Some theologians say you carry heaven and hell in your heart, and love and suffer accordingly. I like to think we elect politicians to ignore global warming until such time as it's too late. (Except, of course, some people think we didn't actually elect Dubya, but that's a whole 'nuther ball of wax, or flame, if we want to keep the metaphors unmeshed.) Anyhow, I was glad to see in the New York Times that three Western governors have all stepped up to the plate and said "DO SOMETHING, ALREADY," and even gladder that Charlie Crist, who I swear is challenging all my stereotypes of Republicans, the governor of Florida is similarly disposed. Maybe we aren't all headed there in a handbasket after all.
Enough about me and my version of hell. I suspect Jackie Kessler's series, HELL ON EARTH is a lot more fun than the one portrayed in THE DAY AFTER TOMORROW. Here's the skinny:
"Kessler's sizzling sequel to paranormal debut Hell's Belles puts ex-succubus Jezebel--the now-mortal Jesse Harris, a dancer at a strip club--stage center again. For a month after waking up in a hospital, the former 4,000-year-old, fifth-level succubus who used to seduce humans to claim their souls has been living a happy mortal life in New York with a devoted boyfriend, New York vice cop Paul Hamilton. So when Alecto, a Fury from hell, arrives and demands she return to hell to help Alecto's sister, Megaera (Jesse's former best friend who betrayed her), Jesse balks. Much of the rest of the book is spent convincing her to change her mind, with each sexy escapade topping the last, until (among other things) the demons go after Paul, and Jesse has to "pull an Orpheus." Kessler's raunchy blend of heaven, hell and eros makes for a wild thrill ride, and hot, tough-talking Jesse has gumption and sass." — Publishers Weekly
In The Road to Hell, the second book in the Hell on Earth series, author Jackie Kessler reintroduces us to the cutest, sexiest and most downright foul-mouthed perky ex-demon you're ever likely to run across. Once again, Kessler demolishes my preconceptions about romance novels, eschewing the bursting bustier and the bare-chested hero for a sly nod, a knowing wink and a bawdy smile, and giving the best romance authors a serious run for their places on the best-seller lists.” — Novelspot "Fun, sexy and utterly original! Kessler will seduce you."— Gena Showalter, New York Times bestselling author As you'll see in our interview, Kessler had no intention of writing a romance, and though it's shelved with that genre, it sounds like a cross-over to me. Anyhow, here's our interview: 1. If I had to offer two bumper sticker explanations for my novel, they¹d
be ³Appearances are deceiving² and ³Mean people suck.² Tell me what your
slogans would be, and why.
The first slogan would be: "Love your inner demon." Both HELL'S BELLES and
THE ROAD TO HELL are about Jezebel, a former succubus who becomes a human
stripper. (After four thousand years of seducing evil men, she wasn't about
to become a telemarketer.) She's unapologetic about her sexuality -- and
she's very playful. She is who she is, you know?
The second slogan would be "Going to Hell in a handbasket." Basically,
there's a management change in Hell, and that's not good at all for either
the Abyss or for we poor saps on the mortal coil.
2. Your two favorite movies over the past twelve months and why?
Wow -- current movies? Uhmmmm....we don't get out much. But my two Precious
Little Tax Deductions swear by all things Pokemon (groan) and Power Ranger
(double groan). At least they're also getting into the Legion of Super
Heroes and Justice League Unlimited -- the (former) comic book reader in me
is pleased.
3. What was the one thing you learned in getting your book published that
you were really surprised to find out?
That I'd written a paranormal romance! I thought it was a funny, sexy urban
fantasy.
4. If you had to pick one and only one condition (beyond computer or pen
and paper) that would allow you to write would it be: a. solitude b.
caffiene c. sleep d. food e. sex or f. ______.
Solitude. Definitely. All the others are a bonus!
5. Do you have a favorite genre? If so, who are your three favorite
writers? If not, who are your three favorite writers and how have they
influenced your work?
I go back and forth on favorite genres. My all-time favorite authors are
Neil Gaiman and Christopher Moore. Neil is my god of writing. It was his
treatment of Hell in the SANDMAN series that got me to start thinking more
about Hell and its purpose, and that led ultimately to the situation in
HELL'S BELLES. His AMERICAN GODS is one of my favorite novels. And Chris is
just amazing -- run out right now and pick up LAMB. Really. Go on, I'll
wait.
I have TONS of other authors whom I adore, including Jim Butcher, Rachel
Caine, Richelle Mead, Heather Brewer, Toni McGee Causey, Colleen
Gleason...wow, tons. I could easily keep going.
--
Thanks again!
Jackie
--
It's time to Hit the ROAD for a chance to win an Apple iPod Nano!
THE ROAD TO HELL by Jackie Kessler (available November 2007!)
HELL'S BELLES by Jackie Kessler (in stores now!)
Love Your Inner Demon
http://www.jackiekessler.com
I forget that there are still a lot of people out there who don't believe there is such a thing as global warming. And I don't just mean people who benefit by ignoring it, I mean regular, educated folk. A man I just started dating told me he wasn't sure there was such a thing.
Ooops, gotta go. He just arrived to pick me up in his Hummer.
GAWD, I gotta do something abou this.
Posted by: Toni Andrews | November 29, 2007 at 05:37 PM