Thursday, May 19, 2011

FREE eBook Giveaway-Interview With Author Jennifer Jakes



Welcome! I had the pleasure in interviewing author Jennifer Jakes.

After reading the below interview with Jennifer, don't forget to leave a comment because one lucky person will win a FREE copy of her eBook, RAFE'S REDEMPTION.

This event runs Thursday through Saturday morning. You do not need an ereader like Kindle or Nook to enter. The book will be emailed to you and you can read it right on your PC.

BIO: After trying several careers - everything from a beautician to a dump truck driver- author Jennifer Jakes finally returned to her first love, writing. Maybe it was all those Clint Eastwood movies she watched growing up, but in her opinion, there is no better read than a steamy western historical. Married to her very own hero, she lives on 15 acres along with 2 beautiful daughters, 2 elderly horses, 2 hyper dogs, and 2 spoiled cats. During the summer she does Civil War re-enacting and has found it a great research tool, not to mention continued appreciation for her microwave and hot water heater.

Thanks for being here, Jennifer. It’s a pleasure.

#1- Tell us a little about yourself outside of your writing career…
Hmmm. Well, my made-up worlds are much more interesting than me. LOL But let’s see. I live in Missouri. I love Mexican food. I think the most fun vacation I ever had was taking the Amtrak to Arizona, then a car tour from the Grand Canyon down through Sedona to Phoenix. Oh, and I love frozen coffee drinks.

#2- Can you tell us a bit about your new book in this giveaway, RAFE'S REDEMPTION?
It’s an erotic western historical about an ex-army captain who rescues a woman from her a bad situation. My blurb says it a lot better than I can.
He rode into town to buy supplies, not a woman.
For hunted recluse Rafe McBride, the raven-haired beauty on the auction block is exactly what he doesn't need. A dependent woman will be another clue his vengeful stepbrother can use to find and kill him. But Rafe's conscience won't let him leave another innocent's virginity to the riff-raff bidding. He buys her, promising to return her to St. Louis untouched. He only prays the impending blizzard holds off before her sultry beauty breaks his willpower.
She wanted freedom, not a lover.
Whisked to the auction block by her devious, gambling cousin, and then sold into the arms of a gorgeous stranger, outspoken artist Maggie Monroe isn't about to go meekly. Especially when the rugged mountain man looks like sin and danger rolled into one. But a blizzard and temptation thrust them together, and Maggie yearns to explore her smoldering passion for Rafe.
But when the snow clears, will the danger and secrets that surround Rafe and Maggie tear them apart?

#3- How do you handle the negative reviews and critiques you receive?
I think everyone has a right to their opinion and if my style of writing isn’t for them, that’s OK. Everyone enjoys different types of stories.

#4- Clint Eastwood, eh? LOL. Any plans to write in another genre?
Nope. I am totally enthralled by the Old West and the American Frontier.

#5- Civil War re-enactments. I'm intrigued. Do tell...
It’s a lot of fun. My husband portrays an artillery man for the Union Army and I portray an Army Laundress. I had no idea until I started my research that some wives followed their husbands as such, but I found a great photo of a laundry woman with her Army husband (and their 3 children) from the Civil War and I’ve tried to base my portrayal on that photo. The woman could make around $12+ per month for the laundry services – her meals, tent and medical care were “perks”. A Private in the Army was paid about $13 per month. So the couple from the picture was probably making $25+ a month for their family. If they managed to live through the war and save most of that, they had a nice savings to take home.
Of course I found some interesting articles about single women laundresses who made extra money on the side – or “nature’s way” as some of the soldiers called it. That’s why a letter of good moral conduct was required from the commanding officer. But that didn’t stop the world’s oldest profession from continuing behind closed tent flaps.

#6- Are there any upcoming releases we would like to know about, and could you give us your web site so readers can check it out?
I have a couple of works in progress but those are listed on my website along with more historical info and some Man Candy.
Here’s the address: www.jenniferjakes.com

#7- This about concludes it. Thank you again for joining us. Is there anything else you would like to share?
I just want to thank you for having me here today and wish the readers good luck in the drawing.

17 comments:

Unknown said...

*NOTE* Please be sure you are leaving your email addy in your post, or letting me know where to find you, IE: Facebook, Goodreads, Blogger, etc, so we can contact you if you won.

Be sure to re-follow the blog, as I had some blog trouble and lost most of my followers back in March!

Comment away for Jennifer...:)

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi Kelly -
Thanks again for having me here today! I'm looking forward to talking with your readers :)

susan said...

what an interesting article and thanks for sharing it. I think the book sounds so good. susan Leech, 1273 Strahan rd., New Columbia, PA 17856 garysue@dejazzd.com

AJ Nuest said...

A Civil War army laundress? Wow! Very cool. I bet you and your dh have a blast. You're adorable, Jen. Congrats on all the success with Rafe!

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi Susan-
Thanks so much for stopping by today. Wishing you good luck in the drawing:)
Best -

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi AJ -
Yes, we have so much fun reenacting. And I can honestly say when it's 100 degrees my tubs of "wash water" are a big draw to all the kids. HA We don't get a lot of laundry done but they sure have fun pretending and splashing. LOL
Good luck in the drawing!

booklover0226 said...

What a great interview; I found it enjoyable and entertaining.

A friend does WWII re-enactments and has a blast.

I just added Rafe's Redemption to my must have list; it sounds great.

I'm a GFC follower.
I'm a GoodReads friend.

Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com

desitheblonde said...

desitheblonde@msn.com well i follow you on good reads face book and i love to read a lot with holiday coming up i got my e book loaded
and would like more books

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi Tracey -
Yes, reenactments are a lot of fun. A fellow CW reenactor friend of ours took a summer and did Lewis and Clark reenactments. Since we're in the St. Louis area, it's quite celebrated here and he had great fun that summer.

I'm thrilled you liked RAFE'S blurb/excerpt. Good luck in the drawing!

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi Desi -
Yes, I have a page on GoodReads and RAFE is there of course:)
Thanks for stopping by today! Good luck in the drawing.

Lisa Mason said...

Great interview! Civil War re-enactments. I have heard of them, but only on TV . I think that is pretty cool! I also have 2 spoiled cats, myself,but really? whose cats AREN'T spoiled??

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi Lisa -
So true. Ah, the life of a cat....
I have a friend who says she always thinks of me Reenacting when she watches Sweet Home Alabama and Reece Witherspoon goes to find her daddy on the battlefield. HA
Thanks for stopping by today. Good luck in the drawing:)

Sarah Grimm said...

Jennifer-

I love that you were a dump truck driver! (or is that creative license?) :)

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi Sarah -
Nope, it's true! My husband and I bought our first truck and he decided I should learn how "just in case". I guess I should have seen that one from a mile away. It wasn't long until I quit my job and was driving full-time. Even after our daughters were born, I was the fill-in driver. It was a fun experience -- and I keep my Commercial Driver's Lic. -- just in case. HA
Thanks for stopping by today!

Sarah Butland said...

Very intriguing interview as whenever I see historical reenactments on tv shows I wonder if people still do it... I'm impressed that there are!

Although I'm not a history buff myself I love that people are re-living it through actions and stories!

Jennifer Jakes said...

Hi Sarah -
Yes, there are lots of us! HA Especially from the Mississippi River east. Although I've heard of there being a few brigades west. Just not as many battle sites I suppose.
Thanks for stopping by today and good luck in the drawing.

Unknown said...

Saturday, May 21st, 6:30 a.m.

And the winner is... Susan! Grats, you'll get an email soon.

Big thanks to Jennifer for coming by, and come back soon everyone!

XO