Jenna Jaxon Romance--because passion is timeless.

Medieval Monday ~ An Excerpt from Love Will Find You by Sherry Ewing

Posted on June 22, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to Medieval Monday, a blog hop for those who love a medieval romance. Over the next weeks, 10 other medieval romance novelists and I will share snippets from one of our works. I haven’t been able to share snippets with these wonderful authors for a while, but I’m so glad I’m back!

Our theme for this session is Nature, and today I’m hosting Sherry Ewing’s Love Will Find You ~ The Knights of Berwyck, A Quest Through Time (Book Four).

BLURB:

Sometimes a moment is all we have…

Ella Fitzpatrick is a woman with a secret. As she comes and goes from Berwyck Castle, seeking refuge within its gates, she yearns to be reunited with the one for whom she crossed time from the twenty-first century. She has lived another lifetime in the twelfth century waiting for the date of their reunion and it is almost upon her. But how could she have known the man she believes she loves is not the person she needs?

Killian of Clan MacLaren has been infatuated with Ella for many a year but has guarded his heart, knowing her affection lies with another. When Ella must flee Berwyck, Killian vows to escort her to her encounter with destiny. But passion flares between them and there is no doubt the bond they have is far greater than either of them expected.

Their time together is running out. Killian has a decision to make that might give him and Ella a future together. If you could change someone’s past, would you seize the moment?

EXCERPT:

She lifted her head to gaze upon this man who had been such a dear friend to her all these years. His eyes filled with concern and she offered him a smile to set any fears he may have to rest. She would not burden him with the troubling thoughts going through her head. If she acted on her feelings for him, surely she would only live to regret such a rash decision. Her destiny was with another and not with this caring man before her.

“I will be fine, Killian. Let us just rest for the eve. Everything will look brighter in the morn.”

Did you miss week seven? Find it on Mary Morgan’s blog here: https://www.marymorganauthor.com/blog

Join Sherry next week for another excerpt on Kelley Heckart’s blog here: https://kelleysrealm.blogspot.com/

BUY LINKS:

Amazon US: https://amzn.to/3cixJPC

Apple Books: https://apple.co/3cjFMvq

Barnes & Noble: http://bit.ly/3crq6pU

Kobo: http://bit.ly/2PB7Dh9

Thank you so much for sharing that excerpt, Sherry. Hopefully, I’ll be seeing everyone on Sherry’s blog today as well for my snippet from Time Enough to Love.

And see you next Monday for more excerpts on Medieval Monday.

The Time Enough to Love medieval romance series by Jenna Jaxon

Posted in Medieval Monday, Medieval Romance, On Time Enough to Love | Tagged blog hop, Jenna Jaxon, Love Will Find You, Medieval Monday, medieval romance, Nature theme, Sherry Ewing, The Knights of Berwyck A Quest Through TIme, Time Enough To Love | 8 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 6/21/20 Only Scandal Will Do ~ Disarmed

Posted on June 21, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!

I’m continuing with snippets the first of my House of Pleasure books, Only Scandal Will Do. I’ve gotten the rights back to this, my first full length novel, and I’m planning to re-release it at the end of the month! Here’s the new cover I just revealed this past week!

BLURB:

He has the woman of his dreams, but what price will he have to pay to win her heart?

Kidnapped and sold at auction in a London brothel, Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam squelches an undeniable attraction to the masked stranger who purchased her, pits her wits against him, and escapes him and the scandal that would ruin her life.

Unable to resist temptation at The House of Pleasure, Duncan Ferrers, Marquess of Dalbury, purchases a fiery beauty. She claims she’s a lady, but how can she be? No lady of his acquaintance in polite society is anything like her. Then he discovers she is who she says, and that this latest romp has compromised her reputation. He knows how that is. One more scandal and he’ll be cast out of London society, but he needs a wife who’ll provide an heir to carry on his illustrious family’s name. He seeks out Katarina, intending only to scotch the scandal, but instead finds his heart ensnared. He’s betting their future he’ll capture her heart, but does he have what it takes to win the wager?

