A Q&A with Jane about Flirting with Fifty
Tell us a little bit about your book, FLIRTING WITH FIFTY. Is it connected at all to FLIRTING WITH FORTY?
No, there is no connection between the books. I think my publisher chose to go with Flirting with Fifty as a title because it features a woman turning fifty, but the title would also resonate with my readers who’d enjoyed Flirting with Forty.
Flirting with Fifty is about Paige, a strong, smart, successful divorced woman who is quite happy being single, and isn’t interested in dating or marriage because it would require compromising, and she’s done enough of that in her life. But in Paige’s desire to be safe, she’s also somewhat stuck and a little too risk-averse. Enter popular, handsome world traveler and renowned scientist Dr. Jack King, and everything changes pretty quickly. And probably far too quickly for our cautious Paige!
Do you have a favorite character in FLIRTING WITH FIFTY?
I always love a great hero, and Jack is certainly a great hero. He’s smart, witty, kind, and interesting—and while he isn’t a classic alpha, he’s still very strong and able to handle himself in all kinds of environments which I find sexy. I love that men—like women—get more interesting as they get older and I’ve loved writing mature men in this series.
Favorite secondary character?
Probably Elizabeth, Paige’s best friend. They grew up together in Paso Robles and both became professors, although Elizabeth is an English professor and Paige is math professor. I love women’s friendships, and friendships that go back years where you really know someone, and can poke fun of someone, and make someone laugh. Friendship can save a soul—and we need our girlfriends, especially as we keep ‘growing up.’ but also truly care about that person, wanting the best for them.
What do you hope readers will get out of your book?
I would like to remind my readers that they’re never too old to love, to fall in love, or to feel cherished and valuable. I worry that mature women in our Western society aren’t treated with as much respect and appreciation as they should be. America, particularly, is a very commercial, consumer society that elevates youth and beauty over wisdom and maturity. But truthfully, a mature woman is incredibly inspiring, interesting, and exciting. I want my books to empower women, and validate them, whether they’re single or married, dating or grieving. I don’t want to sound preachy, but women deserve entertainment that makes them feel good.
If you could only pick one of your books, other than this one, for a romance reader unfamiliar with your work, which one would you pick? And why?
I think Flirting with the Beast, the second book in my Modern Love series from Berkley, is a book that is very me, and a great introduction to my stories. I also have a huge soft spot for my Rita nominated story, Miracle on Chance Avenue, as it’s an achy breaky kind of story, where two people desperately need, and deserve, an HEA, and they desperately need, and deserve, each other. I love books where love is fated…and where the hero and heroine can’t have their happy ever after until they meet each other.
Giveaway!
For a chance to win a Flirting with Fifty giveaway, tell us what you’ve learned as you’ve matured. What is something you appreciate now that you didn’t before? Winner announced one week from today.
