Books-n-Kisses is super excited to welcome Jennifer Probst to the blog today to talk about her new book The Marriage Bargain.
Q1) Can you please share with us a little about yourself
Jennifer: Sure! I’m a mom of two active little boys, and live in Upstate New York with a gorgeous view of the mountains. My household is always in chaos, I hate to clean, am a big animal lover with a terrible habit of rescuing dogs, and am thrilled to finally be writing full time.
Q2) Have you always wanted to be an author?
Jennifer: Yes. I can’t remember ever wanting anything else, and when I was twelve years old I wrote my first book in longhand, took it to school, and read it to my friends. As soon as I learned to read, my mother told me I was telling everyone I’d be a writer one day. I feel very lucky to find my dream to pursue so early in life.
Q3) Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?
Jennifer: The classics turned me on to romance – the romance classics, I mean! I consumed vast amounts of category including Jayne Ann Krentz, Sandra Brown, Iris Johansen, Nora Roberts, and Suzanne Brockmann. I turned to large contemporary and gobbled up Susan Elizabeth Phillips, Johanna Lindsey, Judith McNaught, and countless other authors. That’s how I learned craft, and knew I wanted to do what they did. Then I adored reading horror and suspense, and finished every book by Stephen King and Dean Koontz. You learn from the masters.
Q4) How did you get into writing in this specific genre? Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?
Jennifer: I always knew romance was my first love and I’d always write in that genre. But as I grew and became a mom and branched out, I wrote a children’s book with my twelve year old niece entitled Buffy and the Carrot. It was a wonderful experience for both of us. I did some parenting essays and launched a mommy blog. And then a dog’s voice pounded into my head, demanding I tell his story. I wrote A Life Worth Living which details the life of a shelter dog in his own voice. It hit #1 on Amazon in its category and I donate half of the proceeds to the animal shelter, so I was thrilled.
Q5) What are some of your writing rituals?
Jennifer: I have none. Absolutely none. In my household, you grab time when you can, write in the chaos, and be grateful for it. Don’t know if it’s good or bad but it’s how I survive!
Q6) Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
Jennifer: Well, certainly! (rubs hands here in eagerness). I am over the literal moon to report my book with Lori Wilde’s Indulgence line entitled The Marriage Bargain, hit #1 on the Barnes and Noble bestseller list! It’s the first in my series called Marriage to a Billionaire and details the marriage of convenience by two characters who knew each other in the past and are completely different.
Q7) How did you come with the idea for this story?
Jennifer: My characters leapt out of my mind. onto the page and demanded freedom. Alexa was easy to write, she has a big heart, is spunky, and deals with life in a positive way. Pair her up with a brooding, cynical, hot man who doesn’t believe in anything, and you get fireworks. I adore opposites attract, and hard assed heroes who need to be tamed and given the courage to love. I also adore certain themes such as marriage of convenience and friends to lovers, so I wanted to write something fresh with a theme I love.
Q8) Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
Jennifer: Absolutely! I am happy to report I am just about finished with the sequel to The Marriage Bargain called The Marriage Trap. It’s the story of Alexa’s best friend, Maggie, and the Count (who you will meet in TMB and hopefully fall in love with!). It takes place in Italy and I have a few surprises in store for my readers!
Q9) What would you be if you were not an author?
Jennifer: An animal rescue worker. Or a dancer if God gave me talent!
Q10) What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
Jennifer: Oh, my! I have a TBR list that is explosive! First off, I’m tearing through the other Indulgence books because I love them so much – they are fresh and full of quality and themes I love to read. I also love the One Night Stand series by Decadent, they are short reads that are always well done. I have a bunch of writers I stalk, but honestly, I’m not avoiding the question, there are too many to name here! And the way I man twitter, I’m always finding something new to read that looks good. Call me an addict. I need a meeting.
Q11) Is there anything else you would like to add?
Jennifer: I adore hearing from my readers and connecting in a relationship. I remember after I read one of my favorite authors, I always dreamed of telling them how the book made me feel, but felt silly writing to them. It’s not silly – I know now how much writers appreciate readers and talking about their books. So I highly encourage stalking at all my sites listed below. Thank you so much for hosting me today!
We’re also giving away a free copy of The Marriage Bargain so please leave me a comment!
The Marriage Bargain
A marriage in name only…
To save her family home, impulsive bookstore owner, Alexa Maria McKenzie, casts a love spell. But she never planned on conjuring up her best friend’s older brother—the powerful man who once shattered her heart.
Billionaire Nicholas Ryan doesn’t believe in marriage, but in order to inherit his father’s corporation, he needs a wife and needs one fast. When he discovers his sister’s childhood friend is in dire financial straits, he’s offers Alexa a bold proposition.