I began my snippets for Scandal well into the book. Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam has been kidnapped and sold at auction in a brothel, The House of Pleasure. She escaped her purchaser, Duncan, Marquess of Dalbury, only to be discovered by him some days later at a ball. He wishes to marry her, but she loathes him. Now he’s afraid they will both be ruined by the incident in the brothel and has forced her brother to defend her honor in a duel. However, Kat, who has learned excellent skills with a sword from her brother, has insisted on defending her own honor in a private duel with Dalbury, the stakes the highest of all: marriage. If she wins, he abandons all hope of having her, if he wins, she marries him immediately. In this snippet, I’ve skipped ahead to the point just after Duncan has made a hit on Kat’s arm, but did not draw blood. They are starting the next part of the fencing match now. We are still in Duncan’s POV.

EXCERPT:

Fully attired, Katarina raised her rapier, nodded to him, and again launched herself in attack. Meeting her blow for blow, he now pressed an attack of his own. She fell back a step before binding his weapon to the ground. He ducked as her blade whistled through the space his head had occupied mere seconds before and he retaliated with renewed vigor as their swords flowed like quicksilver through air that rang with the discordant sounds. Katarina’s blade danced dangerously close to Duncan’s face; the next instant her sword went spinning through the air and landed a mere foot from Tommy Redmond’s still sleeping form.

Katarina’s look of shock did not amuse Duncan in the least, for he assumed his own face bore a similar expression–the disarm had been instinctual, summoned from the long hours of grueling training with Signor Fucile last year. Had he never gone to Italy, this outcome might have been very different.

He straightened, rapier still en garde. His completely vulnerable opponent recovered her composure, however, and stood with face schooled into haughty disdain. Her chest heaved as she sucked in deep breaths, fire in her eyes as she returned his stare dared him to complete his office.

And now to finish the scene :

Duncan moved slowly toward her. As he stepped to her side she did not deign to turn her head toward him, although she tracked him with her eyes. Manning and Matthews had advanced to the edges of the dueling space, but did not breech the barrier.

He continued to circle her until he stood directly behind her. Where could he wound her with minimum damage? Curse her, for putting him in this position! “My lady, do you yield?” he asked.

Motionless, except for the still labored breathing, she replied, “Our agreement was to first blood, Lord Dalbury. If you do not take it, I claim the forfeit.”

Duncan closed his eyes in exasperation and said, “Very well, then, my lady.”

Like the Little Engine that Could, I was able to put Only Scandal Will Do up on pre-order last Tuesday! The pre-order price is just .99, and is available on Amazon, B & N, Smashwords, iTunes, and Kobo. The book reverts to its regular price of $2.99 on Release Day, June 30.

Please come by my blog that day for the release party!

And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.

Posted in Historical Romance, House of Pleasure Series, On Only Scandal Will Do, Promotion, Weekend Writing Warriors | Tagged duel, feisty heroine, fencing, Georgian romance, historical romance, Jenna Jaxon, Only Scandal Will Do, swordplay, Weekend Writing Warriors | 18 Comments

The Writer’s Eye: Using the Senses in Romance Writing ~ The Sense of Sight

Posted on June 17, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

When I first began writing, I blogged a lot about the craft of writing and my thoughts on writing, pretty much as I went along. One series of posts I did almost ten years ago was on using the senses in writing romance. Since I’m once again looking through the writer’s eye at the craft of writing, I thought I’d revisit these posts over the next few weeks, look at them with a more experienced eye and revise as the need arises.

“Before there is a touch, a taste, a moan, a smell, there is perception, seeing and being seen, eye-beckoned.” This quotation from Anne Taylor Fleming in her article, “Awaken Her Senses: Look,” in Best Life, persuades us that sight is the primary sense that we use. Other senses may be touted as being more important, but the sense of sight in a romance novel is paramount to an excellent read.

