She’s a sinner, but he isn’t a saint…Come into the world of ‘Eden’s Sin’

Please welcome Jennifer Jakes, historical author and Golden Heart Nominated…

…and Kindle #1 Best Selling (proud of that one)

You should be 🙂 Congratulations, Jennifer! Okay lol as a coffee lover, who isn’t human and can’t function until that first bold taste literally fires up my bloodstream, what do you crave to start the day?

Oh, I am so with you on that! I have to have a Mega-cup of coffee…maybe 2…before I can actually think clearly. But I might be known to take even more drastic steps. I might have had coffee with an espresso shot and then a Mtn. Dew. Of course that could be a vicious rumor. Probably not though. LOL

My upcoming character, Fate, has control issues over lives — courteous of my muse. Where does your muse like to take your creativity?

Wherever she darn well pleases! Recently my Muse and I have been locked in battle. For months (!!!) the Muse and I have disagreed over a plot. Not just a plot point, but the whole plot L I’ve tried sweet talking her, trying to get her to tell me about this story I wanted to write. But until I admitted defeat and let her tell me how the plot WOULD go (not could go) she was silent. So the pages I’d sweated blood over had to be scrapped. It was a rough learning experience for me, but my Muse is one tough er, um, (yes, I really want to call her a bad name but she listens to everything) woman.

lol I feel the same when it comes to my laptop these days. My muse is the temptress when it comes to writing. She pulls me where she wants to go. Are you a pantser or a plotter?

I am a plantser. I have a main plot idea, I know the black moment (for the most part) and a few things that will happen. Then I like to just start writing and let the story come to me. (If my Muse allows it, that is. See comment above.)

Every HEA (happily-ever-after) has a beginning, where do you get your ideas?

Usually mine is just a “spark” of something I see or hear. It can be a picture or just a very broad “what if” kind of thing. Then I start running all kinds of twists and turns about that scenario through my mind until I get “that feeling” (and if you write you know what I mean)…. then I go from there.

I can definitely relate! What heat level and chaos does your muse prefer to create for Major Sinclair Bradford and Eden Gabriellei, who is tempted to break her own rules, in your new release, ‘Eden’s Sin’?

My Muse prefers sensual heat. Think dim lights, cool sheets, and a hot hero. Or candle light, a warm bath, and a hot hero….Hmmm, I detect at pattern here. LOL
Chaos is almost always external circumstances testing the convictions and “rules” my characters live their lives by. They are forced to choose and the choice
always means they might lose what they want most. I don’t like – and thankfully neither does my Muse – plots where the Hero and Heroine actually break up over the black moment, to then find each other again. I had some publishers turn down my first book because I didn’t have them separate. But I feel like there’s enough of that in the real world and I’m writing happy endings, so I can write it how I want. LOL Oh, there’s doubt as to whether they can beat the obstacles against them, but they “hang tough” together.

Maggie Monroe and Rafe McBride, who rides into town for supplies and leaves with more than he bargains for, in ‘Rafe’s Redemption’?

The Muse was feeling more naughty with Rafe and Maggie. I still love the bath tub scene. Oh, who am I kidding…….I still love Rafe. He will probably always be my favorite hero. He’s like my “first love” since Rafe was my debut novel. LOL Chaos: I like how torn Rafe is. He is truly the “tortured” hero. So if that’s the kind of hero you like reading about….

Isabella Douglas and her husband, Captain Ian Douglas, who can’t remember being married to Isabella, yet, has erotic memories in ‘Twice in a Lifetime’?

This is the story that would NOT leave me alone! By that I mean, it’s not my usual genre but every time I would try to gather thoughts for a western, this little story (it’s a 20,000 word novella) keep jumping into my mind. It literally “bugged” me until I wrote it. Well, I guess that was my Muse. She must have really liked this story. LOL Maybe it was her naughty side coming out. This one is more sexually graphic — Ian is one lusty, sexy pirate! *wink*
But this story was like a 2 yr old tugging on my leg: “Mommy, Mommy, Mommy, Mommy….” So I finally just said, “OK, I’ll write you.”

‘Rafe’s Redemption’ has two very hot covers. Can you give other authors and readers some insight on why covers are changed with books?

As I said earlier, Rafe was my debut novel. When I sold to a publisher, they wanted it to be erotic romance. So I had to add some VERY *not for the faint of heart* sex scenes. That would be the “blue” cover. When I got my rights back, I put the book back to its original heat level. It’s hot, don’t get me wrong (the above mentioned bath tub scene for one….) but it’s not what would be considered erotic romance anymore. It’s sensually hot. This is the “gold” cover and is much more my preference since it’s the way I first wrote it. J

Any new wip (works-in-progress) you are willing to share just a wee bit for readers?

