Jackson Meyer has thrown himself into his role as an agent for Tempest, the shadowy division of the CIA that handles all time-travel-related threats. Despite his heartbreak at losing the love of his life, Jackson has proved himself to be an excellent agent. However, after an accidental run in with Holly—the girl he altered history to save—Jackson is once again reminded of what he’s lost. And when Eyewall, an opposing division of the CIA, emerges, Jackson and his fellow agents not only find themselves under attack, but Jackson begins to discover that the world around him has changed and someone knows about his erased relationship with Holly, putting both their lives at risk all over again.
Olivia with YA-Mag: Julie, welcome to the Young Adult Magazine! As I have a personal soft spot for all things time-travel related, I’m really excited to chat with you today!
YA: What makes Jackson Meyer the perfect protagonist to tell this story?
Julie Cross: I think it’s because Jackson is what I like to call a clueless bystander. He has no desire to meddle in government affairs, no extensive scientific knowledge; he didn’t even want to develop a superpower like time travel. So in a way, all this makes him relatable to the average person.
In the beginning of Tempest, readers see Jackson as a privileged commitment-phobe who is trying his best to fend off responsibility that comes with growing up. I think many of us can at least relate to that last bit. And that’s what’s on the surface of Jackson Meyer. As the story progresses, as the drama unfolds and his life is turned upside down, layers slowly get peeled away and readers will see Jackson’s guilt, his regret, his fears and then see him face all of it head on.
YA: Can you give us a brief rundown on how Jackson became a Tempest agent–capable of altering history to save the girl he lives?
JC: *TEMEPST Spoiler Warning* Well, Jackson basically demands to be put in Tempest because he’s convinced it’s the best way for him to learn everything he needs to know about the Enemies of Time and how he came to be a time traveler. There’s so much he doesn’t know still by the end of book 1. But, as you’ll see right off the bat in Vortex, Jackson doesn’t use time travel. He learns the agent skill just like others who aren’t time travelers. He truly becomes a spy.
YA: What sets Jackson’s story apart from other time travel/secret society books, like the Timeless series by Alexandra Monir or the Hourglass series by Myra McEntire? What will readers find in you and the Tempest series that they can’t find anywhere else in YA books?
JC: Probably the way time travel is done *TEMEPST Spoiler Warning* mostly because of the half-jumps and full-jumps, whether history is altered and also the interlacing of the government and what caused the destroyed future that Jackson sees at the end of Tempest.
From the Book: 
YA: What non-book influences (films, television shows, music, plays, etc) helped spark this story or your writing career in general?
JC: I would say, Back To The Future because it was such a big part of my childhood. The TV series Lost because it was essentially a science fiction show but it’s so character driven that you can become hooked even if sci-fi isn’t your usual thing. I love the idea of appealing to the broadest audience possible and, as a writer, I’m always all about the characters.
YA: When you were a teen, what was your favorite book (YA or otherwise)? Now that you’re an author for teens, what is your favorite contemporary YA?
JC: As a teen, I adored John Grisham novels. I loved R.L. Stine’s creepy horror books. I remember devouring the Kissed By an Angel trilogy on a long bus ride when I was 15. Then there was Lurleen McDaniel’s books. I think I read everything she ever wrote. Today, I have so many favorites it’s hard to pick… John Green, Courtney Summers, and David Levithan are some of my favorite authors.
YA: Sometimes a title sticks from rough draft to published novel; sometime the author works with their agent or editor to find the perfect title. What is VORTEX’s story?
JC: Ah… the Vortex story. I haven’t been asked this one yet actually.
Originally, I had a different title for the book and it wasn’t quite right for the series. So after the book was already turned in, we went back to the drawing board. My editor and I bounced emails back and forth and someone dropped the word Vortex and suddenly I had created this entire element that fit with that title. Then I had to go back and lace this element into the book. So it kind of inspired a huge change in the story which I’m so happy with.
YA: This is the sequel to TEMPEST. What are some great reasons for new readers to jump in on VORTEX? And what fun is in store for returning readers?
JC: The stakes are much higher in Vortex. Jackson has brand new internal battles. The pace is so much quicker, in my opinion and that of the early reviewers. There’s also a couple new characters that, I have to say, were quite enjoyable to write.
YA: If you could cast the Dream Film Adaptation of your work, who would you cast?
JC: I’d cast Logan Lerman or Drew Roy for Jackson. And then probably Dianna Agron for Holly. Bradley Cooper for Jackson’s dad. I have yet to find the perfect Adam Silverman so if you have any ideas let me know.
YA: Do you have any secret pet projects you’re hoping to try out sometime soon?
JC: I have dozens of secret projects. And I have one not-so-secret project that I’m developing and writing with Mark Perini, who is the cover model portraying Jackson on both Tempest and Vortex. We’ve actually started a blog tracking our progress with this story http://markandjuliegchat.blogspot.com/
YA:Thank you very much for sitting down to chat with me, Julie! And again, from YA Mag, congratulations on your latest work! We look forward to hearing a lot more from you in years to come!
~*~
Readers, be sure to check out Julie Cross at her website http://juliecross.blogspot.com/. Or follow her on Twitter @JulieCross1980.
VORTEX, published by St. Martin’s Griffin, is now available at your favorite retailers and local independent bookstores!
Olivia Hennis is a transplanted New England girl dropped by a tornado into the magical Land of Jersey. For more info, follow her on Twitter or at her blog, Olivia’s Secret Reading Room.
(Twitter link: https://twitter.com/#!/OliviaHennis)
(Blog link: http://www.oliviahennis.wordpress.com)