JENNA JAXON'S IN THE BLUE ROSE WRITNG ROOM TODAY!

Today, I have the fabulous Jenna Jaxon, author of Betrothal, in the Blue Rose Writing Room.

Welcome Jenna!

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Jenna will be giving away three copies of Betrothal to random commenters. Be sure to leave your email address when you comment!

Do you use a pen name/pseudo name? If so, why. If not, why did you decide to write under your own name?

Jenna Jaxon is a pen name that I use because I’m a teacher and I’d prefer not to have my students reading my work and bringing it up in class. Which you know good and well they would do. And then I might lose my job. As much as I’d like to be a full-time writer, that’s not going to happen for a few years I think.

I’m a teacher too, so I understand completely. Tell, us, how long have you been writing?

I’ve been writing romance for four and a half years. I’ve been writing creatively since I was in third grade. In-between I took creative writing classes and did some academic writing, although I never published until the romance bug bit me. J

Yeah, and once it bites you. . . What’s one thing you absolutely can’t tolerate during your writing? One thing you can’t write without?

If I’m seriously writing I have to have quiet. No music, no televison, nothing. And I cannot write without a cup of something. Usually tea, but it can be water, soft drink, Bailey’s Irish Cream (yes, I have done that). I just need to drink.

I’m with you; total quiet. Hubby doesn’t get it though. What’s one place you absolutely want to visit before you die?

I have actually been to most of the places I’ve wanted to go. About the only ones left are Australia and India.

I’m determined to make it to Australia too. I’m amazed how many of my guests also want to go to Australian. So, 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?

The genre kind of chose me. I hadn’t read any romance in at least 20 years and I picked up Kathleen Woodiwiss’s last novel, Everlasting. I read it and loved it and decided historical romance is what I wanted to write. I’ve also written erotic contemporary romance–sort of by fluke–although historical is definitely where I feel my calling. I do, however, have a couple of erotics in the works and a contemporary foodie romance I want to finish next year.

Kathleen Woodiwiss. That’s how I got started too, though it was over 30 years ago. I actually named my daughter after the heroine in the Flame and the Flower. Yes, she knows.

What historical figure do you wish you could have met?
That is such a hard question! Just one? Probably I wish I could have met a young King Henry VIII. I’d love to experience his charisma and maybe be seduced by it. He did a lot of seducing. He was so brilliant and ruthless. Such a winning combination.

He was something else, wasn’t he? How do you respond to negative reviews?
I either don’t read them or I just ignore them. That’s really all an author can do these days if they don’t want to be attacked. You have to grow a really thick skin in this business. Mine’s still thickening. (I also pull up Glee’s music video of “Loser Like Me” sometimes. Such a great song!)

Thick skin, good attitude, and a realization readers have different tastes. So, what is something you are determined to do?

Go up in a hot air balloon. (I’m deathly afraid of heights!)

I’m afraid of heights too. I have no intention of ever, ever, going up in a hot air balloon. Ever!

Do you have a favorite quote?
“You can fix crap; you can’t fix nothing.” Judi McCoy, romance author.

Chuckling. That’s great!

Okay, now for the quickie questions: Answer in three words or less. Ready? Go!

Favorite Disney Character? Woody from Toy Story

Favorite Fruit? Pink Lady Apples
Favorite Hero? Jamie Fraser from Outlander
Favorite Eye Color? Blue
Best Vacation destination? Ireland
Food you can’t stand? Water Chestnuts
What annoys you? Technology
Coffee, tea, or something else? Tea
Nightgown or Jammies? Tee-Shirt
Prefer dogs or cats? Cats

A bit of information about Jenna

Jenna Jaxon is a multi-published author of historical and contemporary romance. Her historical romance, Only Scandal Will Do, the first in a series of five interconnecting novels, was released in July 2012. Her contemporary works include Hog Wild, Almost Perfect, and 7 Days of Seduction. She is a PAN member of Romance Writers of America as well as a member of Chesapeake Romance Writers. Her medieval romance, Time Enough to Love, is being published this summer as a series of three novellas. The first book, Betrothal, released on April 19th.

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. When not reading or writing, she indulges her passion for the theatre, working with local theatres as a director. She often feels she is directing her characters on their own private stage.

She has equated her writing to an addiction to chocolate because once she starts she just can’t stop.

Collette here chuckling. I so understand the chocolate addition!

