Today's Special - - Jessica Peterson

I'm delighted to welcome Jessica Peterson to the Dish today. I just finished reading The Undercover Scoundrel, the third book in Peterson's The Hope Diamond trilogy, and it's terrific. It's my favorite of the trilogy and kept me eagerly turning pages from beginning to end! 

Jessica began reading romance to escape the decidedly unromantic awkwardness of her teenage years. Having found solace in the likes of Rhett Butler and Mr. Darcy, it wasn't long before she began creating tall, dark, and handsome heroes of her own. 

A graduate of Duke University, Jessica worked at an investment bank before leaving to pursue her writerly dreams. She lives with her husband, the tall, dark, and handsome Mr. Peterson, in Charlotte, North Carolina.  

TOP FIVE HOT RED HEADS

Hello ladies and gents!  My name is Jessica Peterson, and my latest historical romance release, THE UNDERCOVER SCOUNDREL, hits shelves on June 2.  It’s the third and final book of THE HOPE DIAMOND TRILOGY, a Regency-set series I pitch as THE THOMAS CROWN AFFAIR meets a (very sassy!) Jane Austen.

First, I’d like to thank PJ for having me back on The Dish.  I so enjoy reading your blog, so it’s an absolute pleasure to be featured here.  I can’t tell you, PJ, how much your continued support of my career in romance means to me.  You’re the absolute best!

It’s funny, but when I first started to write years ago, I always imagined writing would be the equivalent of flying through rainbows on a magical unicorn: a thrilling, out-of-body experience.  Turns out, actually sitting down at my computer to write is a heck of a lot harder than I ever thought it would be.  You can’t wait for the inspiration to find you, I’ve learned; you’ve got to sit down and write until you find it.  And let me tell you, inspiration can play tough to get like I’ve no one I’ve ever met.

No book is easy to write, but THE UNDERCOVER SCOUNDREL was a particularly difficult manuscript for me.  I think it’s because SCOUNDREL is the most emotionally complex book I’ve ever written.  It’s a “second chance romance”; the story of estranged lovers reunited, unexpectedly, more than a decade after they fell in love as teens.  I think making such a romance believable, especially considering the betrayals and secrets between the characters, is no small feat.  I worked hard to that end, and I think SCOUNDREL is some of my best work yet!

Speaking of the scoundrel who inspired the title – my hero, Henry Beaton Lake – let me just say that I fell utterly and irrevocably in love with him.  Maybe because he’s a spy, maybe because he’s smart and sweet and savvy; but really I think I love him because he’s a ginger.

That’s right – I’m having a MAJOR red head moment.  I don’t think I’m the only one who loves a fiery-haired fellow, especially one with a man bun.  To that end, I thought it would be fun to do a top five hot red heads for your reading pleasure.  All of the studly gingers listed below provided the inspiration in part for Henry.  Enjoy!

5. Ed Sheeran

Not gonna lie, I am totally obsessed with Ed and his latest album, X.  I saw him open for Taylor Swift a couple years ago, and I’ve been smitten ever since.  He’s obviously a very talented musician – I mean, who doesn’t love a cutie who can strum a guitar? – but what I really love about him is his vulnerable adorableness.  He’s sexy in an understated, oh-so-charming way.

4. Jamie Fraser (really Sam Heugen) from OUTLANDER

I think red headed dudes are having a moment thanks to this guy.  It took me a while to get into the OUTLANDER series, but after the first few episodes, I was totally hooked – because of Jamie.  Whoever casted this series got it so, so right.  Yes, Jamie/Sam is deliciously well-muscled, he’s tall, he’s gorgeous.  But he’s also got the acting chops to make a romantic lead compelling.  I think this is where the FIFTY SHADES movie fell short.  OUTLANDER, however, knocked it out of the park.  Well done, OUTLANDER movie people.  Well done.

3. Prince Harry

Do I even need to explain this one?  Didn’t think so.

2. Clay Matthews

So my husband is a huge Packers fan (Go Pack Go!).  I am not the biggest sports nut – I never, ever watched football before I got married – but I certainly do not mind watching the Packers game on Sunday if #52 is on the field.  He’s actually the inspiration for Henry’s physique and his sassy little smirk.  I am also having a big man bun moment – guys with long hair?  Yes, please.

