Jewel E. Ann - Writing Mind-Bending Romance

Jewel E. Ann - Writing Mind-Bending Romance
Jewel

Jewel is a free-spirited romance junkie with a quirky sense of humor. When she's not saving the planet one tree at a time, you can find her role modeling questionable behavior to her three boys, binge-watching Netflix with her husband, and writing mind-bending romance. As our Author of the Day, Jewel tells us all about her latest romance novel, Scarlet Stone.

Please give our readers a short introduction to what Scarlet Stone is about.

When Scarlet Stone, third-generation thief, receives life-altering news, she says goodbye to her family and leaves London to look for clarity in Georgia. What she finds is a roommate that looks like Thor and despises every breath she takes. She needs a miracle and he needs redemption, but what they fear the most is they might need each other. It’s an enemies to lovers romantic thriller.

Tell us more about Scarlet. What makes her tick?

Scarlet is driven by her need to find the meaning of life. She’s quirky and witty. She’s bound only to the moment.

Why is Scarlet so fascinated by Theodore?

While Scarlet attempts to shed the ways of her past, she’s still an adrenaline junkie. Theo is dark, dangerous, and sexy. She doesn’t want to be fascinated by him, but she is uncontrollably drawn to him. A moth to the flame.

Your characters are not perfect, but are broken and emotional. Why did you create them this way?

Humans are broken and emotional. I like to leave lots of room for character growth, and the only way to do that is to make them very “human.”

Revenge plays an important role in this book - why?

I think we have a natural instinct to protect those we love. Humans like justice—an eye for an eye. Theodore feels like there is a debt to pay, justice to serve.

Although there is a lot of suspense and angst in this novel, you also added a healthy dose of humor. Why did you find this important to do?

All of my books have humor. I like it when readers can emotionally connect to the story. In life, we are not all drama and angst, sex and love, we are giggles and chuckles, small reprieves of laughter even in the dark times. Have you ever heard people say they’re laughing just to keep from crying? Or have you ever caught a case of the giggles at the most inappropriate time?

Why did you write the story from different POVs?

When writing first person, I think the best way to develop characters is to let readers see more than one POV.

Besides writing, what other secret skills do you have?

I’m an expert tree-hugger and I can pat my head while rubbing my belly and reciting This is The House That Jack Built by memory.

Theodore is a bit of a bad boy. Why do you think girls find bad boys so irresistible?

Sex. Sex. Sex. Kidding. Sort of. I think girls like the thrill, especially if they consider themselves good girls.

Do you have any interesting writing habits? Favorite writing spots, best time of the day to write?

I’m a panster. I don’t plot much before I sit down and start writing. I write at my desk which is in my bedroom, but when my husband comes to bed, I escape to the kitchen table or the recliner with a little desktop pillow. My most inspired words happen between 11:00 p.m. and 1:00 a.m., although I write whenever I can find time—while kids are in school.

Was there a particular character whose voice you found it easiest to write in?

In my very first books, The Holding You Series, I wrote a heroine who is a vegan chef. She’s a treehugger, loves yoga, drives an electric car … She was very easy to write. She is essentially me, only sexier, smarter, and wealthier. Lol!

What are you working on right now?

I just finished a duet called the Transcend Duet, and my only project at the moment is my exclusive newsletter story, Naked Love. I did an exclusive newsletter story last year. I release two chapters a month to my newsletter, and readers give me feedback, so their input guides the direction of the story. We have a special thread in my Facebook group where we discuss it and it’s such a fun collaboration for everyone. When it’s complete, I publish it to major retailers. 

Where can our readers discover more of your work or interact with you?

My website has all the important information as well as my newsletter. I personally interact with readers the most in my Jonesies Facebook group and on Instagram.

This deal has ended but you can read more about the book here.