Interview with Sweet Romance Author Jennifer Peel

Jennifer Peel is the mother of three amazing kiddos. Wife to her one and only for the past twenty-one years. Lover of late night talks, beach vacations, the mountains, pink bubble gum ice cream, tours of model homes, and southern living. She can frequently be found with her laptop on, fingers typing away, indulging in chocolate milk, and writing out the stories that are constantly swirling through her head.

Welcome to my blog, Jennifer. Please tell us about your novel: Jessie Belle: The Women of Merryton.

Jessie Belle is a story about a couple who were once deeply in love with each other, but over the years due to circumstances and difficulties have lost sight of that. Then enters a teenage girl and they are forced to reevaluate their relationship and priorities. It is a love story, but one where they get to rediscover each other and fall in love again, but this time with a deeper connection.

This is book one of this series. Where did you get your inspiration for this story?

A couple of years ago I was waiting for my son in the car line at school and the name Jessie Belle came to me. I typed it into my phone and thought about it for a while. My first draft of Jessie Belle was a much, much different story. Blake and Jessica weren’t even married in the first version and Blake had a different name. Then this past spring I kept having this thought or maybe even a vision of this couple. The man was holding a woman telling her he loved her, but she wasn’t so sure. I couldn’t get this couple out of my mind. I knew this was Blake and Jessica and I rewrote the whole story.

Merryton is based on my hometown in Colorado. In fact if you are paying close attention to it, I mention the name of my hometown in the book.

It’s so fun to learn about the inspiration of a story. Thanks. What kind of research did you do?

                                                                       

I was a psychology major in college, so I brushed up on psychology and the grieving process. As well as some aspects about therapy. I also did some medical research. And I always do research about the locations I write about. This time I was lucky enough to visit Salt Lake City for research purposes.

Please tell us about the main character in this story and what you love about him or her.

I love Jessie as she is real. She’s a good person, but she has flaws like we all do. I love that she keeps trying even though she feels like she can’t try anymore. I love how she loves, especially how she loves Maddie. I enjoy her tenacity and her sense of self. And I have to say I love her circle of friends that add a lot of comic relief to the story.

Oh, yes! Comic relief is great. Now it’s time to tell us something about the real you that we’ll never forget.

I didn’t write my first novel until I was forty years old. Talk about a mid-life crisis. Just kidding. At least about the mid-life crisis part.

How wonderful! This shows that you’re never too old to do something you’ve always longed to do in your life. Thank you so much for this interview. Below is my review of this wonderful story. I thoroughly enjoyed it and would read it again.

“Jessie Bell by Jennifer peel is such an adorable story that has romance, frustration, and humor. This is a story about a married couple who are trying to repair their marriage. As for humor, I was actually laughing out loud. As for frustration, Blake is a quiet man and doesn’t talk much, he is a workaholic, and takes his wife for granted. As for romance, Blake is a real hunk, unselfishly supports his wife’s career, and his kisses are to die for.

Just like most wives, Jessica expects Blake to read her mind. One big point on Blake’s side is how he notices that she is distant with him. What does he do about it? He asks her what is wrong. I love this guy. He is learning quickly how to save their marriage.

I love this story. It was a well-developed plot and not slow, by any means. Even though this story is about a married couple, it is a great love story. As Jessica says: “I think I may be falling in love with my husband.” Why do I love this couple? They remind me of several couples I know.” –Review by Author Linda Weaver Clarke