There’s still one week left to enter…

Jess Granger grew up in the middle of the San Joaquin valley in the dead center of California, close enough to visit “cool” too far out in the middle of nowhere to “be cool.” She still loves home and her California farm girl upbringing. Now she lives all over the place as a military spouse. Currently she has landed in Ohio, but who knows what the future will bring. She lives with her hubby, two kids, two cats and an all-American mutt-dog named Jake. When not writing, Jess likes birdwatching, making beer, writing slightly naughty haiku and posting them on Twitter, and growing butterfly gardens.

Jess’s upcoming release in May from Berkley Sensation is BEYOND THE SHADOWS:

A man of deception. A woman of justice. Can their fragile trust be strong enough to prevent a war?

Commander Yara knows perfect leadership requires perfect control and discipline. She has spent years living without the distraction of caring for anything—or anyone. It’s a sacrifice she’s willing to make. Yara has honed herself into the perfect heir to the Azralen throne, but a bloody coup could destroy everything she’s worked so hard for. She must return home to prevent war. Unfortunately the only ship available belongs to an Earthlen trader with no regard for authority—especially hers.

Cyn is a rebel, driven to protect those suffering at the hands of the Elite leaders of Azra. Using his alias to manipulate the lovely but icy commander onto his ship, he has to keep her from Azra long enough to ignite the revolution. But when he awakens a vibrant and feeling woman beneath that hard exterior, he gets more than he bargained for—love. He must find a way to convince Yara to join him, before they get caught in a web of deception that could tear their world apart.

Today Jess is giving away a signed copy of BEYOND THE RAIN. Simply answer this question: What is Tuz?

Welcome, Jess!

What are the most entertaining pet characters you’ve seen in a book?