Van Gogh’s The Novel Reader

Romance writers are always told to “put the five senses into your writing.” What is meant by that is we need, as much as possible, to put our readers into the virtual bodies of our heroes and heroines. Most romance readers want to vicariously experience the joys and thrills of love by putting themselves into the characters they read about. In order to do this, the author needs to describe in detail, everything the characters experience—what they hear, touch, taste, and smell, and see.

In this first post on the senses, I’m exploring the sense of sight and how much our readers depend on us to be their eyes within the world of the novel. When creating a scene, the writer must visualize that place, those people, the action–must see them in her mind before translating that onto the blank page of the manuscript. In doing so, the writer becomes the guide for the reader, helps them navigate a clear path, shows them exactly what they want the reader to see and thereby creates the vision of the book for the reader.

I once had an editor tell me that I had a great scene, except it took place within a white room, devoid of everything. Enthralled by the dialogue and conflict of the scene, I’d neglected to describe anything other than some clothing for the characters. I had to go back and fill in those white walls with descriptions of furniture, artwork, curtains, the sconces on the walls. If I want my readers to “see” the scene, I have to show it to them.

The best way to do this, at least for me, is to submerge yourself in the character, much as the reader will do, and experience the setting, action, and other characters first hand through them. Like an actor who takes on a role, if the writer takes on the persona of his/her character, he/she can see what they see and pass that imagery along–vividly–to the reader.

This technique is called “showing,” and is usually tied to the advice “show don’t tell.” Excellent advice for a writer, but what exactly does it mean? Beth Hill, a fiction editor, writes in the article “Show and Tell–Not Just A Game We Play,” that “Telling forces a reader to stand outside a candy store window, able to see, perhaps, and hear what happens inside. But he remains outside. Yet when a writer shows, he invites the reader into the store to taste the bite of bitter chocolate or the tang of a lemon drop.” It is not, however, description.

An image to illustrate the difference between showing and telling in fiction writing.

“When a writer shows rather than tells, the reader is allowed a more active role. He draws conclusions, he projects himself into the story and into the character’s shoes, he experiences the character’s emotions with the character.” In short, when show is employed correctly, the reader can live vicariously through the characters, seeing what they see, hearing what they hear, tasting what they taste.

Michelle Sommers, in her article for Romance Writers of Australia titled Simply Writing: Show Don’t Tell Part 1, lists the following ways of making sure you are showing the reader, not telling them: Use dialogue and character interactions to show what they are feeling, use the senses to help the reader delve into the world of the novel, describe things with specifics–a beat up, rusty colored VW bus–and use strong verbs and descriptive nouns, use deep point of view (POV) to immerse your reader in the work, and use metaphors rather than cliches or at least put your own unique spin on the old chestnuts.

A good “show” can involve the reader, suck them into the book, let them become part of the book themselves. So much so, they will come joyfully back to experience more.

Writers: Do you have problems with showing rather than telling? How have you overcome this in the past? Tell me, how do you put your reader into your scenes?

Readers: How big a deal is the show vs. tell advice to you? Do you continue to read authors who tell you about what’s going on rather than showing you? Tell me, how this affects you as a reader?

Thanks for coming by! Join me next week when I explore the use of sound in romance writing.

Posted in On Writing, On Writing Romance | Tagged five senses, Jenna Jaxon, sense of sight, show don't tell, show vs tell, writing about the senses, writing romance, writing the senses | 1 Comment

Only Scandal Will Do is on Pre-Order!

Posted on June 16, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

I didn’t think I’d be able to do it, but like the Little Engine That Could, I did!

I’m very pleased to announce that Only Scandal Will Do is now on pre-order on Amazon for the pre-order price of .99. The book will release on June 30, 2020 at which point it will revert to its normal price of $2.99. Here’s the link for you.

