Wednesday, February 22, 2012

Jenna Jaxon interview- With giveaway!





Welcome one, welcome all! Today's post features author Jenna jaxon. I do hope you'll stay awhile, read the interview, and leave a comment to enter a giveaway! We all love those, right?

Jenna, I'm so glad you could stop by today, and i thank you for taking the time to answer my interview questions! :)

First off, tell me about yourself, and your writing.
Well, first I want to thank you, Nikki, for having me here today.  For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Jenna Jaxon, author of erotic contemporary and historical romance.  I live in Virginia with my family and a menagerie of pets and I teach at a local college near home.  I’ve got three books published in the past year, self-published a collection of Christmas tales, and have a full length historical romance coming out in May.


How long have you been writing? How many published books do you have, and what genres?
I’ve been writing professionally for about three years now.  In the past year I’ve published three short stories/short novellas, one anthology of short Christmas stories, and in May will have my first full length historical romance, Only Scandal Will Do, published.

I’ve got two erotic contemporaries out and one short historical romance.


Do you write in multiple genres or just one? If just one, do you ever consider straying outside your genre?  I never thought I would write anything but historical romance.  It’s been my passion for years.  But an opportunity to write a fractured fairytale last year was too tempting, so I took the bait.  Now I’m almost finished with my third erotic.  They’re lots of fun to write.


Are you a plotter or do you write from the seat of your pants?
Definitely a plotter.  I do a detailed plot outline before I start to write.  I give myself permission to change things, let the characters evolve as I write, but I’ve got to have that outline.  And I can’t write ahead of myself.  I can’t skip around and write chapter 20 if I’m only at chapter 2.  I waited forever to get to one particular chapter in Only Scandal Will Do—I knew exactly what was going to happen in that chapter (somewhere near Ch. 26), but I couldn’t skip ahead and write it.  When I finally got to that section and wrote the chapter I felt like I should have a cigarette afterwards (metaphorically speaking, LOL).  It was that satisfying.


What is a typical writing day like for you?
Since I have a full-time job there’s not usually a typical writing day for me.  Weekends and summers I suppose I have a regular schedule, although I’m always interrupted it seems.  My ideal writing day would be up by 8am, tea and writing (checking social media & email); write until lunch, write after lunch until dinner, write from dinner until bedtime (maybe 1am).  This was the way it was at a writer’s retreat I went to last summer and man, did I get some work done!


Who do you love to read? Favorite authors, favorite books?
I love Jo Beverley’s books, Lisa Kleypas, Mary Balogh, Kathleen Woodiweiss.  And of course now I’m reading the Outlander series and seriously in love with Jamie Fraser. LOL



What is something you'd like to accomplish in your writing career next year?
My writing goal for 2012 is to have doubled my backlist by December.  Actually, I want to have 12 books/stories published or contracted by Dec. 31, 2012.



If you could have one paranormal ability, what would it be?
The ability to travel back through time.  I’ve loved history for as long as I can remember.  To be able to go back and witness it would be a dream come true.


If you could keep a mythical/ paranormal creature as a pet, what would you have?
Wow.  What a hard question.  I think it might have to be a griffin.  I’ve always thought they were pretty cool.


Tell us a little about your latest release.
My most recent release was Almost Perfect, an erotic contemporary in Decadent Publishing’s 1Night Stand series.  It’s sort of a Fantasy Island romance that goes wrong.  Pam Kimball, my heroine, is heading for a 1night stand date with her fantasy man—an Orlando Bloom-esque pirate.  When things take a turn for the worse, she’s left stranded on a deserted island, that’s not quite deserted enough.  Her ex-husband Roger Ware is also there, and once they encounter each other, well, the sparks light up the sky. LOL

What is something that you absolutely can't live without? (Other than family members)
Books/Kindle.  I’d go crazy in a very short time without something to read.


Could you ever co author a book with someone? If so, who would you choose, and what would you write?
I’ve never co-written a book before, but I’ve collaborated on projects a lot, so I think I could have the give and take it requires.  The first person who springs to mind is a good friend and crit partner.  We’ve actually talked about a Steampunk romance (sort of), that  could be pretty cool.

