I don’t know if it’s a good or bad thing that I feel emotions when I write my books, but I do. I cried several times writing Rock Bottom, and I laughed at several spots during Feverish. I tend to believe a scene in one of my books will also strike an emotional chord with my readers when, as I go back through the book revising and editing, I get emotional all over again in the same spots. I laughed a lot writing Feverish. Clay is a fun-loving, happy, laid-back guy, and he tends to be funny as well. I laughed in several spots while I wrote the book, and I laughed again when I went back through. What I hadn’t expected was crying. Clay’s story is not like Ethan’s. I expected Ethan’s to be hard and gritty and laden with tears. Clay’s story is fun…but I still got misty at the end.
Honestly, I’d expected Rock Bottom to do better than it did, but as the reviews started rolling in, I saw why. Lots of readers didn’t want Ethan to have a happy ending. They didn’t feel like he deserved it. I’m sad they weren’t willing to give Ethan a chance, but that also tells me that Bullet affected them emotionally as well, and I don’t think that’s a bad thing. I also know Rock Bottom is a hard read. It deals with difficult subject matter and it’s not necessarily for everyone.
I’m hopeful, though, that Clay’s story will appeal to a wider audience. He wasn’t a huge part of Bullet, but he was a big part of Valerie’s life and sparked the imagination of a lot of readers. His story is as fun as you are expecting. But I do want to tell you that there is a lot more to Clay than you might have seen coming. I hope you love his story. I know I did!
October 25 is right around the corner!
Lolly Smith
oooooooooo Jade … I BULLET & then ROCK BOTTOM & I LOVED that Ethan redeemed himself & did find his happy ending !!! …. I think as human beings we all deserve another chance at happiness & Ethan strived to achieve that with the help of his new love !!!
FEVERISH sounds like a fun read & I am looking forward to release date 🙂
Jade
I hope you love it, Lolly! 🙂 I’m sure you will!
Lolly Smith
was s’posed to say …….. I LOVED BULLET & then ROCK BOTTOM
Nancy Jones
I’m glad that Ethan got his happy ending! I didn’t think it was possible for me to love him but seeing how hard he tried in Rock Bottom changed my mind. (More than once I wanted to smack Val upside the head- even though I could understand where she was coming from..) None of us are perfect and we all deserve a second chance (sometimes we need a lot more!) and for just one person to love and believe in us, even Ethan. Geez, I think I may be too emotionally involved in your fictional worlds Jade- lol! 😉
Jade
Thanks, Nancy. At least I’m not the only one. I need a little company! 🙂
Kathy Daugherty
I had a hard time reading Bullet. It was just so different from what I was used to reading. I couldn’t believe what an asshole Ethan was and was so mad at Val. I wanted to love Ethan so much but I just kept hating him more and more. After I finished Bullet I was glad Val finally got tough but was still mad at Ethan and I thought WOW, I’ve never had a book make me feel so much emotion, I mean I’m used to reading about perfect heroes that can do no wrong. But after my mad spell I just coudnt stop thinking about theses characters. I’m so glad I gave Ethan another chance (don’t we all deserve a second chance sometimes?). This series is so wonderful and if you can find it in your heart to give Rock Bottom and Ethan a chance you will not regret it. And don’t get me started on Feverish and my hottie Jet! READ THIS SERIES!!!!
Jade
Kathy,
Thank you so much for your thoughts. My characters will not always make you happy–I know that much! I do hope that they’re realistic, though. I can’t wait for you to read Feverish!
Jade