Today I’m thrilled to have fellow Soul Mate Publishing author Jessica Jefferson author of Compromising Miss Tisdale with me in the Blue Rose Writing Room.
Can you tell us how long you have been writing?
My earliest memory is fourth grade. A teaching assistant asked me to dedicate a book to her. I’ll have to remember to make good on her request.
I always love to hear about people that started writing young. I guess it’s the teacher in me.
What’s one thing you absolutely can’t tolerate during your writing? One thing you can’t write without?
I have difficulty writing through interruptions. And since I have a two and an eight year old – it’s difficult not to be interrupted. I can’t write without soda. It’s not a good habit, and I am addicted!
What’s the funniest thing anyone has ever said to you about your writing? Or the unkindest? Or the oddest?
I received it recently actually – it was a compliment about my use of the term “heaving bosoms.”
Ah, the famous heaving bosoms!
Place you absolutely want to visit before you die?
I need to get to Europe sometime. My husband and I recently purchased a RV and we’re committed to get some use to it, so I foresee most of my travels being domestic for the time being.
Europe is lovely!
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?
I really love the Regency. There’s something so special about that little bit of history that appeals to readers and writers. Perhaps it’s the simplicity of the era? Or maybe it’s just that Austen influence that makes it so romantic? I have considered contemporary – chick lit style, but have yet to capture anything worthwhile on paper.
As a fellow Regency writer, I completely understand.
What are you most proud of about your writing?
I like being funny. It’s part of my personality and I love hearing about it when I’ve succeeded.
Me too! I always include humor in my books, and my favorite authors do too!
How do you respond to negative reviews?
I recently had a pretty lengthy, highly critical review, and I wish I could say I handled it with decorum and grace. Initially, I felt both hurt and angry. But then I read it. The reviewer had some excellent points and it was a great opportunity for me to learn from it and use it to improve my writing.
And I drank a couple glasses of wine. That seemed to make it a bit easier.
Glean what you can and ignore the rest!
What is something you are determined to do?
Run a half marathon. Every so often I will take the laundry off the treadmill and give it a whirl. Obviously, I’m not that determined, but it’s one of those lingering goals I always put on my New Year’s Resolutions.
Okay, now for the quickie questions: Answer in three words or less. Ready? Go!
Favorite Disney Character? Maleficent
Favorite Fruit? Kiwi
Favorite Hero? Firefighters in general
Favorite Eye Color? On men – green.
Best Vacation destination? Anywhere with museums
Food you can’t stand? Olives – texture.
What annoys you? ?Ill-fitting underwear
Coffee, tea, or something else? Coffee, two splenda.
Nightgown or Jammies? Tshirt and leggings.
Prefer dogs or cats? Dogs.
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Jessica Jefferson makes her home in northern Indiana, or as she likes to think of it – almost Chicago. Jess is heavily inspired by classic sweeping, historical romance novels, but aims to take those key emotional elements and inject a fresh blend of quick dialogue and comedy. She invites you to visit her at jessicajefferson.com and read more of her random romance musings.
The blurb about Compromising Miss Tisdale
Ambrosia Tisdale is the very picture of propriety and the epitome of what a respectable young lady should be. Haunted by a memory and compelled by her family, she pursues perfection to a fault.
At the behest of his uncle, Duncan is advised to do the one thing that could provide instant fortune and respectability—he must marry. But there is only one prospect who meets the unique requirements to solve all the Earl’s problems—the lovely Miss Ambrosia Tisdale. But securing the prudent daughter of a Viscount’s hand proves to be more challenging than this scandal-ridden second son of an Earl has bargained for.
With scandal, extortion, treachery, and even love itself threatening to keep him from his goal, will Duncan succeed or find himself compromised by Miss Tisdale?
Enjoy an excerpt from Compromising Miss Tisdale
He moaned against her mouth, a primal sort of groan. The sound was unfamiliar, filling her with fear and logic all at the same time, breaking the trance.
What had she done?
She was acting like a complete henwit! How could she have allowed some man, not even a gentleman, but a common man to reduce her to a weak-kneed, blabbering mess? Not even Amelia’s brother, James, with his roaming hands and sugary words, dripping with guile, had earned such a response from her.
Without warning, Ambrosia pushed him away with all the force her body could muster, sending him stumbling backward.
“What do you think you’re doing?” she shrieked.
He balked. Remnants of the passion shared just a moment ago lingering in his eyes, in his pained expression, in the tension in his body, and most prominently in his breeches. “I was kissing you. Surely, it’s obvious.”
“Why on earth would you do something like that?” Ambrosia took a step away from the door, arms akimbo.
“You said you’d rather not talk, and there aren’t that many alternatives. It made perfect sense at the time and I assumed you wouldn’t mind.”
Her mouth gaped at the absurdity of his words. “Why ever would you assume that?”
He shrugged. “You’re obviously not some young chit out for her debut. And you’re the one who found me. Naturally, I assumed-”
“Well you assumed wrong! I am a virtuous, younglady.”
“If you were that virtuous, you would have turned around as soon as you saw me.”
She crossed her arms over her chest. He had a point, but she wasn’t about to let him know that.
“You, sir, are a danger to women.”
He smiled. “I’ve always thought of myself as more of a gift, really.”
She rolled her eyes, an urge she rarely surrendered to, despite the regularity of her desire to do so. Ambrosia Tisdale prided herself on being the epitome of calm and refinement, not succumbing to base behaviors. But if ever there had been a situation to warrant such conduct, this was certainly it.
The exasperating man was watching her with obvious amusement, finding depraved enjoyment in their situation. He stood with that wicked smile—virile confidence oozing from every pore, with not one single drop of remorse.
Here’s how you can contact Jessica
http://www.JessicaJefferson.com
Follow at https//twitter.com/authorJessicaJ
Add to your Goodreads shelf at http://tinyurl.com/mfnbyk8
Thanks again, Jessica, for joining me here today.
Buy link
Purchase from Amazon for your Kindle – http://tinyurl.com/mr9auoa
