Friday Quickie

25 quickie facts about Jennifer Ann Coffeen:

Birthday? July 17th
Favorite color? Green
Favorite animal? Cat
Siblings? Brother and a sister- I’m the middle child!
Favorite drink? Tea
If you were a jelly bean flavor, what flavor would you be? Cherry
Favorite author? Georgette Heyer
Favorite dish? Pizza
Ice cream flavor? New York Cherry
Favorite Season? Summer
Plotter or Pantser? Panster for sure
Hobbies? Reading, traveling
Dream vacation? Italy- a repeat of my honeymoon!
Favorite TV show? I used to LOVE “Unsolved Mysteries”.
Musical preference? I’m a 80’s 90’s fan.
Pet peeve? Wasting time
Favorite place to write? In a quiet café writing in my notebook
Favorite song? “Moondance” (It was my wedding song).
Odd family fact? I was named after a character in a romance novel!
Unforgettable moment? Meeting my husband in a zombie play
Favorite Superhero? Batman
Spicy or not? Sadly, not.
Cat or dog? Both!
Favorite candy bar? Snickers
Favorite guilty pleasure? An ice cold beer. 

Summarize your book Twitter style – 140 characters or less: 

Lady Madeline Sinclair is searching London for a cursed diamond and nothing can distract her, except the kiss of a jilted Duke.

BUY LINK

To learn more about Jennifer Ann Coffeen and her writing, visit her website:

http://jenniferanncoffeen.com/

Read More

Welcome Guest Blogger Jennifer Ann Coffeen

All I want for Christmas is… a final, completed, fully edited draft with no typos, plot holes, or one dimensional characters. Oh! And a great love scene.

I know, I know, Santa can’t work miracles. But I can always ask, can’t I? I’ve been wrestling with the third draft of my latest WIP since it was still warm enough to wear open toed shoes (and I live in Chicago so that means something). My deadline for the final final draft was Labor Day, which stretched into Halloween, and now Christmas is fast approaching and I am still stuck. This draft refuses to end! Are my characters not working? The plot confusing? Or it is a curse from that barista I forgot to tip back in June?

I decided the only way to find out is to go back to basics.

1. Ask your characters what they want. Sounds simple right? I’m always surprised by how quickly my character’s wants can become muddled on the page. Sure my heroine wants the hero, everyone knows that! Except for my heroine. What she really wants is to marry the dashing Viscount who dresses divinely, writes her poetry, and has only recently become engaged to another woman.

2. Outline your plot. I am the last person to take this advice. I like to keep the writing process as messy and creative as possible until the very end. It’s a strong signal that I’m nearing the end though when I just can’t seem to move forward because my plot (or lack of) is slowing me down. At some point in the process you have to make sure A leads to B, C, and D. For some writers that means creating a beautiful outline complete with color coding and charts. For others it means jotting your storyline down on a napkin. Do whatever works for you, but if you find yourself stuck in a draft, try outlining the plot.

3. It’s time for a reader! And I’m not talking about your mom. 9 times out of 10 when I can’t move forward with a draft it’s because I’ve become too close to it. I need a fresh pair of eyes, someone I trust to understand my vision for the story but not mince words when it comes to critique. If you belong to a writing group try asking for readers, or even find a trusted friend. Sometimes entering your first chapter in a contest is a great way to get some feedback.

“The French Blue diamond must be destroyed.” Haunted by the words of her dying father, Lady Madeline Sinclair arrives for the London Season with more than parties and the latest fashion on her mind. She has sworn a vow, and the beautifully headstrong and fearless Madeline will allow nothing to distract her…until she meets the infamous Lord Colin, Duke of Douglas, a man known for his scandalous past engagement. With a dark grin and stormy eyes, he threatens to make her forget her duty, along with her manners.

Bound together by the mysterious diamond, Madeline and Colin soon succumb to the passion raging between them, even as the diamond eludes their grasp. But the true threat lies in the hands of an enemy whose dangerous obsession with the past has the power to destroy them both.

Available at The Wild Rose Press.

Read More

Welcome Guest Blogger Jennifer Ann Coffeen

I bolted up in bed this morning with a single thought, “What would a regency dandy wear as undergarments?”

Such is the life of a Historical Romance writer. History and research is a big part of my writing day, along with drinking tea and lots of window staring. For instance, in my regency story Lover’s Gamble I centered Sophie and Hugh’s love story around the notorious French card game Vingt-et-un. I went a bit further in my novel Priceless Deception, using the heroine’s quest for the infamous French Blue diamond (today known as the Hope Diamond) as the backdrop to a tale of mystery and romance.

I love blending history with great characters and romance. Still curious about the dandy’s unmentionables? Check out my Facebook author page for the answer!

The full length novel Priceless Deception is due out August 12th, but don’t despair! My short story Lover’s Gamble is available now. 

Special thanks to Sarah for hosting me today!

www.JenniferAnnCoffeen.com

Sophie Hartlend likes to play with fire.

Raised by an all too indulgent uncle, she's spent her young life doing whatever she pleases without much consequence, except that one night when passions went a little too far with the maddeningly handsome Lord Rayburn.

Months after their encounter, Sophie's reckless behavior has landed her in trouble again, threatening her precious independence. Lord Rayburn gallantly offers to help, but this time he insists the wild Miss Sophie do things his way and once again they find themselves in an erotic embrace.

Their battle of wills results in a sensuous struggle where Sophie learns she must let down her guard to win a man's heart.

Hugh shook his head, forcing his vision to clear. It couldn’t be. He simply had to be mistaken… but no, when he looked again there was no doubt. It was none other than Miss Sophie Hartlend, chattering away like she’d been gambling in Newbury House for years.

What the hell does she think she’s doing? It’s nearly two in the morning, and not a chaperone in sight! He had to admit she looked as stunning as he remembered her. Her long hair curled artfully around her high cheekbones, like a long-worshipped Grecian goddess. He had a sudden vision of releasing that cascade of hair from its heavy pins, watching it flow down her naked back in waves.

With a sharp pang Hugh remembered the feel of it through his fingers as he kissed her that hot August night—nearly a year ago now, but a night he’d never forgotten. He’d fallen in love after that single night of passion and, stupidly, assumed she had felt the same way. The next day he’d laid his pride at her feet, making an utter fool of himself over a woman.

Hugh’s hand tightened into a fist. After that day he’d never seen her again, until now. And suddenly here she was, in the most inappropriately low-cut gown he’d ever seen, gambling like a common bit of muslin.

And apparently quite bad at it, too.

BUY LINK

Read More