If you’re not familiar with my Georgian House of Pleasure series, Only Scandal Will Do is the first book of five in the series. Set in the midst of the wild and decadent times of George III, the series is chocked full of feisty heroines, damsels in distress, arrogant lords, truly evil villains, and skilled swordsmen (and women!) during a time when dueling was quite common (though illegal). If you know and love Jo Beverley’s Malloren series, this is my homage to her and to her characters who are gorgeously drawn.

Here’s the new blurb, followed by an excerpt.

BLURB:

He has the woman of his dreams, but can he find a way to win her heart?

Kidnapped, displayed on the auction block of a notorious brothel, and sold to the highest bidder, Lady Katherine Fitzwilliam is furious and vows to fight her way out. Unfortunately, the rogue who bought her is way too charming and attractive to make that easy. He seduces Kat almost to the point of ruin, but she manages to escape him, although thoughts of him tend to linger long after she’s free.

Duncan, Marquess of Dalbury succumbs to temptation one night and purchases a fiery beauty whose very looks fill him with hot desire. When she insists she’s a lady, he scoffs, but is surprised when she flees before he can claim his pleasure. When he discovers she’s sister to a peer, Duncan is horrified to have compromised her. He offers marriage to scotch the scandal and gain an heir. However, the dazzling charms of the red-haired beauty, coupled with her astonishing skill with a sword, ensnares his heart and soul. If only Katarina didn’t hate him with a fury hotter than three hells…

Can he manage to turn her anger against him into a passion for him? Or will they be doomed to live together, but forever apart?

EXCERPT:

London, 1761

“Put her back in the carriage, now!” Her assailant snarled the brusque command, sending a shiver of fear through Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam.

An unseen attacker seized and tossed her into the coach. Gagged, hands pinioned behind her back, ankles bound together, she lay trussed like a Christmas goose in a cramped bundle on the hard plank floor of the dim carriage, her diaphanous Grecian costume in ruins. Schemes for escape flashed through her head in a dizzying whirl.

The horses jerked forward, the uneven cobblestones of London’s streets jouncing her already aching body.

All because she’d been bored. Doggedly, Katarina tested the bonds securing her hands, strained against the coarse rope then relaxed, seeking play in the cords. None. She muttered a curse and forced her whole body to relax. Tension would never free her. Rough and tumble games growing up with Jack had taught her that.

Jack! God, where was he? Was he alive or… She’d heard one muted cry when they were attacked, then nothing. If her brother were dead, it would be her fault.

Katarina pulled and twisted her wrists. If they’d stayed in Virginia, they would have been better off. London was far wilder than she would have believed. Although she’d heard of women being abducted by highwaymen, she’d thought them only tales–until now.

But when Jack inherited a title, they’d been forced to come to London. The six months of mourning for their father not quite over, Great-Aunt Harriet now commanded the little social life allowed her. The past month found her stuck all day with strong tea and inane gossip about her aunt’s old friends. Finally, rebellion set in. Over breakfast this morning, she’d demanded Jack escort her to a masquerade ball this evening, ironically attired as Athena, goddess of war.

A nasty rut jarred the carriage, making Kat groan. What wouldn’t she give for Athena’s armor at this moment, or at least her spear. She had to admit, though, she’d gotten her wish. She wasn’t bored now.

Come by the blog on June 30 for the release party! I’ll be giving away prizes throughout the day, and revealing sneak peeks of Only Pleasure Will Do, book 5 of the House of Pleasure series that releases in late August.

And today, I’ll be giving away a copy of Only Scandal Will Do to one commenter on this post.

Posted in Giveaways, House of Pleasure, House of Pleasure Series, On Only Scandal Will Do, Promotion | Tagged .99 pre-order, Georgian romance, historical romance, Jenna Jaxon, Jo Beverley, Malloren series, Only Scandal Will Do | 2 Comments

Medieval Monday ~ An Excerpt from Mask of the Highlander by Bambi Lynn

Posted on June 15, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

Our theme for this session is Nature, and today I’m hosting Bambi Lynn’s Mask of the Highlander.

BLURB:

Once she was afraid to touch him. Now she’s afraid to let go.

