Author Jessica Lemmon On Romance & Gift Ideas

With Valentine’s Day fast approaching I’m delighted to welcome author Jessica Lemmon to Thoughts to talk about her debut novel, Tempting The Billionaire, and writing romance.  

Here’s a brief look at Tempting the Billionaire:
    Crickitt Day needs a job . . . any job. After her husband walks out on her, she's determined to re-build her life and establish a new career. When swoon-worthy billionaire Shane August hires her as his assistant, she jumps at the chance to prove herself. Despite her growing attraction to her boss, she vows to keep things strictly professional. No flirting. No kissing. Definitely no falling in love.
    Shane August is all business, all the time. He's a self-made man who's poured his heart and soul into his company, and he'd never allow himself to get involved with an employee. Then he hires sweet, sexy Crickitt-and he can't keep his mind or his hands off her. But no matter how much he wants Crickitt, Shane fears that painful secrets from his past will always come between them. With fate working against them, can these two lonely hearts learn that sometimes mixing business with pleasure is the perfect merger? 
 
Jessica, a contemporary romance author, has graciously answered some questions for me.

Mason - How do you develop your characters? Do you start with a name and build on that or a description and find a name?

Jessica - I start with a conversation. Dialog will come out of nowhere and it’s my job to figure out who these two people are and what their history is with one another.

Mason – Tempting The Billionaire deals with a most unusual job for Crickitt Day. What is the most unusual or fun job you've had?

Jessica - Like Crickitt, I spent nearly six years in the direct sales (home party) circuit. I had hostesses, set up home décor and candles in their living room, and wrote up receipts. It was a blast!

Mason - As a romance writer, what gift ideas would you recommend guys buy for their favorite Valentine, as well as suggestions for the ladies?

Jessica - Guys: you can’t go wrong with the gift of TIME. Any outing involving you giving your lady your undivided attention. Dinner out is my favorite (somewhere WITHOUT televisions hanging from the ceiling).

Ladies: we only think guys are hard to buy for. They only want you to buy some new lingerie. ;-) Okay, okay, you want a real tip? Know your guy’s passion – mine loves to golf, so I buy him a round, or golf balls, or his favorite: a gift certificate to Dick’s Sporting Goods.

Mason - What's the most difficult part of writing romance novels?

Jessica - Making sure the conflict gets resolved in a believable way. In romance, the “black moment” happens at *almost* the end of the book. That means you have a very short time to wrap it up and give your characters a happily ever after.

Mason - What can readers look forward to next from you?

Jessica - I’m so glad you asked! Next up is Hard to Handle, book #2 in the Love in the Balance series. The story follows Aiden and Sadie on their journey at happily every after…and boy, do they deserve it! I’m also working on a book about a bad-boy mansion owner who returns home to find his first love right where he left her…..more on that later. :-)

Jessica, thanks for joining us today and answering my questions. I like your gift suggestions for both men and women.

Jessica is a former meat-eater, artist, dreamer, wife, and den mother to two dogs. She currently resides in Ohio with her family. You can visit Jessica’s characters at her Pinterest board: www.pinterest.com/lemmony
 
Thanks everyone for stopping by today. Do you have a hard time buying a Valentine’s Day gift for that special someone in your life? What is the craziest gift you’ve ever received on Valentine’s Day?