Blog Tour - Tall, Dark, and Divine by Jenna Bennett | Interview & Giveaway

Today I'm turning my blog over to Jenna Bennett, who I interviewed about her latest novel "Tall, Dark, and Divine," which is the 1st book in her Bagging a Greek God Series!!

ALSO -- Be sure to check out Rafflecopter at the bottom of this post to be able to sign up for this blog stop's GIVEAWAY!! [Blog Tour will run from August 10 - 14, 2012]

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My Q&A with Jenna Bennett :

Jess : Can you tell us a bit about yourself?

Jenna : I grew up in Norway, moved to New York while I was still in my teens, met Mr. Right and got married, and ended up moving to Nashville, because he wanted to be involved in the music industry. We’re still here. I’ve worked a lot of jobs, none of them longer than two years, before I became a stay-at-home mom thirteen years ago, when my first son was born. I finished my first manuscript – in English, which is my second language – in 2006, had a book contract in 2007, and published my first book in 2008.

Jess : What books did you enjoy reading while growing up?

Jenna : I grew up in Norway, so some of the offerings were different, but I read a lot of Enid Blyton, as well as Trixie Belden, Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys. Mysteries, in other words. Since I was an early reader, and worked my way through the children’s section of the library in short order, I started reading adult books fairly early. I remember reading "Gone With the Wind" at nine. I read a lot of P.G. Wodehouse and Agatha Christie in my teens, as well as my mother’s romance novels. Violet Winspear was a favorite, as was Barbara Cartland.

Jess : Which of your characters would you most & least like to invite to dinner, from which book and why?

Jenna : Tough question! I’d be happy to have almost any of my male characters visit; they’re all quite dishy and fun to hang with. Perhaps Dionysus, from "Tall, Dark and Divine?" He’s the kind of guy who’d liven up any party. And least? Maybe Hera, who’s a real ball-buster... although putting them together to see the sparks fly might be entertaining. :)

Jess : Please describe "Tall, Dark, and Divine" in 50 words or less.

Jenna : A paranormal romantic comedy in which Eros is determined never to get involved with a mortal again, since they’re nothing but trouble. But when sweet Annie Landon picks him up for a one-night-stand, will the Greek god of love stick to his guns, or will Annie get her man?

Jess : What sparked the idea for "Tall, Dark, and Divine?"

Jenna : Believe it or not, I was reading Gena Showalter’s Lords of the Underworld series – and enjoying it, but wishing it was a little less dark. I don’t really enjoy dark, to be honest. Sometimes I’ll veer off that way, both in reading and in writing, but it doesn’t usually last long. And suddenly the idea was there: a paranormal series based in Greek mythology, but light and humorous instead of dark. It started off with the vision of Eros, Greek god of love, and his matchmaking agency, and went from there. I chose the setting of Astoria, Queens, New York, because that’s where my husband lived when we first met, and where the two of us lived for the first five or six years after we were married. It’s a heavily Greek neighborhood, and seemed a good place to drop a bunch of ancient Greek gods and goddesses to see how they’d handle modern life.

Jess : Which usually comes first for you, the character(s) story or the idea for the novel?

Jenna : The idea, usually. I’ve written a lot of mysteries, and there, it’s often the setting spurring the idea and the plot. Many of them are based in real places and around real, historical events. In the romances, it’s still the idea, and then the characters. Sometimes the title comes first, and the whole book grows from there.

Jess : What is the most romantic thing one of your characters, from "Tall, Dark, and Divine," said or did?

Jenna :

I couldn’t let you say yes to Harry. Eternity is too long to live with a broken heart. ~ within Chapter 24

Jess : If "Tall, Dark, and Divine" were to be made into a film, who do you see playing the main characters and why?

Jenna : Gosh, I have no idea. The people in my mind don’t really look like anyone out there, so it’s hard for me to choose. Annie is 28, sweet-faced and a little plump, with shortish brown hair and blue eyes, while Eros is around six feet tall, with dark eyes and black curly hair. He’s a god. That isn’t easy to find. But I’d be happy to take suggestions. And hold auditions. I’d be very happy to hold auditions.

Jess : In regards to "Tall, Dark, and Divine," if you could write it all over again, would you change anything about it?

Jenna : Nope. I like it just the way it is!

Jess : What appeals to you when writing a romance novel?

Jenna : I enjoy writing dialogue, so there’s usually a bit of sexy banter. The more double-talk and sexual innuendo I can fit into the conversation, the happier I am. I don’t mind writing the love scenes – some turn out better than others – but I’d so much rather write the hero and heroine talking than getting it on. That’s where the falling in love happens, you know?

Jess : How many books have you written? Which is your favorite and why?

Jenna : Sixteen and a half. And I don’t have a favorite. That’d be like picking a favorite child. You just can’t.

