Who is Jessica Lee, give us the low down.
The low-down, huh? Well, I’m a wife, mother, former nurse turned erotic romance author. I love reading hot and steamy romances as much as I love writing them. I’m a lady from the eighties, so I still a huge fan of the big hair bands from that era, such as: Def Leppard, Bon Jovi, Motley Crue, etc. Sorry, I know some of you are cringing. lol
There is no cringing here! I love those bands! You have a lot of testosterone walking around in this series – is it harder to write the alpha men or the women that have to put up with them? (not saying it is a hard job for the girls ;)
For me, I’d have to say it’s harder to write the women. When you have such a tortured, yet heroic male, it takes the “right” woman to deserve him and balance his powerful/dominate nature. So finding that perfect mix of a feisty/strong woman who has a deep, compassionate soul and have her be a woman that the female reader will connect with and then root for is a big job.
Arran is a very alpha man – would you like him for a mate? Name the good and the bad that would come along with him.
Ooh, good question. Yes, I most definitely would want him as a mate. Arran would die for you. He would treasure his mate, and pleasing her would be his number one priority. The only bad thing about Arran is that he’s a bit of a hot head, and a hell of a lot of testosterone to handle. His only flaw, if you can call it that, is that he is extremely loyal. He feels responsible for those he cares for and will put his life on the line in the process to make sure they’re protected.
In Dark Desires at Midnight, you give us Markus, a villain that may have some redeemable qualities. Did you have his journey planned from the beginning? Did he surprise you in any way?
Ah, Markus… Gosh, you don’t know whether to love him, feel sorry for him, or hate him. LOL Actually, he was a bit of a surprise. To be honest, my original plan was to kill him in book one. But as I wrote his scenes, he became deeper and more complex, and then my critique partner was like, “You’re not going to kill him, are you?” lol
Well I’m glad Markus sticks around! The sex scenes in this book are HOT. There are also some implied m/m scenes. Do you have any desire to write a m/m romance?
Never say never. Who knows what the muse may bring.
You mention on your website that Karen Marie Moning’s Highlander series inspired you to write paranormal romance. What is it about the genre that you enjoy so much and who is your favorite highlander?
I enjoy the unlimited possibilities of the paranormal genre. There’s so much freedom, and the world building is a lot of much fun. And the heroes in paranormal romance are the best. Superhuman strength, amazing bodies, and let’s not forget the fangs! Or the magical ability to time travel like the MacKeltar men possessed in the Highlander series.
Favorite highlander? Hands down, Dageus. Yum! KMM had me hooked with the opening paragraph in his book. One of my all time favorite lines: Dageus MacKeltar walked like a man and talked like a man, but in bed he was pure animal.
You’ve just got to love a hero whose story opens with that line. lol
I have to agree – Dagues is the best. Can you tell us who the next book is about? You leave us with a quite a juicy tidbit at the end – any hints?
I can tell you that the next book’s hero is Guerin, but that’s about as far as I can go without revealing a possible spoiler.
What is the last book you read?
Only Pleasure by Lora Leigh. Mmm… The Falladay twins.
What fictional character do you lust after the most?
Easy! Dageus MacKeltar.
If you could switch places with any heroine, who would it be?
Chloe Zanders from the Dark Highlander, of course. *g*
Chest hair – smexy?
Oh, definitely smexy. But only in small doses. Personally, I’m not into a lot of body hair, but a fine dark dusting to run your fingers through… oh yeah.
Thanks Jessica for chatting today!
Jessica is offering an E-Book of Dark Desires at Midnight and a $10 Amazon Giftcard. To enter, just leave a comment and tell us if you would like an alpha male as your husband. Contest open through Saturday, April 3rd and I will announce the winner on Sunday. Open to all.
Oh I love my fictional alpha male boyfriends, I could think about them all day. But at the end of the day I like my even tempered, reserved English gentleman of a husband. (that's to say he doesn't have a hidden alpha streak in there somewhere though *g*)
I love reading about the alpha males in my books, but am perfectly content with my husband. I've been married 40 years now even though we married on Friday the 13th.
I'm with everyone here, Alpha Males are nice and yummy to read about, but I prefer my status as the Alpha B* at home and my husband defers to me! If I had one in real life, I'd have to put teh smack down! lol
I would like a mostly alpha male. I would rather my husband took the lead, but I also am a pushy Virgo and am not sure I could give up control.
