Interview and Giveaway: Jessica E Subject [CONTEST]

Hey peeps!

Please join me in welcoming Jessica E. Subject to the blog today! Jessica is a fellow Decadent author, and her latest book, THE POWER OF THREE, was released 20 July. Have you bought your copy yet? Need swaying? Well, read on…and there is a contest, too. A CONTEST. THAT’s LIKE SUPER AWESOME WOW.

However, let us first chat with Jessica!

Cassandra Dean: Congratulations on your new release, THE POWER OF THREE! Would you tell us about it?
Jessica E. Subject: Thank you so much for inviting me to your blog, Cassandra! It’s such a pleasure to be here. 😀 THE POWER OF THREE is a paranormal erotica short story that involves Oscar, whose spirit is trapped inside a selection of stone gargoyles and the couple he’s been watching for over a year. It’s very hot and steamy. 
 
CD:What inspired you to write THE POWER OF THREE?
JES: Honestly, it came out of a conversation between me and a good friend. I wrote the original story as a joke. When I learned of Decadent’s new erotica line, The Edge, I thought the story would be a perfect fit. But before I submitted it, THE POWER OF THREE went through several rounds of revisions, with help from one of my critique partners.
 
CD: What is it that you love about writing Sci-Fi romance? Also, your newest release, THE POWER OF THREE, is a paranormal. Do you have plans to write more stories in this or in other sub-genres?
JES: Sci-Fi Romance is my outlet for my creativity. I’ve always been one to stare up at the stars, and wonder what else is out there. As for writing more paranormal, if the inspiration hits, I write the story. I may say “hold on” to a muse, but I won’t tell them “no.” Besides more Sci-Fi Romance, I also plan to write some more Contemporary Romance. My characters are all a little different though, because I believe everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after…
 
CD: Jessica, you write for Decadent Publishing’s 1 Night Stand series, Decadent Publishing’s The Edge Series and Decadent Publishing’s Elatia series. What drew you to these different series? Could you explain a little about writing for each?
JES: Yes, I do write for these three lines, as well as having two series of my own, and another in development. My first 1Night Stand story, Celestial Seduction, was the first story I’d ever submitted. I was always too scared to submit anything, always afraid of rejection, even though that’s a big part of this industry. I’d been working on another story when my friend, Rebecca Royce, told me about this new line at Decadent. Her story, One Night With A Wolf, had just been contracted, and she suggested I look into the line, and maybe add my Sci-Fi twist to it. I mulled over it for a few days, wanted to finish my current project at that time, but when the story idea came, I had to write it. And then I just became addicted to the line, having to tell everyone else’s stories who were involved in Celestial Seduction. Each story in the 1NS line brings together a couple, sometimes more, for one night where all of their fantasies can come true. But the matchmaker, Madame Evangeline, has a tendency to give the people involved more than they were hoping for. These stories are short, can include any and every sub-genre of romance, and always end with a happily-ever-after, or at least a happily-for-now.

With the new Sci-Fi Romance line, Elatia, I was invited by Decadent Publishing to be one of the launch authors. Not only was it an excellent opportunity for me, but it’s very exciting to have a line devoted to Sci-Fi Romance. Each story takes place (though not exclusively), on the planet Elatia, also known as the pleasure planet, where the trained and highly revered Adamos help to fulfill the sexual desires of residents of the planet, and the many visitors. All the launch authors worked together to create the “Elatia Bible” and with that as our only limitation, we were free to write whatever romance story we wanted. My story, An Unexpected Return, is a tale of forbidden love. It is important to note, the stories in this line are all EROTIC Sci-Fi Romance.

THE POWER OF THREE is my first release with The Edge line, though I’ve contracted a second called Crash Landing, and have another one in progress. These stories are shorter than the 1Night Stand line, and much hotter. These stories focus little on the back story of the characters and more on their encounter. They don’t necessarily have a happily-ever-after, but the characters are very satisfied by the end. Once again, they can include any sub-genre of romance.
 
CD: What is your writing process?
JES: I usually brainstorm a story for a few days before starting to write it. I may jot some notes down, or just keep them in my head. Then I write the first draft. Once I’ve finished and revised it a bit, I’ll send it to my critique partners. If it’s a novel, I may send it to them a couple chapters at a time. With their feedback, I’ll revise a couple more times, maybe send out for a beta read, and then submit. I try to write every day, though with the kids off school now, that’s not always possible. I’m looking forward to more writing time come September.
 
