Friday, November 18, 2011

I HAVE THE WONDERFUL JENNIFER LABELLE IN THE HOUSE TODAY!!!

That's right, Jennifer Labelle is talking up her latest release from Secret Cravings Publishing! I'm a fellow author with SCP and I'm honored Jennifer is here. I haven't told her this before, but my daughter's name is Jennifer, so I'm kind of partial to her name, which by the way Jennifer I do love.

Enough of the mushy stuff, tell us about yourself, the official biography of Jennifer Labelle if you will.

JENNIFER:  I reside in Ottawa, Ontario Canada with my husband and three beautiful children. After my third child I became a stay at home mom. In my busy household, I love to spend down time engrossed in the stories that I create. I'm an active reader of romance (especially historical), mystery and anything paranormal. With an education in Addictions work I decided to take a less stressful approach in life and hope that everyone enjoys, as I share some of the imagination with all of you. 
 

CYNTHIA:  That's great Jennifer and pretty picture, by the way.  I know you have a loyal fan base and they do in fact enjoy your stories.  Now, for a few more personal questions.  How likely are people you meet to end up in your next book?

JENNIFER:  It’s likely.  I often use character traits like appearance or personality traits that remind me of certain people, and if I think my character fits then they become my interpretation of that person. *smiles* Shh, don’t tell anyone..lol

CYNTHIA:  Funny.  I have to smile because I do the same. Every character is a part of me and my surroundings and life experiences.  I think we all tend to do the same.  Okay, if you could choose to time travel would you go forward or backward?

JENNIFER:  I’d love to say forward because I really would love to know what the future holds, but in reality if given the choice I’d probably choose to go backward first, if I knew then what I know now type of thing, I’d definitely have changed a few outcomes.

CYNTHIA: Oh, to live our lives again knowing what we know now. Kind of like through our writing, right?  Next, do you read in a different genre than you write?  If yes, why?  If you read in the same genre that you write, do you feel that it influences your writing in any way?

JENNIFER:  Not necessarily. I read a lot of genres but my all time favorite is the very same that I write. I love a good romance. Do I feel influenced? *shrugs* sometimes I guess.

CYNTHIA:  Mmm, yes we do love a good romance and what is the biggest piece of your advice you can give a beginning writer?

JENNIFER:  Keep at it.  Write, write, write and be prepared to promo…lol  This is a very subjective field so try not to get too overwhelmed.

CYNTHIA:  How right you are!  I've heard that mantra over and over again as well.  Write, write, write.  With that, what is your process from idea to first draft?

JENNIFER:  When an idea pops up I usually write a very descriptive outline so when I get back to it I know where I wanted to go with that particular plot.  I always have more than one project on the go so I’m not always able to write out the complete plot when it pops in my mind.  I usually just go with the characters that scream at me the loudest.
I’ve got a folder filled with WIP’s.

CYNTHIA:  Don't you love those muses that tug at your brain? They can be relentless, the tricky rascals.  What do you consider your greatest accomplishments in your career so far?

JENNIFER:  My greatest accomplishments are my completed stories. Published or not, it’s freakin’ cool when you complete one. I’m just grateful that I’m able to share them with all of you. I can’t thank my readers enough for their awesome support. *hugs*

CYNTHIA:  You're so right.  Finishing a manuscript, short or long, is definitely an accomplishment.  When you sit down and write, what comes first for you:  Setting?  Storyline? Characters?

JENNIFER: Storyline.When I get an idea it’s like watching a movie inside my head. My own personal production, it’s awesome! From there the characters and setting come through when I write my outline.

CYNTHIA:  I find that is the answer from most authors and the movie is interesting.  I guess that's why you can outline the entire project.  Well, we're getting down to a few more questions.  Hang in there.  If money, education and fear factors were set aside, what three careers would you like to attempt other than writing?

JENNIFER: That’s a tough one. I’ll have to think about it.

CYNTHIA:  I guess you're really content with living in the moment of today!  LOL.  If money, talent and fear were no object, what big adventure would you like to have?

JENNIFER:  I’d love to tour Europe.

CYNTHIA:  Oh, and think of all the interesting and vivid material you could use in your stories!  What characteristics do you like to instill in your heroes?  What characteristics do you feel are necessary for a good heroine?

JENNIFER: My hero’s are all strong, caring protectors and my heroine’s are humble, caring women who are strong willed and easily lovable.

