Interview/Giveaway w/ Jennifer Laurens

Hey Book Lovers,

I have a special treat for you today. Author Jennifer Laurens has kindly answered a few of my questions. Thanks so much Jenn. *hugs*

I also decided what better way to share our interview then with a giveaway. So, read the interview, check out Jennifer's books, then leave a comment with your email and your choice of any one of Jennifer's books. On the 15th July I will announce the winner and they will win their choice of  Jennifer's book.

Here's my interview with the gorgeous Jennifer Laurens...


What or who inspired you to become a writer?


I've always enjoyed writing - and reading. I started writing when I was a teenager, writing mostly screenplays ( my Dad was in showbiz ) and plays. Once my kids were all in school ( I have 6 kids ) I picked up writing again after reading "River'sEnd" by Nora Roberts. The book was so engrossing I thought, "I want to bring joy to people like that."

Who is your favorite author and what is it that really strikes you about their work?

I just finished TheGreatGatsby and was awed by some of his sentences. I enjoy books for different reasons. I don't HAVE to pick up a book to study it or be wowed by fabulous writing but there has to be something about the book that catches my attention. That said, I don't have favorite authors anymore -- only favorite books. Nora Roberts wrote beautiful, engaging stories in her early years. Some of those rank high on my list.

Do you read reviews of your books? If so, do they influence your writing?

 No. Never. ( respectively ) Readers opinions are subjective so they can't weigh in on my creative muse. I don't allow that - good or bad. I've had three author friends who've changed their work just to be published by traditional publishers--- after they vehemently said they'd never do that. I could no more write what somebody WANTS me to write than change the sex of a baby in my uterus.

Who designs the covers of your books?

Various artists. I come up with the initial concept. (i.e. the-face-in-the-clouds for Heavenly. The ambiguous teacher with the red apple for Eden )

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A mother. I'm an only child and I wanted a big, happy family. I got big - and I got challenging. ( my daughter with autism - our lives shared in my book Heavenly ) but it's all good. The real purpose of life is family, not self indulgence or aggrandizement. I write on the side because I love sharing the stories inside of me. I hope to find readers who enjoy the stories - that's my dream for my writing.

Can you tell us a little about what your working on now?

A YA love story that crosses time barriers. Every book of mine has elements of my life experiences in it - this one brings the years I worked in the entertainment business into the story. I wrote it as a screenplay years ago, then a novel, now it's a YA novel - and it's translating well into a YA novel, I'm very pleased with it so far.

Do you have anything you'd like to say to your readers?

 I appreciate the love and support. I'm in this on my own as an indie - but I've just scored national distribution - so I'll have my books in stores soon. More news on that as it comes!

Jennifer Laurens Heavenly books would have to be my favs, they are just amazing and I highly recommend giving them a read. Here's a little snippet from book 1

                      Heavenly

I met someone who changed everything. Matthias. My autistic sister's guardian angel. Honest. Inspiring. Funny. Hot. And immortal. That was the problem. What could I do? I did what any other girl would do-I fell in love with him.

Zoe's sister darts in front of cars. Her brother's a pothead. Her parents are so overwhelmed; they don't see Zoe lost in her broken life. Zoe escapes the only way she knows how: partying. Matthias, a guardian sent from Heaven, watches over Zoe's autistic sister. After Zoe is convinced he's legit, angel and lost girl come together in a love that changes destiny. But Heaven on Earth can't last forever.

Check out Jennifer's books on her website http://www.jenniferlaurens.com/

Can't forget Jennifer's blog she loves having giveaway's every week for her fans  http://www.jenniferlaurens.blogspot.com/

Go say hi to Jennifer on her facebook  fan page.

You can also BUY all Jenn's books at the Book Depository