Let’s give a warm welcome to one of our favorites here at RNTV – Guest Author Jenna Petersen. Jenna’s new book Her Notorious Viscount is already on the shelves; and if you haven’t yet had a chance to read it, check out Andrea’s review
Andrea was lucky enough to interview Jenna – so without further ado… here’s Jenna:
RNTV: In HER NOTORIOUS VISCOUNT, the hero, Nicholas Stoneworth, is a pugilist in the London underground who becomes a viscount. You’ve said “ Nicholas’s life as a pugilist tapped into a passion of mine.” Can you tell us more about this passion of yours?
JENNA PETERSEN: I’m a huge, huge MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) fan. I love UFC and follow all the blogs about the fighters. My husband and I get every Pay-Per-View event, at my insistence. Last year for my birthday, I insisted upon dragging my parents to a sports bar in Seattle to watch an event (which they seemed to enjoy, so yay). Basically, I’m a fighter junkie. I love the raw intensity of the sport, I love the heart of the fighters, I love the dedication required for training. I just love everything about it. So writing a hero who had some of those qualities that I respected so much, plus getting to write a bit about fighting… heaven!!
RNTV: As an author when a character ‘taps’ into your passions, is it more exciting to write his or her story?
JENNA PETERSEN: Sure! I think it has to be a bit more exciting. Though, honestly, I think every book I’ve written has been a passion of mine. I couldn’t write a book I wasn’t excited and anxious and thrilled about. It’s just too much work if there isn’t love there to keep me going. However, it was really fun writing about the fight scenes (like when Nicholas shows Jane how to throw a punch or when he gets surrounded in the Underground and is injured). I had a strong reference point from my love of the sport to go from.
RNTV: How much research about boxing did you have to do for this one?
JENNA PETERSEN: Not a lot really. There was basic time period research about the sport, but since we never saw Nicholas actually in a match, that was more for my reference. In the end, I just took what I know about fighting and incorporated that into what I wrote. So stance, attack, the idea of a fight as a cerebral thing when done right… all that came from just watching fights for so many years.
RNTV: This story features a rough-around-the-edges hero and selfless heroine. Was it challenging writing these two characters – did their differences feed their chemistry as characters?
JENNA PETERSEN: I think they did. Definitely it gives them something to butt heads about. Every time Jane tries to make him a “better” man, he resists, but she doesn’t give him much quarter, either. I really loved the supper scene where he was giving her such trouble and she puts him in his place with a two-word comeback.
I think Jane’s character is really very subtle in her strength, but it’s there and that ends up making her a very good match for Nicholas and gives them a lot in common. They’ve both lost so much, their hearts have been broken, but neither one is the type of person to fold up and collapse. When Nicholas starts to see that strength in Jane… that’s when he really starts to love her and respect her. That’s the moment when I knew (and I hope readers know) that this is a couple that will survive the hard times and come out stronger together.
So they look different, but in very important ways, they are similar.
RNTV: Our readers love the “behind the scenes” tidbits of books. Do you have any to share from HER NOTORIOUS VISCOUNT?
JENNA PETERSEN: Actually… I do! I originally wrote a story very similar to this one (the hero was a twin, his twin died, he inherited the title and needed to be trained back into Society by the heroine) way before I published. Something was really “off” with it, though. I never felt like it worked. It took me forever to write it, I stopped and started (not common for me) and it just… didn’t work.
It was really the moment where I realized Nicholas was a fighter and I gave Jane a really compelling reason why she would agree to his demands that it clicked. I had the original draft all ready to use, but in the end, I wrote an entirely new story from scratch with that same sort of very loosely based set up. I think it’s one of those things where I wasn’t ready as a writer for the story when the concept came to me. So I’m glad I got to have it come later because it’s a book I’m very proud of.
RNTV: What’s next for you and Jess Michaels?
JENNA PETERSEN: Jess and I (LOL) are busy! In a little less than a week (April 21), my next Jess Michaels book TABOO will be in stores. If you’ve read EVERYTHING FORBIDDEN and SOMETHING RECKLESS, you’ll recognize some of the characters from those stories in this book, though it isn’t an “Albright Sisters” book, it does take place in their world. In it my heroine, Cassandra, is a famous seamstress who also designs sensual “toys” on the side. My hero, Nathan, is the man she abandoned years before, back to obtain his revenge via blackmail. It’s very sexy and got a Top Pick from RT (my first solo Top Pick ever).
