Today I’m super excited to be joined by the lovely JJ Harper, who’s hear to chat about her fabulous new release, Your Kind of Man, which you can get your hands on right now!
1. What inspired you to write Your Kind of Man? Can you tell us a little more about the story?
Haha! Um, I think I can safely say Tumblr, Pinterest and a bunch of sexy gender-fluid books.
The story is about Jem and Nate finding the one person they never knew they needed or wanted. But more so about finding themselves. Their insecurities as well as the strengths, it’s quite a roller coaster of will they, won’t they make it. Jem has to learn how to trust again, making him act out sometimes, Nate learns how to love after a lifetime being a Dom.
2. Can you share something with us about the book that isn’t in the blurb?
I’m not sure if saying too much will ruin it. I’m always cagey about how much to give away. I will say it’s great to see Mikey and Callum (from My Kind Of Man) again.
3. What was the hardest scene to write?
The Safeword scene. I cry at my books all the time but that one was hard, I wasn’t sure where the story would go after that.
4. What did you edit out of this book? Or really want to include but it just didn’t fit?
There was a whole chapter on Jem’s business trip and a character that was going to cause trouble for all the HeavyLoad! men. It may turn up as an added extra in my blog or possibly in the next book.
5. What came first with Your Kind of Man, the characters or the plot? Is that the same for all your books?
Absolutely the characters, after the brief mention of Nate’s one that got away in book one, I knew then that it would be those two men that were the next to have their private life made public. lol.
6. If we made Your Kind of Man into a movie, who would be your dream casting for Nate and Jem?
Ooh! Now that’s an interesting thought. I’m going to have to research this one, I’m not one to watch many films, or even TV.
Runs off to google hot young actors!
Back now and out of breath! So, it’s a tough choice for Nate, I’m going with Tom Hardy, damn that man can smoulder, if not him the Bradley Cooper. Jem is trickier, I think Lucky Blue Smith is perfect for him, but there’s Machine Gun Kelly that has the edginess of Jem. I know they’re not actors but they fit.
7. What inspired you to start writing?
I had to stop working due to a long-term illness and hit Kindle in a big way, back when books were only 77c/p. It wasn’t so much an inspiration, more a suggestion from Mr H, after I was disappointed in a couple of books I’d read, said Why don’t you write one? I started with M/F and ending up writing a four books series. I still love it and have the fifth started but my love lies in MM now, I can’t see myself changing.
8. What or who (or both) has influenced you most as a writer?
I think, many indie authors have EL James to thank for inspiring women to read, via Kindle, and consequently write what they want. But I don’t think anyone has exactly influenced me, there are some authors I admire and love to talk to and get their ideas and opinions. Nora Phoenix is an amazing woman and knows the industry so well. We, the MM writers, are a tight knit team and like to help each other out. I think it’s the positivity of our community is probably the greatest influence on me.
9. As an experienced author, what do you have any advice or tips for new authors who are just starting out?
First, write with your gut, then your head and then with your heart. Trust your ideas, if you like it the chances are there are plenty of other people who will, too. Secondly, spend as much as you can realistically spend on a cover and editor. Fiverr has some amazing editors and cover artists there, look there, read the reviews, and start there, you may not have to, you may have made a budget plan and great read who edited or designed the authors you love the most and contact them.
Build up a newsletter, right from the start this is something I disregarded and have had to build up slowly.
Join groups, talk to authors, we’re nice people and love to talk shop.
10. What is your favourite childhood book?
The Narnia Chronicles and still read them every now and again. Voyage of the Dawntreader is my favourite, The Horse and His Boy is second.
11. What do you like to do when you’re not writing? Do you have a secret passion or hobby that we don’t know about?
Haha! I write full time, I don’t have time to have a hobby. Luckily, I love my job. I love meeting up with my friends for a night away. Cocktails and dancing are always fun. I have trouble staying asleep so I tend to catch up on my reading at stupid o’clock. I don’t watch tv but do binge on Netflix on my laptop. I have a very boring life and live vicariously through my imaginary men, lol
12. Finally, what’s your favourite dinosaur?
The Doyouthinkshesaus, the one my dogs turn into when they’ve dug up the garden!!!!
Thanks for having me!
Thank you for dropping in and answering all my questions! I am so excited to read about Nate and Jem, and I definitely think Tumblr has inspired quite a few of us.
You can download Your Kind of Man right now.
About JJ Harper
You will normally find her in the living room—typing away—with her dog, Maud. As a hopeless romantic, JJ dives into her stories, always falling in love with her men, making sure they get the happy ever after they deserves, even if they do have to work hard for it.
As a bona fide bookaholic, coffee-addicted, wine-drinking and swear-like-a-sailor type of girl, she has yet to work out how to act her age!! LOL. And she has no intentions of growing up or growing old gracefully.
JJ lives in a small, very quiet, village in Lincolnshire, UK, with her husband and dog, and spends all day dreaming up stories full of really hot men.
You can find her on Amazon, BookBub, Twitter, Instagram and on her website. You can also sign up for her newsletter and join her Facebook group, Harper’s Honey’s.