The blurb about Betrothal, Book 1 of Time Enough to Love

Lady Alyse de Courcy has fallen in love with Lord Braeton, a nobleman in King Edward III’s court and a man to whom she has barely spoken. Fate, however, has decreed her betrothal to his best friend, Sir Geoffrey Longford—a handsome and imposing knight, yet hardly the man she wants to wed.

When Sir Geoffrey is bound in betrothal by his father, he could not have expected the beautiful stranger to win his heart the moment they meet. Nevertheless, the fascinating Lady Alyse has done exactly that, and his feelings for her only grow as he learns more of her gentle yet spirited nature. But Alyse’s infatuation with his friend casts doubt on whether she can ever return his regard and their wedding day is fast approaching…

Will he have time enough to win her love?

My Review of Betrothal

Oh, I do so enjoy a good medieval and Betrothal delivered.

Ms. Jaxon takes us into the English Court with all its pomp and ceremony, along with strict rituals and rigid behavioral expectations. Her fabulous descriptions make the reader feel they are eating from the trenches, sipping the wine, and watching the jousting and dancing.

I especially enjoyed the historical language and attention to historical detail so brilliantly weaved throughout the story.

Lady Alyse is a seventeen year-old attendant to the princess, and as the story begins, she’s newly betrothed to Geoffrey, though it’s his good friend Thomas she’s enamored with. She’s not at all sure what to think of the man who will become her husband in two short weeks.

Geoffrey, a giant of a man, jealousy guards the woman who’s set his blood on fire from their first touch. He’s torn between his attraction to her and is inability to wholly trust her.

Betrothal is a quick, enjoyable read. My only criticism is the ending came to soon for me, though I realize the book is part of a series.

Anyone who enjoys a tantalizing historical romance, should read Betrothal. It won’t disappoint.

A rank Betrothal a solid four roses.

JENNA JAXON'S IN THE BLUE ROSE WRITNG ROOM TODAY! 3

Enjoy an excerpt from Betrothal, Book 1 of Time Enough to Love

He kissed her hand and wound her arm through the crook of his as he led her away from the chapel toward Princess Joanna’s apartments. Although she was loath to admit it, his words, as well as his attentions, had soothed her ruffled feelings. She smiled inwardly to think that his regard for her ran so deep. A quick peek at him from lowered lids showed her his countenance bore a smile also. They seemed to have come far in but two days’ time.

As they approached the door of the Princess’s chamber, he turned and took both her hands. “My lady, I have news that I would share with you.”

He seemed both solemn and excited by whatever message he had brought. It had to be news indeed, for she had heard nothing, either last night or this morning, that would touch upon them. This mystery so bemused her that she almost failed to see him lean down, bringing his mouth mere inches from hers. She gasped, snatched her hands from his and ducked around him before he could draw closer.

“Would you share something else besides news, Sir Geoffrey?”

“That I would, little maid.” He spun around before she could back away. He darted his hand out to secure hers again and raised it to his mouth. “It seems, however, that I must be content with this.” He grazed her skin with his lips, skimming over the surface of her flesh with a floating touch that made her shiver. “And with my news. You know the king called for a joust, a Round Table, at Windsor next week to celebrate the princess’s betrothal?”

Alyse nodded and frowned. The mere thought of jousting sent a quiver of dread down her spine. But his statement was hardly news; the court had been preparing for the tournaments for weeks.

“It has been decreed by His Majesty that on the first day the festivities will begin with a procession of ladies and knights of King Arthur’s court, starting at the Tower of London and winding through the town out to the lists. There are to be twenty-five knights on the king’s side who will joust and fight in a pas d’armes. So there needs be twenty-five ladies as well, to escort them to the field.”

She nodded again. “Princess Joanna rides in this procession.” Her part in the festivities had been determined last week. Did he have anything truly new to impart?

“You have been chosen to be one of the ladies.”

Alyse’s mouth dropped open and a thrill coursed through her. “But I am only Princess Joanna’s attendant, Sir Geoffrey. Usually such honors are reserved for the queen and Princess Isabella’s ladies, or the Duchesses and Countesses in the Royal Family. Why did they choose me?”

“Because I am to be one of the knights, and I begged a boon of the king to allow you to be my lady.”

She stared at him in shock, almost unbelieving, though she knew he would not lie about such a thing. To think she owed such an honor to the man she would soon call husband, that he had asked the king himself to grant the favor, made her heart beat an unsteady march in her chest. Alyse parted her lips to thank him when he swooped forward, secured her chin in his hand and kissed her.