Interview with Author Jenna Petersen and Giveaway

Today I have the pleasure of having the incredible Jenna Petersen on the blog. Jenna is fabulous and one of my absolute favorite authors. Jenna was kind enough to answer some questions for me and I'm happy to share them with you all. 

First off, can you tell us a bit about you?

I'm a romance writer with over 20 books published by Avon, Orbit and independently. I live in Arizona, play video games, am an aunt to two fabulous nephews, cat mommy of two and wife of one.

Did you always want to be a writer?

Pretty much. I won a Young Authors competition in 5th grade, so I'd been writing before that and always aspired to write professionally after.

What kind of writer are you? Panster or Plotter?

Plotter, plotter, plotter.

Why historicals? What about this era draws you in?

I like the Regency era because there are tons of rules to break and lots of intrigue circling around. There's so much to play with in a very short era.

Where do your ideas come from?

I can never answer that question. I just get them. LOL

A la Twitter style, can you describe your book (or series) in 140 characters or less.

The Jordan series (available now on Kindle/Nook/Smashwords) is about a not-so-typical Regency family and their adventures in love.

I know you also write Zombie books under the name of Jesse Petersen, how you ever thought of adding Zombies to your historicals?

Nooooo.

Out of any of your books, which one would you like to be a character in? And why?

I'm not sure any. There's always so much drama in my stories. Right now I'm enjoying my own drama free (aside from writing) existance. I like to write my worlds, but I'm not sure I'd like to live in them.

What are some of your favorite kinds of stories to read?

I love romance, obviously and fantasy/zombie stories. I'm in a bookclub now with some friends in Arizona so I'm sort of forced marched into reading at least a book a month and lots of times it's a little out of my comfort zone (like literary or whatever). I'll try just about anything, really.

Do you have a favorite book and if so what is it?

Oh, that's like asking about favorite movies. I can't pick a favorite book because I love different books for different reasons.

Have you ever fallen for another author's hero? If so, who and why?

I think in the best books, you love the hero and like the heroine and there are definitely plenty of books where that's happened to me (Julia Quinn, Lisa Kleypas and Sabrina Jeffries all wrote books like that for me).

Belle of the Ball, Wallflower, or Widow?

I've been writing lots of widows lately I think just because I like a woman with some history and little missishness in the bedroom. I can make much more interesting bargains with widows.

Describe the characteristics that make up your perfect hero.

I like a powerful hero, but one with decent qualities. Sexy and sensual with some damage in the past. I do like to break them and then put them back together with love.

If you could have dinner with any three book characters, who would you choose and why?

Anne Shirley from Anne of Green Gables is my only for certain pick. Can we just hang out three times? I'm sure we'd be bosom friends.

If you could have dinner with any three authors, who would you choose and why?

I've been lucky enough to have dinner with lots of fun authors in my genre and out! That's why I love going to conferences, I get to see old friends and meet new ones. But I think there have been vows made never to tell those stories.

What do you like to do in your free time?

Right now we just got finished moving, so I've been unpacking and decorating our new home in most of my free time. When things are "normal" I'm a TV junkie, I love to read, I play video games, hang out with the hubby and now that I live near my nephews, spend lots of quality "best aunt ever" time. Oh and pet cats. Sometimes in conjunction with those other activities.

Favorite movie?

Can't pick, too many.

Favorite song?

I'm really into "Good Life" and "Pumped Up Kicks" right now. Oh and Adam Levine. Yum.

Favorite color?

Blue is still my go-to color.

Last question, are you working on anything right now?

I have a couple projects right now that will be going out to traditional publishers and I'll be starting work on a new series that I'll be publishing independently next year (probably in the spring or early summer). I've got a lot of work on my plate so lots to do.

Thank you so much for answering all my questions Jenna. I hope you all enjoyed this interview and rush out to pick up Jenna's books. They are truly awesome and you definitely won't be disappointed. Make sure to check out my reviews for The Secrets of a Lady and The Temptation of a Gentleman.

Audrey Jordan isn't your typical Regency lady. To escape unrequited feelings for her brother's best friend Griffin Berenger, she entered a life of a spy. But her current case has brought her back to the man she once loved and lost, a man who is now a broken widower. Audrey and her brother are stalking his neighbor, a man who may be plotting to kill the Prince. Staying in Griffin's home, Audrey is reminded of all the desires and feelings he once stirred in her. As for Griffin, he finds himself obsessed with Audrey, and driven to protect her even if it threatens her case.

But as their desire for each other grows, the case Audrey and her brother are investigating heats up. And if she cannot arrest the blackguard in her sights, she may not live, let alone get to live happily ever after with the man of her dreams.

| Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords | 

Noah Jordan misses the life he once led as a spy so when he's asked by his former superior to head to the countryside and investigate a potential murder, he jumps at the chance. He doesn't expect to meet Marion Hawthorne, a young woman his suspected murderer is interested in taking as his wife. In an effort to help her... and to get closer to the fascinating lady, Noah asks for her help in his investigation. But as they grow closer, their desire grows and suddenly Noah has a harder and harder time remembering any duty, any promise or any future he ever imagined without her.

| Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords |  

After Ginny Blanchard's abusive husband died, she looked forward to a more independent life where she could raise her young son as she pleased. But when Simon Webber is assigned as trustee to her estate and her son's fortune, she feels she must come up with a plan to force him from her life. But she doesn't count on sensual Simon's insistence that he not only take a role in her son's life but in her own.

But Ginny has dark and terrible secrets that she must hide. Even from the man she loves. And even if it puts her own life in terrible danger.

| Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Smashwords |

**Author Info**

Jenna Petersen knew she wanted to be a writer at a very young age and had a very specific image of what that meant. In her mind, she would live in Los Angeles (why not New York… who knows?), attend book signings, drive a very expensive car and date endlessly (and apparently, unsuccessfully). There was little actual writing involved in the fantasy.

Instead, she got a degree in Psychology from the University of Washington, married her high school sweetheart and moved to Central Illinois. There was much actual writing involved in the reality and she learned a lot in the years she waited to hear she sold a book. 

Jenna enjoys travel, history, live baseball, Bears and Eagles football, and of course, all things related to reading and writing. She runs a website for aspiring authors called The Passionate Pen, which has become a popular resource in the romance writing community. She also writes erotic romance under the pseudonym Jess Michaels and zombie comedy under the pseudonym Jesse Petersen. 

Places to find Jenna:
| Site | Blog | Facebook | Twitter | Passionate Pen | 

**Giveaway**

In honor of Jenna's visit I would like to giveaway an eBook copy of any of Jenna's books from her Jordan's series. The winner will have their choice of either The Secrets of a Lady, The Temptation of a Gentleman or The Desires of a Countess and the eBook will be purchased from Amazon.com. So make sure to fill out the Rafflecopter form for your chance to win.

Good Luck =)