1. I hear you have a pet in your latest novel. Tell us about the book.

My new novel, Lacewood, is a blending of all the things I love to read: history, mystery, and a love story (actually TWO love stories), all of which are blended together in a small Southern town. Two things that most of my books contain are characters who are in the military or veterans—and at least one animal. The pet featured in this book is a German shepherd named Zeke, who is an emotional support animal for one of the main characters who has PTSD.

Lacewood Blurb:

A love story that spans centuries…

Two people trying to escape their pasts find a connection through an old house—and fulfill a destiny through the secrets it shares. Part love story, part ghost story, Lacewood is a timeless novel about love and loss, roots and belonging, and spirits of the past that refuse to be quieted.

With emotion and vivid storytelling, the book conveys the heartache of war, the tragedy of loss, and the fulfillment of destiny…even when souls are separated by centuries.

Lacewood takes readers on a journey that connects the past with the present—and the present with eternity.

Buy Links:
Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07PW8BQJ4
Apple Itunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/id1447749646
Universal Link https://books2read.com/u/mYoj2P
Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/lacewood-jessica-james/1130038190?ean=2940156236220
Video Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pHEHQjD5Vac

 

2. Why did you add a pet to this book and your other books?

I never really planned it this way, but I have pets in every book I’ve written. I guess that’s because I can’t imagine a life without pets, and I can’t imagine the characters that I create being without an animal in their lives.

It’s interesting that the “pets” I’ve created have become some of the most memorable characters in my books. I can post a picture of a black horse on my Facebook page and ask readers who it reminds them of, and they all still remember his name from my novel, Shades of Gray: Justus. That book came out 12 years ago!

My love of animals is not on a surface level. My first career was working as a surgical veterinary technician in a state-of-the-art equine hospital. I have “rescued” stray animals all my life and currently have three cats who found my house at different times. (And they are all now between 15 and 17 years old).

I lost my German shepherd about 3 years ago at the age of 13 and still haven’t replaced her. (But I’m looking!)

 

3. What other books have you written?

I started my writing career in the historical fiction genre with Civil War novels. Shades of Gray (and the re-written version, Noble Cause, which has a happily-ever-after ending), followed by Above and Beyond, Liberty and Destiny (Revolutionary War), and The Lion of the South.

Then, I began to write romantic suspense and thrillers with the award-winning novel, Meant To Be, and the Phantom Force Tactical Series: Deadline, Fine Line, and Front Line.

Historical Fiction:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Noble Cause: Gallantry and chivalry are put to the test when Colonel Alexander Hunter discovers the woman he promised his dying brother he would protect is the Union spy he has vowed to his men he would destroy. https://books2read.com/u/mdNJl5

Above and Beyond: A raging war. An unexpected love. A selfless sacrifice. Charismatic Confederate cavalry commander Douglas Benton would much rather flirt with a woman than work with one. But Rebel spy Sarah Duvall soon teaches him that faith is more important than glory—and love more important than life. https://books2read.com/u/bza7jL

Liberty and Destiny: The spark from a single candle can light a sacred flame. Two patriots show their devotion to freedom as they struggle to survive in a war-torn country full of deceivers and spies during the American Revolution. https://books2read.com/u/mgrJl0

 

Romantic Suspense:

Meant To Be: What do you do when the person you most want to protect is the one risking everything to make sure you survive? It started as a chance encounter on the beach, and ended 24 hours later when they parted to go their separate ways. Or so they thought. https://books2read.com/u/4AwDKK

 

Thrillers:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Deadline: A resolute journalist and a Navy SEAL turned homicide detective collide as they strive to get to the bottom of a puzzling series of deaths. But what happens when sparks start to fly? A dynamic romantic thriller! https://books2read.com/u/3J0LQA

Fine Line: With a new wife and a successful career as the co-owner of Phantom Force Tactical, retired U.S. Navy SEAL and former homicide detective Blake Madison thinks he has it all. But when his wife disappears from their bed while he’s taking a morning job, Blake has to figure out if it’s someone from her past as an investigative journalist or his as a combat veteran and police officer. https://books2read.com/u/b5MnZk

Front Line: Nicholas “Colt” Colton thought the radical extremist he captured years ago was locked away for good. Unfortunately, a new classified mission reveals that the threat is still very real, and corruption within the U.S. government runs deep. In this finale of the Phantom Force Tactical series, Colt joins forces with another counter-terrorism agent to stop a terrorist attack in Washington, D.C. after Mexican drug smugglers unite with ISIS terrorists to infiltrate the U.S. https://books2read.com/u/mVZ9VJ

 

4. Tell us about your kudos or reviews.

I am very honored to be a three-time winner of the John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction, as well as a gold medal from the Military Writers Society of America, and more than a dozen other literary awards. However, I’d have to say that some of the emails I get are even more special than the awards. Here’s a sample:

“My house is a mess, my sink is piled high with dishes and my husband ate watermelon for dinner because I could not put down Shades of Gray. Could. Not. Put. Down. Honestly, this book completely captivated me and left me emotionally drained. I loved it!!!”

“I’ve not been much of a reader and was given Shades of Gray. I’ve read it five times and fall in love every time I read it. Because of you I have developed a love for reading.”

“It is now 1 a.m. cause I couldn’t put down my I-pad with your delicious novel. Thank you for the pleasure you afforded this 81 year old.”

“Wonderful, fabulous book! I seldom reflect back on a book, but this one has haunted me since I finished it at 2 a.m.”

“Lost a lot of sleeping reading this one. Too good to put down! Made me laugh. Made me cry. Awesome book!”

“Oh my, I let the world go on around me and could hardly put it down. Every free moment, every break at work. LOVED IT!!!”

“I was completely lost and spellbound by the realistic story. Without hesitation I must say this now ranks equally with Gone With The Wind.”

“I stayed up until 2 a.m. two nights in a row because I couldn’t put it down. It was a book that I couldn’t wait to read, yet I didn’t want it to end!”

“This book has touched me more than any other I have ever read. I cried, laughed, and then cried some more. Thank you for such an amazing and touching story.”

“If someone said I could only ever have one book for the rest of my life either of these [Shades of Gray or Noble Cause] would be my pick. Thank you.”

”This book absolutely ripped my heart out. Superb. Thank you for such a moving, believable love story.”

 

5. Where can readers learn more about your books and connect with you online?

Website and Social Media Links:

Website: https://www.jessicajamesbooks.com

(Sign up for my newsletter and get a copy of From the Heart: Civil War Love Letters)

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/-/e/B001IYTXOG

BookBub : https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jessica-james

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/southernromance/

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/586216.Jessica_James

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RomanticHistoricalFiction

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/authorjessicajames/

 

Marcia James: Thank you, Jessica, for stopping by my Go Pets! blog! I look forward to reading your books!

READER INVITATION: Want to win a FREE ebook? Visitors to this pro-pet blog can join in the fun, comment, and/or share photos of their pets for a chance to win one of my ebooks! Each month, I’ll randomly pick one commenter to win. To leave a comment and/or a photo, click on the word “Reply,” which is just below the social media icons for THIS interview. (Don’t scroll past this interview to the next interview.) Go Pets!