1. Henry Beaton Lake (obviously)

Sorry, guys and gals, I had to do it.  But I really do love my UNDERCOVER SCOUNDREL.  He’s a ruthless spy – with a flair for disguises – who’s got a soft spot for his first love.  And the man bun?  Yikes.  It was truly a pleasure to see him come to life on the page, even if it took me three drafts and lots of tears to get there.  Henry, I love you, and hope readers do, too!

Is there anyone I missed?  Feel free to share your red head loves and hates!

A randomly chosen person who leaves a comment on today's post will receive a prize pack from Jessica. (U.S./Canada only)

Mr. Henry Lake spent the past twelve years uncovering the most scandalous secrets of Europe’s wealthy and powerful, serving as one of His Majesty’s most decorated spies. But when a mission to find the legendary French Blue diamond brings him back to London, and face to face with a beautiful noblewoman he once loved, it’s his own hidden passions that are uncovered…

Lady Caroline, Countess of Berry, knows better than to lose her head over a man. After an embarrassing romantic entanglement forced her into a loveless marriage and early widowhood, she learned to never trust in desire, especially when it comes to the man who once broke her heart. Only, despite her good sense, she finds Henry impossible to resist—even when he once again places her in deathly danger…

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Jessica Peterson Winner

The winner of a copy of The Millionaire Rogue by Jessica Peterson is

Connie

Congratulations, Connie!

To claim your book, please send your full name and mailing address to:

theromancedish (at) gmail (dot) com

Today's Special - - Jessica Peterson

I became aware of Jessica Peterson a few months ago when my newspaper ran a "local woman publishes first book" story. We connected via email then met in December for lunch. The food was secondary. The highlight for me was spending a few hours with a vibrant, intelligent, woman who shares my love of romance. In fact, the conversation was so enthusiastic I'm amazed we found time to eat!   

Jessica is a Duke University graduate and former investment banker who is now pursuing her dreams as a full-time published author.   

Please join me in giving Jessica a warm welcome!

Welcome, Jessica! Your new book, The Millionaire Rogue was released January 6^th. Please tell our readers what they can expect from this book.

Hi, PJ!  Thank you so much for having me on the Romance Dish.  The Hope Diamond trilogy is my debut foray into Regency romance; I pitch it as The Thomas Crown Affair meets a (sassy!) Jane Austen.  Think lots of action, lots of witty banter, and LOTS of romance.  The Millionaire Rogue follows an unlikely pair – a banker and a debutante – as they become embroiled in a thrilling, and unexpected, adventure when the infamous French Blue diamond mysteriously appears in 1812 London.

I loved the intense connection between your unconventional hero and heroine, even though they both have their sights set in different directions. What do you want readers to understand about these two?

Great question!  I have to admit that I am a sucker for intensity in romance.  In an age of endless choice – and social media – I think indifference rules these days.  Not so in my version of Regency England!  There is something incredibly sexy, endlessly thrilling, about being wanted, quite ardently, by someone – and wanting him or her in return.  I was hoping to make the connection between Thomas and Sophia so intense, so overwhelming, they were both powerless against it.

I was also playing with the theme of authenticity.  Sophia thinks she wants to marry a Marquess with a fortune and a castle; she thinks such a man will make her happy.  Thomas thinks his bank and his money are what matter most in life.  They are both living their lives according to who they think they should be; it is quite a struggle for Sophia and Thomas to accept who they really are, to accept the things – and people – who make them genuinely happy.

I know this struggle of who you should be versus who you truly are quite well myself.  When I graduated college, I went to work at an investment bank.  It was very much a “round peg, square hole” situation; considering I was a creative introvert who wanted to write books, the job wasn’t very “me.”  But it was who I thought I should be: the career-minded gal who kept up with her peers.  I was pretty unhappy, needless to say.  It took me years to find the courage to accept who I was, what I was good at, and what I wanted to do.  It took even more years for me to pursue those things.  So I know Thomas and Sophia’s dilemma well!

