Connie and Tina: Hello and welcome, Jenna! It’s good of you to be with us and answer our probing questions. Even though we’re anxious to start, would you take a few minutes to tell us a bit about yourself and perhaps a sneak peek at what you’re working on now (Emily’s story)?

Jenna: Sure! I write historical romances set in the Regency period for Avon Books and erotic historical romances (Regency and Victorian) now exclusively for Avon Red as Jess Michaels. I am married to my high school sweetheart for ten years this March and have two cats. I also created The Passionate Pen, a site for aspiring authors, in 1999 and have maintained it ever since.

I actually just got word that the third book in the Lady Spy series, Seduction is Forever (Emily’s story, October 2007) has been approved by my editor, so it’s well on its way to hitting a store near you! And I’m also about to do some final tweaking on my November Jess Michaels release, Everything Forbidden, which is my first full-length erotic historical romance (the others have all been novellas). So I’m very busy right now!

Connie: It sure sounds like it and congratulations!

There are only a handful of authors, many of them being Avon authors, who to me, are able to make their books come across with a lush "feel" to them, you being one of those in that handful. Is this something you’re aware of when writing, or is it all in your "voice"?

Jenna: Wow, that’s a very nice compliment since I love lush books (I always think Lisa Kleypas and Teresa Medeiros when I think lush). If I have that voice, it isn’t on purpose. I have to work really hard to get description in because I’m all about the characters and their emotion. So lots of times I’m going back to give scenes a sense of place or the characters a look or sound or feel.

Connie: Whatever or however you do it, it works. For someone who strives for that lush feel, an aspiring author perhaps, what would you offer as advice on how to work toward that feel?

Jenna: Well, I think being aware of the reader’s senses is a way to get a lush feel. If they can feel the satin, smell the scent of sandalwood, taste the wine, hear the swish of fabric… you’ve got lush! But it’s something I definitely work for and feel like I always have to keep improving on.

Connie: In addition to that advice, Jenna, would you share with aspiring authors some of the resources The Passionate Pen offers? What was the catalyst to the decision to create the site?

Jenna: Let me answer the second question first. I had written a book (a very bad book now that I think of it) in 1999 and wanted to submit it, but I had no idea how to go about it. I wasn’t a member of RWA, I didn’t know any other authors, I was totally alone in the dark. All my searches about romance publishers and their submission guidelines came up empty or only partially helpful. So I decided if I was looking for that kind of info, others might be, too. The Passionate Pen was born with the list of Romance Publishers, which is still its core element.

Over the years, as I learned more, it’s grown to include agents interested in romance, articles and interviews about the craft, links to useful sites, etc. In 2001, I added my Diary, which was long before blogging was popular. Each week, I’ve chronicled my own journey toward and eventually beyond publication. I really wanted to give a full picture of the ups and the downs. So hopefully the information found there is useful to other authors, no matter what part of the journey they are on.

Connie: I’m sure many have found it helpful, and hopefully up and coming authors will, too!

Dominic, from Scandalous, was a scrumptious and endearing hero. He’s the type of hero I love reading the most. I know it’s been a while since writing this story, but did how did he come across to you? Little by little throwing surprises, or did he just say, "Here’s my story, tell it."?

Jenna: Thanks so much! I have had so much email about Dominic. He came to me in the opening line of Scandalous:

"Dominic Mallory had never been one to debauch virgins, but he was beginning to think he should make an exception for this beauty."

With that one line, I felt like I really understood him. He was a very strong voice, perhaps one of the strongest ones I’ve ever written, so he definitely dictated where his story went. And Katherine was also strong, so she helped me keep Dominic in line when the story required it. I loved that book. I was so pleased when Avon wanted to buy it.

Connie: It’s one book I’ll re-read someday.

How have some of your other characters (main or secondary) presented themselves or surprised you as the book(s) progressed? Did these revelations change any aspects of the stories?