Since my Muse and I are no longer fighting, yes. LOL I am writing a series about the Yukon Gold Rush. I started this over a year ago L The fighting with my Muse made me put the story away (and I wrote Eden’s Sin). But now that we’ve agreed on a plot, what was going to be 1 book titled Alaskan Heat, is now going to be a series titled Alaskan Heat and the books will tentatively be titled: Runaway Hearts, Deceived Hearts, Broken Hearts.

Every muse/writer has addictions. I have several addictions – coffee, dark chocolate, creating, reading and lace – I refuse to give up. What addictions do you refuse to give up and willing to share? What about your muse? Your heroes and heroines?

I’m a sugar addict. I admit it. My favorite….Twinkies and doughnuts. I love Mexican food and could eat that every meal. J I’m also a work-aholic at my day job. I admit that too . LOL I’m very Type A personality which is probably why my Muse and I fight. If she’d just listen to me….(which is what my Muse says too). LOL
My Heroes and heroines sometimes have addictions but usually they are just convicted to what they feel is right. And they are stubborn. I can’t imagine where they get that trait from….

Outside of writing, where does life take you?

Mostly juggling my life . LOL I work with Kim Killion of Killion Group/ Hot Damn Designs. We try to attend several writing conferences each year so I definitely travel in the summer months. We also shoot our own Stock Images so yes, I’m forced to look at hot male models to decide if we want to shoot them. *sigh* LOL And then Hubby and I have 2 daughters – 18 yrs and 12 yrs old – so I’ve usually got some kind of ‘mom’ stuff going on too J

I love working with you and Kim 🙂 Kim’s covers are hot! Jennifer, thank you so much for taking time to tempt us into another era…Anyone who visits your excerpts will NOT be disappointed!

Please follow Jennifer…
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#Women’s Fiction #Romance #Contemporary

Ancient history once declared the anchor as a symbol of hope, the heart representing love. Both have never stopped reaching out from the past, and the grave, seeking, hoping to tug on the hearts of the present in Maple Grove where betrayal, skeletons, love and a twenty-year old mystery are revealed.

The headmaster, diagnosed with Alzheimer’s, misses the touch of his wife and will do anything to fire the nursemaid and bring her back; A young pup falls in love with a woman, who lives as a hermit, yet is drawn to him; the young pup’s father, an attorney, hopes to rekindle the love of the mother of his child, whom he raised alone, never revealing the name of the mother to anyone, including to the mother; a man learns his wife, a women’s advocate, has kept a secret, along with two other women, endangering them all.

Hidden agendas are revealed in every closet in a ‘hipwaders vs heels’ poker game between the men and women, ending like the ‘Maureen O’Hara-John Wayne’ movies with the men protecting and going after the women they love.

A Special ‘Thank You’ Goes Out to Our Troops & Their Families…Thank You For All Your Sacrifices & Dedication. Happy Thanksgiving!

Remembering the Important Things in Life…

Sylvie Fox, Author of Sexy, Spicy Romance, Launches L.A. Nights with a Giveaway – Kindle Paperwhite

Sylvie Fox, author and blogger, launches L.A. Nights with a Kindle paperwhite giveaway…

Giveaway ends December 12th!

Callie Hutton’s Goodreads Book Giveaway

Callie Hutton is having a Goodreads book giveaway for ‘The Elusive Wife’.…The giveaway ends December 5th!

The Keeper Shelf

Between a Book and a Real Place…

Our Bookshelf…

Lyrical Press Submission Calls

Hi Kay! I’m so thrilled about this portion of our interviews! Thanks for asking me back.

Calisa/Lisa, we have learned there are many hats in the publishing field as an author, reader and blogger. I see you wear the editor hat, as well. What publishing house are you currently with?

I’ve been with Lyrical Press, Inc. http://lyricalpress.com/ for about a year and love working with this house as an editor and an author. I was with a now defunct small epress for a year before that. I’ve been editing publicly, independently for about three years, but overall for longer.

What drew you to become an editor at such a fabulous house?

I love helping new authors and what better way than to help them see their dreams come true? I sold my latest book to LPI and then asked if they were hiring, since I’d just left my other publisher and when not writing I was editing for friends (Where Would You Like You Nipple by Mackenzie Crown is one I was very honored to be a part of), but wanted to be associated with a reliable publisher. They happened to be looking for a couple of editors and LPI and I fit quite nicely we think.

What genres are published?

Almost everything. Just look up our website to make sure what you write fits LPI.

Are all heat levels accepted?

Definitely! We like sweet to erotic, ménage to hetero and everything between. Off the top of my head, I think about the only subgenres we don’t accept right now is NA and steampunk. If there is any other I can look it up.

