jenmck

Little Men

Cinthia Hamner was on Romance Divas and said this was a great place. I signed up and then totally forgot about it. Then, in September, Michelle sent me a "Happy Birthday" from the Book Forum. I was at a place where I was reading other things besides romance and I wanted to hang out with people who were as eclectic as I am about my book preferences. I've been a daily visitor ever since. The only problem I have is that you all have read SO much more than I have. So, I tend to be quiet on most threads, but I LOVE the opinions on different books. Reviews here help me to find books to read. And reading always helps my writing.

The Three Musketeers

Great questions. I have a tough time classifying my books. I'm a romance writer. I am classified as romance first. It's the sub genres that get tricky. For example, "Singled Out" was a romance I wrote for my best friend when we were joking around about why she was forty-three and still single. We decided her Guardian Angel must be a drunk. Thomas, the recovering alcoholic Guardian Angel was born and "Singled Out" began The Divine Intervention series. It's classified as romantic comedy. I guess it's funny, but I hadn't thought of it in that genre. Its sequel "Double Trouble" is considered paranormal. Mmmm. Honestly, I don't know WHAT affects sales of books. The Divine Intervention series sold itself. I don't think the genre really made a difference. I do notice that suspense titles sell well second only to erotic romance.

Weeeelll, you know how you always hear about those people who were writing stuff when they were ten? Not me. I was a sporadic writer and only for my own pleasure for most of my life. I journaled, I wrote articles for newsletters and things like that. But I didn't take my writing seriously. I'm a bibliophile, however. I love to read. The idea of writing something that would give another reader enjoyment was persistent. So, I started to WORK at my writing. It's amazing how much better my writing has gotten in the last two years.

First, let me say what a privilege it is to be considered. Especially following Stuart McBride (who was awesome). I've always loved to write and did it for fun most of my life. Then, in 2002 my Dad passed away with a completed manuscript that no one ever saw. He never thought it was good enough. I realized that I'd always talked about being an author "someday" but did the same thing my Dad did. I hid my writing away and didn't let anyone see it. I was determined to change that. My first manuscript was really about the loss of my Dad and the love we both had of books. When it was done I subbed it to Harlequin. And WALA! My first rejection. From there, I discovered Romance Divas and started writing short stories for Electronic Publishers. My pen name, Jennifer Leeland, came about because I loved Erotic Romance and thought I'd try my hand at it. I enjoyed it and The Wild Rose Press took a chance on me. I write a little of everything, but I love romantic suspense. "Heart Of The Storm" came out with Whiskey Creek Press/Torrid which is my first romantic suspense title to be contracted. I've got two sequels in the works for "Heart Of The Storm" and two contracted erotic romances being released soon. I've been VERY lucky. And I love to write. That helps too. Thank you so very much for inviting me. I'll get to the questions now.

Three Godfathers

The Man Who Would Be King

The inevitable "The Taming Of The Shrew"

One Fine Day

Sky Captain And The World Of Tomorrow

With rereads I don't know. I've read about ten ebooks and probably ten new books since January. But I reread stuff all the time too. Somewhere around thirty I think.

You could go Hollywood and have Van Diesel play him.

The books were written in a different time period, so although the storyline is very similar, I think the movies are a bit different. AND the second book and the second movie diverge a lot. Not in a bad way though IMHO. I thought the first book was great, the second was pretty good but the third in that series kicked ass. Those three I've reread a few times. The others that followed aren't on my bookshelf so I haven't reread them as much.

War Of The Worlds

Well, I read the originals and wondered how a new author could take the series. But I read another book by Lustbader ("The Testament") and I liked it. I thought I might give his Bourne books a try. But Ludlum rocks and I just don't think anyone could do the series justice.

Prelude To A Kiss

Welcome Phil!!!!!

Kiss The Girls

Love Actually

I think the reason some books/characters are better than others is because they are universal. Hamlet's angst. King Lear's arrogance and subsequent agony. Elizabeth Bennet's quick judgement and Darcy's pride. Tom Sawyer's spirit of adventure. Even the folly of Anna Karenina. In all the great books is a glimpse of the human condition. Even the not so great books. In that way, we are not alone ever.

I'm not worried. I believe in heaven which would be a huge library and tons of time to read. I just have to figure out how to get there.

Mine never listen to me. These sound wonderful! And I second Kell's question. What's your favorite research location?

Here's a writer question. Do you plot? And do your characters talk to you?

Um, in every room in the house (including the bathroom). I have books EVERYWHERE. I'd love to have just one room that had all my books. That would be so awesome.