Today I’m thrilled to have Jess Russell author of The Dressmaker’s Duke with me in the Blue Rose Writing Room.
I do use a pseudo name. I’m not sure if I would now, but at the time I started writing I wasn’t sure I wanted anyone to know about it. It was my little secret. I also have a fifteen year old son. Of course he knows I am a writer, but I am not sure I want his friends to know. :o)
Can you tell us how long you have been writing?
When I turned 50 I wanted a new challenge. I had one scene brewing in my head for a while. I faced a scary white page and wrote it down. That was three years ago.
We’re the same age, and that’s when I started writing too!
What’s one thing you absolutely can’t tolerate during your writing? One thing you can’t write without?
Well, right now my neighbors downstairs have started a huge renovation. My walls are shaking and my teeth rattling. Thank goodness I am spending this week on my book release.
What’s the funniest thing anyone has ever said to you about your writing? Or the unkindest? Or the oddest?
My niece said, “Aunt So So, (they call me So So b/c I said I didn’t want to be a Grand Aunt. My sister said, so you just want to be a “so so” Aunt?) Anyway, my niece said, “are you writing one of those toe-wiggler books?”
Why did you choose to write in this genre? Have you ever written any other genre? Do you plan on doing so in the future?
Historicals have all these parameters that one must try to write within. The world of a Regency woman is narrow, but she still has all the feelings that a modern day woman has, she just must express them in more subtle ways. I see this as a challenge; a kind of mental tightrope. I think the best historical writers embrace these strictures and learn to move gracefully and creatively between the confines of their chosen world. These characters are not just witty cardboard cutouts from 200 years ago, they are thinking, feeling folk with problems just like you and me.
Yes! I have begun a Contemporary Romance. I am looking forward to not having to do quite so much research.
Is there any genre you won’t read? Write? Can you tell us why?
I have to say that a good story is a good story and love happens in so many forms. I feel it should be celebrated wherever it can find a toe hold. I tend to stick to Historicals, but I like to support my fellow writers and read their books. I just recently finished my first M/M! Who knew?
Tell us one unusual, weird, or curious fact you discovered while researching this book.
Believe it or not there were no dress forms in 1810. No hangers. No standard patterns. Women were often measured in their corsets. And most women had only two or three dresses.
What are you most proud of about your writing?
Conquering that blank page. I am beginning to trust myself more. Trust that the story will unravel itself if I just keep writing. I think to myself, how would this character exist within these circumstances? As I write, they tell me more and more about themselves and I fall more and more in love.
What’s one new thing you’d like to try?
Well, this is more of a fantasy, but I’d love to be on Dancing with the Stars! Maybe Nora Roberts will pave the way for me?
What is something you are determined to do?
Conquer technology. I am a techno-weenie. My brain just does not compute computers and all that attends them. Apps? Tweets? I just recently gave up my old cell phone. Why, you might ask. Because people laughed when I pulled up its antenna.
LOL!
What are you most afraid of?
This is going to sound funny but I am most afraid of fear. Fear stops me from breathing, from being creative, from living in the moment.
Do you have a favorite quote?
“The mantua-maker’s customers are not easily pleased; they frequently expect more from their dress than it is capable of giving. The mantua-maker must be an expert anatomist; and must, if judiciously chosen, have a name of French termination.”–The Book of English Trades.
Tell us something unusual, quirky, or odd about yourself.
I love power tools. I am always making things. I drag things off the street (I live in NYC) and I “re-purpose” them. I buy things at the thrift store and re-make them. I carve pumpkins, make elaborate costumes. I knew my husband really knew me when he gave me a chainsaw for my birthday!
Okay, now for the quickie questions: Answer in three words or less. Ready? Go!
Favorite Disney Character? Dori from Finding Nemo.
Favorite Fruit? Cherries
Favorite Hero? Rhys Merrick, sixth Duke of Roydan :o)
Favorite Eye Color? Green
Best Vacation Destination? A remote beach
Food you can’t stand? Liver
What annoys you? Wet shirt sleeves.