What catches your eye in a manuscript or query letter?

The writing first. If an author obviously knows their craft, how to apply it and make me keep reading past the third page I get all goose pimply! LOL My philosophy is: If you aren’t willing to do your job before I see it, why should I try after you send it to me? Whether you write in first person or deep third, know your craft. If the writing is solid I will give one hundred ten percent to that ms and the author. I admit I’m tough, picky. Ask my lovely authors. But if it makes their books better for readers, I’ll go the extra distance if they will.

Are you open to unpublished authors?

Absolutely! You don’t need an agent either. Write, edit, edit, edit, polish, get a Beta reader, and then send it to me/us.

I have seen the website and it is awesome!

Thank you! Renee, our publisher just had it all revamped this year to the new and improved site you see, and I love it!

Can you explain the process of working with authors from editing, choosing a cover, publishing to marketing?

I can tell you some of the process that I personally handle. We go through several rounds of content edits, then I send it to a line editor and when I get it back it gets made into a Galley. During this time our artists work their magic on a cover. I usually don’t see a cover unless I go into files to see it or the artist happens to send the copy to me, but that doesn’t always happen. Once we have a cover and the book is released several months have passed, but the author is usually too busy to realize that. At least I hope. Once it’s published our publisher puts it out there in many venues and has several venues our authors have access to, as well. Then the author does their marketing and there’s a book born!

What are you seeking?

Personally, I’d love to see small town USA, or big city stories, different countries are ok, too as long as your ms is ‘Americanized’ per LPI’s house rules. I prefer fantasy, light paranormal and contemporary. I love cowboys, first responders and law enforcement–and these themes will definitely catch my eye (as long as the writing is solid). I will work with most heat levels, but prefer sweet to extra steamy. I don’t take erotica as a rule, no GLBT, or ménage, though other editors at LPI do so don’t let my preference stop you from submitting.

Right now I’m putting out a submission call for first responders; firefighters, EMTs, police, whatever you like, and sassy heroines. Humor? Love it! As long as it’s not a comedy act. Believable humor melts my heart. Always a happy ever after (HEA) ending at LPI. Short story to full length. The first responder may be the heroine or hero as long as one is. Give me excitement, real life action and believable characters and I’m a happy camper. Just remember to do your homework and research everything.

Where can authors find the submission guidelines?

Here and make sure to follow our general submission guidelines.
http://lyricalpress.com/submission-guidelines/
Be sure you submit to the right editor also if you want someone specific. You can go here and make an informed decision.

How can authors contact you?

You can submit directly to me at lisaridge@lyricalpress.com or email questions here, as well. Or you can submit to me at submittable: https://lyricalpress.submittable.com/submit Just make your submission says Attn: Lisa Ridge so I know it’s for me.

Thank you, Calisa/Lisa, for sharing your time with us!

I’ve had a great time, Kay! Thanks again for giving me a chance to play on your site. 
For your readers I’d like to ask what your favorite trope is? Secret babies? Marriage of convenience? Reunion? What is your favorite first responder? I’d love to hear what you like.

Calisa/Lisa, I must confess I am a genre hopper, but if I had to choose, it would be reunions in paranormal/urban fantasy or suspense with lots of attitude and heat  My favorite first responder? That is a tough one…they are all fabulous!!

I enjoyed getting to know you better. I hope you receive many submissions on your wish list!

Thank you 🙂

Kay

Editor Bio:
LISA RIDGE lives in beautiful central Oklahoma, USA with her husband of many years, multi-dogs, a spoiled cat, chickens and her horse. It’s no wonder this country girl loves cowboys in her reading and writing. Her kindle is full of books she WILL read one day, along with the mountains in bookshelves around her house.
She’s seen it all and prefers stories with small-town settings in America and abroad, whether contemporary, suspense/mystery, fantasy or light paranormal, small town folks do it for this editor. Send your cowboys, firemen and law enforcement heroes to her. Your wolves, vampires and ghosts, as well. Heat level and length doesn’t matter as long as she has a good, solid story with believable characters and polished writing, wrapped into a unique story idea to sink her editing teeth into.
She doesn’t care for demons, Satanism, or sci-fi.

Happy Launch Day, Emblazon!! Calling All Bloggers – Giftcard Giveaway

Giftcard GiveawayTo thank all those bloggers who help us announce Emblazon‘s launch, we will be giving away an $100 Amazon gift card on July 11, 2013, as well as a smaller second place prize.To enter the drawing, you must post about Emblazon on your blog on Wednesday, July 10, our official launch day. Then tweet your Emblazoners post to @CassidyJonesAdv and include the hashtag

via Giftcard Giveaway.