Jenna Greene

Jenna Greene is a middle school teacher, dance enthusiast, dragonboat coach, and semi-professional napper. She lives with her husband, Scott, and daughter, Olivia, in Alberta, Canada.

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JENNA GREENE

Uncaged welcomes Jenna Greene

Uncaged: Welcome to Uncaged! Your latest release, Reborn was released in January 2019 and according to your website, you are working on the sequel. Can you tell us more about this book?

Reborn is really a message about unfair prejudices and how someone can grow and change and do more than what they thought possible. In the first book, the main character (Lexil) is thrust into situations based on necessity. She flees a life of slavery and launches into dangerous terrain in order to save a young girl from a horrible fate. In the sequel, Lexil makes decisions based on principles and has to decide what she is willing to do in order to make changes to the world around her.

Uncaged: Do you have a release date yet for the sequel? How many books are you planning for this series?

There is no release date yet, as the ‘joy’ of 2020 has stalled some processes. I can tell you, though, that there will be three books in the series.

Uncaged: You also have a series out called the Imagine series. Is this series complete? Can you tell us more about it?

The Imagine series is nearly complete. Three out of the four planned books are published. This is a high-fantasy series with magic and elves and adventure. Kat and Becky are swept from Earth to a new realm called Oren, where they are told they are part of the magical heritage there and have a role to play in saving people from the reign of an evil lord.

Uncaged: How has the pandemic changed your life? How have you changed the marketing of your books

The pandemic has changed my life in so many ways. Though my circle of friends is relatively small, I am involved in many clubs, committees, and activities. A lot of that was paused. So… more time for writing! Because I’m a teacher, mother, and coach, it has always been tricky to do in-person marketing and book events, so I’ve always relied on online marketing. I think that has benefitted me. Extra down-time has allowed me to finesse skills and strategies that were already in place.

Uncaged: Past or present, which authors would you love to sit and have lunch with and why?

Jane Austen. And we’d have tea!

Uncaged: Have any of your characters ever done something that you didn’t intend when you began?

I’m pretty sure all of them have. It’s a running joke – they never behave. The story does what it wants most of the time, and so do the characters.

Uncaged: What are some things you like to do to relax when you aren’t writing or working?

I dance (Jive or Broadway are my favorite styles), I paddle/ coach dragonboat, and I nap. (Who doesn’t love

Uncaged: What does success as an author look like to you?

Success is feeling that I have written something different and good. Something that has a place in the genre. Something that has an impact on a reader, ei-

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ther emotionally or intellectually. It’s not book sales or awards, but simple the fact that I accomplished something. Writing isn’t easy, and can be avoided in so many ways. Writing takes dedication and perseverance and a value placed on its importance.

Uncaged: Do you prefer ebooks, audiobooks or physical books? Are you reading anything now?

I like physical books but I do have a few ebooks on my phone. Right now I’m reading “Defending Jacob” by William Landay.

Uncaged: What would you like to say to fans, and where can they follow you?

“Hi fans!” (Blushes). “Thanks.”

Enjoy an excerpt from Reborn

Reborn Jenna Greene Dystopian

Those who bear marks on their skin are doomed to a life of slavery. Lexil has seven.

Sold into servitude, Lexil must deal with brutal punishments, back-breaking labor, and the loss of every freedom. When a young child she has befriended faces a horrible fate, Lexil must intervene to protect her, no matter what the risk.

With the help of a boy named Finn, the trio flee into the Wastelands. There, they must evade those who hunt them while trying to survive a barren landscape. Lexil must face challenges she’s never imagined existed, all while learning what it means to truly be reborn. (Chapter 12)

She eased her arms forward and pressed her palms into the dirt. As soon as she lifted her back, she emitted a sound that was half-scream and half-gasp. It took a long time before she rose to her knees, and even then her body was shaking. Fresh tears rolling down her cheeks, she lifted her trembling chin and gazed at the fading stars

What did I do to deserve this punishment?

Nothing. They’d found an excuse. She was a slave, destined to be used and abused at the whim of others, all because she’d lived a previous life. Or so they said. Finn didn’t believe it, though it was a bit unclear whether he didn’t think doing so merited servitude. For her own part, Lexil wondered how great her former life had been. Had she been rich? Happy? Had it been such that she now deserved this fate to balance the scales.

Wobbly legs struggled to support her as she rose to a standing position using the fence for balance. Lacking food, her stomach expelled bile. Wiping it from her chin, she drew in slow breaths and blinked moisture from her eyes.

Then she saw them. The glowing orbs that stalked her each time she was alone in the dark. Like beacons, they cut through the blackness around her. Though her breathing stalled, her heartbeat remained steady. Holding still, as much for prudence as a necessity, she stared back at the shining eyes.

A paw edged forward, just reaching the sphere of her vision, large and tinged with silver, but mostly dark. The other foot appeared a second later, accompanied by a low growl.

“Lexil!”

She jerked and instinctively shut her eyes. By the time she recovered, the creature was gone. As if it stole her energy with its departure, her knees buckled, and she slumped forward.

Arms slid around her. “I’ve gotcha, girlie.”

Miller’s voice. Why was he here?

Fear and relief collided. From her core to her exterior, she shook. The beating, the creature… all too much. As she was lifted, her lids slipped closed again, and her mind faded into blankness.

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