Today I am so pleased to welcome J. Johanis to Joyfully Jay. The author has come to talk to us about Claimed by the Order (S-Gods, #1). There is also a great tour wide giveaway. Please join me in giving J. Johanis a big welcome!

 

Claimed by the Order Tour Banner

 

Where do your characters come from? Do you draw on real life? Do you create character profiles?

I take a very loose approach when developing characters; however, most of the time my characters are inspired by mythological or historical figures. When I develop a character, I usually think of a situation, and then I imagine the type of characters that would be best in that situation. Once I have a personality in mind, I contemplate what they might look like, develop their history, and finally I decide on a name. The first character I developed in the S-God’s series was Siren, the head of the council of Gods. I made up Siren as a child, and though she doesn’t make an appearance in Claimed by the Order, she plays a central role in the series.

Siren started off as a frightening immortal that I role-played, but while in college, I changed her character into a goddess, developing Akad as her rival. Akad was originally a wicked ship captain, but when I researched Mesopotamian Mythology, I realized that Akad shared a lot of characteristics with the god, Anu. So Akad became the god, Anu-Akad, and took on the role of the supreme god responsible for the great flood in the Epic of Gilgamesh. Siren also shared characteristics with the Minoan Snake goddess, so their stories became transposed.

Although I develop my characters based on their relationships with one another, I almost always can take a good look at them and find similarities to people I know or grew up with. However, none of my characters is an exact carbon copy of a real person. When it comes to character profiles, I only make one if I run into some kind of personality conflict or if I feel I need to get to know a character more deeply. Making a profile helps me fill in the blanks and keep the character consistent. Since I have many characters; some that have not yet made an appearance, I make character profile charts to ensure all my characters have distinctive personalities.


Blurb

Claimed by the OrderYoung and eager to join the social playground of the gods, Marduk enters his first day of college at the exotic mountain retreat at the Temple of Power. But he swiftly falls into the clutches of a secret order. Confronted by the powerful gods who wish to claim him, Marduk is defenseless. His only way out: to lure another virgin god into the Order.

Marduk finds refuge in the young god Anu-Akad. Delivering Akad to the order would earn Marduk his freedom, but Marduk struggles to keep his love affair hidden from the Order. Will his efforts be in vain? He failed to save himself. Is he strong enough to save his lover?

Advisory: Contains portrayals of m/m sex, violence, non-con, & abuse. Intended for mature readers.


Bio

J. Johanis writes dark M/M fantasy and enjoys writing plots that are historical or myth-based.

You can find Johanis on Twitter: @JennaJohanis

Other books by J. Johanis:

Siren’s Reckoning (Operation El #1)

Upcoming:

Drago Star (Toy Soldier) – September 2015
Dream God (S-Gods #2) – November 2015


Giveaway

J. Johanis has brought a $25 Amazon gift card to give away to one lucky reader on the tour. Just leave a comment at the end of the post to enter. The contest ends on at 11:59 pm EST.

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