If you could spend a day with anyone from history, dead or alive, who would it be, and what would you do? What would you ask them?
I think it would be Henry VIII (the young Henry).  I’d want to spend a typical day with him (he did everything—riding, hunting, royal court, dancing) and I probably wouldn’t be able to speak at all. LOL

What are some of your other hobbies outside of writing?
Reading, of course, theatre, scuba diving, traveling


If you were on the staff to have a book adapted to movie, what would you pick?
My book or any book?  Of my books I’d have my forthcoming release Only Scandal Will Do; if any book Outlander.  What can I say, I’m a sucker for historicals!

What is a talent you wish you had, but don't?
I wish I could speak foreign languages fluently.  I’ve had classes in French, Russian, and Gaelic and can’t speak any of them more than a word or two.


Favorite color?  Blue


Weather: Hot or cold?  Cold


Favorite place to read?
The deck on our timeshare at the beach, early in the morning before anyone else is up.

Favorite meal
Lamb Biryani (love Indian food)


Favorite non-alcoholic drink.
Dr. Pepper


If you could travel anywhere and do anything, no limits or money holding you back, where would you go?
I love to travel so that’s way hard!  I guess I would simply go around the world—and take more than 80 days!  I’d like to spend time in a lot of countries, get to know how the people live.  But my first stop would probably be either England or Ireland

Blurb for Almost Perfect:
Pamela Kimball’s birthday present, a 1Night Stand adventure, is supposed to help her jump-start her life, put a new man in her bed, and help her forget her ex.  Unfortunately, movie-buff Pam’s Pirates of the Caribbean fantasy goes wrong when she’s abandoned on a not quite deserted island with ex-husband Roger Ware.  When Pam is forced to accept Roger’s offer of dinner, she recognizes that he’s  changed since their divorce and his newfound sensuality re-kindles an old fire.  When he challenges her to find out how much his amorous skills have improved, Pam is torn between self-preservation and desire.  With time running out before they’re rescued, Pam has to decide if her heart can survive the consequences of becoming Roger’s “almost” perfect 1Night Stand.
Excerpt for Almost Perfect:
She set out to paddle the short distance, grumbling with every stroke. Was this abandonment part of the package?  If so, she hoped there was a survey at the end of the adventure.
Within yards of the beach, she decided she was close enough to walk the rest of the way in. She slipped off her sandals then eased over the side just as a large wave hit the dinghy.  Pam landed with a splash, submerged and came up sputtering. Her feet scraped bottom and she struggled to stand up.
Plodding through the surf as small waves crashed around her, Pam cursed the captain under her breath. On the beach at last, she surveyed the wreck of her carefully chosen outfit. The green-diamond top was cotton and would survive if it didn’t shrink. Ditto for the shorts. The white bandeau top she had opted for in lieu of a bra was fine. Her Gloria Vanderbilt turquoise leather sandals in her hand would never be the same.
Pam gazed at the Nautilus, now a distant speck. “Goddamned arrogant son-of-a-bitch!  You would’ve been boring in bed and you know it!”
Feeling marginally better, she stalked out of the water then raced over hot sand to a haven of shady palms. She dropped the shoes and unbuttoned her shirt. It would dry better off and she disliked the feel of wet cloth next to her skin. The warm breeze made her consider removal of the top and shorts as well. A quick glance around told her she was alone. Her bikini panties she’d leave on—the wisp of polyester would dry instantly. Moments later, feeling wicked to be on a beach all but naked, Pam draped shorts and shirt over low-lying bushes. The towering palms shaded them, but the heat would bake them dry.
She contemplated the bandeau, wavering. It wasn’t like anyone would see her. “Screw it.” Pam crossed her arms, grasped the ends of the stretchy top and started to yank it over her head.
“Hello!” A faint shout sounded down the beach.
“Shit!” Pam pulled the top back down, thankful she hadn’t gotten it over her head. The wet fabric clung to her; if she’d taken it off, she’d never have gotten it back on. She crouched, grabbed her shorts and struggled into them.
“Hello?” The voice moved closer, definitely masculine.
Pam finished zipping the shorts and ducked lower behind the bushes. Was it the pirates?  Sounded too friendly for pirates. Maybe the Nautilus had come back. Doubtful. They hadn’t had time. Then it hit her. This was her one-night stand. She hadn’t specified her “date” had to be a pirate. Maybe they would spend their night here on a deserted island and be rescued by a pirate ship.
“Hello?  Is someone there?” His deep voice sounded pleasant and…somehow familiar. Too familiar.
“Shit!” Pamela shot up from behind the shrubs and stalked onto the beach.
The man headed toward her, still at least ten yards away.
Pamela put her hands, now balled into fists, on her hips and glared at his approach. “I am so getting a refund from Madame Eve!” she yelled when he came within earshot. “Roger!  What the hell are you doing here?”
Author Bio:
Jenna Jaxon is a published author of historical and contemporary romance.  Her erotic contemporary short, Almost Perfect, part of Decadent Publishing’s 1Night Stand series, was just released in December 2011.  Her Georgian novel, Only Scandal Will Do, the first in a series of five interconnecting novels, will be published by Lyrical Press in Spring 2012.
Jenna has been reading and writing historical romance since she was a teenager.  A romantic herself, she has always loved a dark side to the genre, a twist, suspense, a surprise.  She tries to incorporate all of these elements into her own stories. She lives in Virginia with her family and a small menagerie of pets. 
She equats her writing habit to an addiction to chocolate because once started, she just can’t stop.



