I am lucky to have had the opportunity to interview Jenna Petersen. Check out her responses below and don't forget to read the excerpts for some of her books after the interview!
As a historical romance writer, do you have to do extensive research to write your stories?
I write in the Regency period and have for over ten years, so my base is pretty decent. I do expand my research base when I approach topics I haven’t hit on before or when I want to go deeper in depth on a topic (dancing, dinner, etc).
You write erotic romance as Jess Michaels. Where do you get your ideas?
My erotic romances as really not that different from my regular historical romances, the conflict is just more based in sexuality. Like all ideas, I can’t really say where I get them. They’re just… there.
Do you get to have a say on what your covers look like?
For the romances I’ve written for New York publishers, I do have the ability to make suggestions, but the art departments for my publishers design them as they see fit. I’ve been lucky to get great covers. For my independently published books, I do get a say. I’ve worked with hotdamndesigns.com for my wonderful covers.
Do you find it challenging to write a series of books as oppose to stand-alone?
Not really. I am a plotter, so I generally already have an idea of where each book will go and resolve whatever over-arching story there is throughout the books. In some ways, it’s easier, since I already know the characters really well if they’ve appeared in earlier books.
Do you have any specific inspiration for your writing?
I just love writing books with that uplifting ending. I have more ideas than I have time to write them and it’s a pleasure to get to do this for a living.
How do you come up with your pen name?
Pen names are really a combination of availability, shelf position, ease of spelling and something that is meaningful to the author. Or lots of authors go with their real name.
How do you come up with your titles?
With my books published in New York, I could suggest titles but they had a final say in titles. For my independent books, I try to have my titles reflect the story at hand. Something that evokes an interest from the reader and makes the wonder what the story is about.
One of Jenna's book is "Rogue for a Night". Enjoy the excerpt below!
Excerpt:
He drew in a long breath. “Lucinda, the first moment I saw you, I was taken by your beauty. When I saw you, I could not help but catch my breath. I even thought of you when you weren’t near.”
Lucinda stared at him. This she had not ever guessed he would say. “Y-You did? I had no idea.”
He nodded once. “You were another man’s wife and I never would have pursued that interest out of a respect not only for your husband and his brother, but for you. But yes, I wanted you. I want you still, Lucinda. Perhaps now more than ever.”
She could hardly breathe at this revelation. What he was saying… it was madness! She ought to be offended, as he had said he feared. She ought to turn away from his blunt admission of desire and tell him never to speak of it again.
But she didn’t. All she did was stand still as stone and drown in the roaring echo of her heartbeat as it pounded in her ears like an ocean tide.
He moved a fraction closer and that tide turned even more violent. All she could see now was him. All she could feel was him… and he wasn’t even touching her.
“But Lucinda, I would never want to be something you regret.” He shook his head. “I am going to go away for a few days. There is a bit of business for me to do in a neighboring shire. When I return, we can pretend this conversation never happened, if that is what you desire. Or…”
He trailed off and held Lucinda’s gaze evenly. She struggled to find her voice and finally squeaked out, “Or?”
“Whatever you like, Lucinda,” he whispered and then he caught her hand and drew her even closer. His lips lowered again and he kissed her a second time...
Thank you Jenna for granting me this interview!
Everyone, please leave a comment or question for Jenna :) Happy Halloween!
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