Then in November, my next Jenna Petersen book is out. It’s called WHAT THE DUKE DESIRES and it starts a new series called “The Billingham Bastards”. I’ll be putting more information about the book and the series at my website in May. And the next two books in that series were just contracted. You’ll see them in 2010/2011 (I’d guess).
In February 2010, my next Jess Michaels book, NOTHING DENIED will be out. This is the last book in my Albright Sisters series and centers around Beatrice, the spoilt, bitchy sister. I actually turned in the book today!
So lots coming up that I hope readers love!
RNTV: Thanks so much Jenna for taking the time to answer our questions.
Stick around because Jenna will be around today to answer any questions you might have!
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Stacy ~
on Apr 15th, 2009
@ 6:37 am:
Welcome Jenna! I’m a fan of your work, especially the Jess Michaels books (but you know that already *g*). I’m so looking forward to”Taboo”.
Do you see yourself ever writing contemporaries, or do you plan on sticking with historicals? That’s no problem for me, as I adore historicals. Have you ever pitched an idea for a story that wasn’t accepted? Or have an idea for a book/series that you’ve always wanted to do but haven’t found the right time/setting as of yet? Writers always make me so curious.
Good luck with your latest JP book – I can’t wait to read it! And great interview Andrea!
Marisa
on Apr 15th, 2009
@ 7:31 am:
Hi Jenna! I’m so glad you’re back with us on RNTV – Congratulations on your new release HNV.
I love your ‘behind’ the scenes story. I’m wondering if you ever throw anything away. What I mean is, when you’re writing something that is not working and you ‘delete’ it from your book, do you save bits and pieces and then perhaps find a place where they will eventually work? Or are you a mercenary and hack and delete at will with no looking back?
Buffie
on Apr 15th, 2009
@ 8:04 am:
Hey Jenna *waving* It is so great to have you with us today! I can’t wait to get my hands on both books this month! I’ve loved everything you have published so I know I’ll love these too.
How did you come to love watching fights?
Andrea — great interview!!
PJ
on Apr 15th, 2009
@ 8:36 am:
Welcome, Jenna! I’m looking forward to reading your newest just as soon as I get a free moment.
Terrific interview, Andrea!
Jenna Petersen
on Apr 15th, 2009
@ 9:03 am:
Hi everyone! Glad to be here again, though a small clarification… HER NOTORIOUS VISCOUNT is already out and available in stores everywhere! TABOO hits stores next Tuesday under my Jess Michaels name!
Stacy — Kate Smith and I were just talking about this yesterday, actually. Have I ever gotten a contemporary or paranormal or even YA idea…. sure. But I don’t get them regularly and I’ve never gotten one that came with a strong, undeniable compulsion to write it regardless of anything else. That’s how I feel when I get an idea (or twenty) for a historical. I have to write it, I need to write it. I think that means that historical is my passion and I’m sticking to that. I’ve been lucky that Avon has been on board for pretty much everything I’ve wanted to write. I think they may have been hesitant on one idea for Jess Michaels way back but I had other ideas so that worked out better (I ended up writing EVERYTHING FORBIDDEN, which seems like a favorite for most of the Jess Michaels “Fans”). Otherwise, if I’ve pitched it, they’ve been on board with it. Which is nice because usually by the time I’m pitching something, I’m prettty stoked about it. LOL
Marisa — Actually I just had something like this happen with my February book, NOTHING DENIED. I’d put a scene in the end of the book that didn’t really work and I ended up cutting it out and moving it up, just trying to sort of layer it in in a place where it made more sense. I very rarely completely cut something out, though it’s known to happen. I’ve changed the POV of a scene before which also poses some unique challenges.
Buffie — My husband and I briefly watched UFC in its “bad old days” when it was really a no rules sport. We faded away from it but then years ago we started watching again because a friend was a big fan. The UFC is owned by different people now and they treat it as a sport, which it is. Rules, protections for the fighters, it’s no longer the wild, wild west over there. Once I started, I was hooked.
