March 10, 2011

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

24 comments:

Sarah Grimm said...

Jennifer-

To answer your question...What I read and what movies I watch are two very different things.

Most of what I read is contemporary romance or romantic suspense - although I've been known to read historical romance from time to time.

The movies I watch are mostly comedy, action or science fiction.

Thanks for visiting with me today!

~Sarah

Jennifer Jakes said...

Thanks so much for having me here today, Sarah!

AJ Nuest said...

Loved your interview, Jen! Can't wait to read Rafe!! Oh, and the password Blogger asked me to type in was "roustlay". Hmmm...I sense a western themed romance there somewhere. *wink*

P.L. Parker said...

Book sounds really interesting. Will add to my to read list. Congratulations and "Happy Sales to You." Or is that "Happy Trails?"

Anonymous said...

Aw, Jennifer, I love the story about your daughter and how you started writing! So sweet. Good luck with your release.

-Abigail

Alison Henderson said...

Great interview, Jennifer! I'm another unrepentent cowboy lover. This sounds like a great story!

BTW Saray, I already have Not Without Risk. I'm saving it for a business trip I have to take next week :)

Jennifer Jakes said...

@AJ Nuest Hi AJ! LOL! Yes, I'm thinking roustlay has merit. It makes me think of roust in the hay which sounds very western to me. HA
Thanks for stopping by today!

Jennifer Jakes said...

@P.L. Parker Hi, PL! Oh, no! Now I'll be humming Happy Trails all day!LOL
Thanks for stopping by - hope you enjoy RAFE;)

Jennifer Jakes said...

@chicksinthekitchen Hi there, Chick! I know you;) LOL
Thanks! I can never say those sleepless nights were a waste. I got to rock a sweet baby and I got to plot!
Thanks for stopping by!

Jennifer Jakes said...

@Alison H. Hi Alison -
Yes, we cowboy lovers have to band together! lol
IMO, you can't beat a good western whether it be a movie or a book.
Thanks for stopping by today!

Autumn Jordon said...

You hooked me with your first line. Oh, OMG, that was awesome.

I'm glad you returned to your first love. Truck driving is not the glamorous life it's made out to be. Your book sounds like a great read. I'll have to add it to my wish list.

Great interview, ladies.

Unknown said...

Very interesting premise, have added it to my list to read.

Karen

kolists a\t gmail d/t com

Jennifer Jakes said...

@Autumn Jordon Hi Autumn!
YAY! So glad you're hooked. I'm a firm believer in making that first line count. And boy, do I spend way too much time agonizing over them. HA
Thanks so much for dropping by today:)

Jennifer Jakes said...

@Karen in TN Hi Karen - Yay!
Words every author loves to hear:) Thanks for dropping by today.

Sarah Grimm said...

@Alison H. That's great Alison! I hope you like it.

~Sarah

Lilly Gayle said...

The Outsider is one of my all time favorite western romance movies! When I was younger, I loved James Garner movies. Two of my favs were Support your Local Sheriff and Skin Games. If you've never seen those two movies, I highly recommend them!

Barb H said...

Loved the interview, Jennifer and Sarah,

Rafe's Redemption was SO good!!!

I would like to see a relationship between the books I read and the movies I enjoy. Trouble is, not many medieval stories make it to the screen, barring A Knight's Tale:) And when they do, they're really not very well done. I keep rewriting the scenes in my mind (like you did the old Westerns LOL).

Good luck with your books, ladies.

Jennifer Jakes said...

@Lilly Gayle Hi Lilly! I ended up purchasing The Outsider (I got the one w/ Tim Daly) because I love it so much. I'll have to check out those other two. Thanks for the recommendation.
And thanks for stopping by today!

Sarah said...

@Lilly Gayle I love Support Your Local Sheriff! So funny!

~Sarah

Lilly Gayle said...

I bought the DVD with Tim Daly as well. He is so fine looking in this movie!

Janet Kay Gallagher said...

Hi Sarah and Jennifer
This sounds like a good book.
Rafe is an intriguing name.
Keep up the good writing.

Savannah Chase said...

Jennifer it is nice to meet you. You have a great book. Fantastic interview as well.

Jennifer Jakes said...

@Janet Kay Gallagher Thanks Janet! Looking forward to seeing you at the ORA conference!!
Best -

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi Savannah -
Love your name! It would make a great heroine's name.
Thanks so much! And thanks for stopping by today:)
Best wishes -