Cocktails & Cock Tales welcomes Jennah Scott!

Today we have Jennah Scott at the cyber bar, author of the sexy lesbian romance Unexpected Vacation. Jennah was born and raised in Texas, Jennah is a transplant to Missouri long enough ago she should probably consider that her hometown. But she will forever be a Texan. She loves to write any story that will make a reader smile, laugh, and maybe even cry (although you won't ever hear her admit that she cries). Whether the next story she writes is contemporary, urban fantasy, LGBT, or whatever other crazy idea she comes up with, there will always be love and romance in the midst of trials and turmoil.

What we are Drinking

 Miami Sunrise

A Miami Sunrise slush from Sonic

Rum

Deanna: First things first. Where are you, and what are you wearing?

Jennah: I’m hanging out at the pool trying to avoid heatstroke! Got my favorite swimsuit on. 

Deanna: What’s your poison? Vodka? Gin? Beer?

Jennah: Today’s poison is one of my own. It’s a Miami Sunrise slush from Sonic with a few splashes of rum. I’m not sure what makes it a Miami Sunrise, but I can tell you each drink makes me think I’m on a beach on a tropical island!

Deanna: (((pours them both a round))) Cheers! That is delicious! Now that we’re comfy, tell me about your new book? (((sips on her cocktail)))

Jennah: (((takes a long drink and pauses to let the brain freeze pass))) Unexpected Vacation is my new release from Ellora’s Cave. This drink actually kind of reminds me of Haley and Savannah. Savannah is left at the altar by her fiancé—the man who supposedly loved her. Haley, being Savannah’s best friend, suggests that they go to Bora Bora and enjoy what was supposed to be her honeymoon. While on vacation they finally let go of their inhibitions and go after what they want—each other.

Deanna: Where did the idea for this story come from?

Jennah: At the pool! A close friend and I were talking about possible ideas after I saw the call on Ellora’s Cave’s website. She’s not a big fan of f/f books, but she said if I wrote she’d read it. (((shrugs))) so I wrote it.

Deanna: LOL, I bet there were some cocktails in that conversation too! What was the hardest part of writing Unexpected Vacation for you?

Jennah: (((finishes off my drink))) To be honest, this was one of the easiest stories I’ve written. The first scene where Savannah is left at the altar came to me almost immediately, and from there everything else fell into place. If I had to pick a hard part, it would be deciding just how long their story would be. I knew they wouldn’t come back from their trip engaged, but I also knew they wouldn’t part again. Haley and Savannah were meant for each other. So it was hard to figure out how to show their forever after without dismissing the issues Savannah faces when she gets home. I mean her fiancé left her at the altar, she had plenty of crap to clean up when she returned to reality. (((smiles)))

Deanna: (((pours them another round))) Boy, these things are tasty!! Now, what’s the easiest thing about writing Unexpected Vacation?

Jennah: Figuring out who Savannah and Haley were. Sometimes I struggle getting into my characters’ minds, but not with these two. They both have very strong personalities, even if Savannah is a little softer than Haley. Neither one of them shut up once I started writing!

Deanna: What is your dream story, your opus, if you will? The one you dream about writing but haven’t don’t it?

Jennah: Hmm. Good question. I have a plot bunny that I really want to write. It’s the only story that’s ever come to me in a dream. But I’m afraid I won’t do it justice. The hero is deployed the day after he asks his girlfriend to marry him and when he comes home he’s not the same. I’d say lovers reunited, but there’s so much more to their story than that. It’s a very emotional story, which is something I haven’t quiet mastered yet. One of these days.

Deanna: Yeah, those heavy emotional stories take a lot out of ya, believe me! How about another round? (((holds up another Sonic cup)))

Jennah: You bet! (((takes a refill and swigs it down)))

Deanna: (((laughing))) Slow down, I still have questions and you’re gonna get brain freeze again! Now, when did you first discover you were a writer? Were you like sitting on the toilet and just said, “Ya know, I think I’m gonna write a book.” Or was it more profound? J

Jennah: (((laughs))) You know, it was almost exactly like that. Instead of the toilet I was sitting on my living room floor. My other (not better cuz that’s me J) half was out of the country for work and I was bored. I picked up my laptop and said “You know, I want to write a story.” As they say, the rest is history. I will note that story won’t ever see the light of day. I went back to read it once and cringed at how horrible it was! (((taps chin))) Then again, maybe it will see the light of day as a horror story rather than a romance. J

Deanna: I’ve stolen so many scenes from my first book there’s no way I could publish it now....and it stunk too! LOL So what helps you when you are stumped on a scene in a manuscript? I usually have a cocktail … or three…LOL But that’s just me.

