Today I’d like to welcome Jennifer D. Bokal to Fallen Angel Reviews. Thanks for taking the time to answer a few questions for us today Jennifer.

Tammy, I want to thank you so much for inviting me to join you at Fallen Angels Review. I have to admit that being here is quite a thrill!

What is your most favorite part of being a writer? The least favorite?

For Christmas in 5th grade, I asked for a typewriter because I knew I wanted to be a writer. Now this was a tough decision for a 10-year-old to make. The popular Christmas gift in Western Colorado that year was obscenely large boom boxes. Remember those?

So, my favorite part of being a writer is having the knowledge that I am living my life long dream. Being able to honestly say I am doing what feeds my soul is very powerful.
My least favorite part, hmmm, that is a little harder. Probably not having as much time as I would like to write!

Could you tell readers a little bit about your current release, Celtic Heart?

Celtic Heart is set in the first century, present day Scotland, during the Roman invasions. A group of Celts captures the Roman’s military leader, Antonius, during a ferocious battle that decimates the rest of his troops.

The Celtic druid, Bodach, claims the gods’ demand Antonius’ blood as a gift. He gives the task of caring for the Roman to the clans’ most skilled healer, his daughter Maeve.

The attraction between Maeve and Antonius is instant. In Antonius Maeve discovers not a tyrant bend on domination but an honorable man worthy of her heart. How can Maeve deny her feelings for Antonius as his presence heals old wounds? But can Maeve open her self up to the anguish that will follow by loving a man doomed by her father’s decree?

I had a fabulous time writing Celtic Heart. Learning all about the Celts and the Romans was fascinating and I loved bringing that dangerous time period to life.
It is so exciting that Inara Press has decided to continue the story for at least another two seasons! The second season will be released on July 11th.

If you are unfamiliar with the series e-book concept, it is really very cool. Each week Inara releases another installment or chapter of the story. So on Tuesday when you log onto your computer you can find out what is happening in the lives of Maeve and Antonius.

The talented people at Inara have made a website for Celtic Heart. It is worth a look at: http://www.inarapress.net/celticheart/

What do you consider when buying a book for your library?

If I know I like the author, I am more likely to pick up the book. But sometimes it depends on my mood. The warmer weather brings out my fun side, so I look for romantic comedy now. During Christmas, I am a glutton for a tearjerker holiday romance.

Any time a friend or family member gives a book a rave review I find it hard to resist buying up a copy as well.

Do you have a favorite movie that you could watch over and over again?

A&E’s version of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth is my personal favorite. Only one word can describe Mr. Firth: Yummy!

Was there any one person or event in your life that finally inspired you to sit down and write your first book?

Last summer I took a novel writing workshop and outlined a paranormal romance. Even though the idea for that book has never gotten beyond the outline, the workshop did break the overwhelming idea of writing a novel into manageable pieces.

In the fall, I started working on Celtic Heart. I entered it in the Seron series e-book contest with Inara Press. Winning the contest gave me a contract. Having a contract in hand serves as great motivation to finish your manuscript!

What is the one thing you've always wanted to do but never had the courage/opportunity to try?

Climb Mount Everest. Whenever I hear of someone climbing Mount Everest, I am always fascinated. I do wonder if I am sad because I don’t have the personality to actually do something like that or happy that all my faculties are intact!

What does your working space look like?

I write in bed on my laptop, under the covers no less. Any out lines, notes or reference books I need are spread out around me. When I am done, everything gets put into a wooden chest at the foot of my bed.

Could you give your readers a sample of you book All I Want that’s in the Hearth Fires Fall Digest?

It would be my pleasure. Here is a little of the beginning.

December 22
My hands trembled as I took the small box from the UPS man. I knew exactly what was inside. My husband Jake wanted this for as long as I had known him. It was something I was never willing to give. But, this Christmas was different. Ten years of marriage and three kids had changed a lot of things about me. Change was a good thing, right?

“We’ll see,” I thought while opening the brown cardboard box. Packed in tissue paper was a red velvet bag. The bag felt heavier than I had imagined. When I opened the drawstring, a small scream of surprise escaped my throat. I stopped short. My internal Mommy Radar tuned into the Baby Napping frequency. Not hearing the yowl of a cranky 2 year-old, I reached for the phone.
After two rings my best friend and neighbor Eva answered. “Hello,” she breathed heavily into the receiver.
“Eva? Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m just trying to move the Christmas tree and clean underneath.”
“Clean, UNDER the tree,” I asked incredulously sitting down at the kitchen table. “Why on earth would you to do that?”
“Captain Sparks ate fruitcake and then threw up under the tree.”
“EWWW. This is why I will never have a dog. They are nasty creatures.” The word “nasty” brought me back to the reason I called. “Hey! They came in!”
“Really? What do they look like?”
Taking the silver steel bands out of the bag, I studied them. They were cold and hard. The black velvet on the inside made them look more cheap and sleazy than I expected.
“Like handcuffs,” I replied trying to hide my anxiety. Did I really want to do this? “They have keys and everything,” I said as I deposited two shiny metal keys beside the red bag.
“Sarah, my friend, this really is a whole new you! When you said you wanted to bring excitement back in your life you weren’t kidding.”
“Yeah, I guess.” Maybe I should have gotten my shoulder length chestnut hair cut short. All the other thirty-something mommies who wanted to get back into the groove seemed to be doing just that. Trying to change the subject I added, “I cannot believe how long it took for these handcuffs to get here. I ordered them right after Thanksgiving. Do you think I should send an e-mail and complain?”
“Do you recall the name of the web site where you ordered your handcuffs?”
“Yeah, it was Sex Fifth Avenue.” What was she getting at?
“Yes Dahling,” Eva drawled. “SEX Fifth Avenue, not Sax. You should be thankful your computer didn’t crash.”
“You’re right, they probably have a different meaning for customer service anyway,” I added with a smile.
The rumble of the garage door opener told me Jake was home from the university where he teaches Biochemistry. Even thought the semester was over he always had a research project to keep him busy.

Far from the pencil-necked geeks that made up most of faculty at Hudson Valley University, Jake looked like he belonged on the cover of GQ. His broad shoulders tapered down to a thin waist with tight abs and even tighter butt. Jake followed the workout schedule he had from our days at HVU when he was captain of the baseball team. His boyish smile, sandy blonde hair and green eyes made my husband, Dr. Jacob Ivanovich, one of the most popular professors at school. All the female students have a huge crush on Jake.
“He’s here. I’ve got to go.”
“Details,” Eva sang “I want details.”

Of all things you have accomplished, is there one accomplishment you are most proud of?

I really want to say something other than getting published, but I can’t! I truly had a euphoric high for about 2 days after Jewel Adams, Midnight Showcase’s publisher sent me the e-mail telling me All I Want had been chosen for Hearth Fires Fall Digest.

Wait! I know something else! In high school, I did ski the backside of Telluride Colorado. The same year I skied those slopes a magazine named that area one of the most difficult slopes in the country. Ahh, Glory Days!

Is there anything else you would like to share with your fans?

Believe in yourself. Anything in the world is possible.

Thank you for having me Tammy. Chattin’ at FAR has been a great way to spend the evening!

Thank you so much, Jennifer, for spending time with us today! Readers be sure to visit Jennifer’s website www.jenbokal.com.

Interviewed by: Tammy