Jennifer Jakes Interview & Giveaway

Hello Jennifer Jakes. Thank you to taking the time to stop by. I am honored to have you here.

To start would you mind telling the readers a little about yourself?

Well, I'm married and we have 2 daughters. We live in the Midwest on a small farm. My mom says I'm like a Jack of All Trades because I've done a lot of different things - everything from managing a restaurant to driving a dump truck - but they were all things I wanted to try. (I have a long and varied bucket list)

Your upcoming release is Rafe’s Redemption what can you tell us about it?

Rafe's Redemption is the story I always wanted to write. And I don't mean I wanted to write a book and Rafe was what evolved. I mean I wanted to write about a heroine trapped in a snowy mountain cabin with a rugged, sexy man. And I had to write about an emotionally wounded hero. They are my favorite to read about, so....

There have been a lot of cowboy books lately, and I have enjoyed them. Is there any special reason you chose to go with trappers instead?

I have to admit this is the first book I have read that has had them as the main character(s).I'm one of those people who have to step outside the box. (LOL) I really wanted to write in the era I love, but my interest lies more with frontier-type stories rather than the traditional cowboy/western per se.

You refer to the Civil War in memory flashbacks only. It has a big effect on Rafe, yet doesn’t seem to have touched Maggie. I know you do some live reenactments (from what you website says), so I know you already have personal knowledge beforehand. Did you do much research into the War for this book itself?

Yes, re-enacting is a great research tool for getting a real feel for the time period, the utensils they used, the food they cooked and how, the fabric they wore (I re-enact as an Union Army laundress encamped with my Corp. husband), but for other details I read and watch a lot of Civil War documentaries. Some of my research led me to believe that for some of the very rich, life was not so effected. For example, the son of a rich man wouldn't have had to go fight if his father or family was willing to pay the $300 fee. However, Maggie's story/background would have been completely different if she had been a daughter of the South. Those women and their lives were horribly effected no matter how wealthy their families were at the beginning of the war. Once interesting fact is that in the beginning of the way, people used to pack picnic baskets and find a hill overlooking a battle. They would lunch and watch the fighting as if watching a stage-play.

Why did you have Maggie “auctioned” off instead of just dumping her and having Rafe rescue her from Joe or something? This is great drama, but seems extreme (and does show just how bad her cousin is…)?

*grin* Well, I'm kind of an all or nothing person. So for me every time I pictured the opening scene, Maggie was being sold - and as writers, we're told to make the opening scene count. So I did. And as you said, what better way to show just how evil cousin Michael really was.

You have Maggie as an artist. Do you draw any yourself? Yes, I like to draw and paint.

You have Rafe’s home being part of a cave. Then when Cecil and Little Owl have to hide, they use an abandoned mine (which I think are brilliant by the way). Where did you come up with this idea for their homes? Cecil and Little Owl's mine came to me from a wonderful picture I found. As soon as I saw it, I knew where I wanted it to go in my story. Rafe's cave came about because I wanted the tunnel to be there for the ending scene with Simon. So it was kind of a "working backward" thing. When I knew I needed a tunnel, I thought, why not a cave? :)

While your characters do feel guilt over killing, you don’t seem to have a problem killing the bad guys (vs sending them to jail or such). I don’t think this is wrong, especially when the bad guy keeps going after someone. But books don’t tend to be written this way… Is there a reason you went this direction?

I'm just a Tom-Boy at heart. I grew up with brothers, no sisters, and all my cousins were boys. My dad was a Clint Eastwood freak, and movies like "The Outlaw Josey Wales" are what I relate to as having a real western feel. Most of those movies are very "gritty" and that's what I like. My favorite movies now are ones like "Open Range" with Kevin Costner and "Unforgiven" with Clint Eastwood and Morgan Freeman. And of course "Lonesome Dove". Those have realism for me. That's what I strive for in my stories.

When did you know that you wanted to be a writer? Was your family and friends supportive?

Well, I've always made up stories in my head, but I never really thought about writing them down until our first daughter was born. She was a non-sleeper, so I had long hours of walking the floor (or rocking) with nothing to do but think. That's when I started seeing pieces of Rafe's Redemption in my head. And yes, everyone was very supportive.

What is the writing process like for you? Do you have a particular writing process or any writing rituals?

Unfortunately I'm kind of a binge/purge writer. Also, I have to really get inside the characters before I can start the actual writing. Then I'm off and (fingers) flying.

In your free time what can you be found doing?

I like to watch the Food Network - though it makes me wish I was a better cook! If the sun is shining, I'm outside doing something in my flower beds..

What are you currently working on? Anything you can share regarding your current Work in Progress?

I'm re-working a novella I wrote a few years ago and I'm also working on a novel set in 1898 Alaska during the Gold Rush.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us?

I wanted to thank you for having me here today! And thank for the interesting questions.

Giveaway: We have the Sizzling Read of the Month giveaway going on wth Jennifer giving away an ebook copy and a paperback copy of Rafe's Redemption. Two winners. Enter here.