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Jenny Schwartz, Drawing Closer and GIVEAWAY!

We have newly published by Escape Publishing author, Jenny Schwartz under the spotlight and she'll also do a giveaway of her Drawing Closer!



Visit Jenny on the web:

Website          Facebook            Twitter



Let us see her answers to my questions ...


Nas: Who is Jenny Schwartz?

Jenny: That’s such a challenging question. I’m much happier exploring the characters I create than my own personality. Like so many writers, I’m a quiet person. I guess you could say I’m a happy suburbanite. I like living in Australia, chatting with friendly neighbours, growing my own tomatoes. I have a degree in history (and sociology) that I mis-use when I write steampunk.

Nas: What inspired you to be a writer?

Jenny: I never had a choice. It was born in me. Mum remembers me sitting at a tiny kid’s table in a corner of the kitchen literally scribbling line after line on the paper. I couldn’t read or write yet, but I was determined to “write” anyway! The need to write never went away, even if for years I didn’t focus on it. Even my high school yearbook predicted I’d be an author … okay, they also said I’d be Jessica Fletcher! Hey guys, that is sooo not what I write J

Nas: How did you chose your genre?

Jenny: I read a lot of contemporary romance. Harlequin feeds the addiction, so you can imagine how excited I was to learn Harlequin was launching an Australian digital imprint, Escape Publishing. I also read other genres and subgenres of romance (I love paranormal romance), but I always come back to contemporary romance because in it there’s nowhere to hide. A scary vampire can’t add tension by flying in the window and there’s no psycho hiding in the shower, as in romantic suspense. With contemporary romance the focus is on the emotional journey, and I like that intensity.

Nas: What made you tell this story and why did you write this book?

Jenny: “Drawing Closer” is a story inspired by my love for the town I grew up in. Fremantle is Australia’s main Indian Ocean port. It’s a beautiful city, with buildings of creamy limestone, and wearing its mixed history of convicts and more hopeful immigrants with great charm. It’s also a centre for artists. I wanted to write a story that captured that magic and shared it with the world—and what better story is there for capturing magic than a romance?

Nas: How did you come up with the title?

Jenny: Usually I struggle with titles, but not this time. There was no other possible title, not with Zoe being an artist and Nick being her inspiration. I love puns and I couldn’t resist punning on the attraction that is “drawing” them together.

Nas: What do you love most about writing this story?

Jenny: You’ve probably guessed that I loved writing about Fremantle. But that wasn’t the best bit. The tension between Zoe and Nick took even me (the author) by surprise. Now, that was fun to explore. I don’t want to share any spoilers, but Zoe had some very interesting and totally understandable fantasies about him.

Nas: What do you think makes a good story?

Jenny: Passion. And by that I mean all sorts of passion, not just sexual heat. The passion for justice that drives a crime novel or the passion for life that lights up a biography or even a passion for food that creates a wonderful cookbook. Passion hooks readers because it’s rich in energy and hope. Encountering an author’s passion is one of the joys of reading.

Nas: Tell us a little about your current release …..

Jenny: “Drawing Closer” is a short story, 10,000 words. That makes it about a fifth the length of a typical category romance, and perfect for a leisurely lunchtime read or an after-dinner indulgence. I like reading novellas and short stories since when they’re well-written they pack all the emotional punch of a longer story, but respect the fact that sometimes life is just too busy for a longer read.

                                                           Drawing Closer
                                        Blurb

Zoe Loyola has a secret. Just between her and her sketchbook, she loves sculptor Nick Gordon. Her drawings of him are hot and naked.

Nick has a secret, too. He’s being blackmailed. Protecting his family means ignoring his desire for Zoe.

But in the world of art, passion breaks every rule and secrets are made for sharing.




And Nas, I have to say a huge thank you! not only for having me on your blog, but for being a fantastic editor. You made “Drawing Closer” shine.


[Thanks so much for your kind comment, Jenny. I tried my best for you.]

Please Add To Your Goodreads


Buy Links:

Escape Publishing      Amazon  

I will be giving away one Kindle copy of Drawing Closer to one commenter today.

46 comments:

  1. Hi Jenny! Hi Nas!
    Drawing Closer sounds great. I hope I win a copy, lol!! Fremantle is indeed a beautiful city and as Jenny lives there her setting will ring true.

    I've been studying covers as a cover-savvy friend and I are going to run a blogfest on cover critiques--I'm wondering why Harlequin Escape don't have their imprint on the covers of their Harlequin Escape authors?

    Denise

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    1. Denise ... Freo forever! --Freo is what the locals call Fremantle :)

      I hadn't thought about the absence of the Escape "key" on the covers. Hmm. I know Carina Press, Harlequin's digital first imprint always has a "C".

      I have to admit, though, I love my cover. :)

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    2. I love it too -- just noticed the absence of the key.