Jess : Do you have any other projects in the works? If so, can you share a little of your current work with us?

Jenna : The 6th installment in my Do It Yourself Home Renovation mystery series, "Wall to Wall Dead," will be released September 4th. A category length contemporary romance called "Friends With Benefits" is coming the middle of October, and on November 13th, the first in my series of science fiction romances will arrive in stores. It’s called "Fortune’s Hero," and I’m SO excited about it. I’m currently working on the second in the series, called "Fortune’s Honor."

Here’s a tidbit:

For the first second or two, everything was silent. Holden pressed himself against the wall beside the door and endeavored not to breathe as he strained his ears to listen for sounds.
He couldn’t hear any. Not from outside.
After a moment, however, he became aware of sounds inside the room.
There was breathing. And rustling. Fabric sliding. Like—
A soft light turned on, and Holden gulped.
Not a hotel, you nitwit. A brothel.
He was in a bedroom. With a woman.
A beautiful woman, with the sheets clutched to what looked like her naked body, and with long, black hair tangled across her face and flowing over her shoulders.
And then she reached up to push the black tresses out of her face, and the world tilted, and all he could think was, “Ah, fuck...!”

Jess : Have you ever gone out in public with your shirt on backwards, or your slippers on, and when realizing it, just said screw it?

Jenna : Don’t recall going out in slippers, at least not accidentally, but sure, I’ve gone out with my shirt inside out and such-like. Why worry about it? It could be a whole new fashion statement!

Jess : If someone wrote a biography about you, what do you think the title should be?

Jenna : "Tall, Dark and Divine?"

Jess : List 3 books you just recently read and would recommend?

Jenna : I’ve been reading some of Stephanie Bond’s rereleases, and really enjoyed "Kill the Competition," which is a light and funny romantic mystery. My fellow Covet author, Misa Ramirez’s "Deceiving the Witch Next Door" was a fun, sweet and steamy little read. And I really enjoyed Diane Alberts’s novella, "Try Me." Short, but very sweet. It came out a couple months ago, and it has stayed with me. Can’t wait for the sequel!

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About the Author :

Jennie Bentley is the author of the New York Times bestselling Do-It-Yourself Home Renovation mysteries from Berkley Prime Crime, while Jenna Bennett writes the Cutthroat Business mysteries for her own gratification. Jenna is also the author of the upcoming Soldiers of Fortune series of futuristic romances from Entangled Publishing. The first book in the series, "Fortune's Hero," will debut in November 2012. In addition to futuristic romance, Jenna also has the first books in a contemporary romantic suspense series and a paranormal series coming from Entaqngled Publishing in fall 2012.

A former Realtor® and renovator and current full-time author, Jenna/Jennie lives in Nashville, Tennessee, with a husband, two kids, two frogs, two goldfish, a killer parakeet, and a hyper-active dog. Originally from Norway, she has spent more than twenty years in the US and still hasn’t been able to kick her native accent.

She's a member of Sisters in Crime (SinC), Romance Writers of America (RWA), the Music City Romance Writers (MCRW), the International Thriller Writers (ITW), Women's National Book Association (WNBA), the Author's Guild, and two different PTOs.

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"Tall, Dark, and Divine" [Bagging a Greek God Series, Book 1] by Jenna Bennett (aka Jennie Bentley)
My Book Summary :

Even though it's been a long time since Eros' (Ross), the god of love, ex-wife left him for another man he's still dwelling on it. Therefore, Ross' friend and employee, Ariadne (Ari) the minor Cretan goddess of the labyrinth, tells him it's finally time to get out in the world again and get over his ex. Reluctantly Ross agrees to hang out at their friend's bar for the night but he has no intention to hook-up with anyone, let alone a mortal. However, no matter how much Ross would like to deny it Annie, the owner/baker of the dog bakery that is across the street from his matchmaking business, catches his wrapped interest. Especially in her HOT outfit he finds her wearing at the bar that same night.

Yet after a blunder of miscommunication, old worries, and a determined man/god who thinks he's always doing the right thing ... Ross and Annie's lives go through more trials then they would have expected in a very short timeframe. Will they be able to stick together through it all? Or will Ross end up pushing them apart after all?? [Click HERE to read my review of this novel!]

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My Giveaway!! :

• An e-book copy of "Tall, Dark, and Divine"

The Fine Print -- To Enter :

1. This contest ends on August 14th 2012.
2. This contest is International!!
3. It's the author/publisher's responsibility to ensure that the winner gets the book, not mine.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


GOOD LUCK!! =0)

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Find Jenna Bennett :

• Jenna Bennett - Website
• Jenna Bennett - Blog
• Twitter
• Facebook Page
• Goodreads