Kristabel Reed: #Interview with @JeanaEMann for Intoxicated

Jeana Mann is the author of sizzling hot contemporary romance. Her debut release Intoxicated was a First Place Winner of the 2013 Cleveland Rocks Romance Contest and a finalist for the 2014 Carolyn Readers Choice Award.

Jeana was born and raised in Indiana where she lives today with her two crazy rat terriers Mildred and Mabel. She graduated from Indiana University with a degree in Speech and Hearing, something totally unrelated to writing. When she’s not busy dreaming up steamy romance novels, she loves to travel anywhere and everywhere. Over the years she climbed the ruins of Chichen Iza in Mexico, snorkeled along the shores of Hawaii, sailed around Jamaica, ate gelato on the steps of the Pantheon in Rome, and explored the ancient city of Pompeii. More important than the places she’s been are the people she has met along the way.

Be sure to connect with Jeana on Facebook or follow along on Twitter for the latest news regarding her upcoming releases.

Links:

Website

What is your story's heat level? How do you approach the sex scenes?

This is a great question. When I wrote Intoxicated, I put a lot of time and consideration into the amount of heat. A good deal of the story centers around sex and the views of the hero Jack and heroine Ally toward sex. After a good deal of soul searching, I decided that I couldn’t write anything that I couldn’t read aloud in mixed company. I also analyzed the sex scenes of the books and authors that I enjoyed most. I decided to challenge myself by writing hot sex without the use of certain explicit terms (which are entirely subjective to the reader, by the way). In my opinion, the sex rates about a 4 out of 5 on heat level. If you asked my mother, she would say it was more like a 10 out of 5. She has a copy of Intoxicated on her coffee table, but she taped it shut so no one could read it and she told my grandmother not to read it either!

I wanted to approach the sex scenes from the viewpoint of both Jack and Ally. I felt it was important for the reader to know both sides of the story. As I said before, the sex is important for the plot and it was important that each encounter amped up the tension between the characters a few more notches.

How do you maintain activity as a writer when sitting at a desk all day?

If there was a way to have a mini-fridge at my side, I would probably never get up from my desk! But after a warning from my doctor and a myriad of aches and pains, I started on a fitness journey. I think physical activity is important for mental acuity. On those days when I sit too long, I can just feel my brain getting sluggish. I’ve recently lost fifty-plus pounds, started running, and paying better attention to my health. I try to walk every day, run every other day, and I take a five mile hike on the weekends with my dogs – weather permitting.

What is it that you loved about the main characters in your story?

The concept of two characters with completely opposite lifestyles and outlooks intrigued me. I have to admit that I’m in love with Jack. He’s naughty, full of mischief, and he’s not afraid to admit it. Despite all of his flaws, he’s not a bad person and his devotion to Ally makes my heart go tha-thump! I think Ally is the perfect foil for him, with her conservative views. She might seem tough on the outside, but she’s extremely vulnerable on the inside. And although Jack recognizes her vulnerability, he has the ability to bring out the playful, adventurous side of her personality. They mesh so well, but their adventures aren’t over yet. I can’t wait to tell the rest of their story throughout the upcoming books of the Felony Romance series.

What do you feel is your strongest type of writing? Humor? Angst? Confrontation scenes? Action? Sex? Sensuality? Sweet Romance? And why?

I think my strongest type of writing is a combination of humor and sex. Humor is such an important part of my life that I can’t help but infuse my stories with a little giggle here and there. I like my characters to reflect a little humor when you least expect it. As for sex…well, the hotter the better. I like to build up the tension between characters, flirt, and tease along the way. It’s the journey to great sex that hooks me into a good book and I hope to share that with my readers as well.

Are you social media savvy? If so what do you suggest for others? If not, why not?

Hi. My name is Jeana E. Mann and I am a social media addict. Admitting you have a problem is the first step, right? Facebook, Pinterest, and Twitter are my favorites. I recently hooked up with Google + and can’t wait to get that going. If you’re on any of these platforms, look me up! I love to post and interact. It’s a great way to stay connected to old friends and to meet new people without ever leaving your house.

What are some things from your life or things you have observed that you've infused into your stories?

