Cozy Guest Friday: Jennifer Jakes + Giveaway

Welcome to our last Cozy Guest Friday of the year! Today we’re rolling out the guest carpet for author Jennifer Jakes whose latest romance, Twice in the Lifetime, is now available now for just $0.99…

Be Careful What You Wish For. . .

No-nonsense stuntwoman Isabella Douglas will do anything to stop an unwanted divorce and reclaim the happy life she had, even allow her old friend to concoct a magical spell to turn back time. But when the spell goes awry, Izzy finds herself trapped aboard a 1768 Caribbean pirate ship with a captain who’s a dead ringer for her sexy as sin husband, Ian. Convinced he’s playing a cruel joke, she’s furious – until she realizes he doesn’t know her or believe they’re married.

Captain Ian Douglas does not have time to deal with an insane woman who claims to be his wife; he has to save his kidnapped sister. But as Izzy haunts his dreams and fills him with erotic memories he can’t explain, he’s forced to admit he feels more than lust.

Trapped in a vicious cycle of past mirroring present, Izzy knows they only have days to find Ian’s sister and prevent disaster from striking a second time. If she doesn’t, their marriage will be destroyed again – along with the man she loves.

Stay tuned for a sneak peak from Twice in the Lifetime. Now we go to our Cozy correspondent Tink who is currently aboard the Black Pearl with Captain Jack Sparrow and a few of her other swashbuckling friends somewhere in the Carribean. Take it away, Tink….

*A Chorus of "A Pirate's Life for Me"*

Tink: Hello, Cozies! The people of WannaLuvaPir’ate Beach decided that a hostile takeover was in order so Jack and I are now sailing the high seas. And may I just say that it’s very warm here ;)

The Black Pearl now boasts a wet bar, thanks to some canoodling with the captain from yours truly. You're welcome! Jennifer, if you were a mixed drink what would you be and why?

Jennifer: Oooh, I would  be my new favorite drink, a Pomegranate Margarita. It’s pretty sweet, a little sour, kind of fruity and really yummy. Why? Well, I’m sweet, can be sour, have been known to act fruity and my hubby thinks I’m yummy :)

Tink: If you were stranded on a desert island and could bring only one of each of the following…what would they be? Person? Song? Book?

Jennifer: Person: Gotta say Alex O’Loughlin – not only is he gorgeous, but he has a sexy Aussie accent!

Song: I can’t pick one song!!! The reason I can’t is because I listen to so many different types of music – all depending on what I’m in the mood for.

Book: Hmmmm. I’d take One Night With A Prince by Sabrina Jeffries.

Tink: What would be the name of your pet gourd?

Jennifer: Bond. James Bond.

Tink: Now for a bit about your book. If you wrote to music, what would be this book’s theme song?

Jennifer: The song I used when I was writing Twice in a Lifetime was Crazy Girl by The Eli Young Band. If you hear it and have read the book, it’s just the perfect theme.

Tink: What are the first words your hero speaks to your heroine (or vice versa)?

Jennifer: Izzy to Ian: “What in the hell are you doing?”

Tink: Would you define your hero as an alpha or a beta? Why?

Jennifer: Oh, Alpha. I always write Alphas – or as I like to call them, Balphas. Because I love really strong men, but they have to have a soft, snuggly side….even tho’ they hide it most of the time.

Tink: Does your hero prefer to wear boxers, briefs, a kilt? Or commando? ;)

Jennifer: Oooooh. Commando.

Tink: What is your heroine’s idea of the perfect date?

Jennifer:  She and the hero, Ian, snuggled on a chaise lounge on their deck, watching the stars and drinking a glass of wine.

Tink: What is your favorite thing about each character?

Jennifer: Izzy: Her stubbornness.

Ian: His loyalty and the depth of love he has for Izzy.

Tink: More seriously, what was your biggest challenge crafting this story or these characters?

Jennifer: Making the time travel – and reason for the time travel – logical. I’m big on logic.  LOL

Tink: Now for a more in-depth look at the author… I will now ask you a round of nosy and nonsensical questions developed by Bernard Peevo and used by James Lipton on Inside the Actor’s Studio…. Brace yourself… What sound or noise do you love? Hate?

Jennifer: Love a gurgling stream or lapping waves. Hate high pitched noise.

Tink: What’s your favorite curse word?  