Forced to marry to avoid war between clans, Kenna Cleary endured three days of her new husband’s painful brutality, unaware of his demon heritage. Leaving her for dead, he rode off to battle the English. In the five years of his absence, she bore him a daughter, increased his holdings, and gained the love and respect of his people. Now he’s home. Must she and the clan learn to endure his cruelty once more?

Can an ancient Celtic god find peace in the mortal world?

The Laird of Domhnul has returned from war a changed man—moreso than his wife can possibly know. Now the warrior faces a new battle, one for his wife’s heart, and his peoples’ trust. He must walk the knife’s edge of deception and danger, all while learning to manage the supernatural power flaring inside him and discovering a heritage he never imagined.

But when his father embroils both them in a deadly plot, can the couple find a way to prevent war between their clans?

EXCERPT:

“Is he not beautiful?” Demona asked squatting next to her.

“Are you trying to revive him?” she asked, deliberately avoiding the goddess’ question.

Demona shook her head. “It is I who put him to sleep. It is the only way I can keep my hands off him.”

Humph. “It did not seem to be working very well when I arrived,” Arduinna said. She laid her palm against the god’s cheek and tilted his face toward her. “He is lovely, but surely you could refrain, given the jealous nature of your husband.”

With a huff, Demona shoved to her feet. “Borvo is the reason I summoned you.” She began pacing, wringing her hands and peering into the trees as if she expected him to emerge from the forest any moment. “I took Ioeannan as my lover a few months ago.” She paused and gazed longingly at the god lying at their feet, then resumed her pacing. “Borvo found out and cursed him. I whisked him out of Celtia before Ankou could claim him.”

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0797VSX71/ref=as_li_qf_asin_il_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=bourdbooks-20&creative=9325&linkCode=as2&creativeASIN=B0797VSX71&linkId=2f712026dcb74ae177c275fc7d2a5417

Thank you so much for sharing that excerpt, Bambi. Hopefully, I’ll be seeing everyone on Bambi’s blog today as well for my snippet from Time Enough to Love.

And see you next Monday for more excerpts on Medieval Monday.

The Time Enough to Love medieval romance series by Jenna Jaxon

Posted in Medieval Monday, Medieval Romance, On Time Enough to Love | Tagged Bambi Lynn, blog hop, Jenna Jaxon, Mask of the Highlander, Medieval Monday, medieval romance, Nature theme, Time Enough To Love | 3 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 6/14/20 Only Scandal Will Do ~ Not Your Usual Duel

Posted on June 14, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!

BLURB:

He has the woman of his dreams, but what price will he have to pay to win her heart?

I begin my snippets for Scandal well into the book. Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam has been kidnapped and sold at auction in a brothel, The House of Pleasure. She escaped her purchaser, Duncan, Marquess of Dalbury, only to be discovered by him some days later at a ball. He wishes to marry her, but she loathes him. Now he’s afraid they will both be ruined by the incident in the brothel and has forced her brother to defend her honor in a duel. However, Kat, who has learned excellent skills with a sword from her brother, has insisted on defending her own honor in a private duel with Dalbury, the stakes the highest of all: marriage. If she wins, he abandons all hope of having her, if he wins, she marries him immediately. In this snippet, I’ve skipped ahead to the point just before the duel is to commence. We are still in Duncan’s POV.

EXCERPT:

At the weapons table, he selected his blade and began to prepare. Katarina had retired to her end of the room and waited in a relaxed stance; she held the sword naturally in a gloved hand, her grip sure, as if with long hours of practice.

He watched the snug cut of her breeches hug her calves and thighs as she executed a series of practice lunges–if only he could strip off that garment to feast his eyes on the smooth, creamy flesh of her lean thighs, trace the curve of her sleek calf with a reverent hand all the way up to…

His breath caught in his throat, stifling the harsh rasp of his panting. With Herculean effort, Duncan dragged his gaze away from her siren’s form. He pulled on his gauntlets, reached for his sword–and stole another glimpse of her–damn, how in hell was he to focus on the duel with such a distraction before him?