Jenna: Actually, in the upcoming Seduction Is Forever, my main character Emily really surprised me. I had the relationship between her hero, Grant and her all mapped out when I started. But the second they were in a room together, I realized they were going to do things I hadn’t planned. Emily asks for something about halfway through the book that I never expected!

But I think that’s the fun of writing and hopefully creating characters with their own personality. Sometimes they lead you in a different direction that ends up being the right one. I always feel like I’ve gotten it right if my characters can say and do things I didn’t expect, but that fit the story.

Connie: I think Tina wants in the discussion... ; - )

Tina: Thanks! Jenna, if you were casting for a movie the main characters in Desire Never Dies, who would you choose?

Jenna: I definitely would want Hugh Jackman as Lucas Tyler. He has the naughty bad boy quality and also the capability for seriousness that I wanted. Ana is harder. She’s so prim and proper at the beginning. And stuck on rules. So it’s hard to think of an actress who would fit her personality both in the beginning of the book and as she begins to trust herself more.

Connie: Going to expand on Tina’s question and ask you who you’d cast as Charlie or Lady M (once she was revealed)? What about Meredith and Tristan? Emily?

Jenna: Lady M has got to be Dame Judi Dench, don’t you think? I mean, she just has to be! Charlie… tough one. He’s medium height, a bit paunchy and starting to bald. Is there anyone that fits that? I don’t know if actors are allowed to be ‘normal’ looking men. LOL

Meredith was Ashley Judd when I pictured her. Tristan was Colin Firth (proud like his Darcy, quiet and serious). Emily is Reese Witherspoon and her hero, Grant Ashbury, I always pictured as a bigger Sean Bean. Mmmm, Sean Bean….

Connie: I’m drawing a blank on Charlie, except for Mickey Rooney, but he’s quite a bit older than Charlie...Spy stories are not on the top of either of our favorite storyline lists. Yet, you seem to present the story, the characters, their actions, in a different way than that of "Spy". Is this intentional, and if so, for what reason?

Jenna: I think the difference may be that I write characters. I’m not really writing stories about spies. I mean, the characters happen to be spies, so that fact is going to lead them into situations that you might not see in a normal Regency historical. But at their core, I’m writing about characters and the books are really pretty internal.

For example, in From London With Love, I’m writing about a woman who is starting to love a man she fears isn’t who she thinks he is. I’m writing about a man with a secret that is eating him alive and he can’t tell this woman who is changing his life the truth. That’s an emotional book.

Same thing with Desire Never Dies. I wrote a story about a woman who is cloaking herself in grief to protect herself. A man who wants to see her be more. And she’s got to discover, through his eyes, what she is capable of. Not to mention that she’s beginning to suspect something that will break his heart. The fact that they’re spies is almost secondary.

In Seduction Is Forever, I wrote a book about two characters on the edge. Emily because she was shot in Ana’s book, Grant because… well, you’ll see. But they are both seeking to prove to themselves that they haven’t changed, even though they have. There is redemption through love (which is also a theme I explored in Scandalous).

So maybe that’s why it feels different? The emotional content of the stories is as strong as the swashbuckling?

Tina: Perfect explanation. Do you plan to continue the Lady Spy series after Emily’s story?

Jenna: I would love to do so! I love the world I’ve created and Seduction Is Forever definitely leaves the door open. My editor has even hinted that she might be open to it. Right now I’m working on a couple of non-Lady Spy projects, but if I could create a compelling enough story to fit into the Lady Spy universe, I would definitely go back!

Connie: You have had the Lady Spy series dubbed as "Charlie’s Angels, but in Empire waists." What’s the next series, Jenna? I told Tina perhaps the A-Team in shirt points and waistcoats...? Now that would be action-packed fun!

Jenna: LOL, you know you might have something there. The thing I love about the Charlie’s Angels, in Empire Waists concept is that readers immediately know exactly what I’m talking about. It’s like a little snapshot of the books.

Tina: Speaking of snapshots, have you ever visited London or the areas (like the docks at the end of From London With Love) your books are set in?

