The Keepers Blog Tour and Giveaway!!

Hi everyone, and welcome to The Keepers blog tour! I must apologize for not getting this up sooner. For some odd reason, I wrote the wrong day down on my calendar. I'm so spacey sometimes!! I haven't had a chance to review this book yet but I am definitely looking forward to it. I've been wanting to read it for awhile now, I've heard so many great things about it! Anyway, I had the honor of interviewing this wonderful author! So, keep reading to get to know more about Monique O'Conner James, more about the book The Keepers, and a giveaway!

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Where are you from?
I was born and raised in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Currently, I live in a little suburb outside of Baton Rouge called Watson.

What is your biggest challenge of being an author?
I think dealing with my insecurities is a huge challenge. In general I think writers are insecure. We start off writing for ourselves but get caught up in trying to make everyone happy. Not only is that impossible, but it also makes you doubt your self-worth. It’s been something I’ve had to work on since I started writing; just keeping in mind that I write for the joy of writing and sharing my work is a bonus!

What do you love most about being an author?
Ironically, having said the above, the best thing about being a writer is when you do share your work and someone really connects and really understands where you are coming from. I love when people say, “I really didn’t think I was going to like this book, but then I read the first chapter and was hooked.”

What do you do in your spare time?
I don’t have a lot of spare time. I work full-time outside of the home selling insurance. When I get home I’m Momma and wife. I usually write in the wee hours of the morning. Writing is my release and what I enjoy doing when I have a free minute. I also love to read and hang out with my family.

Do you write series, or do you prefer stand-alone books?
I love series. I love stand-alones too. I think each book is different. Some demand that you continue the story, while others are just fine by themselves. Personally, I have ADHD so a series has to be really intriguing to keep my attention.

Which of your characters is your favorite?
This one is really hard. I adore Justin from The Keepers because he is an angel but flawed. I think the most interesting people in the world are the ones who don’t claim to be perfect. Our flaws make us unique and interesting. Jamais Vu is coming out in September and I love Kasey and Matt. They are complete opposites but also flawed in their own rights.
Who is your favorite author/book?
Hmmm. Well, I never read Becca Fitzpatrick’s work until my publisher compared us. After The Keepers was published I read Hush, Hush and Crescendo and loved them. I guess at the moment those are my favorites. However, I just read a book called A Demon Made Me Do It by Penelope King and it was fabulous.

Do you have any advice for other writers?
My advice is always the same. Keep writing. No matter how many rejections you get or how frustrated you become, keep writing. Our craft is honed with each piece we write and the more you have to offer the more appealing you will be. My other advice is to find a publisher who is as passionate about your work as you are. If your publisher isn’t excited about what you’re doing then it will come across to the public.

How many books have you written?
I have one novel published, The Keepers. I have a short story called The Mulligan Man published and another novel, Jamais Vu, coming out in September. I have 7 other completed manuscripts waiting for me to edit and get out! I wrote for three years straight without sending anything to the publishing world so I developed quite the stockpile.
What are you currently working on? I’m currently editing Jamais Vu, and working on the follow up for The Keepers, tentatively named The Watchers.

Thanks so much for having me. I hope you all enjoy my work and I look forward to hear from you!

About the author:

Monique is the mother of two beautiful children and lives in a small community outside of Baton Rouge, Louisiana. She currently works full time as an insurance agent, but her favorite jobs are mother, wife, and author.
On her eighth birthday, her mother bought her a journal and said "write whatever you want, just write". And so, a love affair with words was born. She wrote poetry and short stories in high school and college, until 1993 when her mother was diagnosed with breast cancer.
After her mother's death in 1998, deep in depression, she found herself unable to write. Nine years passed, and only on rare occasion did she attempt to write.
Finally, in 2007, under the urging of friends, she sat down and pecked out her first novel. It was raw and unpolished, but the process had been unquestionably cathartic. The next three years were spent filling her hard drive with seven complete manuscripts.
At the beginning of 2011, Monique decided it was time to edit the work and share it with the world. She hopes you enjoy the ramblings of a truly southern girl raised in a state rich with heritage and love.

http://www.moniqueoconnorjames.com/

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Synopsis:

Jess denies God. In his infinite wisdom, he's taken everyone she's ever loved. Moving to the French Quarter was a ploy to erase the guilt she felt for rebuking her faith. Perhaps, if she hadn't met Justin, an angel preoccupied with getting back into God's good graces, and drowning in his hatred for humanity, her plan would have worked.

Justin's general disdain for the human race makes him difficult to like, but some higher power has appointed him her keeper. Justin's convinced he can mend her broken relationship with her maker, but in the process he learns a thing or two about his own humanity.

Never mind falling in love, that's not supposed to happen. In fact, it may even be forbidden. Jess just wants Justin to understand her plight, and he wants to protect her from a world she doesn't know.

If neither are equipped to save the other, then whose soul will live and whose will perish?

Find this book at the following places:

Amazon
Astraea Press

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Giveaway: Monique is giving away one ecopy of The Keepers! To enter, all you need to do is leave a comment on this blog post. Be sure to leave your email address so we can contact you if you're the winner. Contest is open through September 21st. Good luck!

Keep following this tour for other chances to win! Be sure to visit the final stop for your chance to win a signed copy of The Keepers! For a full tour schedule, visit The Bookish Snob Promotions.

Next stop on the tour:
September 8th - Sassy Book Lovers