Meet Historical Romance Author Jessica Jefferson

I'll be the first to admit I was intrigued by Jessica Jefferson's latest release, Taming Miss Tisdale, from the moment I first heard the title. Miss Tisdale sounds like my kind of lady. I'm as interested in the woman behind the woman. Let's dig in and find out more about Jessica, shall we?

Jessica Jefferson makes her home in northern Indiana, or as she likes to think of it—almost Chicago.  She is heavily inspired by classic sweeping, historical romance novels, but aims to take those key emotional elements and inject a fresh blend of quick dialogue and comedy.  She invites you to visit her at jessicajefferson.com and read more of her random romance musings.

What is your current project about?

My latest release, Taming Miss Tisdale, is about the feisty Tamsin Tisdale.  This character was introduced in my first book, Compromising Miss Tisdale, as a younger sister to the heroine and the readers really seemed to enjoy her.  This story starts after Tamsin leaves London to stay with her cousin in the country.  There she meets Mr. Winston, who’s the first man she’s ever really taken a liking to.  He’s the opposite of the stereotypical London gentleman – he’s honest and genuine.  Only, he’s not.  The story is really about his struggle to reveal the truth, and her resistance to fall in love.

Why do you write in the genre you do?
I love historical romance because for as much as it’s an escape from reality, it’s still grounded in reality.  The stories always have some sort of truth in them, no matter how far-fetched the plot maybe.  And I love the predictability of a happy ending.

Why do you write romances?
I write romance because I love to read romance.  But, when I was in college I had published a humorous essay in a college journal.  I love humor, so I always envisioned myself writing some sort of autobiography with a lot of funny content.  I’d love to be the next Erma Bombeck. For now though, I focus of regency and I’ve dabbled a bit with new adult.

Have you ever written a character based on someone you knew?
My characters usually have some element of reality.  I draw a lot of inspiration from real life interactions and experiences.  I’m developing a character now that’s kind of a hodge-podge of some women I worked with that I thought were just fabulous.

Where do you rank in the family hierarchy? First child? Only child? Somewhere in between?

I have three older siblings from my father’s first marriage, and then three siblings from his marriage to my mother.  So – in the grand scheme of things, I’m the middle child.  But at the same time, I’m the eldest of the second batch.  And anyone who knows me knows I have total middle child syndrome with first born tendencies.

What advice can you give writers who are getting started?

Learn.  Don’t assume you know too much.  Take advice.  Join RWA; participate in author groups so you can learn as much as you can about the business you’re entering.

If you could choose two people to have dinner with, from any time period, real or fictional, who would you want at the table?

First, I’d love to have Oscar Wilde with me.  I think he’d be a spectacular conversationalist.  Second, I would love to have Elizabeth Bennett because she just seems like she’d be a good time.

Dog or cat?

Dog.  

So, now that we know something about Jessica, let's find out more about her book. 

Miss Tamsin Tisdale believes herself to be completely unsuitable for London life. After a myriad of social mishaps, and the potential ruination of her family name, she’s shipped away to her cousin’s northern estate. Only after she accepts the type of existence Society dictates she must follow will she be welcomed home.

Marcus Winston, the Duke of Grayson, has a lackluster reputation. The last in a dying line, he’s endured a protected life—rank with privilege, but encumbered by isolation. After a brief encounter with rebellion, he learns the devastating consequences of his carelessness and willingly accepts living life from inside his gilded cage.

However, a chance meeting with the brazen Miss Tisdale gives Marc the opportunity to reinvent himself into the man he’s always dreamed of being. But when his deception comes to light, and ghosts from both their pasts threaten to unravel the intimacy they’ve come to cherish, will either of them set their fears aside long enough to embrace love? Or will Miss Tisdale’s stubbornness divide them?

http://www.JessicaJefferson.com

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