Jean, welcome to Jenue’s Journal.  Ace of Hearts is defined as a romantic thriller, how is the book divided between the two?

One of the hardest things for me is to try to put a genre label on Ace of Hearts. The consensus is from erotic thriller (that’s a hint as to how steamy ;o) to romantic suspense. The sensual romance between my heroine, Detective Shevaughn Robinson, the first Black female detective in fictitious Portsborough, NY (it’s set in 1981) and Tony O’Brien, a White reporter, who is a thorn in the police department’s side, is a relationship I hope all will enjoy.

Now, the thrill comes from following the serial murderer and being involved in his descent into madness.  I try to let the reader in on his thought process and the emotions behind his hideous crimes.

How steamy is the romance in Ace of Hearts?

Pretty steamy, but tastefully (no pun intended) done, I hope. Let’s say I have two sons who bought Ace, but confessed they can’t read it! You know how sons are when it comes to Mom. LOL! I’ve found I have a vivid imagination and being married to the same man for 36 years has its perks!!

But it isn’t all about the heat, it’s about the turmoil people go through when they realize their love will put them through trials that most haven’t dealt with. I hope the reader falls in love along with Shevaughn and understands her reasons and her doubts. I try to share their intimate knowledge that when a relationship is right, it’s worth the cost.

What do you think readers will like most about this book?

The range of emotions Ace of Hearts puts you through. To me the best books and movies are ones that hit me when I don’t see it coming. My favorite review said it was a roller coaster ride. Another said it was a guilty pleasure because I take you out of your comfort zone, but you can’t put it down! I love that.
Ace of Hearts also takes you back to the good old days, the days before computers and cell phones, HIV and DNA, cappuccinos and four dollar a gallon gas. When I write, I want to take the reader on a trip down memory lane with some twists and turns.

How long did it take you to write Ace of Hearts and what was your main source of moral support?

It took two years to write Ace of Hearts in longhand back in 1980 and that’s one of the reasons I stuck to that era. Ace has been through a number of transitions; from longhand to typewriter via my sister, Lori, typing it up after work to entering it on a word processor (that I later found out wasn’t DOS compatible!) to finally being saved on my computer. My family, especially Lori, have been my moral support. She started it one day, over 27 years ago, when she said “You read so much, I bet you could write a book” and I answered, “I bet I could!” Thus began the conception of Ace of Hearts.

Four years ago, she was the one who suggested I get it down, dust it off, do some editing and see if it would fly. She pushed me to print several copies of my manuscript and paid for my attendance at NBCC (National Book Club Convention) which is held in Atlanta annually, the first weekend in August. I met my good friend and soon-to–be publisher, Diane Dorcé, owner and CEO of Firefly Publishing and Entertainment there. I guess the moral of my story is: Never give up your dream. I have to say my family (hubby, Fred, has turned into quite the manager and daughter-in-law, Tasha has been my top salesperson!) and friends have supported it and me 110%. And Ace of Hearts has been flying ever since! Right now, a NY publisher and a reviewer in Essex, UK are reading it! When you have a moment, please check out my website  where you can purchase Ace of Hearts as an ebook for $7.95 and join my mailing list.

If you could meet one famous author who would it be and why?

Hands down, Stephen King. That man has given me chills since young adulthood and I’m now a Gramma of eight!!  Then his book, “On Writing” helped me get through what I thought was an impossible editing period shortly before Ace was published.  He’s a BAD man (in a good way! ;o)

Jenue:   Jean, Ace of Hearts is at the top of my reading list.  Thanks so much for taking this interview and best of luck with future endeavors.