Sunday, December 11, 2011

Behind the Book Mania ~ Author Spotlight on Jennifer Jakes

Posted by Mackenzie Crowne at 1:01 PM
Hello Everyone.  

I'm so glad you could join me today to welcome the talented Jennifer Jakes, a fellow Wild Rose Press author. If you don't know Jennifer, I'm sure you'll find her and her stories as charming as I do.  Her writing style is a little bit spicy, and a lot of fun. 

For more about Jennifer, visit http://www.jenniferjakes.com/. And if you are a fan of eye candy, might I suggest you take a peek at Jennifer's blog. When you're finished drooling, pop on back to learn about her indie title, TWICE IN A LIFETIME. 

Welcome, Jennifer, and I have to say, wow! What a cover. If you've seen mine, you know I prefer bold rather than soft and misty. Yours certainly delivers. 

Thanks! I'm glad you like it. I think she did a great job. I almost cried when I saw it! LOL I think Kim Killion/HOT DAMN Designs
is the best designer out there. 

I can see why. Okay, here we go. Many authors begin writing because they love to read. Is this true with you, and if so, did you write your first book because you were inspired, or because you thought, Hell, I can do better than this?

Definitely inspired. I've always loved western historical (Dr. Quinn Medicine Woman, anyone?) and the idea for RAFE'S REDEMPTION, my first novel, had been floating around in my head for a really long time. LOL

Oh, yeah. I know all about those characters floating around in your head. But that's the beauty of being a writer ~ You are never alone! So, besides a critiquing partner, is there someone special you let read your manuscripts before submitting?
 
I actually had 2 critique partners when writing RAFE and now, writing TWICE IN A LIFETIME, I'm lucky to have 4 critique partners who read for me.

Wow. I bite my nails over one pair of eyes reading my drafts. Which of the characters you've written most resembles you, and why?
 
Definitely Isabella from TWICE. She's so stubborn - sometimes too much so - but she has a big heart and can admit when she was wrong.

A combination that makes for a strong woman, with attributes so necessary in the world of publishing. What author influenced your writing style the most?
 
None really. I think TV influenced me more because the pacing is faster and I like that.....so I write fast paced stories.

You certainly do. Izzy and Ian's adventure in Twice In A Lifetime is a wild ride. What was the germ of the idea for
Twice In A Lifetime?
 
I had the idea for a kick-butt stuntwoman who found herself aboard a pirate ship. From there, I developed the plot for TWICE IN A LIFETIME.

I like the way your mind works. Tell us about Twice In A Lifetime.

BLURB – TWICE IN A LIFETIME

Be Careful What You Wish For. . .

No-nonsense stuntwoman Isabella Douglas will do anything to stop an unwanted divorce and reclaim the happy life she had, even allow her old friend to concoct a magical spell to turn back time. But when the spell goes awry, Izzy finds herself trapped aboard a 1768 Caribbean pirate ship with a captain who’s a dead ringer for her sexy as sin husband, Ian. Convinced he’s playing a cruel joke, she’s furious – until she realizes he doesn’t know her or believe they’re married.

Captain Ian Douglas does not have time to deal with an insane woman who claims to be his wife; he has to save his kidnapped sister. But as Izzy haunts his dreams and fills him with erotic memories he can’t explain, he’s forced to admit he feels more than lust.

Trapped in a vicious cycle of past mirroring present, Izzy knows they only have days to find Ian’s sister and prevent disaster from striking a second time. If she doesn’t, their marriage will be destroyed again – along with the man she loves.

