Heart’s Destiny by Jennifer Lynne-Review and Interview with the author
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HEART’S DESTINY by Jennifer Lynne
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ABOUT THE BOOK: Release Date December 4, 2014
Eve Perroniʼs quest to find her past leaves no time for love, until a chance prediction leads to the seductive Ky Ransom and a destiny that could make—or break—both their hearts.
Reeling from the death of her mother and the realization that she was adopted, Eve Perroni embarks on a quest to find her birth family. A chance encounter with a mysterious fortune-teller leads her to the Australian bush and Cavanagh Cottage, the birthplace of her infamous outlaw ancestor. She intends to research and write the story of her past, but in doing so finds herself in direct conflict with charismatic developer Kyan Ransom—the very man she has been told will fulfil her heart’s desire for a future centered around family…if she will just allow herself to love him.
Ky needs Cavanagh Cottage almost as much as Eve, and he has the money to get what he wants. Every single time. Can these two souls on a collision course find the true love that has been predicted, when everything they are searching for could be snatched away at any moment?
Heart’s Destiny was first published as part of the multi-author boxed set, Seduction – One Fortune at a Time (Cupid Publishing, 2 Sept 2014). This individual novella edition contains several expanded scenes.
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REVIEW: HEART’S DESTINY is an adult, contemporary, erotic romance novella by Jennifer Lynne. Originally released in the September 2014 anthology-Seduction: One Fortune at a Time-HEART’S DESTINY focuses on Eve Perroni and developer Ky Ransom.
Told from third person point of view, HEART’S DESTINY follows Eve Perroni as she endeavors to uncover the history behind her birth family. Just prior to her mother’s death, it was revealed she was adopted and is descended from an infamous outlaw. When Cavanagh Cottage, her ancestor’s birthplace, comes up for auction, Eve knows it is something she must pursue. A local gypsy woman will reveal that a man named Ky is her destiny and to be sure to give him a chance. Ky is the man who will become Eve’s only other competitor for the ownership of Cavanagh Cottage. Ky has promised Cavanagh Cottage to someone else and he will make Eve an offer she cannot refuse.
The relationship between Ky and Eve is one of instant attraction, lust and love. The two are immediately drawn to one another as though predetermined by destiny and the fates. It is only a matter of hours to days that each will profess their love and need for one another. The sex scenes are erotic and seductive. The secondary characters include Eve’s friend and journalist Tom, and Ky’s sister Chantel.
HEART’S DESTINY is a fast paced, interesting and telling storyline that focuses on two people who would never have met but for a death bed confession by Eve’s dying mother. Because the storyline is quick to develop, there is very little personal background information or history with regards to Eve and Ky. HEART’S DESTINY is about one woman trying to reclaim the past; family and falling in love.
Copy supplied by the author.
Reviewed by Sandy
TRC: Hi Jennifer and welcome back to The Reading Café.
Jennifer: Hi Sandy, thanks so much for having me to visit once again. I love The Reading Café and am appreciative of all you do to support the romance reading/writing community.
TRC: For anyone who does not know Jennifer Lynne, would you please tell us something about yourself?
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Jennifer: I’m a mum of four (two daughters, a step-daughter and step-son) who lives in Melbourne, Australia. I work in admin by day, and at night I indulge my fantasies by writing short contemporary erotic romance – often with paranormal elements. I’ve been published by Red Sage and Breathless Press, and a couple of years ago took the plunge into indie publishing with my GODS OF LOVE series of erotic novellas that bring mythology (and sexy Greek gods) into a modern-day world.
TRC: Who or what influenced your career in writing?
Jennifer: I’ve always loved books and reading and in fact have a degree in Literature. Over the years a bit of dabbling in writing became first a rather consuming hobby, and then a professional career. In that time, organisations such as Romance Writers of Australia have had a huge influence in terms of motivation and honing my craft. I’m also a member of Romance Writers of America, and the Melbourne Romance Writer’s Guild which is a supportive group of local writers.
TRC: When not writing, what do you do to relax?
Jennifer: I work four days a week at a university, and yes, I have teenagers in the house, so that pretty much takes up my whole life outside of writing! On the rare occasions I have time to myself, I love reading. A perfect day for me would involve gentle rain outside, a cozy log fire inside, and me on the couch with a glass of red wine, a good book, and one of our three cats on my lap.
TRC: Is there any profession that you would have liked to enter but never had the opportunity?
Jennifer: When I was young I wanted to be a famous gymnast. Then I grew up and decided I wanted to be a writer! ☺
TRC: December 4, 2014 is the release date for HEART’S DESTINY. Would you please tell us something about the premise?
Jennifer: HEART’S DESTINY was first published as part of a multi-author boxed set, called SEDUCTION – ONE FORTUNE AT A TIME, back in September. The overarching premise of the set was that a fortune-teller’s prediction in each novella would lead to love and hopefully a happy-ever-after for each heroine and her hero.
In HEART’S DESTINY, my heroine Eve has recently lost both her mother and her identity. The quest to uncover her past leaves no time for love, until a chance prediction by a mysterious fortune-teller leads Eve directly into the path of Kyan Ransom and a destiny that could make – or break – both their hearts.