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    3. Welcome to Romance Book Paradise, Jenny!

      Hi Denise!

      Thanks for pointing out about the cover. Jenny, we should ask about it...uh?

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    4. So Fremantle is known as Freo? An interesting piece of local info!

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    5. We'll have you chatting like a local in no time. *grin*

      The sea breeze that blows in and saves the city on the hot summer days is called the Freo Doctor.

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  2. Sounds like a great story! I'd love to read it. Cheers, Wendy email: blackcherries70 AT yahoo.com.au

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  3. I like the Escape covers. It's so exciting to see Australia Harlequin doing their own books and knowing the editors they have employed. Congratulations on your release, Jenny.
    Best
    Cathleen

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    Replies
    1. Hi Cathleen,

      Thanks so much for dropping by!

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  4. Cathleen, that is a real joy in being involved with Escape ... the local touch. I hope Escape and the other new Australian romance imprints (Destiny, Romance at Random, etc) all contribute to the romance/reading community Down Under.

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  5. Hi Jenny and Nas. I enjoyed the interview very much. I have to agree - it's exciting having a local publisher.

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    1. Hi Shelley :) Absolutely! & now that there are so many -- Destiny Romance, Momentum, Romance at Random -- so many unique stories and voices are getting published. It's reading heaven!

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    2. Hi Shelley,

      I'm also so excited about Escape Publishing!
      Thanks so much for coming by!

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  6. Great interview! And I am becoming increasingly intrigued by the notion of digital publishing. Seems to offer so many opportunities to a wannabe like me! :)

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    Replies
    1. Edith, digital publishing is full of opportunity at the moment. Perfect for you to dive in an conquer the reading world! Good luck :) I look forward to reading your "call story" or some other happy post here at Nas's friendly blog.

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    2. Hi Edith!

      I agree whole heartedly with Jenny! I also wish to read and post your story one day soon!

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  7. Hey Nas! I know this is one of your first stops when you get the power, thus computer, back on. I'm biting my nails here, wondering how you and Rajesh fared in Cyclone Evan. Please tell me everything is okay. It looked bad for the islands, Nadi and Lautoka on tv here!

    Denise x

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    Replies
    1. I've been worrying, too. Hope you're okay, Nas. Keeping you and yours in my prayers.

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    2. Hi Denise,

      We are okay. Only power and internet is still out.

      Thanks Jenny, for taking on all the visitors.

      Sorry friends for being missing the last few days. Cyclone hit our country and were out of contact with Electricity and Internet down.

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  8. Passion definitely makes a good story!
    Great interview.

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    1. Thanks, Lynda :) Life without passion would be like life without chocolate -- unthinkable!

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    2. Thanks for swinging by, Lynda!

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  9. Lovely interview ladies! Thank you.
    I love the play on words in the book title... it always seems to work!

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    Replies
    1. I adore puns ... so pleased to finally have a title that reflects that (sometimes annoying) addiction.

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    2. Hi Michelle,

      Agreed! Thanks for coming by!

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  10. Hi Nas - just popping in from Denise's blog .. do hope things are easing up and hope you and everyone around you can have a reasonable Christmas ... and that things get sorted out fairly soon ..

    Thinking you - these storms are frightening - don't like the sound of trees being tossed around ... cheers Hilary

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    Replies
    1. Cyclones terrify me, though I've never been caught in one. I remember my primary school teacher (who had lived through them) telling us to always hide out in the bathroom. Clearly some school lessons stay with us :)

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    2. Thank you so much Hilary. I really appreciate all my friends taking time out to ask about me.

      Love you all!

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  11. Hi, Nas and Zoe,

    I like Jenny's thoughts on passion and do agree that it's what makes our stories sing and what makes our characters come to life on the page.

    Hope you get electricity back soon, Nas!

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    Replies
    1. I second JL's hope, Nas. Wishing you a safe and electric *wink* Christmas -- and wishing everyone a very happy one :)

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  12. Gorgeous cover design! Very hot! I'm glad to hear you're ok Nas. Hopefully your friends and neighbours are alright as well :)

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  13. Thanks, Charmaine. A great cover feels like a gift :)

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  14. Nice cover and interview.

    bn100candg(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  15. Congratulations CAROL KILGORE! You've won a copy of Drawing Closer.

    If you contact me at my website with your email address I'll gift you a kindle copy (or whatever works best for your ereader). http://authorjennyschwartz.com/about/contact-me/ Using the "contact me" form hopefully prevents nasty spammers harvesting our email addresses.

    Happy reading!

    I love hearing people's responses to my stories, so everyone feel free to message me (all my contact details are at my website) or share a review of Drawing Closer. Thanks for your support.

    And Nas, thank you for being a brilliant editor and an all round brilliant person (((hugs)))

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