Cursing under his breath, he looked over his shoulder. Katarina now stood between Dr. Pritchett, who had arrived just after Tommy, and Matthews, seeming relaxed and calm. She raised her head and, catching his look, sent a dimpled smile his way.

And now to finish the scene :

Damn the woman! He’d wager she could fence just fine in skirts and had donned this outlandish costume merely to distract him. The idea of her cold, calculating nature steadied him, brought him back from the brink of a muddled disaster. He’d show her. He would give her the five minutes he’d promised himself, then a swift cut to her arm and his torture would be over.

Now completely composed, he affected a careless air as he walked to the center of the ballroom where chalk lines delineated the combat area to await his opponent. Katarina embraced Matthews, making every hair on Duncan’s head stand on end. “That is not the usual method to acknowledge a second, Lady Katarina,” he hissed as she took her stance across from him.

“But this is not the usual duel, is it, Lord Dalbury? I will not be offended if you do likewise and embrace Lord Trevor before we begin.” Her eyes were wide in false innocence.

Hah! He would not take that bait. “Shall we commence, my lady? To first blood?”

“To first blood, my lord.” She became quiet and grave. “I wish us both bon chance.”

Beauty, strength, integrity. The perfect woman. “I as well, my lady. You are ready?”

In response, Katarina raised her rapier into position and nodded her head. Duncan took a deep breath and raised his weapon to hers.

Due to time constraints, I won’t be able to put Only Scandal Will Do up on pre-order but it will release on June 30 with what would have been the pre-order price of .99. Come by my blog for the release party!

And don’t forget to check out the rest of the Warriors here. There’s some fantastic snippets to be read.

Cover Reveal! Only Scandal Will Do

Posted on June 12, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

A short while ago I got the publishing rights for two of my House of Pleasure books returned to me. I’m terribly excited to tell you that Only Scandal Will Do, my first full-length romance novel, and the second book of the series, Only Marriage Will Do, will be re-released this summer as indie titles by Jenna Jaxon. 🙂

Only Scandal Will Do will be released on June 30, and as I just got the final cover copy from my editor, Danielle Fine, I wanted to share this one with you today.

Isn’t this fabulous? I wanted the new covers to reflect the steamy nature of the novels, set in the wild and wicked Georgian period, where men were often one sword fight away from death or dishonor, where women were more than dainty damsels, and where love and lust could drive them both to the edge of reason. What do you think? Does this cover promise all that?

As I’m in the process of re-editing the book, I won’t have time to put it up for pre-order (I don’t think), but it will go on sale on June 30 at what would have been the pre-order price of .99. I also will need to create a new blurb for the book, so watch for that during my release party on June 30, along with excerpts, prizes, giveaways, and more!

Better stay tuned to my blog. It’s going to be a scandalous summer!

Posted in Cover Art, Cover Reveal, On Only Scandal Will Do, Promotion | Tagged cover reveal, Jenna Jaxon, Only Scandal Will Do | 1 Comment

The Writer’s Eye: Writing with a Plan ~ Part 3: Branding

Posted on June 10, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

The Writer’s Eye

When I first began writing, I blogged a lot about the craft of writing and my thoughts on writing, pretty much as I went along. When I learned something, I shared. Then life with two careers got very busy and I stopped blogging in favor of writing novels. Now I want to get back to sharing my experiences in writing. Thus, my new weekly post, The Writer’s Eye.

This week, continuing with my “how to plan for your career in writing” topic, I’m touching on the subject of branding.

Over the years, I’ve been given a lot of good advice on branding myself, from the importance of it to how to do it. I’ve taken workshops at various conferences on branding and today will share some of that wisdom with you.

