When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
I began writing poetry as a teen, but the romance-writing bug didn’t bite me until much later. I seriously got into it several years ago, completed three manuscripts (burned one of them—it was that bad) and still have the other two in a boot box that I use as a footrest, and occasional cat bed, under my desk. One day, I’ll dust them off and give them a shine.
How long does it take you to write a book?
*sighs* I’m a slow writer, and a chronic self-editor. It’s been pounded into my head to “get the first rough draft down, then go back and edit it,” but I find myself reading from page one each day before I move on, to get the total feel of the work in progress.
What do you think is the best way of publishing a book these days?
For me, as a first time author, it was going with an established publisher, and I liked what Entangled Publishing had to offer with their business model. It’s a decision I haven’t regretted for a moment. For those who have the time, money, and knowledge—and established reader base—self-publishing would be a great way to go, as well.
Where do you get your information or ideas for your books?
I believe in the tried and true, “Write what you know.” I’m a nurse, so writing about people in the medical field works out well, but ideas and solutions can come from the most unexpected places. I had been tossing around the idea for a story about a cage fighter (long before they became so popular) and wanted a unique twist to his story, and a softer, unexpected side to his personality that totally conflicted with the man in the octagon. What made him a fighter? During a hospital in-service on Pediatric Head Trauma, it hit me. His younger sister had survived Shaken Baby Syndrome, with resulting brain damage. The last ¾ of the lecture consisted of furiously scribbling down plot points on the power point hand out.
When did you write your first book?
This is telling my age, LOL. I pounded out my first book on a manual typewriter in the late ‘80’s. (It’s one of the two in the boot box)
What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
Read.
What was one of the most surprising things you learned in creating your books?
That there were many times when the characters didn’t like the way the story was going. I would find myself stopping and thinking, Gabe wouldn’t do that, or, that isn’t what Beth would say. For some reason, when I started writing, I thought I was in control. Heh. So much for thinking! It’s much like when my boys were little and I’d tell them, “I’ll be glad when you grow up and I can be the boss.”
How many books have you written? Which is your favorite?
I’ve completed four manuscripts, burned the one, and published one. So far, the published one, Playing Doctor, is my favorite. I love Beth and Gabe, the struggles they’ve over come, the path they’re on now. They’ve whispered to me that they have one more chapter to tell, and they’d like it to happen in the story with the cage fighter and Beth’s BFF, Connie. We’re working on it for them
Can you tell me, and your readers something about your main characters?
Beth Roberts, RN, is a survivor of domestic violence—her late spouse suffered PTSD after serving in Afghanistan. Four years ago, a final act of violence resulted in the loss of her unborn child, the ability to conceive another, and later that night, his own life, as well. Dr. Gabriel North suffers with the guilt for the negligence he believes caused the death of his wife two years earlier. They meet at a wedding where Beth’s teen-aged son is the photographer, and Gabe is a member of the wedding party. Though neither are looking for romance, they are immediately attracted to each other, agree to a one-night-stand. What they don’t expect is the way it changes their lives.
Do you hear from your readers much? What kinds of things do they say?
(This is a tricky one. The link to the review, you may or may not want to use, but it was awesome!)
As this is my first release, my fan base is only just sprouting, but there is one review that left me humbled: http://www.wtfareyoureading.com/2013/11/flaunt-little-passion-with-playing.html#sthash.UmuAMPxT.dpuf
What do you think makes a good story? What are your favorite book genres in writing and reading? Why?
I think a good story has to have the right balance of conflict, realistic characters and passion. There has to be a push-pull, will we or won’t we to keep you turning the page to see what happens next. I also love a story with humor and great secondary characters. Most of all, it has to be all wrapped up in the end, no loose ends. I’m not a big fan of cliff hangers and waiting a year for the next of three or four books to get to the end of the story.
I love reading about a sexy, totally alpha hero who isn’t afraid to show his gentler side, who lets his woman know exactly what he wants, but makes sure to give her everything she needs as he takes it. I love a great “story” with hot, smexy times between the characters. I want to know the story behind the characters, what makes them who they are, why they do the things they do.
I’m a fan of contemporary, erotic and paranormal romances.
Who are you favorite authors to read?
Straight up—Sherrilyn Kenyon! Her world building ability is, well, out of this world! I love her tortured characters and the sarcasm that comes along with them. Anne Calhoun slays me. Her stories stay with me for months after I’ve read her books. Taryn Kinkaid knocks me out. Her Sleepy Hollow series are smoking hot, as well as laugh out loud funny. Heather Long’s Always a Marine series brings me to my knees. The sensitivity and respect her characters show one another is unbelievable. Nora Roberts, Robin Covington, Laura Kaye…the list goes on and on.
Now that we know a little about Jan, check out her new release from Entangled Publishing.
Blurb
When a fellow RN jokingly predicts that Beth Roberts will meet a tall, ripped and totally lick-o-licious stranger who will fulfill her deepest desires, it’s supposed to be from across a crowded room, not giving CPR to a wedding guest. Given her tragic love life, Beth has no desire to become involved again, but who could have predicted the ponytailed doctor with the mischievous smile would break through her defenses?
Dr. Gabriel North blamed himself for his wife’s death. Now, after two years of battling guilt and meaningless hookups, he’s ready to move on. When he sees the sexy brunette at his friend’s wedding, his attraction is swift and strong, and he wastes no time in pressing his advantage. One night with the woman who makes him feel alive again isn’t enough, but gaining her trust is going to take more than medical school has prepared him for.
Excerpt
No fucking way.
Yep, there she was, those curvaceous hips leaning against the front fender of a classic black on blue, ’69 Super Sport Chevelle. The car shouted muscle, power, and attitude, all waiting to be unleashed at her will, controlled by her hands. His brain took an instant dive for the gutter, suffused with juvenile images of steamy windows and the car rocking on its springs while Beth straddled him in the back seat and rode him to sweet oblivion. Sweet hell, he couldn’t decide which one he wanted to get his hands on first.
“So, how would you like to do this?”
On the hood. In the back seat. Up against the door. Gabe’s lust muddled brain tossed out one sexual scenario after the other. However, the curious look on Beth’s face and the way she twirled the set of keys on her forefinger suggested she’d meant something else altogether, and she appeared to be waiting for an answer. Right. Drinks in the city.
“Why don’t I follow you to your hotel, drop off your car and we can take mine from there?” There was no point in making a return trip to the estate for one of the vehicles, because any way they did it, Beth would end up making the drive back to the city alone. There was no way he was sending a woman out by herself, in the dark, in unfamiliar territory.
The keys made another circle on her finger, and then snapped against her palm. She looked at him, no expression, just her blue eyes locked on his, and then said, “That works for me.”
Gabe blew out a breath and gave the muscle car one last covetous look. Man, he’d love to get behind all that power just once. As if reading his mind, Beth grinned, held out her hand and offered him a set of keys with a small tag on the ring that read, My foot and your ass need to meet. Her brow quirked. “Would you like to drive mine?”
“Oh, yeah.” They exchanged keys.
“I’m betting you know how to handle a stick.”
“I’ve never had any complaints.” He tossed the keys in his hand. The pink stain on her cheeks acknowledged the sexual innuendo. The flash of heat in her eyes said she was interested. Yeah, things were looking up.
“He likes a soft foot on the clutch and a heavy one on the gas.” Her voice was a little breathy, an octave lower than usual. He might not make it through the drink.
“I’ll be gentle.”
She smoothed her hand over the fender, but her eyes remained steady on his. “Don’t be, he likes it rough.”
Oh, fuck yeah.
Where To Buy
Where To Find Jan
Thank you for having me on your blog today!
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