future/wannabe writers and current seasoned vets. I love the ‘big’ names who come to speak, too. You can never learn enough about this industry. I really enjoyed Sylvia Day last year. What a nice gal too. I really enjoy watching the friendships develop and the excitement build on Facebook in the weeks and months building up to it.

CJ with Sylvia Day at UtopYA2014

✮✮✮✮✮ Quick Answers ✮✮✮✮✮ 

Last Movie you Saw: Fifty Shades of Grey (I just had to!)

Comedy, Romance, Drama, or Horror? For movies? Comedy. For reading? Horror

Last Book you Read: The Mortis Vampire Series by J.C. Diem (still reading this, it’s addicting!)

First Job: Deli Clerk

Gift cards or Cash? Gift Cards

Favorite Vacation Spot: Anywhere in Florida

CJ with her book model, Nathan Weller

I hope to see you next year in Nashville! I’m gonna try my darndest!!!

More about CJ

C.J. is a west coast native who has lived on both coasts and now lives near the middle, in Colorado! Coming from a family of writers and editors, she feels writing is in her blood and hopes people will lose themselves for a little while in the fantasy and fun of her stories. She also loves sweet red wine, the SF 49ers, and unlike most authors, doesn't have any cats (allergies!). When she's not writing, she can be found chasing around her kids or working at her day job, which she totally feels interferes with life, but it also gives her inspiration for her books, since reality is sometimes way more interesting than fiction.

She also loves getting notifications that people have sent her an email, added her on Facebook, or on Twitter. So stop by and say hi - don't be shy! She's not! :)

Email me: cjpinardauthor@gmail.com

Find me: http://cjpinard.com/

Like me: https://www.facebook.com/CJPinardAuthor

Friend me: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=100007822338176

Follow me: https://twitter.com/CJPinard

Add me: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6565787.C_J_Pinard

OTHER BOOKS BY C.J. PINARD:

Enchanted Immortals (Book #1)

Enchanted Immortals 2: The Vortex

Enchanted Immortals 3: The Vampyre

Enchanted Immortals 4: The Vixen

BSI: Bureau of Supernatural Investigation (An Enchanted Immortals Novella)

Patriotic Duty (Duty & Desire, #1)

Tour of Duty (Duty & Desire #2)

Boots Beneath My Bed (Duty & Desire #3)

Playing the Field (Duty & Desire #4)

Unscathed (A paranormal romance collaboration with Tim O’Rourke)

Three of a Kind: Tales of Luck, Chance & Misfortune (short story collaboration)

Summer Sizzle: Stories of Love, Lust, and Passion (short story collaboration)

Blood Bites: Three Vampire Tales (short story collaboration)

Tidal Wave: Tales of Deep Passion (short story collaboration, a Duty & Desire short)

Soul Rebel (Rebel Riders #1)

Soul Redemption (Rebel Riders #2)

Soul Release (Rebel Riders #3)

Coming soon:

Imperfect Heroes Series (3 book contemporary romance series)

Unraveled (Paranormal romance #2 with Tim O’Rourke)

All books available where eBooks are sold.

Please visit often for more UtopYA2015 Lovelies (Unofficial) interviews, 

and check out the announcement post to see

the schedule and links to past interviews.