Jennifer: Ummm. I’m afraid I drop the F*bomb.

Tink: What profession other than yours would you like to attempt?

Jennifer: Oh, well, if you’ve read my Bio, I’ve tried several that I wanted to. I have a kind-of career bucket list. But I still want to be a Room Stager (someone who stages houses or rooms before a real estate open house)

Tink: What profession would you not like to participate in?

Jennifer: Roofer or high-rise window cleaner. I’m terrified of heights/ladders.

Tink: Now for a sneak peak from Twice in a Lifetime….

Her fingers threaded in his thick hair as she traced his mouth with the tip of her tongue. “Kiss me.” 

He hesitated, then groaned and covered her lips in a breath stealing kiss. Hot, wet, silky. Her nipples hardened, ached for his touch, the tug of his fingers, the pull of his mouth.

“Touch me.” She pressed a kiss to his throat, then licked his collarbone. “I need your hands on me.”

He grunted and slid his hands down her back. Rough palms gripped her cheeks, grinding her against his erection. His gaze burned through her as he moved his thigh between her legs.

“Yes. Please.” She tilted her hips, rubbing, needing release more than air. “Oh, God, yes.” Desire roared through her, the ache building. Building. The orgasm so . . .damned. . .close.

A sharp knock sounded at the door. “Captain? The men are ready to go ashore.”

Ian pulled back and swallowed hard, his expression hungry, his heart thumping against her breast.

“Captain?”

“Yes. Yes, I’ll be right there.” His heavy lidded gaze skimmed her body. Possessive. Aroused. Regretful as he set her aside.

Her mind crawled to process what was happening while her body was doused with disappointment. “You’re still going?”

He raked through his hair, then nodded. “We need provisions before sailing for Jamaica. I’ll only be a few hours.” He stepped to the door, but turned and pinned her with a hard stare. “But when I return . . .”

“Yes?” Her heart thumped in anticipation of some explicit description of what he would do to her. Oh, but his tongue was naughty in all the right ways.

“. . . I expect an explanation.”

Izzy drooped against the door, her thoughts racing even though her legs collapsed. This was going to be the shortest second chance in history.

Tink: And the questions Jack and his merry band of buccaneers have been waiting all day to ask…. If you could choose anyone (real or fictional) to be the captain of your, er, ship…who would it be? 

Jennifer: Capt. Jack Sparrow

Tink: Excellent answer! Which savvy piece of the Caribbean would you most like to take home?   

Jennifer: You know that gorgeous island Capt. Jack is marooned on ….the one with all the rum? I don’t need to take it home, I could just move there. With Jack for company, of course. :)

Tink: Would you rather take your chances with a zombie, a mermaid, or Blackbeard?

Jennifer: Zombie

Tink: And most importantly – Captain Jack Sparrow, Will Turner, or Commodore Norrington?  

Jennifer: Ohhh, Capt. Jack all the way!

Tink: Jennifer, our captain would like me to invite you to share his quarters while you are aboard the Pearl as his guest of honor. He would also like to reserve the right to call you his "love." I'm more than a little jealous :) Now back to you, Cozies. This is Tink and Jack and all the rest in the Caribbean signing off….

After trying several careers—everything from a beautician to a dump truck driver—Jennifer finally returned to her first love, writing. Maybe it was all those Clint Eastwood movies she watched growing up, but in her opinion there is no better read than a steamy western historical.

Married to her very own hero, she lives on fifteen acres along with two beautiful daughters, three spoiled cats, three hyper dogs and one fat rabbit. During the summer she does Civil War re-enacting and has found it a great research tool, not to mention she has continued appreciation for her microwave and hot water heater. Visit Jennifer Jakes at www.jenniferjakes.com....

Cozies, you can purchase Twice in a Lifetime now from Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Smashwords, and Are….

Jennifer was kind enough to offer a giveaway for today’s guests. By commenting to today’s post and answering the following question before midnight EST tomorrow, you will be entered to win an ebook edition of Twice in a Lifetime:

 

What is your favorite part or line from the Pirates of the Carribean?

I think Jack likes this giveaway already! The winner will be announced here at Cozy on Sunday. Please be sure to check back to see if you have won. (Chances of winning depend on the number of entries; you must be 18 years or older to enter.)

