Jess’s Comments (group member since Jun 11, 2013)

Jess’s comments from the Ask Jess Michaels group.

Maria wrote: "hi Jess. what you like more in beam writer?"

Hi Maria,

I think by your profile that you are one of the Portugeuse fans! That is so exciting, I know Everything Forbidden was just translated there, a little out of order, eh?

There are so many great things about being a writer. I get to work from home and make my own schedule (though being your own boss often means you are constantly working, I probably work 70-80 hrs a week all told). I also get to enjoy what I do, since writing is just about my favorite thing ever.

But probably the best thing about writing is meeting readers either through email or other online outlets or in person. It always kind of confuses me when someone tells me what a fan they are. A fan of me? But I'm just a geek from Arizona...

So that's pretty fun! :)

Zeee (I Heart Romance) wrote: "In choosing names of your characters, where do you start looking? I know you have a mix of non-traditional and traditional period character names and I was wondering where you get your inspiration..."

Naming is a difficult thing for me. I have almost 50 books now and I try really hard not to repeat names, so I have begun to run out of names that are or could be appropriate and aren't just awful. I have a book called

Names through the Ages and it's a great resource. I've also started to enjoy playing with http://www.ugoi.net/nonsense/name.html which is a name generator. It's a good starting spot.

Really, though, I've just got to feel like the name matches the character and fits the story.

Danielle wrote: "What are your favorite types of heroes and heroines to write about?

Is there anything specific themes you try to stay away from?"

I do love those dark, broken boys. They tend to be a theme of mine. I also like heroines who may have a lot in life, but they work to pick themselves up. When I was writing Ava is TAKEN BY THE DUKE, I just loved her strength. She takes something that should destroy her and decides to make the best of it.

So far I haven't found a lot of themes I'm not willing to write if it fits the characters and their development. They end up dictating what happens in the story.

Lara wrote: "Although I really enjoy the Mistress Matchmaker series I absolutely LOVED the Albright sisteries. Your cover for Taboo caught my eye while I was messing about on Amazon one day and when I saw ..."

I would categorize all my Jess Michaels work as erotic romance. Erotica isn't neccesarily about the development of a relationship the same way romance is. So while I do have the sexy, I also always have the relationship development.

Millie wrote: "Of all the books you have read, who is your favorite character and least favorite character, and why?"

I tend to completely forget about characters I don't like. I got to a point where if I didn't like a book, I just stopped reading it. LOL So I don't really have least favorites.

But in romance, I'd say a favorite is Emily from Scandal by Amanda Quick. She so darn plucky, even though the hero in that book is very dark.

Tammy wrote: "Hi Jess,

I know you have book 1 of a new series coming in July. Can you give us any details and how many books will there be."

The new series is The Pleasure Wars Taken By the Duke. It's a very Romeo and Juliet set up about two families, at war for decades and the fall-out from it for three couples.

There are three books in the series. The first is Taken by the Duke, which comes out July 2. http://www.amazon.com/Taken-Duke-Plea...

Here is the blurb:

Amid all the lies and scandals that fuel Society’s gossip mill, one truth has stood out: House Rothcastle and House Windbury have always hated each other.

Lady Ava Windbury prays the feud will someday end, to no avail. One dreadful night, her brother accidentally causes the death of Christian Rothcastle’s sister, a tragedy that leaves both men maimed.

Consumed by grief, Christian makes a grim decision. He will kidnap Lady Ava so that her family will feel the pain of loss as keenly as he feels the loss of his own sister. But once he has Ava in his clutches, desire takes unexpected hold. Even more surprising, she willingly surrenders to his every sexual whim—after haggling over the terms of giving up her virginity.

Too late, he realizes she is using her body for peace, not war. But just as their affair of revenges turns into an affair of the heart, the past rears its ugly head to take matters into its own hands…

And I just contracted two additional series with Samhain so I'll have books out through 2015 at this point!

Jmb wrote: "I think the period between the World Wars was one of great turmoil and social change (much like the Regency era was) and that is always interesting. Victorian is fun too because all the old rules ..."

Oh yes, that period between would be interesting to explore.

Jmb wrote: "I love your Regency period romances, but is there any other time period or place that appeals to you as a setting for a novel?"

Oh thanks! Regency technically stretches from 1811-1820, though the period labeled as Regency by most romances is about 1800-1830. I wouldn't mind maybe going into that later Regency period/early Victorian. I think the Edwardian period covered by Downton Abbey is also really fun.

What time periods have you guys not seen that you'd like to see?

Lara wrote: "Hi Jess! You've written both contemporary and historical romance. I've only read your historical romance novels...so far...but I find myself getting wonderfully lost in the whole production of the..."

Hi Lara,

I would say I like historical better, especially for romance. I love being lost in the time period and the rules of the Regency impact the characters so much more than a modern setting where that normally isn't true. It just leads to much more high drama for me as a writer.

Plus, I'll say that I have SO many ideas for historical romance. :) So I write where the ideas take me.

Jess

Let's have some fun! Ask me about writing, my books, what's coming up next, anything that comes to mind! I'll be answering ALL the questions!