A marriage in name only with certain rules: Avoid entanglement. Keep things all business. Do not fall in love. The arrangement is only for a year so the rules shouldn’t be that hard to follow, right?
Except fate has a way of upsetting the best-laid plans…
Giveaway time:
To enter for a chance to win The Marriage Bargain. Fill out the Rafflecopter form below.
Thank you so much for hosting me here today!
I've had this book on my to-read list since I had her on my blog! I so hope I win it!
tamariasoana@yahoo.com
I already follow you on twitter and RT your tweet!
I have the book loaded on my Kindle and can't wait to read it. (Damn deadline is slowing me down!)
Great interview, Jen.
Love you! Love your books!
Would love to win,it has a very pretty cover 🙂
reginamayross@gmail.com
This Book sounds awesome. Would love to win it.
Thanks for the giveaway.
e.balinski(at)att(dot)net
Thanks for the giveaway! I keep seeing this book and I keep wanting to read it!
Megan G.
megonski216(at)yahoo(dot)com
Congrats on the new release! Your book sounds like so much fun 🙂
How many books do you plan for this series?
This book looks great. Can't wait to see who falls in love first. Definately adding to my must buy/read pile. would love to win and read this book. This is a new author for me and always looking for new books to check out. Thanks for the giveaway and the chance to win.
christinebails@yahoo.com
HI Erin! I just finished up The Marriage Trap which is Maggie and Michael's story. Will be coming out in a few months. Then I plan on at least one more – The Marriage Mistake- and maybe one more if my readers ask for it!
Good luck everyone! I hope you enjoy it!
Great interview! I've read the book and I loved it! Can't wait to read The Marriage Trap.
Great answers! I love the title to the sequel. Reminds me of "The Parent Trap".
This books sounds like one I would crawl up and read in one setting.
Great interview! 😀
Hi Jennifer! Loved learning more about you 🙂
Congrats on your wonderful book and all your success. I love the premise to this story. Like you, I have a HUGE tbr list, but have all the Indulgence line of books ready to be read. I can't wait!
This book sounds very good. I Enjoyed interview to. Hope i win this one:)
Thanks for giveaway!!
Ooh it sounds interesting I like it and thanks for the giveaway.
This one was on my TBR list even before this blog interview. Just makes me want to read it even more!
Heather E
hregtvedt@aol.com
I absolutely want to read this book. I am sure it's going to take my breath away.
Added to my list. It grows longer and longer, with no end in sight. Which isnt a bad thing 🙂
Marriage of convenience stories are one of my favorite romance tropes. I love to see the couple bicker and butt heads. Their explosive confrontations usually lead to passionate encounters.
geishasmom73 AT yahoo DOT com
I'm an addict too!!!! This can be our first meeting! Lol. Thanks for the awesome giveaway, sounds like a great read…can't wait to check this one out!!!
Oh my goodness! I am so ready to read this book! I love this kind of story and the excerpt is good. And the cover is nice too.
Thank you so much for the giveaway!
I really like the cover. This books sounds great. Thank you.
I can't wait to get this book and read it. I think it's going to be a great story…
Thanks for the interview Jennifer and Kelly.
koonie2888 at yahoo dot com
Hi Jennifer, that was a great interview. Your book cover is pretty awesome as well. How many books will there be in this series?
luvfuzzzeeefaces at yahoo dot com
This book sounds great. I just got a copy for my kindle and I can't wait to read it. I've heard only good things!
emilykaiser24(AT)yahoo(DOT)com
Great interview! The book sounds very good.
Interesting interview…the book sounds great…would love to have a copy!
Thank you for the giveaway.
Your book looks great! I enjoyed the interview.
robindpdx(at)yahoo(dot)com
hi jennifer..
nice to meet you…
thanks for the giveaway..i love this cover,,,very romantic,,,i think this book very romantic to…make me cant wait to read,,,
i wish i win this book..pls pls enter me.. LOL
icha09 at gmail dot com
Hi Jennifer
Thanks for the giveaway. I've not read any of your books but this one sure sounds interesting and I'll be checking it out.
cutiephinphin(at)hotmail(dot)com
So glad you're excited about the book – I hope you enjoy it! There will definitely be three more coming in the series, maybe more if my readers ask for it! Look for The Marriage Trap coming soon which details Michael and Maggie's story! Thanks again for the lovely comments!
This book sounds really good, I'd love to win an copy! Thanks for the giveaway 🙂
paranormalopinion(at)hotmail(dot)com
Wow, Jennifer, your book sounds really great! It's definitely going on my wish list.
Lori
knitrix29 at gmail dot com
*Just added to new author list* Book sounds great. Can't wait to read it.
erhmsh@hotmail.com