Cowboy Lovin' Day 30: A Personal Thank You

Okay - so we've talked quite a bit this month about why cowboy heroes are so great. There's a few things I'd like to say before the party ends tomorrow. First of all, thank you to all the Cowboy Lovin' guest authors who have brought their love of western romance and cowboy heroes here to The Cozy Page. And I think I can speak for every single one of you and every other western romance author out there, thank you to the readers. If it weren't for your continued love and revival of the genre, we'd be lost. It's an honor to share our stories with all of you. Finally, a personal thank you to all the readers who participated in my first major blog event. You made every moment special - even those of you who just lurked. (Yes, I know you're there ;) You've made the start to the new year truly amazing!

While parading around the web in my cowgirl boots and my western frame of mind, a few interesting articles caught my eye. One especially on target was New York Times bestselling historical romance author Eloisa James's eloquent blog piece "Way, Way Out West" on Barnes & Noble's Reading Romance. She not only recommends great "cowboy" titles, she pinpoints that X-factor of a true cowboy hero - the one that keeps us readers coming back for more. A must-read....

While trying to make an early dent in my 2010 reading list, I came across my copy of Jillian Hart's Homespun Bride - an inspirational western romance. It isn't often that I read inspirational romance. However, I couldn't resist the western aspect of this one - or, of course, the cowboy hero. It's been a WHILE since a story has brought me to tears and left me as satisfied. I loved it so much, I plan on reading the first book in the series His Hometown Girl, as well as the close tie-in to Homespun - High Country Bride. Another recommended read...

And I can't recommend the Wayback, TX series enough - not just because I am a part of it. While researching the town of Wayback for Blackest Heart, I was incredibly intimidated by the first stories in the line-up: Rita Thedford's Hot Night in the Blue Bug Saloon and Judith Rochelle's Shadow of the Hawk. Thank you to all the Wayback authors who joined the fun here at Cozy. You are all amazing champions of the genre and an inspiration to me and so many other newbies :) Readers who would like to read the series in its entirety, refer to editor Spencer Glenn's January 11th post....

If you're still hungry for eye candy, Smart Bitches Trashy Books recently featured a Harlequin cover shoot documentary that features...you guessed it: cowboys! The videos are so worth the procrastination time, LOL

This month several of Cozy's guest authors talked about that iconic cowboy hero. Bonanza came up in many Cowboy Lovin' posts. On January 25th, star of Bonanza Pernell Roberts passed away. I think it's only right to take a moment here at Cozy to acknowledge this rugged cowboy's passing.

Since this month was such a blast, I'm planning another party soon here at Cozy. Probably late spring or over the summer. I've mentioned before that 2009 rejuvenated my love of historical romance and it also marked the publication of my first historical - Forever Amore. Any of you readers up for a little Historical Lovin'? Stay tuned for news on that and the launch of Bet It On My Heart in March....

There's still time to enter Christine Columbus's giveaway for a free paperback western romance. And tomorrow is the last day of Cowboy Lovin' and we're going out with a real treat: our last surprise guest author! See ya on the flipside!

Now Available at B&N.com...

Squeee! I'm thrilled - I just found out Forever Amore is now available in paperback through BarnesandNoble.com! Also available by ALW at B&N is The Way Back Home, A Summer's Hope, Denied Origin and, thanks to B&N's new ebook datebase, Blackest Heart!

If you've read any of these titles, please click above and feel free to gab away in the reviews section (and rate them as well)! It's also got this great feature where you can recommend other titles as well! Fun stuff!

Thanks and more good news coming to you all very soon!

DENIED ORIGIN released in print TODAY!!!

Big day today. Huge. Crazy huge. DENIED ORIGIN is now...at this very moment...available in print from The Wild Rose Press, Amazon.com, and Barnes&Noble.com!

It still hasn't hit me. I'm waiting to dive into the clouds and that sparkly realization that my biggest dream has come true and I will soon be holding my first book in my hands. I'll let you know when it happens. Til then, you can catch me on Savannah Chase's Yahoo group. I'll be chatting from 10 to 5 central time!!!

Also more amazing news: I have release dates for my two other contracted stories. BLACKEST HEART will be released as soon as next Wednesday, November 19th. Nope, not kidding! My first Fairhope story, A SUMMER'S HOPE is scheduled for release May 27, 2009, the day of my third wedding anniversary and it will be going to print on the same day. I had no idea this series would go to print because of the length so happy surprise!!!

Lots of snoopy dancing going on today!!!