Please help us welcome Jenna Jaxon to the blog today.
Can you please share with us a little about yourself
I am a multi-published author of historical and erotic contemporary romance, a wife and mother of two teen-aged girls, a working theatre director and a college instructor. I have a penchant for the darker side of romance—any way I can make things dark and twisty for you the reader, the better I feel I’ve done my job.
Have you always wanted to be an author?
Yes. I wrote my first story when I was in third grade about a woman who finds a kitten. I distributed copies to the first grade class, so I suppose I can consider myself published at the age of 9. J
What is your most interesting writing quirk?
When I write scholarly/academic papers, I have to have the TV on or music or music videos so I can tune them out. When I write romance, I have to have dead silence to write quickly and efficiently. I think I need to hear my muse and my characters whispering in my ear.
Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
My most recent publication was Almost Perfect, an erotic contemporary novella. It’s part of Decadent Publishing’s 1Night Stand series and this month’s Read For A Cure Book. It’s the story of two people stranded on a deserted island who have to come to terms with how they’ve changed in the two years they’ve been divorced. And what happens when their passion for each other flares again.
How did you come with the idea for this story?
I was toying with the idea of writing for the 1Night Stand line, thinking about what two people I could bring together who would initially make each other miserable and the idea of a divorced couple suddenly popped into my head. I was on the Metro in DC. My muse has such a sense of humor.
Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
My next release (at this point still technically a WIP) is a full length historical romance, Only Scandal WillDo, set in Georgian London. It’s set to release later this summer. Then I’m querying another historical, a late-Victorian romance between an English lady and an American architect called As Long As You’re Mine. And this summer I’m working on revising the second book in the Scandal series, Only Marriage Will Do, and my medieval trilogy, Time Enough to Love.
Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?
Jo Beverley, my favorite romance author. I’ve loved all her works, especially her Malloren series. She gave me my love for the Georgian period and my Georgian series is in large part due to her inspiration.
What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing? Keep writing no matter what. A dear friend , romance author Judi McCoy, once told me “You can fix crap, you can’t fix nothing.” She’s absolutely right.
I want to take a hot air balloon ride. I’m deathly afraid of heights, but the romance of a balloon ride still calls to me. I’ll just have to have had a lot of pina coladas before I go. J
What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
I actually just started one I’d been wanting to read—Stephen King’s 11/22/63. But one I haven’t started but really want to is Diana Gabaldon’s Drums of Autumn. I love me some Jamie Fraser!
Is there anything else you would like to add?
I mentioned that Almost Perfect is May’s Read For A Cure book and just wanted to let you know that all publisher proceeds from the book during May go to Relay for Life. Please Read For A Cure and help close the book on cancer.
Jenna – I loved this interview. Thanks for sharing. I have never ridden in a Hot Air baloon but I want to. Maybe we can go together some time. LOL
Great interview, Jenna. I'm deathly afraid of heights as well. My fear would be I'd have 1 too many pina coladas and fall out of the balloon. Shudder!
Wonderful interview, Jenna! Great advice! You can't fix nothing! Love the cover of your book. Can't wait to read it! And for such a good cause!
That would be the coolest thing ever, Kary! But knowing us, we'd end up in Oz! LOL It would still be fun. 🙂 Thanks for coming by today.
Hmmm, pina coladas might be the only way to get me up in the balloon, Jerri! LOL Thanks for coming by and for the suggestion! 🙂
Thanks, Jennifer! That really is my favorite quote when I get stuck in the middle of a work. Just keep writing. Hope you enjoy Almost Perfect!
Great interview, ladies. I'm terribly afraid of heights, too, but I tend to live in very tall buildings. I never go out on the balcony! I hope your Read for a Cure campaign climbs as high as a hot air balloon. Good luck, Jenna!
I don't do well with balconies either, Patricia. Our summer condo is on the second floor, but I do sit out there and read in the mornings. As long as I don't go near the railing I'm fine. LOL And thanks so much for the well wishes! 🙂
I'm afraid of heights, too but I love roller coasters. Go figure. Great interview but you will never get me in a hot balloon. 🙂
Marika
Great interview! I have to agree that Jo Beverly is a great writer and I love her Malloren world books. I too want to ride in a hot air balloon but I'm way chicken….Almost Perfect sounds like a good book and I'm really intrigued by your "Scandal" series set in Georgian England.
Sounds like a great story! Love the interview.
Jenna, what a wonderful interview. I did learn things I didn't know about you. I have to have silence when I write as well.
I've seen this author in a few blogs recently. Nice interview! I plan to check this out soon. It sounds like my kind of book. 🙂
Thanks for coming by, Marika. 🙂 I loved roller coasters, but sadly had to give them up because I couldn't stand the climb up the hill. Going down never bothered me. LOL
Hi, Maria! Thanks for coming by. Sounds like we have a lot in common. 🙂 Hope you get to read some of my works. I'm hoping if you like the Mallorens, you'll like the Marquess of Dalbury as well.
Thanks so much, DiDi!
And silence is hard to come by at my house. 🙂 Now summer is here I'm going to try for 8 hours of uninterrupted writing time. (Yeah, good luck with that.) LOL Thanks for coming by, Ella.
Thank you so much, Taryn. I have been out and about recently with Almost Perfect. I hope you do get to read it. 🙂
Jenna Jaxon is one of my favorite new authors. I have read all her books and can hardly wait for the release of Only Scandal Will Do.
Awesome interview, ladies. Ha, you should treat yourself to a hot air balloon ride soon, Jenna. 🙂
Thank you, Brenda! You are such a loyal fan! Hugs! 🙂
I may have to wait and go with Kary, Melissa. That sounds like quite an adventure with the two of us defying gravity! LOL Thanks for coming by. 🙂