ℚ♫ Beauty Within - Jae El Foster

Today we have the pleasure of meeting up with author Jae El Foster to talk about Beauty Within (24 September 2018, DCL Publications, LLC, 278 pages), a Paranormal Fantasy Romance / Fairy Tale homage to Beauty and the Beast.

Readers call Beauty Within a ‘must read’ with ‘never a boring moment’ and hail Jae El Foster as an author who “doesn’t disappoint!”

|| Synopsis || Teaser: KCR Preview || Author Q&A || About the Author || Giveaway & Tour Stops ||

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A very warm welcome to Jae El Foster; thank you for joining us on BooksChatter!

To start, as we love music, Jae has shared with us his music playlist for Beauty Within - enjoy!

What was the inspiration for Beauty Within ?

"I wanted a break from the intensity of my normal genres of writing. It was time to step away from horror for a moment and give my readers something cool and different.

At the time, I’d never tackled a fairy tale before, although my second stab at fairy tales saw publication a couple of months ahead of this one. I’m quite proud of both that story – ‘To Adventure’ in the anthology Enchanted Fairy Tales – and Beauty Within.

Homage to Beauty and the Beast, you’ll find a similarity in ways that magic, romance, comedy and tragedy are introduced and utilized throughout the tale. Readers have enjoyed Beauty Within and that makes me proud."

How much of yourself is reflected in this book, and how?

"I give my books everything I have while writing them, but I try to create new lands, characters and scenarios for my readers in everything that I do. I like to make the impossible seem possible, to make magic seem feasible, and to make romance blossom when darkness has cast a shadow.

Beauty Within is made up of all of these elements and more. Publication of the book was delayed for nearly a year, as on my final read-through before it was scheduled for release, it no longer felt complete. There was something missing from it. It just wasn’t done.

I hadn’t felt that way originally, but I did at that moment and I began drafting a new, more complex and extravagant ending than the original. The original ending still remains, but it is no longer the ending.

My books are like my children or little droplets of my blood. They are me in every way possible."

The first thing that draws me to a book is its cover. Can you tell us about your cover for Beauty Within - why you chose that concept and who the artist is.

"I’m quite fond of the Beauty Within cover myself. The cover model for this is CJ Hollenbach, who also provided some inspiration for Lord Robert in the book.

DCL allowed me to do the design on this cover. I actually went through several drafts before I was content. It had to be magical. It had to be dark. It had to be sexy. I feel like I accomplished that with this cover and it’s gotten some good praise, which makes me proud."

Why should we read Beauty Within and what sets it apart from the rest? What makes your book unique?

"Lovers of fantasy, fairy tales, romance and adventure will enjoy Beauty Within, as it incorporates all of those beloved elements into one dazzling novel. It also offers readers an ending that I vow no other fairy tale has conquered in quite the same way."

Can you tell us something quirky about Beauty Within, its story and characters?

"The mask that Madame Howell gives Natalie to wear to the masquerade ball in Beauty Within is based on an actual mask – one that is in my costume collection.

Another little side note is that there are three sections in Beauty Within that were originally intended to be for three other books. The groove for the three books never developed, but the openings had worked well for some areas of Beauty Within, with just a bit of tweaking.

A final fun note on this book is that it holds the first clue in my Hardcore Fandom Easter Egg Hunt. The clue found in Beauty Within will lead readers to the second clue, found in my release Restive. Full details about the competition can be found at www.jaeelbooks.com/contests. "

Who would you recommend Beauty Within to and what should readers be aware of (any warnings or disclaimers)?

"There really aren’t many red flags that one could throw up for Beauty Within. There are parts of it that I believe only grown-ups could properly comprehend, but then again, who am I to judge?

It’s a great grown-up bedtime story that you won’t be embarrassed by if your child is reading over your shoulder and you’re unaware of it."

If you could / wished to turn Beauty Within into a movie, who would be your dream team?

"I have no dream team. Just give me the contract and the check and I will sit back and watch and enjoy. From book to screen, any project will be different. I would just enjoy seeing what they would do with it."

An author open to interpretation of his work, without fear. I like it.

What do you like to write and read about? Do you stick to a particular genre or do you like to explore different ones?

"I write mostly in horror and paranormal-romance, but I have been known to dabble and dip my toes into the genre pond. I’m open to exploring just about anything if the story is there.

Unexpectedly for many of my readers, I have a YA fantasy novel out called Tabitha Sparks and the Door to Everywhere. It’s currently free for Amazon Unlimited subscribers and worth the read.

Out this month is The Greatest Gift of All from DCL Publications and it features my story ‘Elisabeth’s Holiday Gift’ as well as three great tales by Kristi Ahlers, Roxy Q. Reise, and Jennifer Patricia O’Keeffe, so I’m in outstanding company.

I also just completed a science fiction novel with author Adesanya called Emotional Withdrawal. It’s an epic full of adventure and alien fun that people will really dig. In fact, we’re working on the sequel now.

Having said all of this, I prefer to read horror and suspense. I’m not too into the gore of horror, but I dig the scares."

What is your writing process?

"Open a document, sit at the computer, pray for inspiration, feel some other power take over my brain, type the words the new power tells me to type, write until it’s done.
Stop.
Repeat.
Repeat two or three times before finishing the one project.
Now, add another one.
What? Edits? Ugh... Okay, I’ve reviewed that; now to work on this.
Wait. Where’s this one’s powerful muse voice? Come back, Muse Voice!
Wait – there’s one.
Hi, Muse Voice. Oh, man... it’s for a different book.
Which one was that again...?
Okay, here it is.
Time to get crackin’!
I’ll come back to this one later."

What is in store next?

"There is so much exciting stuff coming up!

This winter will find the release of my long-awaited adventure romance Fortune from DCL Publications.

I’m also working to finalize the release date for She Rises at Night, my next offering of horror. It had originally been scheduled as the third entry to my Shaded Whisperings series, but it was just too epically long for the series requirements. So, it’s getting a stand-alone chance to please readers.

Also, aside from Emotional Withdrawal, Adesanya and I have two action-packed romances in store for you – The Transition and Black Irish. Both of these titles will see light sometime in 2019.

If all or any of this stuff sounds good, please check out my free flash fiction on my website, as it will give you a nice opportunity to preview my writing style at no cost. I add new instalments of free flash fiction every Sunday night at 9/8 cst. Only at www.jaeelbooks.com/free-flash-fiction."

And as a final quirky thing, to get to know you a little bit better... do you have a pet or something that is special to you that you could share with us?

"I have five cats but they all dislike being in the spotlight. They claim they tire of having to make appearances and sign autographs and go out with other cats for publicity and stuff, and then gossip gets started so this cat is dating that cat and it just ends up being one great big ball of mess. (breathes)

So, here I am in the first picture with a rescue horse at an animal sanctuary. This beautiful creature was not far from being put down, and the sanctuary gave her new hope.

The bottom photo is of me giving some love to a Camel at a local fair. Camels are my favourite animals and they often receive so much abuse at fairs and carnivals that I am glad I shared this moment of peace and love with him."

Cats! Who'd have them; they are such prima-donnas (we have 10 and just rescued another 8 from Italy and are awaiting for them to be healthy enough to get their passports and join us in the UK...)

Love those two pictures; thank you for sharing them with us! We are ourselves a bit animal crazy.

Jae, it's been a pleasure having you with us today, and we look forward to your Easter Hunt ;-)

Will true love conquer all, or will a dark power make their world

Beauty Within
Available NOW!

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