CYNTHIA:  Yep, our Alpha males who are tamed by the heroines who love them!  Only two more questions and we'll get to those delectable blurbs and excerpts.  If could have a super power for a day, what would it be?  Why?

JENNIFER:  I think it would be cool to be able to compel people. Imagine that, my kids would go to bed when I tell them to. *Chuckles* God bless them, I love them to pieces.

CYNTHIA:  Oh Jennifer, I don't think there is any power on earth that could get our children to bed or do anything else we tell them to!  A wishful thought for sure.  Last question to segue into the juicy stuff, what do you have coming next? Anything you want to tell us?

JENNIFER:  Well, there’s Spice It Up.

CYNTHIA: Oh, I like the sound of that one!  So let's see a blurb and other info.

Blurb for Spice It Up:

Heidi Taylor has fallen in love with a man who is off limits. He’s her best friend, and she’s afraid to tell him how she really feels. So when she hits a dry spell in her romantic life, Nathan makes it his duty to spice things up for her, shocking her, and making her true feelings known.

Nathan De Costa met the most amazing woman alive three years ago when he placed a roommate wanted ad in the newspaper. He’s secretly loved Heidi for almost two years, and decides to make his move once her love life hits a rough patch. The problem is that his sexual tastes are risqué and he’s not sure that Heidi would be able to keep up. She shocks him by becoming everything he’s ever wanted and more, but it’ll take almost losing her for good before he finally makes her his, permanently.


JENNIFER:  I’d like to thank you for having me on your blog today, for those of you who would like to learn more about me and my work I can be reached on my website: http://www.jenniferlabelle.com , you can follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/1JenniferLabell , and I’m also on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/Author-Jennifer-Labelle/168414043184292#!/


Now before I part I’m attaching an excerpt for your enjoyment. So please enjoy this snippet from Second Chance Love:

Jagged rocks aligned across the coastline. The moist salty air was refreshing, and the tide slowly rose against the Fundy Shore. It was good to be home again. Teegan sat on the fallen tree trunk, and tried to capture the beauty of the scenery with her sketch pad.
She hadn’t been there in years and the beauty of it still captivated her. This secluded patch of beach once belonged to Liam’s family and she wondered if it still did. Seeing Liam again brought so much back to her, that she just needed a place to unwind, and some of her most precious memories belonged right where she was.
Smiling, she turned up her iPod and sang along to the lyrics of Shinedown’s Breaking Inside, relating to the lyrics. Subconsciously, she ended up adding a boy and his father fishing right where she sat into the picture. Liam! Why can’t I seem to let you go? Sighing, she almost fell off the log and into the water. Her heart raced, and adrenaline pumped as she wondered who in the Lord’s name snuck up on her like that.
Large arms wrapped around her, pulling her close as his heat enveloped her senses. He was the one man in the entire world who could make her weak in the knees by just being in close proximity to her. The one man she was trying to avoid. Too afraid of her emotions. Oh Lord, he smells so good. Get it together, Teeg. You don’t even know him anymore.
“Liam?” She sounded breathless and winced turning away. She could not let him see how he affected her, could not risk losing her heart again. It hurt too much.
“Hasn’t anyone ever told you not to sneak up on someone like that? Geez, you just about gave me a heart attack not to mention an unwanted swim.” Placing a hand to her heart she turned to face him again only to have the urge to smother his smile with her lips. He was beautiful, and she missed the taste of him.
“It’s good to see you too.” He chuckled, “And there is no way I would have let you fall in. Hasn’t anyone ever told you that this is private property?”
She could tell by the glint in his eye he was only teasing, and she hated how easily he could make her smile. As if, she was eighteen all over again. “Ya, but you see, I used to know one of the owners of said property very well. I have many fond memories here, and I just had to see if it was as remarkable as I remembered it.”
“Well is it?” His face turned serious as he closed the distance between them.
With his closeness distracting her she whispered, “Is it what?”
Before she knew it his head was lowering and her breathing turned rapid. Be careful what you wish for. She could feel his breath against her and all she could think about was the taste of his lips on hers. Soft, plump, and delectable...

Now available in print!

Thank you, thank you Jennifer. I've enjoyed your company today and I hope everyone who has read this will comment and take a look at your website, Facebook page, and of course the buy pages and leave a comment.




1 comment:

  1. Thank you for having me today, Cynthia. It was a fun interview.

    Cynthia is also over at my blog today, so please show her some love by stopping by and leaving a comment. http://labellebooks.blogspot.com

    ReplyDelete

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