Author of 'The Wedding War' ~ Jenny Gilliam

'Author Quickie'

Jenny Gilliam

1. Hi Jenny. Thanks for taking time out from your busy schedule to share your news and views with us. So, tell us about your latest book.

It’s called The Wedding War, and it was released on March 21 from The Wild Rose Press. Right now, it’s a number 3 bestseller on their website.

2. Congratulations! Give us a quick blurb.

“What happens when a fairytale-believing wedding planner and a jaded hot-rod builder who thinks love is nothing more than a chemical reaction end up on opposite sides of the aisle at the wedding of her best friend and his brother? A wedding war erupts.

Jake Ryan will do just about anything to keep his brother from making the same mistake he made. He’s convinced there won’t be a wedding because he’s out to stop it. Mia Briscoe’s determined this will be the most spectacular wedding she’s ever planned. And when she discovers the groom’s brother is out to break up the happy couple? The battle begins.

Jake and Mia have both suffered deep emotional wounds that prevent them from making lasting connections. And both are baffled by the intense feelings they bring out in each other. Can Mia teach Jake that love is something to cherish and not loathe? And if she can, will he be strong enough to bury his past so they can have a chance at a future together?”

3. This storyline sounds more delicious than the Wedding Cake! Where is ‘The Wedding War’ available?

You can buy it in both digital (e-book) and print format from The Wild Rose Press (www.thewildrosepress.com)

4. How about reviews? Share your best one with us.

I’ve been incredibly lucky to receive 4 excellent reviews. Here’s the best one from Cocktail Romance:

“Wedding planner Mia is struggling with her fledgling business following the death of her beloved aunt. Her best friend Jillian is the heiress to a hotel chain, so when she asks Mia to help plan her wedding, Mia’s hopeful that more jobs will result from organizing such a big society event. On her way to meet Jillian and her fiancé Gabe, Mia is forced to sit beside a hunky guy. It’s such a shame that he’s also totally obnoxious.
Jake is on a rescue mission to stop the wedding of his younger brother Gabe. From a young age, Jake was forced into playing the role of a parent to his brother. Their mother abandoned them, and their father became an alcoholic. Jake mistrusts love and is determined to prevent Gabe from making what Jake sees as a big mistake.
Both Mia and Jake have their missions clear. What they don’t count on is finding each other. With Jake determined to stop the wedding and Mia determined to make it go ahead, it’s a clash of personalities and hearts as The Wedding War commences!
I absolutely loved this book. From the strong, humorous opening scene right until the last word, author Jenny Gilliam doesn’t put a foot wrong.
The characters are a joy to read. Even the minor characters fizz with energy. Mia is especially well defined, a sympathetic and instantly likeable heroine. As for Jake – wow, he’s just sex on legs! Take a look at this (slightly biased) description as he and Mia clash for the second time:

Jake Ryan stood in the doorway, one long, sinewy arm propped above his head as he gripped the doorframe. An intricate black tribal tattoo circled his bulging bicep. In his other hand, a bottle of beer dangled from his fingertips. He still wore the black T-shirt that fit him like a second skin, and those Levis. He’d removed the ball cap in what she supposed was respect for dinner, though she still wasn’t convinced he knew how to walk without dragging his knuckles. His black hair was silky, short on the back and sides, a little longer on top. He had close-cropped sideburns that ended at his earlobes. They should have looked ridiculous, but on Jake they were outrageously sexy.

Yum!
As the wedding preparations lurch from one minor disaster to the next – Jillian’s interfering parents, obnoxious relatives, a secret pregnancy, a recalcitrant priest, a hurricane, plus the reappearance of Jake and Gabe’s mother – Mia and Jake overcome their demons and fall in love. With bucket-loads of sexual tension combined with sizzling love scenes, a brisk plot and truly excellent characterization, The Wedding War is a superb read. This is one of the most perfect contemporary romances I’ve seen in a long time – buy it now!”

5. Have you written any other books you’d like to tell us about? (Or currently writing one.)

After contracting The Wedding War with The Wild Rose Press, I’ve gone on to contract another, The Truth About Roxy, to The Wild Rose Press, and my third, Letting Luce, to Amira Press. I’m currently at work on my fifth novel, the stand-alone sequel to The Truth About Roxy.

6. Well done! Give us some info on ‘The Truth About Roxy.’

Here’s the back cover blurb:

“Roxy Palmer is a walking, breathing cliché. And darned tired of it.
Working as the assistant librarian in her small, Southern hometown, Roxy also anonymously pens the local love column, Ask Paula Rockwell--Thorton, Georgia's answer to Dear Abby.

But when the door leading to Roxy's lifetime dream is slammed in her face by one of the good ol' boys, Roxy brings out the big guns—and turns the genteel town upside down with her racier, feminist, home-wrecking new format.

Paula Rockwell is making Sheriff Noah Kennedy's life crazy. He's got angry husbands lined around the block, demanding the cancellation of the column, fights breaking out and women catching their boyfriends' trucks on fire. If he ever gets his hands on that woman…

But he's got his hands full of Roxy at the moment, and if he ever discovers the truth about Roxy, all hell will break loose.

7. And what about ‘Letting Luce?’ Tell us about that one too.

Again, here’s the blurb:

“When Lucy Hollister tried to drop-kick her personal computer out her second-story window, she had no idea it would eventually lead to the seduction of her very hot, very yummy best friend, Rory Carlisle. After all, she’s the queen of passivity, and he’s the reining king of the non-committed relationship. When a sexy online flirtation leads the couple into some steamy situations, Rory realizes that his cute best friend is letting loose—in the best possible way. Can this couple get past old hurts and guarded hearts to embrace the passionate love that awaits?”

8. You seem very dedicated. What’s the secret to your success?

Perseverance. It’s funny; I’m not very fastidious or confident in other areas of my life, but when it comes to my writing—I’m like a machine. I force myself to keep going even when it feels like I’m creating crap on a page. I have a pretty strict schedule I adhere to—I have to, as a stay-at-home mom with two kids under 6. I wake up at 5am every morning and make a goal to write at least one page a day. So, my advice to writers is to make goals—realistic ones you can stick to—and complete them.

9. What do you hope readers will gain from reading one of your books?

I want readers to close my books with my characters stuck firmly in their hearts and minds. I want to inspire them with the emotional aspects of my stories, and most of all, I want them to believe in the power of love.

10. And finally, where can we find out more about you?

http://www.jennygilliam.com/
www.myspace.com/jennygilliam
http://www.jennygilliam.blogspot.com/
http://www.thewildrosepress.com/

Thanks, Jenny, for taking the time to share your news and views with us.If you would like an 'Author Quickie' contact Debby at the ‘Romance ebooks’ myspace profile http://www.myspace.com/romance_ebooks or at deb.TWRP@yahoo.co.uk!

Next on the ‘Author Quickie’ ~ M. Jean Pike!