PJ — Hope you enjoy it!
Jenna Petersen
on Apr 15th, 2009
@ 9:48 am:
P.S. — HER NOTORIOUS VISCOUNT has just hit the Bookscan Bestseller list for the second week, so thanks to everyone who has picked it up!
Buffie
on Apr 15th, 2009
@ 9:57 am:
Jenna, I forgot to mention that I love both of these covers. The girl on the HNV cover resembles Angelina Jole . . . at least I think so.
Andrea
on Apr 15th, 2009
@ 10:08 am:
Jenna!!! Welcome back, my dear! Huge congrats on the release and hitting the Bookscan list for two weeks for HER NOTORIOUS VISCOUNT!! I’m so very happy for you.
And I am soooooooo looking forward to the release of TABOO! Can’t wait.
Buffie, I said the same thing to Jenna–the heroine on the cover really looks like Angelina!
Jenna Petersen
on Apr 15th, 2009
@ 10:10 am:
Yes, I’ve heard that from several people about Angelina Jolie. She’s not really my favorite, so I don’t see it, but I do love the cover! I think it’s very sexy in an understated way which I love!
Joy
on Apr 15th, 2009
@ 10:20 am:
Wanted to let you know that I LOVED your book, Her Notorious Viscount. Thanks for a really good read.
Jenna Petersen
on Apr 15th, 2009
@ 10:23 am:
Oh thank you so much, Joy! I’m so glad you enjoyed it!!
Maria Lokken
on Apr 15th, 2009
@ 11:16 am:
Wow Jenna, I would never have imagined you as a fight fan. That certainly puts a different spin on things.
Congratulations on your new release.
Laura
on Apr 15th, 2009
@ 11:28 am:
Hi Jenna,
I have not read HNV yet, but have it in my pile of tbr books. I am looking forward to it, this will be my first one of your books. I have to admit, I am not a fighting fan, but I do understand the fasination with it. There is something to be said about all that male raw power. I am a fan of the alpha male. I love the idea of the big powerful man fighting for his women physically. My sister would be rolling her eyes at that comment. She is a major I AM WOMEN HEAR ME ROAR type of gal, but I think you can be that way and still have the alpha male.
Jenna Petersen
on Apr 15th, 2009
@ 1:09 pm:
Hi Laura,
Well, I have to say that I wouldn’t classify Jane (the heroine) as a fading flower by any stretch. She is quite capable of holding her own with Nicholas.
B. G. Sanford
on Apr 15th, 2009
@ 2:08 pm:
Jenna, It’s amazing that as a romantic writer, you also are an avid fight fan. Having just finished my new book, ( Beth: Love Along The Way ) due for release in May, I really got into the love affair portion rather than the married portion. Beth, the main character in the book actually was in a couple of bad marriages and had a knee jerk reaction to the fighting that came with those marriages. Fortunately she became involved in an amazing love affair that changed her in such a positive manner.
I enjoy your work!
B. G. Sanford
Jenna Petersen
on Apr 15th, 2009
@ 5:40 pm:
Thanks so much for having me today! This was fun! Hope everyone enjoys the book if you pick it up!
Marisa
on Apr 15th, 2009
@ 6:02 pm:
Jenna thanks so much for joining us today!
orannia
on Apr 15th, 2009
@ 9:36 pm:
I know I’m late but….wonderful interview Jenna & Andrea – thank you! Am eagerly looking forward to reading Her Notorious Viscount Jenna, and the heroine who you’ve described as very subtle in her strength sounds right up my alley
Caffey
on Apr 15th, 2009
@ 11:09 pm:
So much to look forward to from you Jenna! I love both the Avon Romance and the Avon Heat books! I’m making notes too to watch for this upcoming series too. Do you work on one book at a time or if you are stuck, are you able to go to another book to work on it?
I did see TABOO coming, and wondered if more to come from Avon Red in the future?
So great to chat with you!
Jenna Petersen
on Apr 16th, 2009
@ 10:01 am:
I will actually have another Avon Red out next February. NOTHING DENIED is the last in my “Albright Sisters” series. It features the spoilt sister Beatrice. I just turned it in.