Interview and giveaway with author Jaime Rush

Author Jaime Rush has stopped by Paranormal Haven to talk to us about her series, Offsprings. The series hooks you in with action, memorable characters and an interesting story. The newest installment in the series, Touching Darkness, will be released on April 27th. Make sure to keep reading after the interview to see how you can enter in for a chance to win a copy of the first Offspring book, A Perfect Darkness.

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Can you please describe your Offspring series in your own words for those who haven't read or heard of it?

A group of twenty-somethings live ordinary lives but possess extraordinary psychic abilities. They are the Offspring of parents involved in a mysterious experiment gone awry. Sexy…dangerous…outcasts… They are being hunted by the government and others like them. Together they must find the truth and fight an enemy out to destroy them.

Where did you get the idea for the Offspring?

It grew from my love for television shows like X-Files and cult favorites Highlander and Roswell. When they were canceled, I craved the mix of paranormal, relationship drama, and romance, so I made up my own series. That's one of the cool things about being a writer. I can do that.

How many books do you plan to write for this series?

It's really open-ended. The fourth book will wrap up the government arc, and thereafter the books will be more stand-alone. Right now I've got six books contracted, and I just finished the fourth one.

Who is your favorite character?

Hm, that's hard! They all appeal to me in some way, obviously. Eric Aruda was my surprise character. He's a bonehead, volatile, and, oh, he sets people on fire. I thought he'd probably blow himself up along the way, but he captured both my and my readers' attention. I also love Lucas, and Rand was fun, too, and … see, too hard to pin it down! Notice how I just mentioned the guys … I love my heroines, too.

If you could pick any author(s) to collaborate on a project with who would you pick?

There are many authors I admire, and I would probably choose those who are in my genre. Sherrilyn Kenyon is great, and I love Ilona Andrews's writing, though she already has a partner (her husband).

Congratulations on Bitten by Cupid becoming a New York Times best seller. Do you plan to write any other Offspring short stories?

I had a great time writing that story. I started writing short stories, so it was fun to go back to my roots. If I am invited to participate in another anthology, I would definitely do it.

You also write books under Tina Wainscott. What genre of books are those? What are they generally about?

I've had fourteen single-title books published under my real name. They are romantic suspense paranormals, mostly, though I moved into psychological suspense at the end. The earlier books included body switching, near-death experiences, cellular memory, and psychic connections, not totally different than what I write now. But they were mostly stand alone. I find that I love writing a series.

You have a KICK BUTT FIRST LINE contest on your website, what exactly is that?

It's a contest I've been running for years now. Everyone gets to be a writer. We all have that great first line of a story, right? So readers and writers get to enter their lines and have a chance to win cash and fame. I've had a lot of fun with the contest over the years. I have four published authors judge it for me so it's completely unbiased. Some of the lines are fabulous, so even those who aren't inclined to write a line will enjoy reading them!

Have you always wanted to be a writer?

I always created stories. When I was young, I'd direct mini-movies with my friends, running around the neighborhood with sparking guns, climbing up on billboards and in trees that hung over the highway (yeah, I was a tomboy). And there was always both romance and suspense in my storylines.

Have you considered writing a vampire book or series?

I'm not really into vampires or creatures, though I would never say never. The muse is funny that way. Not long ago, I might have said I probably wouldn't write a series. But here I am!

What is in your to be read pile?

Hm, let's see … Linnea Sinclair's Gabriel's Ghost; Book of Names, by Jill Gregory and Karen Tintori, and Rita Herron's Dark Hunger.

Have you watched any good TV lately? We always suggest Supernatural

I LOVE Supernatural! I DVR it every week, and my hubby got me the first three seasons on DVD for Christmas, so I'm watching those again, too. The Winchester boys … yum! I like Lost and Grey's Anatomy, too.

What else can we expect from you in 2010?

My third Offspring book, Touching Darkness, comes out in May. I'm busy working on book 4, which is done in the first draft, and then I'll start on book 5.

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We would first like to thank Jaime for stopping in and giving us a great interview. She has been very kind to us and we would be thrilled to have her back anytime. Remember to mark your calendars for the release of Touching Darkness. To find out even more about Jamie and her Offspring series check out her website at Jaimerush.com. Here is a blurb about her upcoming book.

Nicholas Braden, a psychic spy in a covert government program, suspects he's a pawn in a mad man's quest for justice. His boss's stunning assistant is too loyal to give him answers, but Olivia's secret, wild side bends his mind and fires his body. As they edge closer to the darkest truth, good and evil blur, threatening their very survival.

Jaime has decided to give a copy of A Perfect Darkness to one lucky winner. If you would like to be entered in for a chance to win, here is what you need to do:

1. Be a follower
2. Leave a question/comment for Jaime. It can be about her series or just say hi. If you haven't read the series let us know if you plan to add it to your TBR pile.
3. As we mentioned in the interview there is a Offspring short story in Bitten by Cupid. What is one of your favorite short stories or anthology?

Extra entries for:
**Following Jaime Rush on Myspace or Facebook
**Posting this interview and giveaway on your blog, Twitter or Facebook. Leave the link so we can check.
**Become a friend of ours on Facebook or subscribe to our blog

Winner will be announced on March 8th. We don't require that you leave your email address but if you win it would be easier and faster for us to contact you. The winner will have 3 days to email us their shipping information or another winner will be chosen.