Jenna Petersen Answers 5 Questions from Kathryn Smith

04.6.09

It’s no secret that Jenna Petersen and I are friends. Heck, I’ve often thought we were some kind of cosmic siamese twins! So when the opportunity to talk to her (however briefly) about silly stuff and her latest book HER NOTORIOUS VISCOUNT arose I grabbed it! I was lucky enough to read this book in it’s early stages and I immediately fell in love with the hero, Nicholas. One would think his life would be easy now that he’s a viscount, but the way he came to have the title weighs heavily on him, and there is one scene with the dowager viscountess that literally brought tears to my eyes. But enough about me! Go buy the book, and meanwhile, here’s my interview with Jenna…

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KS: Your newest book, Her Notorious Viscount has a hero (Nicholas) who can kick serious butt. Is he based on anyone in particular?
JP: Well, I’m a huge UFC fan, so I think he’s a bit of a compilation of all my favorite fighters, but he ends up sort of just being his own person. Still, I think my love of MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) influenced the story pretty heavily (and the dedication).

KS: Who is the most embarrassing celebrity crush you’ve ever had?
JP: Okay… deep breath. Donny from New Kids on the Block. There. It’s out.

KS: What comes first for you, character or plot?
JP: Generally, character and as that develops a skeletal plot can really get fleshed out. Once I know the way my characters will react, then the next actions sort of flow naturally.

KS: If Her Notorious Viscount was made into a movie, name three songs that would be on the soundtrack.
JP: It’s a historical… so probably it would be a bunch of classical music, honestly. I don’t write with music, so I never really think about songs that go with a book. Readers, what do you think?

KS: What is the one TV show you refuse to miss?
JP: I didn’t miss one episode of Battlestar Galactica, but now it’s off the air (pout). I’m big on Fringe right now, Lie to Me and I’m heavy into Amazing Race. Plus, we almost always get every UFC Pay-Per-View (see, I said I was a fan).