The Cover Contessa: Blog Tour and Giveaway: Ruined (The Eternal Balance #1) by Jus Accardo

Thursday, January 9, 2014

Blog Tour and Giveaway: Ruined (The Eternal Balance #1) by Jus Accardo

Title: RUINED

Author: Jus Accardo

Pub. Date: December 30, 2013

Publisher: Entangled Embrace

Pages: 325

Hell is looking for a way to break loose…

Jax lost the genetic lottery. Descended from Cain, the world's first murderer, he's plagued by a curse that demands violence in exchange for his happiness. He left everything behind, including the girl he loved, but thriving on the pain of others is lonely… And it's killing him.

After a series of heartbreaking losses, Samantha put rubber to pavement and headed for college as fast as her clunker could carry her. But she can't outrun her problems. When an attack at school drives her back home, she's thrown into the path of a past—and a guy—she's been trying to forget.

Sam strains Jax's control over his darkness, but running isn't an option this time. Someone—or, something—followed her home from school: a ruthless monster with a twisted plan centuries in the making. Forced together to survive, and fighting an attraction that could destroy them both, Jax and Sam must stop a killer bent on revenge.

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Welcome Jus! So great to have you here!

Did you always know you wanted to be a writer or did you want to be something else?

Growing up, it was a tie between being a writer and being a chef. My grandfather was a chef, and I grew up fascinated by food. But when I wasn't in the kitchen, my nose was buried in a book. In the end, it was a close call. I applied and was a month away from starting at the C.I. A when I chose to pass on the spot to write.

How long does it take you to write a book from start to finish?

It really depends. My first book, TOUCH, was a little under a month from start to finish. Ruined was probably closer to four months. It was something totally new for me, and I'll admit I was a little scared going into it.

How do you come up with themes for your stories?

Honestly they come up with themselves. I'm in no way a plotter. All organic, baby. The story unfolds around the character, and from there, the theme just kind of pops out.

Do you have a schedule of when you write?

Nope. It's all writing, all the time, lol.

Seriously though, I'm not happy unless I'm working on something. And generally, when I'm working on something, I get kind of addicted. It's hard for me to walk away.

I sit down at like 6/7 (whenever my husband leaves for work) and then work till about noonish. I run any errands I need to, then it's back to work till midnight or so.

How are you able to balance other aspects of your life with your writing?

Because I'm married to a saint and have the most awesome family ever. :D

Admittedly, sometimes it's hard to find a good balance. Like I said, I tend to get addicted. The fridge gets empty, the sink fills up. My family will let it go on for so long, and then be like, Okay, you're starting to grow mold. Step away from the computer! I'd be lost without them.

What elements do you think make a great story line?

Well, you have to have an interesting plot, but in my opinion, the biggest thing is the characters. No one is going to think a story is great if they can't connect with the characters. No one is going to connect to characters if they don’t care. Characters are the key.

What was the hardest thing about writing a book?

I think it’s that section of time, between the book being finished and release. I don’t care how many books I write, sending it out into the world is always the hardest, and also the best, part.

How many books have you written so far? Do you have a favorite?

Hmm. There are three books (and two novellas) in the Denazen series, one in the Darker series, and Ruined. So, 5? 7 if you count the novellas? God. 7…

As for a fave, I'm not sure. I don't think I can pick a specific one. Books have feelings, you know ;)

Do you have a favorite character?

I feel like I'm going to get stoned for saying this *ducks* but right now I'm going to have to go with Jax Flynn (from Ruined).

Where do you write?

I've got an office (soon to be office with a window seat as we're in the process of moving!). It’s like my own little cave. Well, I think so. Pretty sure my Akita thinks it's her little cave…

When deciding on how to publish, what directed you to the route you took?

I knew I wanted an agent from the start. I didn’t know much about that end of the business, and wanted to start out with someone who knew the ropes. It all just kind of went from there.

Have you gotten feedback from family about your book(s)? What do they think?

The family members that have read my work seem to like it. I always cringe a little when I know my mom is reading (I nearly died when she read Ruined) because of all the, um, kissy stuffs.

What kinds of things do you like to do outside of writing?

I love to cook (duh) and hike. I'm also a major Word of Warcraft junkie.

What kinds of advice would you give to someone who wants to start writing?

Keep at it. It only takes one person to kick you up to the next level. Look at it this way. Every word you wrote beings you closer to where you want to be. Do. Not. Give. Up.

What is your favorite book? favorite author? Do you have an author that inspired/inspires you to write?

Rob Thurman is the goddess of snark IMO. I was reading NIGHTLIFE when I decided to pass on my spot at the C.I.A. Some others are, Mary Stanton, Kelley Armstrong, Jeri Smith-Ready… I could go on and on and on… J

Do you have any go to people when writing a book that help you with your story lines as well as editing, beta reading and such?

I used to have a great group, but everyone has kind of moved on. My mom reads all my stuff, but that doesn’t count. She's like, paternally obligated to love it, lol. I'm looking for a few beta readers at the moment.

Are you working on anything now?

I just started the second book in the Eternal Balance series. What can I say? I just can't stay away from Jax ;)

Thanks so much for dropping by today, Jus! Good luck with your book!

JUS ACCARDO spent her childhood reading and learning to cook. Determined to follow in her grandfather’s footsteps as a chef, she applied and was accepted to the Culinary Institute of America. At the last minute, she realized her path lay with fiction, not food, and passed on the spot to pursue writing. Jus is the bestselling author the popular Denazen series from Entangled publishing and is currently working on the first book in a new adult series due out summer 2013. A native New Yorker, she lives in the middle of nowhere with her husband, three dogs, and sometimes guard bear, Oswald.

Website/Blog/Twitter/Facebooka Rafflecopter giveaway

Tour Schedule:

Week One:

1/6/2014- Fictitious Delicious- Interview

1/6/2014- Curling Up With a Good Book - Review

1/7/2014- Mostly YA Book Obsessed- Review

1/7/2014- Bewitched Bookworms- Guest Post

1/8/2014- Sweet Southern Home- Review

1/8/2014- Shortie Says- Review

1/9/2014- Step Into Fiction- Review

1/9/2014- The Cover Contessa- Interview

1/10/2014- TSK TSK What to Read- Review

1/10/2014- Paranormal Book Club- Guest Post