Jay Crownover is the USA Today and New York Times bestselling author of Rome. She is also the author of the very popular Marked Men Series and the The Point series. She loves tattoos and body modification. Better When He’s Bad is her latest offering.
NAW- Tell us about your book, ‘Better When He’s Bad.’ How did you get the idea for it? How long did it take to finish the book? What is it about?
It’s an action adventure and suspense filled romance story. It takes place in a really gritty, really raw and really violent place. It kind of revolves around the best kind of bad guys.
I got the idea after I wrote Jet and when I was doing a lot of different promotional interviews. People kept asking me about bad-boys and why I wrote them. To me my Marked boys aren’t bad.
It takes me about 2 months start to finish for a first draft of a book.
Well you already asked me to tell you about the book so to find out what it’s all about I guess you’ll just have to read it and enter the Point to find out for yourself!
NAW- What’s your most favourite scene from the book, Better When He’s Bad?
There is a scene where Bax has to make a really hard call…a decision that will forever change not only his life but also the lives of everyone that loves him. It’s intense and desperate. When I wrote it, I debated if I was pushing it too far even for an over the top character like Bax, but it really worked out. And when people read it they always say, “Oh my! I wasn’t sure which way you were gonna go with that scene.” So that makes me feel like I did my job right.
NAW- What do you prefer, writing from a girl’s point of view or a guy’s?
I like both. I essentially get to tell two stories in one book and that’s very cool. It also depends because some boys speak louder to me than the girls and sometimes the girls scream at me.
NAW- You love tattoos right? Which is the scariest one you have ever come across?
I do love tattoos so I can’t really judge that. What might be scary to me or ugly to me, can be beautiful to someone else. Body art isn’t a contest and in actuality shouldn’t be put there for others to judge. I never get a tattoo wondering how it will be perceived. I get it because it means something to me and it holds value to me alone! Tattooing is like any other art. There are all variations of good and bad.
NAW- Tell us about your other works.
I write about sexy tattooed boys and girls that live in Denver Colorado. I write edgy New Adult heavy on the sexy time and full of wit and sly humour. I write books that are about a good time because I write what I want to read! I try really hard to write characters that feel real.
NAW- Given that you had to self publish Rule, your first book, looking back, had you anticipated the level of success that you now enjoy?
Nope. I didn’t do it for that either. I self-published for myself and because I had always wanted to write a book. I’m so very lucky that it turned into my own little tattooed corner of book-world.
To me, my success is based on finishing a manuscript time and time again. That was always the biggest challenge. That and continuing to write solid, heartfelt books I can stand behind no matter what anyone else may say about them.
NAW- How much research did you have to do for your books? How did you go about it?
For the Marked series it’s pretty much just life. My life, my experience and things I find interesting. I’m well versed in tattoo and bar culture. I love all things music and I live in a very military driven town. My research level for the Marked Men is basically just living life and being observant.
I did have to ask some technical car questions and questions about the prison system for Bax’s book. I had to ask my dad about old school, American Muscle cars and I have a friend that works in corrections to ask the jail stuff. I always try and do my due diligence when it comes to accuracy.
NAW- Which authors have influenced you?
I love Kristen Ashley. I love Jen Armentrout. I love Anne Stuart….she’s really who I would love any of my writing to ever be compared to. I love KA Tucker’s style and I adore how funny Cora Carmack is. I would love to be as well versed as Sophie Jordan….and I think that Monica Murphy is an absolute trend setter…I love books so pretty much anyone that has ever written anything I’ve read has influenced me in one way or another.
NAW- Tell us about yourself. What do you do when you are not writing?
I’m ALWAYS writing. Always. I’m super busy so pretty much I am always working on whatever is next. Edits, writing, events, new story ideas to come…I live a pretty mellow life. I have a few close friends, an amazing family and 3 dogs that rule my home. I’m honestly not very exciting.
NAW- Name you five favourite authors.
JD Salinger, George Orwell, Anne Stuart, Kristen Ashley and JR Ward