There was a time in my life when I hit the bars/club scene every night. I loved the people that I met and the experiences I had and heard about. I’ve met felons, celebrities, prostitutes, strippers (male and female), gangbangers, bikers, journalists, undercover cops, artists, homeless people… Those are the people and places I use to write about in the Felony Romance series. I will never forget the sights, sounds, and smells of those days. I hope to bring a little of that flavor to my readers as well.

If you had an unlimited budget, where would you like to visit for story-related research?

Oh my goodness, I would have to go to Scotland. That place fascinates me. It is steeped in history and beauty. I’d like to base a story on the pubs and clubs in Edinburgh or Glasgow. Maybe I’ll figure out a way to do that.

Any fun facts about the research for your book?

Research is the best part of writing in my opinion. So of course I am always on the lookout for new cocktails and the latest, greatest rock music. Every now and then I have to drop into a new club or bar to check out their vibe.

Finally, tell us a little about your newest release!

Intoxicated is the first book of the Felony Romance series. It’s a series based in and around a heavy metal underground club. Felony Bar is a little bit dirty, a lot sexy, and dangerous at times. It’s the sort of place that people whisper about and secretly want to visit, but would never share that desire in mixed company. When an uptight accountant named Ally ventures into Felony, bar manager Jack is intrigued and challenged by her immunity to his charms. Jack is determined to get her underneath him, but he doesn’t expect to fall in love along the way. Just when he starts to make some headway with Ally, a dirty secret from his past lands on his doorstep. Ally has a few ghosts in her past as well. And when those secrets surface, their world turns upside down.

Look for Unexpected this fall (a novella) and Vindicated (Book 2) from the Felony Romance series.

Blurb:

Love is intoxicating, but the hangover can be agony...

Conservative, straight-laced Ally Taylor has the perfect life – successful fiancé, beautiful home, great career – until she catches her fiancé and best friend in bed. Desperate to shake off the sting of rejection, Ally heads to Felony, a notorious heavy metal club on the bad side of town. Even more dangerous than the bar is Jack Jameson, the hunky alpha male bartender whose smoldering dark eyes and dimpled smile turns her common sense to mush and her knees to noodles. After eight long years in a failed romance, the last thing Ally wants is to hook up with someone like Jack, but she can’t help wondering if he’s really as good in bed as his reputation suggests.

Jack Jameson has had his eye on Ally for months, drawn to her smart mouth and tightly wound self-control. When Jack finds Ally sitting on a barstool in his club, heartbroken and miserable, he’s more than happy to offer a little heat between the sheets to distract her. Too bad Ally’s not interested in his “hit-it-and-quit-it” philosophy. If only Jack could convince Ally that he’s tired of the endless parade of girls through his bedroom, she might see him in a different light.

When Jack and Ally get together, everything goes wrong and it’s more than either of them bargained for. Ally’s got serious trust issues and a need for control that makes Jack crazy. Jack’s got more baggage than an airline carousel; the constant stream of women from his past stirs up all of Ally’s insecurities. Can Ally overlook Jack’s womanizing past and learn to trust him? Will Jack be able to commit to just one woman or will a secret from his past ruin everything?

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Excerpt:

She didn’t want to believe him, but one look into his dark eyes and she had no doubt that he spoke the truth. Eyes like that didn’t lie. The clarity of their brown depths spoke volumes about his sincerity. He stared back at her with one eyebrow cocked as if daring her to challenge his answer. She cleared her throat and tried to look away but couldn’t. No, if there was one thing she knew for certain, Jack didn’t lie. He didn’t need to.

She shook her head to break the spell. A few more minutes of his heated chocolate stare and she’d be flat on her back with her legs in the air. Then the office gossips really would have something to talk about. “Thanks for lunch.”

“We aren’t done yet.” He glanced at the brass and mahogany grandfather clock behind her. “I still have another ten minutes of your time.” She stood and he rose with her, a lithe and graceful motion. “You want to know what I think?”

“Does it matter? I’m sure you’re going to tell me anyway.” She took a step backward and he moved with her, herding her backwards in a seductive dance until the backs of her thighs came up against the desk, so close that her skin prickled with a sudden rush of heat.

“I think that if you were really into Brian, you would’ve made the time for him. I think that you’re secretly relieved to be free of him and feeling guilty about it. I think that deep down inside you’re dying to break out of this cage you’ve built for yourself with someone who knows how to give a girl what she needs.”