Jenna: I have not been lucky enough to visit London yet. I really would love to some time in the future, though. My husband just finished his MBA, so now that he has more time, I think we’re going to travel a bit more together.

Tina: Have you ever tried writing contemporary romance or mystery? Is that on the writing agenda?

Jenna: Before I sold, I did try my hand at a couple of contemporary romances. Although the change was kind of fun, contemporary didn’t really capture my imagination the same way. I am forever bombarded with book ideas in the historical genre, and in contemporary that just didn’t seem to happen. I’m very happy writing the historical and erotic historicals right now.

Tina: One last writing related question before we get a bit more personal. How many manuscripts did you submit for the full length historical before you got the call from Avon?

Jenna: A lot! LOL I think Scandalous was my tenth historical manuscript (and I’d written about 5 or 6 more books after I wrote Scandalous but before it sold). The journey was a long one for me, but I learned so much for it that I have to be happy that everything happened how and when it did. I don’t think I would be in the position I’m in now if I’d sold that first really horrible book.

Connie: I’m glad it was Scandalous that sold!

Pretend you’re stranded on a desert island with...(fictional or real). You send a message in a bottle to be found by anybody. What does the message say?

Jenna: Well, I’d be stranded with my husband if I had to pick. And I’d probably want a message for my parents (I’m sure my Mom would worry were I to be stranded).

Connie: Mom’s tend to do that.

What do you find is a daily must have?

Jenna: I really have an addiction to Diet Vanilla Pepsi. I need to cut back, but when I’m writing I need it!

Tina: Would you mind sharing some of your favorites, Jenna, and what makes them a favorite?

Jenna: Vacation spot: Anywhere in the Caribbean. My husband and I had a wonderful trip to the Bahamas last year and just got back from Jamaica. Anyplace where I can lie on a beach, swim in the warm ocean and relax.

Flower: I really enjoy Freesia for its lovely scent. Oh and lilacs. For the smell and the gorgeous color (my office is purple).

Comfort food: Freshly baked cookies or bread is always warming and comforting.

Time of day: I work best in the morning, I think.

Connie: Cookies, warm bread, yum. Probing a bit deeper... Would you rather mini golf, bowl, or play pool? Are you a tub or shower person?

Jenna: I suck at all those games. LOL I’d probably rather play Halo. And I love a good soak in the tub, but I am a shower girl.

Tina: I saw pictures of your cats, Harley and Quinn on your website. One of our store cat’s names is Harlee-Quinn. How did you come up with the names?

Jenna: How funny that your store cat is Harlee-Quinn! Well, Harley was the kitty we got first. She is a black and white long hair and her face looked like a harlequin doll to me. So we named her Harley. Then when we got our second kitty, it just seemed to make sense to have a Quinn to go with Harley. So she is Quinn.

Tina: Cute! I have 8 cats, all rescues of course! Why did you decide to adopt from the Humane Society?

Jenna: We unfortunately had a very bad experience adopting out of a home environment about a year or two before we got Harley. The kitten had been neglected and abused and turned very mean, despite our best efforts to give him a good environment and gentle care. At the Humane Society, we got to play with the kitties, see their personalities, and at least you knew that they were treated well in the environment they were currently in. So we had the bonus of giving two cats a good home, as well as having a huge selection of kitties to play with first.

And our experience with both our Humane Society kitties has been great. Harley has a lovely, gentle personality. And Quinn is a funny, sweet little girl with a wild side. They get along with each other, too. So we’re happy and they are, too.

Connieand Tina: A great place to end a great interview. Thanks Jenna! Before we go, is there anything we forgot to ask that you’d like the readers and fans to know?

Jenna: I just had my website entirely redesigned for 2007! There are excerpts of all my books both as Jenna Petersen and as Jess Michaels there. And there’s a fun Lady Spies quiz readers can take to find out which Lady Spy they are most like! They can find the site at http://www.jennapetersen.com

Thanks for having me!

Connie and Tina: A pleasure!

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