Jayci
Lee writes poignant, sexy, and laugh-out-loud romance every free second she can
scavenge. She lives in sunny California with her tall-dark-and-handsome
husband, two amazing boys with boundless energy, and a fluffy rescue whose
cuteness is a major distraction. At times, she cannot accommodate real life
because her brain is full of drool worthy heroes and badass heroines clamoring
to come to life. Because of all the books demanding to be written, Jayci writes
full-time now, and is semi-retired from her fifteen-year career as a defense
litigator. She loves food, wine, and travelling, and incidentally so do her
characters. Books have always helped her grow, dream, and heal, and she hopes
her books will do the same for you.
How
can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)
www.jaycilee.com,
FB-Twitter-Instagram handle @authorjaycilee, FB readers group
"Goddess Leegue," Newsletter "Pampered Hearts" (please sign
up through my website.)
Tell us about your manuscript to
published author journey.
I took a hiatus from my day job as
an attorney, and wrote TEMPORARY WIFE TEMPTATION. The first draft took me two
months to write. Revising and polishing it took about two years. Once I felt
the book was ready, I made several cold submissions, journeying to the slush
piles. I got many wonderful feedback but ultimately, everyone passed for this
round except for one publisher. I worked with the editor there for nine months
to the point of going to the acquisition board. Ultimately, due to a change in
direction the publisher was taking, they passed on the book. At that point, I had
a thoroughly edited, highly polished manuscript, so I decided to hit the slush
piles again. This time Harlequin Desire offered me a three book contract for
TEMPORARY WIFE TEMPTATION. My journey to that point (because the journey
continues) took me around two and a half years.
How did it feel to see your manuscript
in print?
It was heart wrenchingly beautiful
and I was overcome with tears of joy. Holding my book in hands felt like a
dream, and it was. It was a lifelong dream come true.
What did you learn while writing this
book?
I learned that I have to write the
book of my heart. Suppressing what you know you need to write only makes you
stumble. When you're writing a book, you can only think about writing the book.
Fears about it being marketable or popular have no place in the creative
space.
What did you hope to accomplish with
this book?
I want to give my readers a few
hours of escape where they get to laugh, fight, and
love along with my
characters. I want it to be a time for self-care for them. A warm, happy moment
to help fuel their journey in real life.
What was your greatest roadblock in
publishing your first book and how did you overcome it?
Waiting. The waiting was torture,
but the continued support of other romance authors helped me hang on. To
continue to hope.
What are three things you wish you’d
known before you reached where you are now?
That patience and persistence are
almost as important as talent. Rejections hurt. Criticism hurts. But even when
your heart is bleeding, if you believe in your dream, you have to keep
fighting. If you don't give up, it will happen.
What advice would you offer to someone
whose first book is about to be released?
I'm not sure. I'm a debut author and
I feel like I need a lot of advice from more established authors. But I know
that it is important to celebrate every small step. Even when things get
overwhelming, take a moment to look around you and appreciate all you have
accomplished.
What do you do to interact with your
readers?
I interact with my future readers
through social media, my readers group, my newsletter, and through my website.
What would you like readers to take
away from your book?
That everyone deserves a happily
ever after. To recognize that diversity doesn't make minorities
"others" or "less American." That Asian-Americans are
Americans, too. That Asian-Americans are part of the fabric of American culture
just like all other minorities.
Which character did you have the most
fun writing about?
That's a hard one. I love all of my
characters. But I had a lot of fun writing about Mrs. Song, the heroine's
neighbor and friend. Everything that comes out of her mouth is so refreshing
and slightly shocking, but always, always true and wise.
What do you believe makes your stories
stand out?
I believe my voice is what makes my
books stand out. I open my heart up when I write, so when my readers read my
book, I think they hear how much of myself I pour into it. I believe they truly
connect with my truth.
What three literary events would you
recommend a writer in your genre attend?
I haven't been to many literary
events, and with the recent implosion of RWA, I'm not sure which events to
recommend. I've heard good things about NINC and RAM.
Who was the first author you ever met?
Tessa Dare. I adore her and I
shamelessly fangirled her.
What’s the most interesting change in
your life as a result of being a published author?
Everything is still so unreal. I'm
under contract for six books, so I'm consumed with writing on a deadline. But I
think the real, excited changes will happen when my first book comes out on
February 4, 2020.
What has surprised you most about being
a published author?
How many steps it took until you get
to hold a printed book in your hands.
Revisions, first/second round edits,
copy edits, last tweaks, proofreading, etc., etc. It is a lot of work, but
every step is so exciting because it brings you closer to having your book out
in the world.
What about writing do you wish non
writers would understand?
It's a real job. It's a full time
profession for me. It's not a hobby or something I do in my spare time. It is a
lot of work, sweat, and dedication.
Can you give us one do and one don't
for those aspiring to be an author?
Do finish your book. Even if the
first draft is not as good as you want it to be. That's why we revise, revise,
revise. Don't give up after a few rejections. Everyone receives rejections.
Just accept it as part of your trade and keep going. Persevere.
When you're not writing, what do you
like to do in your spare time?
Read! I love reading across all
genres. I also love watching movies. Yes, I'm an indoor person. :)
Oprah always asks, what do you know for
sure?
I know I already have everything I
need to be happy.
Any last words for our readers?
I am honored and humbled to be able
to share TEMPORARY WIFE TEMPTATION with you. I hope it makes you happy even for
just a little while.
Garrett Song understands his duties to his Korean-American
family and their business. An arranged marriage, however, is not one of them.
When his grandmother, the family’s matriarch, gives him an ultimatum to marry a
Korean heiress or lose the CEO seat, he must take back his life without anyone
losing face. Garrett finds his solution when Natalie Sobol, his no nonsense HR
Director, asks him for a favor. She needs his money and influence to adopt her
orphaned niece, and he needs a discreet and trustworthy partner for a marriage
of convenience. The plan is perfect until love enters the game.
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