Interview with Sweet Romance Author Jewel Adams

J. Adams is the author of interracial inspirational romance, as well as YA romantic fantasy and children's chapter books. She is a motivational speaker to both youth and adult audiences. She is a mother of eight and a grandmother, and when she isn't writing, her favorite thing to do is hide in her library with a good book and a healthy stash of orange Tic Tacs. She and her family reside in Utah.

“Jewel Adams does an excellent job with this sweet romance. It's refreshing to read such a wonderful love story where the couple falls madly in love and there isn't the usual tension in their relationship that frustrates the reader. The tension comes from another source from their past. I liked this. I loved what Jewel wrote in the last chapter: ‘I finally decided that no matter what trials came my way, I would roll with them and work through them. Then I would take control and become stronger. Adversity is a part of life, and trials are meant to teach, mold and shape each of us into the person we were meant to be all along.’ Wow! I loved this.” By Linda Weaver Clarke, Sweet Romance Author

Welcome back to my blog, Jewel. It’s always a pleasure to have you on my blog. This is a Highland romance. Please tell us about your new book, If Not For Love.

If Not for Love is one of those stories that has stayed in my mind over the years. It's about a woman who writes short stories. After getting out of her publishing contract, she moves to Scotland and starts over. Her own Scottish roots fuels her fascination with the country. She isn't looking for love but soon finds it with her own Scottish highlander. But all is not smooth sailing with the two and trials soon come that makes Adia wonder if their love is really strong enough to overcome all.

Where did you get your inspiration for this novel?

Like Adia, I've always been fascinated with Scotland. The journal excerpts of Adia's grandmother are actual experiences from my own grandmother's life, and she was indeed a Calhoun, her father being a Calhoun and her mother a McCullum. Both names were derived from Scottish clans, and though they were probably the sir names of slave owners, (specifically her father bearing the name coming through the line of James C. Calhoun) it made me want to learn even more about Scotland's history.

Wow! That is quite the inspiration behind this story, Jewel. Since this story is set in Scotland, what kind of research did you do for this book?

Besides spending a lot of time on the Internet, I have a friend who was born and raised in Scotland and goes back a couple of times a year to see her family. I spent a deal of time picking her brain. She helped me with the culture, the people and the different words the Scottish people use, specifically the Gaelic.

You love to write sweet romances. What intrigues you most about writing love stories?

I love the niche I've found. Interracial inspirational is definitely different. I like emotion-driven stories, and I love being able to share stories that are clean yet passionate. I also like being able to share an inspirational message without being preachy. I just love romance and showing in my stories that true love doesn't see color.

You are so right. When we fall in love with a person because of what is deep down inside, then that love will remain with us forever. Thank you for a wonderful interview, Jewel.