Today I’m chatting with Destiny Romance author, Jennifer St George. Welcome, Jen!
Thanks for inviting me on, Bernadette.
Congrats on the release this month of The Love Deception. Can you tell us about the story?
The Love Deception is my third novel with Destiny Romance. It combines legal intrigue, courtroom drama and a dash of exotic Barbados.
When Felicity Carter wakes up naked in a strange bed, she has no idea how she got there. And no recollection of meeting the gorgeous man calmly offering her breakfast. Felicity flees – hoping that their paths never cross again.? The last thing she expects is to discover that her mystery man is Damon Fullbright, partner at the law firm where Felicity has just started work – and her new boss!
Damon is appalled to find the out-of-control young woman he rescued has been hired to work on his team. Apart from anything else, he doesn’t need the distraction of a hot blonde with a barrel-full of issues. But one-by-one, Felicity blows all Damon’s preconceptions out of the water. When Felicity explosively reveals her dreadful secret, will he risk his reputation and trust her to discover the truth?
How did you come up with the idea for your book?
I used to travel extensively and would often wake up in a hotel in a foreign country and forget where I was. In those first few seconds of waking, I’d always get a jolt of adrenaline and I’d wonder where I was. Of course I’d quickly realize I was fine, in a hotel and had to get up and go to work. I wondered what it would be like if you woke up and had no idea where you were. Felicity does just that at the beginning of the book. From that point on, her life is a rollercoaster ride in the search for truth, understanding and ultimately…love.
What do you love most about The Love Deception?
I love that both hero and heroine will do anything to protect the ones they love.
What is different about this book when compared to The Convenient Bride and Seducing the Secret Heiress? What is similar?
This book has an element of romantic suspense about it which is different to The Convenient Bride and Seducing the Secret Heiress. All three books include exotic locations, opulent settings and a hot, hot hero!
How does winning an award like the Clendon (as you did with The Convenient Bride) help your writing career?
I think being a finalist and winning awards helps bring you to the attention of editors. It also adds to your writing credentials, which is invaluable when drafting submission cover letters.
You work in PR, what are the three most important ingredients in promoting yourself?
- Develop a brand for yourself
- Get your online presence in order. This is important to establish before you are published. Editors will look for you online.
- I’ve found getting to know popular romance bloggers has been very beneficial as they will feature/review your book and/or do an author spotlight
Of course ahead of all of this is to write fabulous books!
Do you have any words of wisdom for aspiring writers?
Probably the top things that helped me achieve publication were
1) Volunteering. I volunteered for Romance Writers of Australia. This put me in touch with lots of published authors and editors through my work in sponsorship
and media.
2) Education. I attended every writing workshop/course (highly recommend Margie Lawson’s online courses!!), author chat and conference I could. I read loads of romance writing ‘how-to’ books. I read lots and lots of books in the line I was targeting
3) Competitions. I entered so many competitions as possible with as many entries as were allowed.
4) I wrote, wrote, wrote, wrote.
How has writing changed you as a person?
Hmmm. That’s a good question. I probably watch people a lot more than I did before. Especially for inspiration on how people react in certain situations.
What genre do you like to read? Who is your favourite author?
I read across a lot of genres – obviously lots of romance (mostly category as that’s what I write), but I also love crime (eg recently read Michael Connelly, Stieg Larsson, Gillian Flynn), historical drama/action (eg Bernard Cornwell) and literary authors such as Ian McEwan, Julian Barnes and Iain Banks (who sadly passed away several weeks ago). I don’t read too much fantasy, but I am ripping through George RR Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series. I try to keep up with winners of the major awards such as The Booker and Miles Franklin awards (although I am very behind at the moment!!) and am still working my way through the classics. Only read To Kill a Mockingbird last year (I know, I know!). Unfortunately I’m a slow reader so my TBR pile is huge!
I don’t think I have an all-time favourite author.
What’s next for you?
I’m half way through my next book which I’m hoping my Destiny Romance editors will love and another contract will be heading my way!
Thanks for sharing your inspiration and words of wisdom with us today, Jen and all the best with The Love Deception
