Hiya, readers! It's my pleasure to welcome my friend Jenna Jaxon to the blog today ~ Jenna's sharing an excerpt from her latest Betrothal (isn't that a yummy cover?!?) and answering my
invasive simple questions! On with the interview!
Kristina: What do you wear when you're writing?
Jenna: Right now I’m wearing one of my hubby’s oversized tee shirts. But I’ve been known to wear everything from work attire, to pajamas, to sexy lingerie (for inspiration purposes LOL) It really depends on where I am and how the mood strikes me. But I will say, I do enjoy writing in lingerie. Gives me that fun “naughty” feeling. ;p
Kristina: *snorfle* Inspirational purposes, indeed... When was the last time you argued with one of your characters? And were you caught by a real person?
Jenna: I tend to not argue with them much--it does no good because I usually let them have their way. LOL One of the few times was actually with Betrothal. Thomas kept wanting to be more snarky and I kept trying to pull him back. The result is that he’s snarky as hell in this book to the point some readers don’t like him. I’m hoping that will improve in the next book.
Kristina: I actually like a bit of snark...looking forward to those bits! How do you keep gremlins – like your family – out of your office/writing habitat?
Jenna: It doesn’t happen. They come in willy nilly, turn on the TV and make themselves comfortable no matter how much I scream. I sometimes stay late at my day job, just to get the uninterrupted time I need. But shhhh. They don’t know that’s what I’m doing there. ;D
Kristina: Have you ever taken your frustrations with the Real World out on your characters?
Jenna: Never. That’s what families are for. LOL My characters are extensions of myself in some ways. I definitely don’t want to beat up on myself!
Kristina: bahaha! Have to admit, when the WIPs are swimming along, I *do* get a little snippy with the family. :( If you could be one character from this book, who would it be? And why?
Jenna: Alyse--hands down. I’m as much in love with Geoffrey as she is. He’s my KISA (knight in shining armor) and if I could ride off into the sunset with him, I’d do it in a heartbeat. He’s the perfect hero so I’d absolutely want to be his heroine.
Blurb for Betrothal:
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?
Excerpt for Betrothal:
“What do you require of me, Majesty?” Her mouth so dry she could taste sand, Alyse fought to speak in a normal tone. With a sigh of relief, she dropped into a deep curtsy, hiding her face in the folds of her skirt. If only she could remain bowed thus before His Majesty for the remainder of the evening.
King Edward laughed. “Obedience, Lady Alyse, as I require of all my subjects. As your father requires of his daughter.”
Her heart thumped wildly in her breast. That could mean but one thing.
“Rise, my lady.”
She did so on unsteady feet. “I am ready, as always, Your Majesty, to obey my father as I would you.”
Holy Mary, let it be Lord Braeton.
King Edward lifted an eyebrow toward Alyse. “A very pretty answer, my lady. And are you ready to accept your father’s decree for your betrothal? His messenger has today reached me with the contract, as I am to stand in his stead in this matter.”
Alyse took a deep breath and hoped her voice did not tremble. “Yea, Majesty, I will obey my father.”
King Edward nodded and leaned over to whisper something to Queen Phillipa, who sat beside him, heavy with their twelfth child.
Mere seconds before she learned her fate. She could scarce affect an indifferent pose before the court when inside every inch of her quivered with anticipation of the name. His name, pray God, on the king’s lips.
Thomas.
In her mind, she heard the word.
The king straightened, glanced at her then at the man by her side.
“What say you then, Sir Geoffrey? Does the lady not speak fair? I vow she will make you a proper wife and a dutiful one as well.”
Alyse turned, until that moment unaware that Geoffrey Longford stood beside her. Chills coursed down her body as the king’s words echoed in her mind. The sensation of falling backward assailed her, as though she rushed away from the tall man at her side even as his figure loomed larger and larger in her sight.
Not Lord Braeton.
Her numbed brain repeated the phrase, trying to comprehend that instead he would be her husband. Geoffrey Longford.
God have mercy on me, for by the look of him, this man will not.
Fearful, she cringed as her gaze climbed higher, over his chest, over his chin, finally resting on the dark blue eyes turned toward her.
Geoffrey returned her appraisal, his gaze sweeping her figure as a smile crept over his face. “Your Majesty.” He spoke to the king but his attention remained fixed on Alyse. “When my father told me of the betrothal contract before I left his home, I resolved to play the dutiful son. Now, however, I find I do not wish to act that role after all.” His eyes held hers as he paused.
Dear God, does he mean to renounce me here before the entire court?
Alyse stared at the man beside her, willing herself to remain upright, despite the waves of ice and fire alternating through her body.
“Now I find I would rather play the ardent lover.”
An amused murmur ran through the Hall at his words. Sir Geoffrey grinned, his eyes sparkling with humor and something more. Despite the uneven light, Alyse saw an unfathomable promise in their dark depths. She took a shaky breath and looked away.
All 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.
Buy the Book:
Amazon Smashwords
More Books by Jenna Jaxon:
Betrothal--Historical Romance
Only Scandal Will Do--Historical Romance
7 Days of Seduction--Contemporary Erotic Romance
Almost Perfect--Contemporary Erotic Romance
Hog Wild--Contemporary Erotic Romance
Heart of Deception--Historical Romance
