GUEST VISIT - The H&W Team Discuss White Hats by Jess Haines

Hello there!  Jess Haines here.  I’m the author of the urban fantasy H&W Investigations series (HUNTED BY THE OTHERS, TAKEN BY THE OTHERS, and the recently released DECEIVED BY THE OTHERS.  I’d like to take a moment to introduce you to some of the cast—Shiarra Waynest, the lead character, Chaz, her on-and-off werewolf boyfriend, Alec Royce, a vampire Shiarra meets in the course of her adventures, Sara, Shiarra’s business partner, and Arnold, a mage and Sara’s boyfriend.

Today the cast of the H&W Investigations series are going to talk about those who hunt the Others.  Over to you, Shia!

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Shiarra:  White Hats are boring.  Why don’t we talk about something like contracts or what makes Others scary or whatever?

Chaz: I think it’s been done.

Royce:  To death.

Sara:  Heh.  To death?  Isn’t that a little cliché coming from a vampire?

Arnold:  Clichés never stopped us before.  Anyway.  I don’t think the White Hats are so bad.  Once you get to know them, most of ‘em are pretty cool.

Shiarra:  Except the ones who think it’s all fun and games to burn down businesses, start riots in the streets, attack innocent people in their own bedrooms in the dead of night…

Royce:  I did tell you to inform me if the White Hats had harmed you.  I’d be happy to make arrangements on your behalf for something to be done to counter any activities you find unpleasant.

Sara:  Is that code for “Hey, look, I’m putting on my mob boss pants and will make these guys disappear” or something?

Royce:  There is an art to subtlety, Ms. Halloway. My statements fail to carry the proper note of menace if you insist on dissecting them like that.

Chaz:  You’re a vampire.  Of course you’re menacing.  You don’t even have to open your mouth to drive people away. Though it certainly helps.

Arnold:  Actually, I heard there was some men’s fashion mag that had record sales last month after it featured a picture of him on the cover. 

Shiarra:  Much as I agree with Chaz, that one doesn’t count.  I saw it on the stands at the supermarket.  Royce was smiling and showing fangs.  It was a pretty good pic, actually.

Chaz:  Whatever.

Sara:  Um.  Is the werewolf actually pouting? 

Shiarra:  Oh, Chaz, don’t pout.  You know I find you sexier than a gross, old vampire.

Chaz:  I am not pouting!

Arnold:  Cool it, man.  It’s not that big a deal.  None of us care, anyway.

Royce:  Ms. Waynest, you are one of the few humans I have encountered who find me more frightening than attractive.  I’ve yet to determine why that is.

Shiarra:  The White Hats are right about one thing.  Because you’re a scary son of a—

Sara:  Ahem!

Shiarra:  …yeah.  Anyway.  You’re an evil, soulless, walking corpse.  No wonder the White Hats hate you.  You’re rich, successful, charming, and women flock to you like you’re the greatest thing since Ryan Reynolds’ abs.  

Arnold:  I thought they hated him because of the walking corpse part?

Chaz:  They hate that he can flaunt all the hot babes and probably that he makes more money than they do.  Drinking blood doesn’t help.

Royce:  I’m hardly a corpse.  You’ve felt my touch—

Chaz:  WHAT.

Shiarra:  Shush!  Not like that.  Ugh.

Royce:  As I was saying.  Ms. Waynest, you’ve felt my touch, known the comforts of my home, and availed yourself of my generosity before.  The unkind words are uncalled for.  I may no longer be human, but I am not truly dead, either.

Arnold:  Hence the walking corpse thing.  Or did you miss that?

Royce:  Considering you seem to be delighting in repeating yourself, of course I haven’t.  Have you noticed that corpses have no need to eat, nor move about under their own power, or hold conversations as we are doing now?  I hardly think it’s fair to discuss me as such.

Shiarra:  Shall we call you a sunlight-impaired American, then?  C’mon.  Stop being such a pedant. 

Sara:  I bet that’s part of why the White Hats hate him, too.

Chaz:  They hate werewolves, too.  My pack has lost a few to hunters.

Arnold:  Seriously?  I thought they stopped hunting werewolves after that guy in Kentucky got mauled.

Chaz:  No, made it worse.  The ones in New York are mostly pissed about vampires, but in the southern and central states, the Weres have a tougher time of it with the hunters.

Sara:  I think it’s about time to wrap this up.

Shiarra:  Okay, let’s recap.  Anything with fur or fangs equals bad to White Hats.  Anything with fangs equals creepy beyond measure to me.  Any questions?

Royce:  Yes. Why is it—

Shiarra:  Okay then.  We’re done.