This is a novella-length story, but it packs a lot in to a short space. HEART’S DESTINY is about many interwoven themes – the complexity of family, loyalty, trust, and about the importance of growth and moving forward rather than stagnating in the past.
TRC: Is HEART’S DESTINY a stand-alone storyline or do you have plans for a series?
Jennifer: I wrote HEART’S DESTINY as a stand-alone, but there are a couple of potential spin-off stories that I’m tempted to explore. One is the story of Rasa, the fortune-teller. Who is this mysterious woman who can predict love for others but seems so alone? The other is an historical romance – the story of Eve’s infamous ancestors, Sarah and Joe Cavanagh.
TRC: What challenges or difficulties (research, logistics, background) did you encounter writing this particular storyline?
Jennifer: I think the main challenge was knowing that HEART’S DESTINY would sit in the first instance alongside six other stories with the same premise, and yet it also needed to be able to stand-alone. I’m very happy with how it turned out, and have been able to expand some of the scenes in this slightly longer version.
TRC: When writing a storyline, do the characters direct the writing or do you direct the characters?
Jennifer: Definitely the characters! Sometimes they take me on a path I never even imagined could exist. I do try and wrestle them back to where I need them to be, but they just ignore me. I’ve learnt to listen to my characters – they usually know best.
TRC: Are you a plotter or pantser (write by the seat of your pants !)?
Jennifer: Pantser, 100%.
TRC: What’s next for your GODS OF LOVE series?
Jennifer: I’m currently finishing ICE QUEEN, the sixth novella in my GODS OF LOVE series, which I’m hoping to release in January. This is the story of Meika, a former killer whose heart is frozen in darkness. Eros, the god-king of desire may well have met his match – he will need all the combined power of the erotes to melt Meika’s heart.
ICE QUEEN was to be the last in the series, but I think there are many story possibilities still to explore, so I’m planning to keep going! So many Greek gods and goddesses with fascinating mythological backgrounds, and of course, so many mortals in need of sexual healing and love in this harsh modern-day world of ours.
TRC: The mark of a good writer is to pull the reader into the storyline so that they experience the emotions along with the characters. What do you believe a writer must do to make this happen? Where do you believe writer’s fail in this endeavor?
Jennifer: I think the key is to draw the reader as deeply as possible into the character’s point of view. Show rather than tell your story. As soon as you inject a narrator’s voice, the reader becomes less immersed in the experience. To give a short example from HEART’S DESTINY, instead of saying something like: “Eve felt excited at the thought of making love to Ky”, we go deeper into her thoughts for a (hopefully!) more impactful experience:
What would it feel like, to be trapped beneath someone like you? To hand over power and control, to be totally at your mercy, thrashing in a parody of escape, only to have every thrusting movement drive you deeper, make you harder. Send you over the edge, taking me with you…
TRC: Writer’s Block is a very real phenomenon. How do you handle the pressures and anxiety of writer’s block?
Jennifer: I’m highly familiar with writer’s block, unfortunately. Our family has had a few health dramas in recent years and I find that the more drained I am emotionally, the less I’m able to write. I used to worry and obsess over it, but these days, I try and give myself permission to take time away from writing when I feel drained. Trying to reconnect with why you want to write in the first place is also helpful. Eventually, if you give yourself time and space, the well of creativity starts to fill once again. I can’t imagine a life without writing, so I try not to worry too much when “it” just isn’t happening.
TRC: What three things would you like to accomplish in the next five years?
Jennifer: In terms of my writing, making the USA Today Bestselling Author list would be very nice! How about we add in the NY Times Bestseller List too? And last but not least, I’d love to be making a living from my writing – that has been my dream for so long, and giving up the day job is what I work towards every time I sit down at the computer to write. ☺
TRC: What is something that few, if any people, know about you?
Jennifer: I was skipping down the grass beside our driveway when I was child and fell down a sinkhole. I had to hang on to the edge of the concrete drive by my fingers. I eventually, somehow, climbed out and the council workers who came out to fix it discovered a leaking pipe had washed away the earth beneath. A terrifying experience that left a lasting emotional scar, for sure.
TRC: On what are you currently working?
Jennifer: I’ve started work on a new highly erotic collection called NOT VANILLA. This will include a series of short novellas about fetish fantasies such as voyeurism, light bondage, ménage, exhibitionism and a few other fun little topics!
Then I’ll be heading in the other direction with a non-erotic romance series of full-length novels about bridesmaid myths. To differentiate the erotic from the non-erotic works, my brand-new alter ego, Jen Katemi, will be writing the non-erotic books 😉 Overall, I’m very excited about what 2015 will bring.
TRC: Would you like to add anything else?
Jennifer: I’d just like to say a huge thank you for having me to visit once again, and for those who plan to read HEART’S DESTINY, I do hope you enjoy it.
TRC: Thank you Jennifer for taking the time to answer our questions. Congratulations on all of your success.
Jennifer: My pleasure, Sandy!
