Board Stiff and Jessica Jayne's way to pass the time!

Please welcome Jessica! Today we’ll be discussing her new release, Board Stiff, as well as learning QUITE a bit about her.  About Jessica: I am a born and raised small town Ohio girl, who moved to the Sunshine State after graduating from college. I graduated with a bachelor's degree in English because I could not imagine doing anything else but reading and writing.

In the journey of life, I also became a wife and a mother of three children. So, life is always an adventure. But the love of writing has never died.

D.C: Hi, Jessica! What’s the name of your new release?

Jess: Board Stiff – Book 1 of the Taking Advantage Series

D.C: Heh. The title is interesting, and very creative! What’s it about?

Jess: Board Stiff is the first book in a three book series called Taking Advantage.  I sort of got the idea for John and Elizabeth’s story sitting outside a boardroom waiting to give a presentation.  A scene came to me and shortly thereafter, John and Elizabeth’s story came together.

John is a young, independent and strong business man, who doesn’t feel challenged by the women that throw themselves at him.  He needs a woman that can carry on a conversation all the while putting him in his place.  Now, that would turn him on!  And Elizabeth Wright was just the girl to do all that!

D.C: Holy hell, that sounds hot.  And I can get his need for um, *coughs* stimulation.  ;) I can’t remember how many times I’ve been waiting outside of a courtroom to testify, bored out of my mind, needing some sort of distraction.  At least now I’ll have your story to read and get me past the energy-draining hours. 

So is there anything you’re working on now?

Jess: I am working on a ton of stuff.  It’s quite crazy this year.  It seems like once you open the can of worms and get published, you just can’t stop!  ;)  I am collaborating on two stories with two amazing authors.  One is a paranormal-vampire story with Nikki Prince.  It’s my first time writing the paranormal genre, so it’s been challenging but fun.  The other collaboration is with …. Hmmmm… what was her name again!?!?  Oh yeah!  None other than DC Stone!  (D.C: I’m laughing at this part) And I don’t really want to give away our story, but I have a really, really good feeling about it!  J

I’m also working on a sequel to my first book, More Than Friends.  The readers requested more of Jeni and Brian, so I want to give it to them.

I’m finishing up the last book in the Taking Advantage series.  This series is three books long and follows three men in their 30s and 40s that sit on a board of directors for the same company on a journey through their love lives.

And on the back burner is my Florida cowboy story.  I’ve started it, but have gotten involved in a few other things that need to be finished first.  But Drew Hayworth will be worth the wait… I promise!

D.C: Holy shit, woman! Where do you find the time to still be a mom, to work?  I thought I was busy.  *laughs*  I get asked this question a lot, and I gotta say, to a new author I know this can be extremely intimidating.  Where do you find all the ideas for your stories?

Jess: I say this with all seriousness…. Life gives me the ideas.  I carry a small journal in my purse that is filled with ideas.  I can be at the grocery store or a restaurant or sitting on the beach or at a concert and an idea or a scene literally pops into my head.  Sometimes, it is something I witness.  Other times, it is a song or a mood or something someone says to me.  I have yet to have to sit down and try to come up with an idea to write on because my journal is full!

D.C: Ah, good point.  There’s an app for that, you know.  *laughing … again*  What is it about writing that you enjoy the most?

Jess: Getting the voices out of my head… seriously!  There are times where the characters are having a conversation in my head and it just feels great to get it out and on the computer.

D.C: Ugh, yes, I can understand that all too well.  And I can tell you, you’re at the right place for craziness.  I’m just saying, in case you’ve missed my front page here.  *winks* 

I know you and I are working on this right now and learning about one another’s style, but I gotta ask for those who don’t know.  Where do you start when it comes to writing?

Jess:  I start writing with a scene.  It is usually a scene that comes into my head. The characters are usually still sketchy.   I may not even know the premise of the whole story, but I have this amazing scene that just won’t let me go.  Then everything sort of flows from there!

D.C: I completely understand.  It’s really quite shocking how much of a slave we are to scene ideas.  What do you like most about being an author?