CD: What do you believe to be the most important factor in portraying a believable romantic relationship?
JES: I think it’s important to have vulnerable characters. Even alpha heroes and heroines have weaknesses. If they seem too perfect, the story is not believable. 
 
CD: Some of your books feature ménage relationships. I find it hard to balance only two romantic partners! How do you create such amazingly awesome threesomes?
JES: I think the trick is to give them each a place in the relationship. Everyone has a different personality, and it’s important to recognize that in every interaction.
 
CD: Your love scenes are so very hot! How do you craft such steamy erotic scenes?
JES: Thank you! *grins* It takes a lot of practice and many revisions to get them just right. When writing them, I simply try to imagine myself in the character’s situation.
 
CD: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received?
JES: My mom gave me a lot of great advice growing up. She told me never to judge anyone without getting to know them first, and she recited Thumper’s famous line, “If you can’t say something nice, don’t say anything at all.” The second is hard sometimes, but I try to live by it. And I’m trying to teach my own children the same things.
 
CD: What’s the best piece of writing advice you’ve ever received?
JES: Fantasy author, Lorna Suzuki told me to join a critique group when I was still in the early stages of writing.
 
CD: Who is your greatest writing influence?
JES: I don’t think I can narrow it down to one author. I’ve gone through many books by Judy Blume, Ann M. Martin, Francine Pascal, and Nora Roberts. I guess they, along with many other authors have influenced my writing. 
 
CD: What do you enjoy reading?
JES: I read a lot of romance and erotic romance in most subgenres. I also read mystery/suspense, fantasy, and young adult.  
 
CD: What’s your favourite television show? Favourite movie?
JES: For television, I don’t miss Castle or America’s Funniest Home Videos. I often watch reruns of both. For movies, it’s a tie between Avatar and Star Trek(2009). 

CD: If you had to choose only three things to take with you on a long-range mission to seek life in another galaxy, what would they be? 
JES: Food and water, of course, and my tablet. I can read, write and listen to music on it even without Wi-Fi. If it’s going to be a long mission, I’d need something to occupy my time. But then again, I guess it depends on who’s on the mission with me. *grins*

CD: Where can readers find you?
JES: Here!
Website/Blog
Twitter
Facebook
Amazon.com Author Page

Thanks again, Cassandra, for having me on your blog today!

CD: Thank you very much for coming along, Jessica! It’s been a blast 😀

 
And now the GIVEAWAY!
Leave a comment or question for your chance to win a $5 Amazon.com gift certificate. Contest is international. Winner will be drawn July 28, 2012. Good luck!
 

Cursed to live amongst several stone gargoyle statues, Oscar watches a young couple, yearning to participate in their sexual activities. For he has been away from his own lovers for over a year, and longs to touch and be touched again.

When he tumbles off the headboard onto the couple, he is released from the statue but must find a way home. His only thought: a ménage with the man and woman who freed him. But will they try something new to grant him his return passage, or leave him wandering Earth alone?

Now available from Decadent Publishing, Amazon, All Romance Ebooks & more!

For more information and buy links, please visit Jessica’s website.

An excerpt!

“I’m from Wigbay,” [Oscar] stated. “I’m not sure how to explain where that is except to say, it’s in another dimension. I was sent here, trapped as a spirit inside your gargoyle statues when I refused to take on another female lover.”

On the day he’d been sucked away from his life partners, Catalis had arrived at his shared home, shouting curses and calling him out for not taking her as his mate. Against their advice, he left Lianna and Lewis on the love platform, anxious to dispose of their unwelcome visitor. But she had other ideas.

When he met her outdoors, she waved her arms in wide circles, uttering an ancient chant. Her malicious words drew the air around them into a swirling mass. Without the combined power of his mates, he was weak to stop her. Catalis used an energy field to bind him then tossed him into the center of the twister. Lianna and Lewis raced out the door and launched themselves onto the sorceress, but they were too late.

“You were in our statues?”

Oscar blinked hard, returning his attention to his hosts.

Bo’s eyes grew wide, his face a mess of contradictory emotions.

“Another lover?” Delayna asked.

“I’ve been able to move amongst the gargoyles you own for the past year. It feels like forever since I’ve seen Lianna and Lewis—my mates, my lovers.” A wave of sorrow threatened to wash over him, but one glimpse of the sparkle in her eyes brought back his immediate need.