To purchase Almost Perfect, here is a link:

  http://www.decadentpublishing.com/product_info.php?manufacturers_id=132&products_id=416&osCsid=6c1232251c1e45744bd0b3ee7262f414

But, Jenna is holding a giveaway. one Lucky commenter gets a shot at winning a copy of Almost Perfect, so be sure and show some love to Jenna!


Find more of jenna here:  http://jennajaxon.wordpress.com/



Until next time,

Storm Goddess


19 comments:

  1. I want a griffin too! What a nice interview - such different questions. BTW - chocolate is addicting.

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  2. OOhh! I love the interview - you're questions are so unique! Thanks Jenna!!!

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  3. Excellent interview. I learned even more about you, Jenna.

    The excerpt was fantastic--Almost Perfect was a perfect read.

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  4. Jenna,

    I think I've discovered a new favorite author. I asked my wife if Dr. Pepper is a Virginia thing. She told me it is a Southern thing. I'm still an outsider, I've only been here 42 years. I think when you are rich and famous from your writing you need to travel as much as you can. It definitely changed my outlook on cultures other than my own. Now that I am retired from the sea I miss it. Every time I travel across Hampton Roads I look as I cross the water for ships departing and arriving and wonder where they are going or where they have been, wondering if it is one of the places I've been.

    Travel will really give reality to your fiction.

    Ray

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  5. Great interview Ladies....Jenna..enjoyed your blurb :)

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  6. Thanks for the interview and the giveaway!

    searching4princecharming@gmail.com

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  7. I really enjoyed this interview. Both the questions and answers were entertaining. It's always a pleasure to learn more about you, Jenna. BTW, I love Indian food too.

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  8. Really great interview and I just love the blurb of Almost Perfect. There actually is a movie called Outlander made in 2008 starred by Jim Caviezel ( James Patrick Caviezel) but its about this man from another plant that crashes on earth because of a stowaway alien creature that is way bloodthirsty. Almost Perfect is on my TBR list so I'm hoping.

    rshereifa(at)yahoo(dot)com

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  9. Sorry I haven't been around today to thank you guys for your great comments! But I do appreciate your coming by. I really enjoyed these questions--they were enough out of the ordinary to make me think and still have fun.

    And yes, Dr. Pepper is a southern thing I think, Ray. I've loved it all my life. :)

    Thanks again for stopping by!

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  10. Great Interview. I do have to question your preference to cold weather.

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    1. I've always loved the crisp fall and snowy days. :)

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  11. Cold weather!?! Okay, I will admit I get more done in cold weather - too much outdoorsy stuff to do when it gets warm - but I still prefer heat! Great interview

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    1. I know it's bad for a writer of erotica to say, but I just get too hot in the warm weather. It's like there aren't enough clothes to take off. *shakes head* I'll shut up now. LOL

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  12. Wonderful interview and that excerpt had me laughing so hard my cat glared at me. LOL

    DP used to be one of my favorite drinks. Now I can't have caffeine. **sighs**

    menina.iscrazy @ yahoo.com

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  13. Thanks again to everyone who's stopped by and commented! The winner will be contacted in the next day or so, so keep your eyes on your email!

    Thank you again, Nikki, for having me. It's been grand!

    Jenna

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  14. What fabulous questions, and interesting interview. I love the excerpt too.

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