Jess: Getting feedback on a story.  As a writer, you know not everyone is going to love your characters or the story you are telling, but it is amazing when you hear from readers.  One of the reasons I write is because I have these stories in my head that I need to get out and to find out that I’ve thoroughly entertained someone with one is a great feeling because I know how I feel when I am entertained by a story.  So the best part for me is hearing from the readers!

D.C: I was just telling a friend this.  That sometimes you want to rest, but in writing you can’t, because the results can be unforgiving. So instead of going to that party, or getting that extra two hours of sleep, you’re writing, and promoting, and connecting on Facebook and Twitter.  But in the end, when that one reader emails you and tells you how much they loved the story, it makes it all worthwhile. The tears, the headache, the hours spent behind the computer. 

Alright, so back to this story.  What’s your favorite scene from this new release?

Jess:  My favorite scene in Board Stiff is when John enters Elizabeth’s office and starts bombarding her with inappropriate questions about her relationship status.  Here’s a confident guy that could probably have any woman he wants, but this one has turned him inside out without even trying and he needs to know if anyone stands in his way before he full out pursues her.  I love stories where strong men can be brought to their knees by equally strong women.

D.C: *grins* Weren’t we just talking about this the other day?  Okay, now for the favorite part.  Give me your top three favorite things.

Jess:
1.  The Ohio State Buckeyes
2.  The sound of the waves crashing to the shore
3.  My children laughing

D.C: *laughs* Thank you!

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Here’s where you can find Board Stiff.  Keep scrolling down to read an excerpt below. 

EVERNIGHT

AMAZON

AMAZON - UK

ALL ROMANCE

BOOKSTRAND






Connect with Jessica here:

WEBSITE

GOODREADS

FACEBOOK
 
PINTREST

TWITTER

Excerpt:

“Are you seeing anyone?  Sleeping with anyone?” he asked further.

                “What?” she said, standing up from her chair.  Her face was incapable of hiding her shock at his questions.  Her green eyes were wide.  Her lips parted.  “What sort of questions are these?”  John’s stride made short use of the distance between them.  He stood directly in front of her, cornering her behind her desk.  He looked down into her green eyes.  They were gorgeous… she was gorgeous.  And he had every intention of claiming her.

                “Answer my questions, Elizabeth.  Are you seeing anyone?”  He watched as her eyes widened even further with shock at his determination to get answers to his questions.  Nervousness flittered across her face, but her breath came out in short pants as if his close proximity affected her.  He watched as her chest rose and fell with each breath.  God, he wanted to feel her body against his.  He just knew she would feel perfect against him… in his arms.

                “Your questions are inappropriate,” she replied sharply.  Despite her body giving her attraction away, she held firm.  He liked that.  He liked a woman that wasn’t too easy of a catch. 

                “I agree,” he said, impatiently.  “They are inappropriate.  I need the answers nonetheless.”

                “Why?” she asked.  Her gaze scanned his face as if looking for the answer to her question.

                “Answer me,” he demanded.  His hand reached out and caressed her cheek as if to soothe the harshness of his words.

                “You are way out of line, Mr. Dorsey,” Elizabeth said.

                “Yes, I know,” he said a little softer this time.  His fingers tucked a few strands of her hair behind her ear.  His gaze dropped to her bared neck.  He had to fight the urge to nuzzle the spot just below her ear.  “But I need to know if there are any obstacles to making you mine.  Are you seeing anyone?”

                “No,” she whispered.  “I’m not seeing anyone.”  Her lips parted for a moment before she bit down on her lower lip.  That was almost his undoing. 

                “Are you fucking anyone?” he asked.  She released her bottom lip and sucked in a breath when he asked that question.  Her gaze fell from his eyes to his lips and then to her hands.  He placed his fingers under her chin and tilted her head up to meet his gaze again.  He wanted to see her eyes when she answered him.  There was heat in her gaze, and that thrilled him.

                “No, Mr. Dorsey, I’m not fucking anyone at the moment,” she said.  Her voice was hard, but he heard the desire in it and that snapped his restraint.  His hand weaved into her hair until his palm gripped the back of her head, pulling her into him.  His mouth slammed down on hers.  Her full lips were soft and pliable, and his tongue flicked out over her lips to taste her.  She tasted so sweet…like candy.

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