The Millionaire Rogue is the second book in a trilogy centered around the Hope Diamond. Do the books stand on their own or should they be read in order?

The books stand on their own.  Each is set in the same world, with the same characters, and the action in all three books happens co-currently, but you won’t be missing or spoiling anything by reading one book before another.  Each book follows a different couple, so you see events from a different perspective every time.

Other than the beauty of the jewel, what is it about the Hope Diamond that intrigued you enough to build a series around it?

I am a huge history buff, and like most girls, I do love diamonds.  It was the Hope Diamond’s story, however, that initially attracted my attention.  Before I started writing, I did a ton of research on the Regency period.  Turns out the Hope Diamond – known then as the French Blue, a diamond that once belonged to the Kings of France – mysteriously appeared in 1812 London after having vanished from Paris some twenty years before during the revolution.  This gap in the historical record was far too tantalizing a mystery to pass up.

This book has the action, romance and intrigue that would translate well to the big screen. If The Millionaire Rogue were to be made into a movie, who would you cast as Thomas and Sophia?

Ooooh, I love this question!  My husband and I were watching a lot of Game of Thrones while I wrote Millionaire, and as any fan will tell you, Games features some pretty delicious actors.  I’d cast Kit Harrington, who plays Jon Snow in Games, as Thomas Hope.

As for Sophia, I always imagined her as a kind of Katy Perry.  Dark, dark hair, pale-skinned and curvy, with huge, mischievous eyes.  Sophia may be a debutante, but she certainly has an adventurous edge.

Let’s talk about you a bit. This is your second book. How has becoming a published author changed your life?

Oh, wow, how things have changed – in small ways and large.  It’s funny, but when you’re in the trenches, writing anonymously, all you want to do is to finish the book.  And then, once you finish the book, all you want is to find an agent; you find an agent, and you want a publishing contract.  You get a publishing contract, and you see your books on shelves, and all you want are great reviews.  It’s a never-ending cycle of “wow this is so cool” and “wow now I want this, this, and this to happen.”

Not that being a published author hasn’t been an amazing experience; I still pinch myself when I see my book on a shelf at the store!  But it’s definitely difficult to stay in the moment.  I read this quote from Epicurius a few months ago, and when I beat myself up for whatever I haven’t accomplished, this is a nice reminder of how far I’ve come: “Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you do not have.  Remember what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for.”

What do you enjoy reading when you’re not busy writing your own books?

I obviously LOVE historical romance; PJ and I had the loveliest lunch where we gushed over our favorite authors.  Elizabeth Hoyt is a favorite, as is Tessa Dare; I always love Eloisa, and I adore Kate Noble. 

I’ve also been reading quite a bit of YA this year – I’ve discovered I love contemporary romance!  Anything Stephanie Perkins, Gayle Foreman, or Rainbow Rowell, I am in!

I don’t make New Year’s resolutions but I do record my hopes for each new year. What are your hopes for 2015?

Another great question.  I hope I end my debut year on a confident note.  I hope I have a clearer understanding of where my career will be take me – and what I will be writing.  I hope to read great books, learn my craft, and become a better writer.  And I hope to finally organize my laundry room!

Where can readers find you online?

I love hearing from readers – whether it’s via my blog, Facebook, Twitter, Goodreads, or Instagram.

My website: www.jessicapeterson.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/jessicapetersonauthor

Twitter: @JessicaPAuthor

Instagram: @JessicaPAuthor

What’s next?

Right now, I’m working on revisions for book 3 of The Hope Diamond Trilogy, titled The Undercover Scoundrel.  It’s gonna be a good one, guys – the mysterious Henry Beaton Lake might be my favorite hero yet!

Thank you for visiting with us today, Jessica. Would you like to ask our readers a question?

Of course!  Tell me – what is your favorite, super-intense hero-heroine connection?  Bella and Edward?  Christian and Ana?  Any Elizabeth Hoyt hero and heroine?

One randomly chosen person leaving a comment will receive a copy of The Millionaire Rogue. (U.S. & Canada only)