J.T. Geissinger | From Night Prowlers To Rockers

When I wrote my first novel, I had no idea it would be a series. It was written as a stand-alone. It wasn’t until it was sold to my publisher that I realized I’d be writing more books with the same characters, because they asked for a two book deal! Then, after the first book sold well, they came back and asked me to write another four books in the series, for a total of six.

The thing about writing in the paranormal or fantasy genre is that the world- building can be daunting, especially as the series lengthens. Readers notice every inconsistency, so keeping track of what supernatural powers and weaknesses all the characters have, in addition to creating an alternate reality, history, culture, political structure, and many other details was of paramount importance. Though my Ikati are a fictional race, they had to feel real. Specific, realistic details are the key to making stories come alive, and nowhere more so than in the fantasy genre.

Keeping track of all those details required a two volume series bible I referred to as “The Beast.”

By the end of the third book, I knew I was ready to try something different. Being contractually obligated for six books, I couldn’t veer from the paranormal path. Nor am I a writer who can write two different series at once; I have to concentrate on one project at a time. So when the final book in my Night Prowler series was finished, it was bittersweet to see all my beloved characters go, but I was ready to move on. Though I knew I’d stay within the romance genre (for now) I considered several different sub-genres, including erotica, romantic suspense, and contemporary.

Ultimately I decided to do a mash-up of all three.

With the Bad Habit series (named after the band), I created a world I was familiar with—the LA music scene—that also combined my love of really steamy romance and action-based suspense. There’s a passionate love story, there’s a crazy bad guy, there are dark, dangerous secrets, there are rock concerts and car chases and a trio of best girlfriends, and of course there’s a badass, tatted rocker with a filthy mouth and a hidden sweet side. It was a blast to write, and I’m so glad I decided to take the risk and write in a new genre, even though I wasn’t sure how my established readership would react.

So far the feedback has been incredible. It’s been a great reminder to me that the most important thing I can do is follow my gut. Who knows where it will take me next? Maybe next year you’ll see a novel of mine shelved between Stephen King and Dean Koontz…

About J.T. Geissinger

J.T. Geissinger is an award-winning author of paranormal and contemporary romance featuring dark and twisted plots, kick-ass heroines, and alpha heroes whose hearts are even bigger than their muscles. Her debut fantasy romance Shadow's Edge was a #1 bestseller on Amazon US and UK and won the Prism award for Best First Book. Her follow-up novel, Edge of Oblivion, was a RITA Award finalist for Paranormal Romance from the Romance Writers of America, and she has been nominated for numerous awards for her work. She resides in Los Angeles with her husband.

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About SWEET AS SIN

Twenty-something Kat Reid is loving life as an in-demand Hollywood makeup artist. She has absolutely no interest in rock ’n’ roll, but in order to pay the mortgage, she agrees to work on the set of a rock video for the world- famous rockers known as Bad Habit . . . which brings her face-to-face with Nico Nyx, lead singer of Bad Habit and Adonis in the flesh.

However, the fiercely independent Kat isn’t impressed by the hard-living, womanizing rock star. But when Nico’s model girlfriend shows up to the set drunk and Kat is tapped to replace her as the video’s sexy bride, her combustible chemistry with Nico suddenly threatens to consume the set. Nico feels it, too—and becomes determined to win Kat over, body and soul. Yet behind his rock god swagger, Nico hides a dark secret. Can he rock Kat’s world forever, or will he just break her heart?