Royce:  Hey!

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Err… right then. You can learn more about Shiarra and the rest of her friends in HUNTED BY THE OTHERS.  What do you think?  Are you afraid of vampires or werewolves?  Would you side with the White Hats or the Others?

Visit me on the web:

www.JessHaines.com

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jess-Haines-HW-Investigations/199575306328?ref=search&sid=100000426805820.1600836246..1

Twitter: http://twitter.com/#!/Jess_Haines

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/jesshaines

Fan Forum: http://jesshaines.freeforums.org/

Thanks again having me and the gang over, Jen! 

It was our pleasure Jess - always glad to have you.  

I definitely give this series 5 slices overall - XOXO (Jen)

Deceived by the Others by Jess Haines

Shiarra's relationship with sexy werewolf Chaz is somewhat unconventional. Still, after a few bumps, Shia is ready to get serious. That means meeting family - or in this case, bringing Chaz's entire werewolf pack along for a rollicking full-moon weekend in the Catskills. Soon after they arrive, threatening notes appear, warning Chaz to go home. Then, their cabin is ransacked. Shia starts digging to find out whether it's the work of teenaged werewolves or something more sinister. As rumours about her vampire connections arouse the pack's hostility, Shia has to contend with other, potentially fatal dangers.(courtesy of Amazon)

Can I just say BRAVO!

Haines had me eating out of her hand in this book – I was engrossed in Shia’s emotions throughout the whole book.  It took me a day to come back to reality and I’m still not over it 100%. 

Haines has given us Shia – a Private investigator that reluctantly gets wrapped up in the world of the Others.  In Hunted by the Others (Book 1) Shia is forced in to the others as she’s being ‘hunted’ and she wants nothing to do with them – she just recently dumped her boyfriend when she found out he was a Were.  In Taken by the Others (Book 2) Shia struggles with her relationship with the Others including her on/off boyfriend Chaz (the Were), and is ‘taken’ against her will.  All the while, as I’m usually furry-friendly, I can’t help rooting for the Vamp in this series.  Haines gives me Alex Royce – I’m immediately connected to him – I don’t know how Haines does it, but she did! 

After finishing Taken – I only hope for more of Royce – so imagine my shock as we start Book 3 – Deceived by the Others – and Shia is working things out with Chaz…….

But some how Haines gets me pulling for Chaz – I’m so wrapped up in Shia’s emotions and I’m riding along as she battles some one out to kill them.  And then, just as Shia – I’m completely smacked in the face – I couldn’t believe it – and I couldn’t put the book down to stop.  I had to finish – started it that night and didn’t go to bed until I was done! Finally, I’m dying for the next book – I have to know where she’s going.  Haines is giving Shia the tough girl attitude and now I want to see where it leads her.  Let alone all the drama that is yet to come. 

So I say again – BRAVO Jess Haines – keep H&W Investigations in business and give us book 4 :) 

6 slices

Taken by the Others by Jess Haines

Once, New York P.I. Shiarra Waynest's most pressing problem was keeping her agency afloat. Now she's dealing with two dangerous, seductive vampires who have been enemies for centuries. The only thing Max Carlyle and Alec Royce agree on is that they both want Shia - for very different reasons. Max is determined to destroy Shia for killing his progeny, while Royce's interest is a lot more personal. That's not sitting well with Shia's werewolf boyfriend, Chaz. As the feud between Max and Royce gets ever more deadly, a powerful vampire-hunting faction is urging Shia to join their side. Shia has always believed vamps were the bad guys, but she's discovering unexpected shades of grey that are about to redefine her friends, her loyalties - and even her desires.(courtesy of Amazon)

If I had 1 word to describe this book it would be Stellar!

Haines has taken H&W investigations right smack in the middle of the world of the Others.  You all should know by now, I (Jenn) LOVE me my weres!! Only Haines can give us the love triangle where I want the vamp over the were, I want to just rub up all on Royce…I love how Haines has shoved Shia into the world she fears and longs to be uninvolved with the others – yet that’s hard to do when your boyfriend is a Were and they just keep coming back for her!

Adventure and Action meet the love triangle and Shia has no choice but to mingle with Royce to survive, but she's help bent on doing things her way!  Haines' writing is all around 'on the level' she doesn't overdo the dialogue or the description and you still feel like you are right in the middle!

I have it on personal convo with Haines that we can only expect more from Chaz and Royce in book 3 Deceived by the Others.  I know I want more of Royce *wink wink* We'll have to see if Ms Haines can come visit Seduced for some 1 on 1 time with her next book!

5 Slices