Jennah: Gotta admit, a cocktail or three would put me to sleep! The best thing for me when I’m stumped is to talk it out with a friend. Even if their ideas don’t work, they at least help me get the juices flowing again. Another option is for me to switch to another story. Not necessarily writing a different story, but plotting or researching or just thinking about possible ideas.

Deanna: Most of my stories have a theme song, do you do that for your characters?? If so what is it?

Jennah: Nope. I’m musically challenged. I listen to music while I write sometimes, but I couldn’t tell you what songs played or who the artists were. When it comes to music, it takes me multiple times listening to a song to even begin to remember who might sing it or for the words to register. I admire anyone who can identify songs that fit based on lyrics.

Deanna: Tell us about a scene that you have written then afterwards, when you read it, you shocked yourself? You know I want a dirty answer (((hint hint)))

Jennah: (((claps hands))) Oh that’s an easy one. And of course it’s dirty! Unexpected Vacation is my first f/f book. So the first sex scene was something I was a little worried about. But when I went back and read it (((whistles))) Hot damn! I admit, I read it a few times. You know…I had to make sure it was just right. J

Deanna: Hahaha! That’s fantastic! Thanks again, Jennah for stopping by the cyber bar. And thank you for bringing along an excerpt from Unexpected Vacation....great title BTW J

Blurb:

The one thing Savannah didn’t plan for on her wedding day was to be left standing alone at the altar. Runaway bride? Try runaway groom.

Haley had planned to stand at her best friend’s side through sickness and health, for richer or poorer…not to mention watching the woman she fell in love with marry a man she barely gets along with.

After Savannah’s wedding day falls apart Haley has to push all her intimate desires to the side and be the supportive friend she knows Savannah needs. But was suggesting they turn her would-be honeymoon into a vacation to Bora Bora her brightest idea?

When emotions boil over, desires are shared—hello, nipple play and oral teasing—and the sun and sand beckon. And two women discover they need each other more than they realized.

Excerpt:

Chapter One

Savannah stood in front of the mirror, eyeing the wedding gown hanging behind her. She’d spent hours with her best friend Haley searching for the perfect dress. More time online trying to find the ideal undergarments. Her cream silk steel-boned corset fit perfectly. The lace boyshorts were another surprise for Mark. In a few minutes she’d step into the white dress with red trim and train—with a red panel in the center lined with jewels—then walk down the aisle to the man she loved.
“Savannah, sweetie, you need to get dressed.” Haley’s voice came from behind the mirror. She’d gone to change and walked around the full-length mirror wearing the one-shouldered, crinkle-chiffon Grecian-style bridesmaid’s dress. The deep red complimented Haley’s olive skin tone. Her long black locks fell over her shoulders in soft waves. The woman was absolutely stunning.
“I know. I know. It’s just…” Haley stood in front of Savannah, blocking the view of the dress behind her. She wrapped her hand behind Savannah’s neck and pulled her head down so they were eye-to-eye.
“What? Talk to me.”
She took a deep breath. Could she really admit what was wrong? It was just cold feet, right? The butterflies in her stomach were completely normal. Every bride had an overwhelming urge to throw up just thinking about walking down the aisle. Right?
“What if this is a mistake? I love Mark but maybe we shouldn’t get married. We’ve only been dating for a couple of years. Maybe we’re rushing things. My stomach is flipping in circles like I’m on one of those roller coasters that go upside down. The palms of my hands refuse to stay dry. I can hardly catch my breath when I think about putting the dress on and walking down the aisle. I don’t know what to do, Haley. Am I crazy?”
“No. You’re not crazy.” A smile spread across Haley’s lips. “You’re in love and you’re about to take part in an event that will change your life forever. There is nothing wrong with you, sweetie. It’s called cold feet and everyone gets it to some degree. There’s no such thing as moving too quick if you both love each other and are confident that this is what you want.”
“That’s just it. Maybe this isn’t what I want. What if tomorrow morning I wake up and realize Mark isn’t the perfect guy for me? What then? It’s too late to go back. Then there’s our friendship. What happens when I’m married?”
What if I wake up in the morning and you’re the one I look for lying next to me? Savannah shook her head. Every time Haley walked in the room lately, Savannah’s body fluttered with an emotion she wasn’t ready to identify. That had to explain the doubt she’d started feeling when thinking about getting married.
“Savannah, you and I aren’t going anywhere. Mark and I get along. He knows how much we mean to each other. Don’t add a nonexistent concern to your list of worries. Tomorrow morning you are going to wake up wrapped in the arms of the man you love. And he’s going to cart you off to Bora Bora where the two of you will spend hours making love and enjoying being newlyweds. Now take a deep breath for me and release it slowly. We need to get you dressed.”

Buy links: Ellora’s Cave | Amazon | All Romance | Barnes and Noble