EXCERPT: TWICE IN A LIFETIME

Her fingers threaded in his thick hair as she traced his mouth with the tip of her tongue. “Kiss me.” 
He hesitated, then groaned and covered her lips in a breath stealing kiss. Hot, wet, silky. Her nipples hardened, ached for his touch, the tug of his fingers, the pull of his mouth.
“Touch me.” She pressed a kiss to his throat, then licked his collarbone. “I need your hands on me.”
He grunted and slid his hands down her back. Rough palms gripped her cheeks, grinding her against his erection. His gaze burned through her as he moved his thigh between her legs.
“Yes. Please.” She tilted her hips, rubbing, needing release more than air. “Oh, God, yes.” Desire roared through her, the ache building. Building. The orgasm so . . .damned. . .close.
A sharp knock sounded at the door. “Captain? The men are ready to go ashore.”
Ian pulled back and swallowed hard, his expression hungry, his heart thumping against her breast.
“Captain?”
“Yes. Yes, I’ll be right there.” His heavy lidded gaze skimmed her body. Possessive. Aroused. Regretful as he set her aside.
Her mind crawled to process what was happening while her body was doused with disappointment. “You’re still going?”
He raked through his hair, then nodded. “We need provisions before sailing for Jamaica. I’ll only be a few hours.” He stepped to the door, but turned and pinned her with a hard stare. “But when I return...”
“Yes?” Her heart thumped in anticipation of some explicit description of what he would do to her. Oh, but his tongue was naughty in all the right ways.
“. . . I expect an explanation.”
Izzy drooped against the door, her thoughts racing even though her legs collapsed. This was going to be the shortest second chance in history.  

TWICE IN A LIFETIME is available for .99 cents on Kindle and Smashwords, and ARe and Bookstrand. Here are the buylinks:
Amazon 
Smashwords

All Romance ebooks 

Find Jennifer at her website http://www.jenniferjakes.com/
and Blog
 
Trouble commenting? Click on comment at the top of this post

17 comments:

Jennifer Jakes said...

Thanks so much for having me here today, Mac :)me

Mackenzie Crowne said...

My pleasure, Jennifer. Welcome.

Mary Campisi said...

Hi Jennifer and Mackenzie!

Jennifer - great, great cover and I loved the excerpt. So glad to see you jumping into the indie pool and wishing you much success with yet another super hunk hero:)

Mary
www.marycampisi.com

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi Mary -
So glad you liked it! Thanks so much for dropping by and have very happy holidays :)

Mackenzie Crowne said...

Hi Mary.

That is a great cover, isn't it? And the inside is just as fun. Thanks for stopping by.

Gillian Layne said...

Heart-stopping cover, Jennifer. Absolutely gorgeous! But it's the story concept that really grabbed me. I haven't read a good time travel in ages; you are definitely on my after Christmas list! ;)

Moira said...

Yep, the cover is sure to catch your eye ... looking forward to having the inside warm the heart ...

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi Gillian -
Thanks so much. I was just thrilled with the HOT DAMN Designs work on the work. She made exactly what I'd envisioned:)
And I'm so glad to hear I'm not the only one who loves Time Travel. There used to be so many published and I miss them.
Thanks for stopping by. Happy holidays:)

Jennifer Jakes said...

Moira -
Thanks! And I think the inside will heat you up;)
Thanks for stopping by and have happy holidays :)

Lynda Bailey said...

Jennifer~

Though I've read TWICE, I had to pop in to say congrats - again! - on such an amazing story. Love Izzy and Ian. Great duo.

Happy holidays, my friend!

Katherine said...

Jennifer, Wow, your cover looks great! I love your sentence about the beauty of being a writer means you're never alone because of all the characters floating around in your head. What a great way to put it. Hope you have lots of sales. :o)

Mackenzie Crowne said...

Wow, busy day with g'babies, ear infections, and grade school talent shows. Welcome, Gillian, Moira, Lynda, and Katherine.

Jennifer Jakes said...

Aw, thanks, Lynda! Hugs:)

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi Katherine -
Thanks so much! I'm glad you liked the cover:) And yes, writers have lots of people talking to us in our heads - it's a busy place up there!! LOL
Thanks for dropping by today. Happy holidays :)

Mackenzie Crowne said...

Jennifer,
Thanks so much for being my guest today. As always, healthy sales, and happy holidays to you and yours.

Jennifer Jakes said...

Mac -
Thanks for having me! I had a great time. Happy and safe holidays to you and your family:)

Kellie Kamryn said...

Great interview! All the best to you both for the holidays!