Great debate, you guys. But it seems like the beta is winning out. Now there has to be someone out there who would just love to go head to head with a big ole alpha male at home each day. Cause you know what they say…making up is so much fun. *g*
All for Alpha in the bedroom but as for all the time? This Leo would be butting serious heads with an Alpha! But then there's always the bedroom to make up!!!
tnsongbird865@aol.com
I'm with the majority. I love my Alphas in books, but I would butt heads with them IRL.
Hi Jessica. Great interview. Dark Desires at Midnight sounds amazing. I love alphas in books but I think that I would not like an alpha for a husband.
I like to read about Alphas, but I think an Alpha m would drive me crazy in real life (and not in a good way).
Hi Jessica,
I much prefer my alpha men in the pages of a sexy romance story. Think the reality of having one in my little world on a daily basis would be totally exhausting, lol.
I am not supposed to be entering e-book contests but a giftcard too..I have too, oh and that hunk tells me too ;)
Hm alpha as an husband, yes and no. I mean sometimes oh yes please ;) Other time not so much
Life would definitely be very interesting with an alpha male in the house. All that testosterone to sizzle with :) As long as he loves me and shows his affection we will do okay.
Heck yea to the Alpha males. I wouldn't have my hubby any other way.
Alpha males are definitely the perfect fantasy husband. In real life I am happily married to a man who is a blend of alpha and beta.
I love fiction alpha males, but wouldn't want one as a husband.
I would love to marry an alpha male. Of course, that is easy to say because I did not. Do not get me wrong though both me and my hubs are drivers. It can lead to some tension. Yup, I will leave it at tension :)
Great interview!
I would love to marry an alpha man.
sstrode@scrtc.com
Well, I love reading stories about alpha men but I don't think it would be such a good idea in reality.
Bring on the Alpha men, baby! LOL, yeah, I kinda need an alpha man or I'd run a guy right over :P
Hi, Jessica!
Great interview!! I for one love, love, love stories with Alpha men as heroes. My husband is a blend of both Alpha and Beta. So I adore him–then other times I want to bust him in the head with my shoe! LOL! Just kidding! Kind of…hee-hee!
Hmmm… That's a tough one. I love a lot of the alpha men in books that are dominate, take charge and protective, but become totally whipped by his woman. I could go for that! Think Wrath… *sigh*
Thanks for the fun interview.
I could handle having an Alpha male as my husband, someone who's protective, fierce and loyal. One who takes the lead in the bedroom with his only intent to be to my pleasure – ohh YEA..bring on the Alpha male ;-)
Great interview Jessica
Thanks, everyone for your very enlightening responses to the alpha male husband question. :) This was a lot of fun. lol I'll be announcing a randomly picked name from the list of commenters shortly. Thanks so much for stopping by; you've all made my day!
Lovely interview Jessica & Smexy – thank you!
Hmmm. Not sure if I would cope with an alpha male…I'm still working on my claws, which were…shall we say filled off :) An alpha male would probably eat my alive ATM *grin*
Hey Jessica – congrats on the release of Dark Desires at Midnight!
Um…an alpha for a hubby…they are so very yummy and can make a girl purr, but I adore my more-beta Libra hubby too much. No arguments, no butting heads. Somehow I have the impression it would be difficult to get an alpha to do the laundry, and since I suck at it, I need a man who can wrangle those whites. LOL
An alpha male? Hmmm, commanding, strong, protective. What's not to want about that? But if he couldn't treat me as an equal, I wouldn't want one as any everyday part of my life.
I do love alpha males in books, but to be honest I think I'd have a tough time living with one in this day and age. I think I'd want an equal partner willing to split household duties, than someone going off to fight some battle somewhere.
Hi Jessica!
thanks for being here – I really enjoyed reading your post!
to answer your question: I love alpha males in the stories and can't get enough of them there, but in the real life? I don't know… that would be too much of an alpha… and since I'm an alpha girl it would be a hard time for my husband *gg*
wish you all the best,
Ina
Shout out to Robin K! Congratulations, Your post was randomly selected to win the Amazon gift card and a copy of Dark Desires. I've sent you an email to the address linked to your Blogger ID. Please respond by Saturday 10am EST. If no response, I'll redraw for a different name.
I like alpha men, but I don't think I could put up with one all the time. I'm pretty outspoken and don't like to be told what to do. So can I have a man who's 50 percent alpha?
joderjo402 AT gmail DOT com
I love alpha men. I don't want him to be to overbearing though. He has to let me speak my mind and disagree with him.
dawnpnr(at)aol(dot)com