Autumn Jones Lake was born and raised in Upstate, New York. In addition to writing, she runs her own business from home.
As the only child of two teachers, she began reading young. In third grade she broke her parents’ hearts when she declared I HATE READING! Thankfully, she got over it by fifth grade and has had her nose in a book ever since. Her favorite books are mystery, thrillers, horror, romance, erotica and urban fantasy.
Autumn has been writing short stories for as long as she can remember. A big fan of horror movies and spooky books, it wasn’t until recently she realized all of her stories have to include a hunky hero and a happily ever after.
When she’s not writing, Autumn spends time listening to music, going to concerts and driving her family crazy. She enjoys reading, gardening, acting and collecting nail polish.
Autumn lives in Upstate New York with her husband and their three rescue dogs. She is actively involved with several dog rescue groups and her local RWA chapter.
INTERVIEW
1. How and when did you get started as a writer?
I've been writing forever. Even as a kid, I wrote all sorts of wacky stories. But it wasn't until maybe 2010 or 2011 that I started to think "hey, I want to do this professionally!" I've been working hard at it ever since.
2. How do you usually find your ideas?
They honestly just come to me out of nowhere. It’s freaky sometimes. For my book Slow Burn, which comes out in October, the hero's voice just came to me one day while I was in the kitchen making dinner. I had to set everything down and run to my computer to get it all out!
3. Where do you write from? (home, office etc.)
Mostly from home. But sometimes I find it helps to work in different places, especially if I am stuck in a story. I'll also meet other writer friends of mine at Panera, Starbucks or places like that to write and work out ideas together.
4. How long does it take you to write a book?
Forever! Mostly because I am easily distracted by new ideas, so I have a hard time finishing things.
5. What is your work schedule like when you're writing?
It depends on what my schedule is like for my day job honestly. But, I usually try to sit at the computer for 50 minutes. I set a timer and at the end of the 50 minutes if they words are flowing, I keep writing. If they're not and I find myself just fooling around on the internet or staring at my computer, I get up and do something else.
6. Do you have any suggestions to help become a better writer? If so, what are they?
Oh my god, do I ever. Classes, workshops, conferences. Whatever you can do. Read well-written books in your genre. Study the mechanics of writing. The biggest help by far to me has been joining my local RWA chapter. I also try to attend some of the regional conferences, which have great craft workshops. I cringe when I look back at some of the things I wrote three years ago. I like to think I am always improving, learning new things, and getting better.
7. Something personal about you people may be surprised to know?
I am a nail polish hoarder. Seriously.
8. What is your greatest weakness?
I'm super-sensitive, so it's hard for me to take criticism. I usually need to let it sink in and think about it for awhile before I react.
9. What is your greatest strength?
My ability to recognize my weaknesses and desire to improve on them.
10. As a child, what did you want to do when you grew up?
I wanted to be an actress.
Quick Q&A
1. Favorite movie.
I have so many favorites. The original Charade with Audrey Hepburn is probably one of my all time favorite movies.
2. Favorite website.
Facebook? I seem to spend the most time there!
3. Favorite color.
Blue or green.
4. Favorite book.
SO, so many favorite books. I can't just name one!
5. Favorite country.
I haven't been able to do as much international travel as I'd like. Spain and Australia are on my "I really want to go here in the next ten years" list. Honestly though, I love the USA. It's such a rich, diverse country. I don't think there is anywhere else I would rather live.
AUTUMN'S BOOKS
Catnip & Cauldrons Series
When her parents are taken from her too soon, Onyx Night is thrust into a secret world and discovers something about herself she could never have imagined.
Onyx Knight has yearned to leave her tiny hometown behind for years. With her parents' support she attends the local university where she has developed a not-so-innocent crush on her Medieval History professor, Cole Radcliffe. A family tragedy thrusts Onyx into a secret world she never knew existed and she discovers something about herself she could never have imagined.
Family friends promise to help Onyx through this transition, but they demand certain things in return. Things she can't—and will not—give. When it becomes clear they are willing to get what they want from her by force, Onyx goes on the run.
Cole Radcliffe has his own secrets. When he finds Onyx in need of help, he takes her in, against his better judgment. He plans to keep her safe, but how can he keep her safe if he can't even protect her from himself?
~Amazon US~
When Onyx meets another werecat on the run, she learns she's not alone. At first she's thrilled to meet other shifters in her predicament, but something isn't right. Could it be they're on the same side after all?
While vacationing in Rome with her wizard boyfriend Cole—and enjoying more than the sights—Onyx Knight meets another werecat on the run. Kipp reveals that werecats all over are coming out of the shadows of tradition and striking out on their own. With the belief that joining forces can benefit everyone, Kipp encourages Onyx and Cole to join their group.
At first Onyx is thrilled to be among fellow shifters. However, the more Onyx learns about the werecats, the more danger she finds herself in. Will they be able to beat their attackers before it's too late?
~Amazon US~
Molly has been captured, imprisoned, and is near-death when rescued. Spending time with Ivan has her re-thinking her vow not to take a mate.
Molly finds the mysterious and aloof Ivan deeply irresistible—she has from the moment she met him. But she's spent the last year dodging her family's plans to mate her to another shifter with no intention of changing her mind. Will being kidnapped and imprisoned in a cell where food and water stopped coming days ago cause her to lose hope?
Ivan volunteers every waking moment to find Molly since she went missing. His reaction to the sweet little cat shifter surprises him. He's fiercely determined to never settle down with another shifter, but he can't escape the draw she has on him.
Rescuing Molly is only the beginning. The danger she and the rest of the runaway cat-shifters have managed to elude is closing in on them fast. Ivan is committed to protecting Molly from any threats, but his past comes back to bite him when his old enforcer friend tells him he's been hired to bring Molly in. Will his love for Molly turn them both into prey?
~Amazon US~
Forced to represent an outlaw biker, a married attorney must come to terms with her feelings for her client while avoiding the danger he brings into her sedate life.
President of the Lost Kings MC, Rochlan "Rock" North, hasn't managed to find a woman capable of making him want to curb his wild ways—until he meets sweet, innocent, married lawyer Hope Kendall.
Forced to represent the outlaw biker, Hope is rattled by her immediate attraction to Rock. Hope is a good girl in a good marriage. Rock thrills her, but she's not going to throw away everything she's built on a fling with her criminal client.
Rock respects Hope enough to leave her alone, even as he realizes he's become a little obsessed with her. When their connection endangers her life, he'll have to destroy her in order to save her.
After tragedy strikes, Rock is determined to earn Hope's forgiveness and convince her that even with their staggering differences, they're meant to be together.
PRE-ORDER:
~Amazon US~Amazon UK~Amazon AU~