The first and major thing an author needs to do to brand themselves is to decide on your genre/sub-genre and write those books exclusively. This will help your readers identify you as a writer of thrillers, or romantic suspense, or historical romance. You want readers to immediately associate your name with the genre/sub-genre you write. Some authors, Lisa Kleypas and Nora Roberts for example, succeed in writing multiple genres, but beginning authors may want to stick to one until they are well-established (like Lisa Kleypas) before switching to another genre.

Another major thing to be addressed while branding yourself is your use of a pen name. If you wish to use a pen name for your writing, you need to establish it from the very beginning, again so fans will identify this name with your writing. If you wish to write in a separate genre, you can use a different pen name to do so, however, take into consideration that you will have to have separate websites, social media accounts, and marketing plans for your second identity. You may also find you won’t be able to have an author photo for your second pen name, unless it is your image altered in some way. This is a good deal of work, but if you are energized by writing both contemporary and erotic romances, you should seriously think about taking different names for each genre/sub-genre.

And speaking of author pictures, this will also help with branding yourself if you can at all get a picture of yourself out to the public. When I first began writing I was also teaching at a private university and I was afraid of students finding out my identity as a writer of steamy historical romance. So I adopted a pen name (I also thought my real name wasn’t the best to associate with historical romance) and did not allow my picture to be known until my print series was about to come out (I thought I might get it on the back cover). At that point, I had a big identity reveal, did a professional photo shoot to get the best photo of me I could. This is now the only photo officially associated with me.

There are many other things an author can do to brand themselves. One of these is to have a logo created that you can then put on your blog, your correspondence (in the signature block), your swag. Again, have this image reflect your genre and you or your public persona.

Last year I had Patricia Green of Gadzooks Graphics create my logo that is now on most of my publicity (blog, business cards, swag pens, etc). The lavender color and the images of a rose and a sword are all part of branding myself so these things will be linked with my name in the minds of readers.

The final way to brand yourself that I’ll talk about today is branding yourself through your book covers. Your book series can brand you instantly with your genre both from the distinct style of the series from the similarity of the covers within the series. With my self-published works, I have complete control with regard to the book covers and each one of the series has a distinctive look that hopefully says immediately “historical romance” and “Jenna Jaxon.” A couple of years ago I had my medieval series re-covered to blend better with my other series. The original covers were in a very medieval style, while my sweet Regency series was much lighter and airy looking.

The fonts were different, and readers could have that assumed they were written by different people. The new covers took the same style as the Handful of Hearts series, and so help brand me as the author. Now all my indie covers have very similar fonts and styles, so you can usually spot a Jenna Jaxon romance easily. My newest upcoming series, House of Pleasure, will keep the same type of font, however the covers to this much sexier series will have a darker theme, with couples on the covers, the men bare-chested, and the setting a bedroom. Hopefully, it will signal to readers the steamier nature of the books while aligning them still with my other writings.

Thanks for stopping by The Writer’s Eye this week! Next week I’ll go on with another topic of interest from this writer’s eye.

Posted in On Writing, The Writer's Eye | Tagged book promotion, branding, Jenna Jaxon, planning your books, promoting yourself and your books, writer's plans, writing, writing romance, Writing with a plan | 1 Comment

Medieval Monday ~ An Excerpt from To Weave A Highland Tapestry by Mary Morgan

Posted on June 8, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

Our theme for this session is Nature, and today I’m hosting Mary Morgan’s To Weave A Highland Tapestry.

BLURB:

Do they dare unravel the past for a future of love?

Patrick MacFhearguis, hardened by battles won and lost, desires what he can never have—peace within his heart and soul. Yet, the ever-meddling Fae weave a new journey for him to conquer—a task this highlander is determined to resist.

When skilled weaver, Gwen Hywel, is commissioned to create a tapestry for the MacFhearguis clan, she embraces the assignment. While seeking out ideas, she finds herself clutching the one thread that can alter the tapestry of her life and heart.

A man conflicted by past deeds. A woman with no family of her own. Is it possible for love to unravel an ancient past, in order to claim two badly scarred hearts? Or will the light of hope be doused forever?

