I am so very happy to present to you all the amazingly talented Jana Downs today for Ask Author. I just finished reading all of the books currently released in her "Marked" series and they were amazing. This is definitely an author you should read if you enjoy authors such as Gabrielle Evans, Stormy Glenn, and Toni Griffin, and while Jana is just as talented she has a uniqueness and a decidedly "Jana" voice that makes all of her stories a joy to read. Jana has books published with Siren Publishing and I for one can't wait to read whatever she has coming out next.

And now, prepare yourselves for Jana Downs in the hot seat.







1. What's the title of the book of your life? 
A Series of Odd and Imaginative Events.
2. Where do you write at? In an office or comfy chair?
I have a lovely office in my living room and I alternate between my office chair and my leather sectional. Wherever the Muse feels like curling up.
3. Do you have a set time that you write or just when the muse strikes you?
 I write everyday but what I write is pretty dependent on what my Muse feels like talking about.
4. What is your most favorite scene that you wrote and for which characters/what book did you write it?
 My favorite scene was in Ravyn’s Blood when Alex sees Kalel for the first time since Kal’s abduction. The sheer relief and joy that went through both characters as their eyes met was such a poignant moment for me that I fell a little in love with both them and the genre.
5. On a rainy day what is your favorite thing to do? 
 Sit on the porch with a hot cup of tea and watch the rain fall. The quietness of the world while it rains is very relaxing. It’s good for the writing.
6. Is there a genre or subject matter that you want to write about but are hesitant to do so (ex. Interracial, Disabled, Transgender, Mpreg, etc.)?
 I don’t think I could write Mpreg. I am someone who needs real concrete reasons why a male should be capable of becoming pregnant and having a child. Unfortunately, I just can’t wrap my mind around the concept and would not do the subgenre justice.
7. What is your ideal vacation spot?
 A Scottish castle tucked away in the highlands would be my perfect vacation spot. I’d love to spend a month or two buried in a big old library overlooking the scenery.
8. Is it harder to write about menage+ couples than two men?
 It’s definitely harder to write menage couples. The relationship has to be believable and to foster the connection between all of them, I have to flesh out the relationship more. It makes the story longer and has its own unique difficulties.
9. You have a BDSM series (or more, I can’t remember). Did you enjoy writing about that sort of lifestyle or was it difficult?
 I love the intensity of BDSM relationships. It doesn’t work for every couple and there are certain stories that just won’t support it. However, the ones that it works for are wonderfully intense. Making  the BDSM element believable can sometimes be more difficult than writing a story without it but it’s definitely worth the final product.
10. What is your favorite genre to read for fun?
 I love fantasy and historicals. I know it seems like an odd combination but I will devour anything like LOTR or Mary Balogh’s regency series.
11. When did you start writing?  What inspired you to write?
 I started writing from the second I could hold up a pencil. I always had a vivid imagination and told elaborate stories . I don’t know what inspired the first one but I know that I haven’t been able to stop since.
12. How long does it take you to complete a book?
 It really depends on the book. Some books consume me and I can write them in a week or two. Others take me months. It depends on the characters and how well the words are flowing.
13. Where would you suggest someone new to your books to begin reading?
 It really depends on what you like to read. If you like something with a bit of sci-fi I would recommend Working Stiffs and the Deadzone series. If you prefer more paranormal books I would say read the Beast Games series or the Marked series.
14. “In the Name of Research” what is the strangest thing you have claimed on your income taxes?
 I don’t know if it’s the strangest thing but I did get to claim a couples’ massage with one of my girlfriends so I could incorporate it into a story. *research win*
15. What is the best thing about being a writer?
 The best thing would probably be that I get to keep my own hours. I can write when I need to and crash when I have to. It’s great.
16. If you had to pick only three of your characters to take on vacation who would it be and why?
 I’d have to say Bren and Cross from His Guardian Angels and Grayson from Collared with Ink. Bren and Cross would be entertainment and Grayson would keep them from killing each other. :)
17. Do you read MF or MFM books? 
 Sure. I am very eclectic in my reading tastes. Love has no boundaries and I will read pretty much anything so long as it has a good plot and a believable romance.
18. How about the FF genre?
Same applies. Love is love.
19. What do you think about the New Adult genre for MM?
 I’m actually experimenting with New Adult in MM at present and I am really enjoying it. I like the idea of a character coming into their own without having to necessarily write Young Adult.
20. Some actors cannot watch themselves onscreen – as an author, What goes through your mind’s eye when you read your own work?
 I hate to be dramatic but I really cringe when I have to go back and read my own work. I constantly rewrite sentences in my head and it’s never quite perfect enough. I try not to read my own stuff if I can help it. I’ll leave that up to my readers.
21. Do you plan on writing for a while to come?
Definitely. I’ll write as long as people read my books.
22. What author or authors would you like to collaborate with?
 I am very excited to be collaborating with Gabrielle Evans on a upcoming series. ^-^ I really admire her as a writer and it’s going to be a fun process.
23. Do you write about more than one story at a time?
 I tend to manuscript hop. I usually have three or four things open at one time.


Jana has generously donated two books from her backlist to one person who comments. So make sure you leave a comment!