Spreading Some Love: Jeffe Kennedy

This is the new version, recently republished under her own name.

I promised that today I would talk about someone other than me. But in order to tell you about Jeffe Kennedy, I have to tell you a little story–and yeah, I’m in it, too.

I am a sucker for fairy-tale retellings, and a new take on Beauty and the Beast will always have my attention. I came across a book called Petals and Thorns by Jennifer Paris (Jeffe’s pseudonym at the time), so I bought it and read it. The genre was a little different from the typical retake of fairy tales. It was an erotic BDSM story.

And it was beautiful. Not for the faint-of-heart or the prudish, but the prose was gorgeous, and the story was lovely. I started following the author’s blog. When she wrote a post about how she was hesitant (because of the genre) to announce her book to her college alumni association so they could put it in the newsletter, I felt moved to comment. She had nothing to be ashamed of, because the book was beautiful, completely aside from genre. She should be proud and tell everyone. She said I made her day. From then on, I kept an eye on her, and I hoped to follow her lead in publishing success.

This all happened while Monster in My Closet was out on submission with Carina. Imagine my surprise when she announced a new release from Carina Press, Sapphire, a few days before I got the call making me offer. Weird, huh? That book was also an erotic BDSM, and I enjoyed it, too.

Before I tell you the next cool thing, I have to tell you this: If you enjoyed or are considering reading the 50 Shades series, I implore you to read Jeffe’s books instead. They are far, far better written, and much more enjoyable.

So, fast forward another year, and Jeffe has another book, Rogue’s Pawn. This one is a full length novel, and a different genre: Paranormal romance. Much closer to my genre, this time. And it released two weeks before mine. Also, it’s the beginning of the Covenant of Thorns series.

Of course, I read it. I loved it. It’s got fairies and hot guys and a wonderful heroine. In fact, here’s the blurb:

This is no fairy tale…

Haunted by nightmares of a black dog, sick to death of my mind-numbing career and heart-numbing fiancé, I impulsively walked out of my life–and fell into Faerie. Terrified, fascinated, I discover I possess a power I can’t control: my wishes come true. After an all-too-real attack by the animal from my dreams, I wake to find myself the captive of the seductive and ruthless fae lord Rogue. In return for my rescue, he demands an extravagant price–my firstborn child, which he intends to sire himself…

With no hope of escaping this world, I must learn to harness my magic and build a new life despite the perils–including my own inexplicable and debilitating desire for Rogue. I swear I will never submit to his demands, no matter what erotic torment he subjects me to…

So, there you go. Not a review, just me telling you that Jeffe’s books are great. She’s also got a few other books out that I haven’t read yet. Also, Jeffe herself is pretty cool. She lives in the desert and posts beautiful pictures of her surroundings. Also, if you catch her at a signing, you’ll see her in a fabulous, floppy diva hat.

So. Go see what Jeffe has that might interest you. The whole list is on her Amazon page. You can also find her on her website. Or say “hi” to her on Twitter. She’s much better at the tweeting than I am.

See you Wednesday!