EXCERPT:

He swayed in his stance, and Gwen frowned.

Concern overrode her angst, and she moved toward Patrick. “They told me you are with fever. Should you be out in this frigid air? Especially without a coat?”

The man wiped a hand over his brow. “Frigid air?”

“Cold, frosty, chilly? Do you understand now?” This continual lack of understanding my words only confirms my worst fears.

A smile curved the corners of his mouth. “Aye. Good Highland air.”

Follow along next week on Sherry Ewing’s blog here: https://sherryewing.com/blog/

BUY LINKS:

AMAZON | BARNES & NOBLE | APPLEBOOKS | BOOK PAGE

Thank you so much for sharing that excerpt, Mary. Hopefully, I’ll be seeing everyone on Mary’s blog today as well for my snippet from Time Enough to Love.

And see you next Monday for more excerpts on Medieval Monday.

The Time Enough to Love medieval romance series by Jenna Jaxon

Posted in Medieval Monday, Medieval Romance, On Time Enough to Love | Tagged blog hop, Jenna Jaxon, Mary Morgan, Medieval Monday, medieval romance, Nature theme, Time Enough To Love, To Weave A Highland Tapestry | 5 Comments

Weekend Writing Warriors ~ 6/07/20 Only Scandal Will Do ~ “Do You Not Recognize Me?”

Posted on June 7, 2020 by Jenna Jaxon

Welcome to Weekend Writing Warriors!

As we move into June, I’m shifting the first of my House of Pleasure books, Only Scandal Will Do, because I’ve gotten the rights back to this, my first full length novel, and I’m planning to re-release it at the end of the month! I’ll have a cover reveal on my blog the end of this week, when the book goes on pre-order, so I’m putting up a picture of the heroine instead.

BLURB:

He has the woman of his dreams, but what price will he have to pay to win her heart?

I begin my snippets for Scandal well into the book. Lady Katarina Fitzwilliam has been kidnapped and sold at auction in a brothel, The House of Pleasure. She escaped her purchaser, Duncan, Marquess of Dalbury, only to be discovered by him some days later at a ball. He wishes to marry her, but she loathes him. Now he’s afraid they will both be ruined by the incident in the brothel and has forced her brother to defend her honor in a duel. However, Kat, who has learned excellent skills with a sword from her brother, has insisted on defending her own honor in a private duel with Dalbury, the stakes the highest of all: marriage. If she wins, he abandons all hope of having her, if he wins, she marries him immediately. In this snippet, the duel is about to commence. We are in Duncan’s POV.

EXCERPT:

“Lord Manning, may I make known to you Viscount Trevor, my second. Lord Trevor, you have already met Mr. Matthews, but will you be so kind as to introduce me to your friend here, Manning?” He gestured to the young man he had come up behind, but who had not turned to greet him, “I did not know you were bringing another witness.”

“I would say we have already been introduced several times, Lord Dalbury,” said the youth, finally turning. “Do you not recognize me, my lord?” Katarina smiled merrily as she tugged on her shirtsleeves, easing them down under the coat sleeves.

Duncan’s mouth slackened with shock–the well-fitting garments that, from the back, had hidden her form showed absolutely every one of Lady Katarina’s lovely curves. His attention kept straying to the fawn colored breeches, neatly buckled below the knee, thank God–what would he have done if she had shown her knees? The breeches hugged her hips–her hips!–defining the curvaceous body he remembered so vividly.

And now to finish the scene :

He forced his eyes up, relaxing somewhat at the coat that resembled a lady’s riding costume, although it was a man’s garment: a sleeved waistcoat, in cherry-red worsted with silver buttons down the front, over a plain linen shirt, with no evidence of stays–sweet Christ, her breasts would be unconfined during the duel. What if he injured them?

Her magnificent auburn hair was pulled back from her face, but he’d seen no evidence of locks down her back when he approached her. “What have you done to your hair?” His uneasiness at her costume became full-blown panic. God, had she cut her hair for the duel?