“You’ve been spying on us for a year?” Bo turned to his wife. “I don’t believe this shit about being trapped, but there could be hidden cameras in your statues. I swear, Delayna. I’m throwing every single one of them away as soon as we get this whackjob out of the house.”

“Please, Bo.” She whispered something in his ear and he smiled until he caught Oscar looking at him.

Bo stood up, letting the pillow fall to the floor. “Like what you see?”

Jessica Subject started writing to encourage her daughter to read. Now she writes to keep herself grounded. Although she reads many genres, she enjoys writing Science Fiction Romance the most and believes everyone in the universe deserves a happily ever after. She lives Southwestern Ontario, Canada with her husband and two kids and loves to hear from anyone who has enjoyed her stories.

Cassandra Dean

Cassandra Dean is an award-winning, best-selling author of historical and fantasy romance. She is a 2018 recipient of the coveted Romance Writers of Australia Ruby Award. Cassandra is proud to call South Australia her home, where she regularly cheers on her AFL football team and creates her next tale.

This Post Has 26 Comments

  1. June M.

    The power of three sounds good. I have read a few gargoyle stories, but none where the character was cursed into being trapped into a statue. This sounds really interesting and I am interested in finding out how Oscar and the other characters break the curse.
    manning_j2004 at yahoo dot com

    1. Jessica Subject

      Thanks so much, June! Let’s just say it takes all three to break the curse. 😉

  2. Tien

    First of, great attention-grabbing cover 😉

    I wonder, why gargoyle? I mean, than choosing any other creatures?

    Gargoyles on your headboard… hhhmm… freaky! I’d be thinking of this now everytime I ‘see’ one LOL

    1. Jessica Subject

      Thanks, Tien! The gargoyle came from a conversation with a friend. Yes, I think the same thing when I see them now. LOL

  3. Jessica Subject

    Thanks again, Cassandra for hosting me on your blog today! 🙂

    1. Cassandra Dean

      It’s my very great pleasure, Jessica 😀
      Big congrats on the release of THE POWER OF THREE – it sounds like a corker!

  4. lynncahoon

    Interesting idea – I remember an old 70’s movie where the gargoles came to life, very creepy. Good luck with THE POWER OF THREE.

    1. Jessica Subject

      Thanks so much, Lynn! Oh, I’ll have to look for that movie. 🙂

    1. Jessica Subject

      Thank you, Yvette! 🙂

  5. dmburton72

    Jessica, I can identify with your feelings of fear about submitting. I think all writers feel that way in some measure. Another “Castle” fan, yay! All the best.

    1. Jessica Subject

      Thank you, Diane! I still have that fear, but not as bad. 🙂 Woot for Castle!

  6. Taryn Kincaid

    Great interview. Fascinating excerpt!~

    1. Jessica Subject

      Thank you so much, Taryn! 🙂

  7. ChristineWarner

    Congrats on your release Jessica….I enjoyed the interview and the blurb!

    1. Jessica Subject

      Thank you Christine! I’m glad you enjoyed it. 🙂

  8. LJ Garland

    Great interview! Enjoyed learning about The Power of Three. Very intriguing excerpt! And yeah…my mom told me the same thing about the if you can’t say anything nice, don’t say anything at all. Yep, it’s tough sometimes…lol 🙂

    1. Jessica Subject

      Thanks, Laura! I bite my tongue a lot. LOL

  9. Petula Winmill

    I have always tried to keep with thumper’s line as well. Some people don’t understand how badly words can hurt.
    Do you prefer to create male or female aliens?

    1. Jessica Subject

      It’s true. Unfortunately they don’t.

      Oh, most of my aliens are male, but in a story I just submitted, the heroine is the alien, and the hero is from Earth. I have another story planned the same way, but the three I’m working on now, the hero is alien. 🙂

  10. Carol Maurer

    Best of luck on your new book. It sounds mostly unusual.

    1. Jessica Subject

      Thank you so much, Carol! 🙂

  11. Jessica Subject

    Thank you again to Cassandra for hosting me, and to everyone who stopped by to read the interview!

    The winner of the $5 Amazon.com e-gift certificate is Lynn Cahoon. Congratulations! 🙂

    1. Cassandra Dean

      Congratulations, Lynn!
      Jessica, thank you so much for visiting the blog. It’s been my pleasure to host you 😀

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