Guest Post: J.R. Turner, author of REDEMPTION

Today I’m very happy to have author J.R. Turner stop by to talk about her new novel, REDEMPTION. I’ve had a chance to read the manuscript and recommend the book to anyone who likes an action-packed, sexy urban fantasy.

So please welcome J.R. Turner!

Sometimes you really have to wonder why you waited so long. That’s how I feel about my first urban fantasy. I absolutely adore apocalyptic (zombie or otherwise) books and movies. If there’s an end to the world as the hero knows it, a romance, and plenty of violence—I’m a happy camper. So really—why did I wait so long?

The only answer I have is that somehow I allowed myself to focus on what editors wanted instead of following my joy and when I gave carte blanche to my imagination, the result was really cool.

Okay, where did all this start, right? When I was a kid a lot of very bad stuff happened to me, the sort of things that might explain a drug addiction or a criminal history. Instead, I became obsessed with understanding human nature and in particular, our ability to rise above disastrous, tragic, or horrific events and discover happiness, even triumph.

At 11, Gone with the Wind became my favorite book, shortly after that I read The Stand by Stephen King and got hooked on horror. Then at 13 I saw the Nadia Comaneci and found her ability to excel under pain, that in fact her pain may have helped her excel, so inspirational I vowed to never let my own pain hold me back.

Much of the underlying themes in Redemption are born from the struggle I faced in dealing with the aftermath of all those terrible events. Part of me was furious that those I loved never protected me, and in some cases, caused the pain. Part of me was desperate to connect and be loved. Part of me wanted nothing more than to be left alone. Part of me yearned to dream and trust in the possibilities. In the end, I recognized that all those parts make a whole person and these are universal struggles.

Savannah is a soldier, a leader, and when she dies and is resurrected, she must face the horror of what she did in the line of duty while attempting to earn her way into heaven. Nico is a modern-day Robin Hood who lost his way when he fell in love with a demon who stole his soul. He is on a vengeful mission to kill those he believes are responsible for the deaths of his sister and her children. The balance of good and evil inside us is always being tested and through this half-angel and half-demon, you sometimes wonder who has the more pure and selfless goal.

I hope readers will enjoy Redemption as much as I loved writing it. I loved the process so much, I’m working on my second urban fantasy now. Thanks Nancy, for having me here today!

Warmly,
J.R. Turner

J.R. Turner is the Executive Director of the Wisconsin Writers Association. She writes in a variety of genres including middle-grade adventures, young adult horror, romantic suspense, horror, military action, and urban fantasy. In her spare time she enjoys arts and crafts, traveling, and movies. Few things in life compare to her passion for the written word, except perhaps the pursuit of chocolate.

REDEMPTION is available here:
Amazon
Kindle
Createspace