Coffee, tea, or something else? Coffee. Strong!
Nightgown or Jammies? None. Nude.
Prefer dogs or cats? Cats. I have never had a dog. I fear I would be too in love with a dog.
A bit about Jess
Jess Russell is a multi-award winning romance writer, living in New York City. She is a member of Romance Writers of America, as well as the New York City, and the Beau Monde Chapters.
Jess is a sometime actress, batik artist, former shoe model, and a designer/builder. Jess has put down her power tools, paint brushes, and love of Shakespeare to take up the pen.
The Dressmaker’s Duke is her first novel. The story started out as one small scene and has grown to 370 pages. The journey has been chock full of surprises for this dyslexic gal who always worked making things not writing things.
Jess is currently working on two other stories, (working titles), Heart of Glass, and Mad for the Marquess.
The blurb about The Dressmaker’s Duke
Rhys Merrick, Duke of Roydan, is determined to be the antithesis of his depraved father, repressing his desires so severely he is dubbed “the Monk” by Society. But when Olivia Weston turns up demanding payment for gowns ordered by his former mistress, Rhys is totally flummoxed and inexplicably smitten. He pays her just to remove her from his house, and mind. But logic be damned; he must have this fiercely independent woman.
Olivia’s greatest fear is becoming a kept woman. She has escaped the role of mistress once and vows never to be owned by any man. Rather than make money in the boudoir, she chooses to clothe the women who do. But when a fire nearly kills her friend and business partner, Olivia’s world goes up in smoke and she is forced to barter with the lofty duke.
As their lives weave together, Olivia unravels the man underneath the Monk, while Rhys desires to expose the lady hiding behind the dressmaker. Will his raw passion fan a long-buried ember of hope within her? Can this mismatched pair be the perfect fit?
Enjoy an excerpt from The Dressmaker’s Duke
“Could you move, please?”
Was it her imagination, or was his voice higher than usual? Then what he actually said registered.
“Move?”
“Yes. Could you move across the room? I find to judge a garment, or anything properly, one must see it in motion.” Her face must have reflected horror, for he hastened on, “You would not expect me to buy a horse simply by looking at its lines would you, Mrs. Weston? I would wish to see it run as well. I’m sure you understand.”
Blast him and his bloody horses. She strode forward, happy to vent some of her anger in movement; however, she realized a split second too late there was nowhere to move. The receiving room was not large and was mostly taken up with the cutting table. The only area with any appreciable room was at the far end of the shop where the huge paneled mirrors stood. He was standing directly in the path that would be her best direction. Consequently, she found herself almost flush up against him.
She knew he was tall. Any fool could see the man was at least two or more inches over six feet, but from this vantage point—directly beneath him—he was so very tall. She could smell the starch of his shirt mixed with a faint whiff of smoke and possibly brandy? She slid her gaze over the shirt and waistcoat to his cravat—a conservatively tied Oriental—to the firm, slightly cleft chin, moving on to the lips, very swiftly past those, and finally resting on his eyes. Pure molten gold. Yes, exactly like those of the Burmese tiger she had seen at a menagerie in Paris. His bearing was just as predatory.
“It would appear, sir, in order for me to move, as you require, you will have to bestir yourself as well.”
She thought she saw one side of his mouth shift ever so slightly upward into what might have been the merest twitch of a smile. She could not be one hundred percent sure because, to do so, she would have to look at his lips. The duke shifted his weight and made a small bow. Her shoulder brushed the superfine of his midnight blue jacket as she hurriedly squeezed past him.
She strode almost to the mirrors before wheeling around and giving him what she hoped was an accusatory look.
“Well, Your Grace. I hope you are satisfied”
“Satisfied, Mrs. Weston?” He raised that infernal eyebrow. “Oh no, madam, I am very far from satisfied. However, I am hopeful I will be, in the not so distant future.” Again his gaze raked over her. “Yes, I do live in hope.”
Here’s how you can contact Jess
jessrussellromance.com
Thanks again, Jess, for joining me here today!
Buy links:
B &N
Amazon
iTunes
