Spotlight On... Jennifer Jakes

Today my guest is historical romance author, Jennifer Jakes. Welcome, Jennifer, can you tell us a little about yourself?

Thanks! I live in the mid-west with my husband of 18 years, our 2 daughters and several spoiled pets. Come to think of it, that kind of describes the girls too. Hmmmm.

Tell us about RAFE'S REDEMPTION, and where we can find it.

He rode into town to buy supplies, not a woman.

For hunted recluse Rafe McBride, the raven-haired beauty on the auction block is exactly what he doesn't need. A dependant woman will be another clue his vengeful stepbrother can use to find and kill him. But Rafe's conscience won't let him leave another innocent's virginity to the riff-raff bidding. He buys her, promising to return her to St. Louis untouched. He only prays the impending blizzard holds off before her sultry beauty breaks his willpower.

She wanted freedom, not a lover.

Whisked to the auction block by her devious, gambling cousin, and then sold into the arms of a gorgeous stranger, outspoken artist Maggie Monroe isn't about to go meekly. Especially when the rugged mountain man looks like sin and danger rolled into one. But a blizzard and temptation thrust them together, and Maggie yearns to explore her smoldering passion for Rafe.

But when the snow clears, will the danger and secrets that surround Rafe and Maggie tear them apart?

excerpt:

Maggie wanted freedom, not a lover…

Oh, Lord. He was going to kiss her. She shouldn’t want this. She was confused enough. Respectable women didn’t kiss men they barely knew, certainly not men who made them have wild, exotic dreams.

It was crazy. He was making her want crazy things. Making her not give a damn about her reputation or her virginity. Or her long-awaited freedom. All she could think about was that dream, and the way his sinful mouth had felt. The table was only a step away, and honey was just as sweet as peach juice…

She swallowed hard and looked up into his hooded eyes.

“Maggie,” he groaned. “Don’t be scared. I’d never hurt you.”

Her mouth parted to object, but firm lips covered hers, hungry, demanding. She gasped, shocked at his hunger, but even more at the illicit response coursing through her. An aching heat unfurled low in her stomach, pulsed between her legs. Oh, yes. It started just like in the dream.

He deepened the kiss, coaxed her lips with his warm tongue. Long, languid strokes teased the inside of her mouth, encouraging, tempting before he pulled back to nibble the corners of her lips.

Oh, God. Is this what all kisses felt like? Hot, lethargic? Melting her like molasses over warm bread?

“Kiss me, Maggie,” he breathed.

Available through the The Wild Rose Press and their distributors both in print and e-book.


Wow, sounds great! How did you start writing?

Well, I was younger I had trouble sleeping. Instead of counting sheep, I made up stories to entertain myself. Then a dozen years or so ago when our oldest daughter was born, she didn't sleep. Ever. OK, rarely, but I started passing the late night "rocking chair" hours with my old habit of making up stories. This time I took notes. I carried those around in a file folder marked: The story I'll write someday. About 4 years ago, my husband and I sold our trucking business. I found myself with enough free time to write. And I figured it must be "someday".


How do you approach your writing, are you a plotter or a pantser?

I'm a recovering pantser. Once I saw all the revisions required of an ill-plotted story, I new I had to change.


'Recovering pantser', I love it!  Why did you choose your genre?

For me there could be no other. I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE westerns. Dances with Wolves, Open Range, The Outsider, True Grit. I grew up watching Clint Eastwood movies, a favorite of my dad, and I guess I was hooked.


What is it about the romance genre that appeals to you?

I'm just a die-hard romantic. Always, always have been. Even when I was watching Clint Eastwood or John Wayne, I'd be "re-writing" the scenes or ending in my mind so that it was more romantic.


What are you passionate about?

Love! Oh, and chocolate. Oh, and really good fajitas.


What do you find is the hardest part of writing a book?

My stories have a suspenseful element, but I don't want that to overtake the romance/erotic element. So I think finding the perfect balance is the most difficult.


Where can we find you on the web?

My website/blog is:  http://www.jenniferjakes.com
I'm on FaceBook
and on Twitter:  http://www.twitter.com/erotichistory


Is there anything you’d like to ask our readers?

Yes, do you see a relation to the kind of movies you enjoy and the genre of books you enjoy?

Thanks so much for having me as your guest, Sarah!

Thanks for visiting with me today, Jennifer.



After trying several careers—everything from a beautician to a dump truck driver—Jennifer finally returned to her first love, writing. Maybe it was all those Clint Eastwood movies she watched growing up, but in her opinion there is no better read than a steamy western historical.

Married to her very own hero, she lives on fifteen acres along with two beautiful daughters, two elderly horses, two spoiled cats and two hyper dogs.

During the summer she does Civil War reenacting and has found it a great research tool, not to mention she has continued appreciation for her microwave and hot water heater.

Visit Jennifer Jakes at www.jenniferjakes.com