Jennifer Ann Coffeen is a writer and performer in Chicago. Her feather tipped pen first saw the light when she wrote and created performance pieces with the all female comedy group, the kates. Of course the next logical step was to write a 19th Century romance centered around the infamous French Blue diamond. Priceless Deception is her first novel.
Priceless Deception is a fast paced regency romance about the quest for the cursed French Blue diamond.
Haunted by the words of her dying father, Lady Madeline Sinclair arrives for the London Season with more than parties and the latest fashion on her mind. She has sworn a vow, and the beautifully headstrong and fearless Madeline will allow nothing to distract her… until she meets the infamous Lord Colin, Duke of Douglas, a man known for his scandalous past engagement. With a dark grin and stormy eyes, he threatens to make her forget her duty, along with her manners.
Long and Short Romance says,“[Coffeen’s] weaving together of fear, fooling around, fun and frivolity… makes Priceless Deception sparkling, fast paced reading that keeps one turning the pages.”
Jennifer’s Grandma described Priceless Deception as “a little bit racy.”
Who is one of your favorite (fictional or non-fictional) characters?
From age 8 to 13 Nancy Drew was the most inspirational woman in my life. It was, and still is, my life’s goal to be an 18 year old female detective. She had it all, spunky friends, a Blue GT Mustang Convertible, and a town full of mysteries to be solved. Of course, being obsessed with romance I was most interested in Nancy’s relationship with the dashing Ned Nickerson. (Do you think they named all their kids with “N” names too? Neil, Nellie, Naomi…). My heart ached when Ned broke up with Nancy for choosing her detecting over him, and I was outraged when he later asked her to clear his ballerina girlfriend of diamond stealing. Though Nancy and Ned did eventually get back together the day came when I realized their relationship wouldn’t progress past a peck on the cheek. This is when I started reading my mom’s romance novels.
Share one quirk you have that most people don’t know about.
In 2003 my husband and I created a show called Numbskull the Human Blockhead. It was an old fashioned circus sideshow where I ate fire and my husband pounded sharp objects into his nose. I had a fantastic costume complete with hair feathers and a parasol! You can see a picture of it on my website. It was great fun and we performed around the Midwest for several years.
What’s your next big thing?
I have several projects going right now. I like to work on a couple different things at once because anxiety gives me energy. I am currently working on a regency series that takes place during a Twelfth Night ball. It centers around three women who have all lost their place in society: a widow, a divorcee, and a young woman plagued by scandal. I’m having a wonderful time researching all the Regency holiday traditions. I’m also working on the sequel to Priceless Deception. It’s about the romance between Helena and Edward that was touched on in the first book. I adore this couple, and their story takes a very sinister turn when Helena and her mother disappear with a mysterious Count.
What’s the strangest job you’ve ever had?
The summer after college I was the Perfume girl for a promotional company. My job was to stand in department stores enticing ladies into buying perfume by spraying it onto a card (you can’t actually spray people anymore). Here’s the tragic twist of this story – I really despise the smell of perfumes. I am cursed with eczema and a strong sense of smell so both my skin and nose go berzerk when something is too perfumed. I would always recoil slightly when spraying the card, and after work I would scrub my hands to get rid of the stench… I mean scent. The pinched look on my face probably wasn’t too good for sales.
Has anyone ever thought a character you wrote was based on them?
Everyone likes to try and guess who the characters are. It’s like a drinking game! In reality they are often a mix of strangers, people I know, myself, and whatever just pops into my head. Most of the time the characters are such real and vivid people to me I think of them as their own entity, not based on anyone! Occasionally though I am thinking about a particular person. In those cases I make sure to add a feathered turban or puce colored jacket so they don’t recognize themselves.
Learn more about Jennifer on her website: www.JenniferAnnCoffeen.com, facebook: www.facebook.com/JenniferAnnCoffeen, and follow her on twitter @jencoffeen.
Jennifer’s offering a giveaway to one lucky commenter, AND she’s even willing to ship internationally! Thanks, Jen!
Oh, I love a good regency, and PRICELESS DECEPTION sounds fantastic. Looks like my TBR pile just got taller.
And “Numbskull the Human Blockhead”? LOL! And here I thought my sordid past as a melodrama actress (where I met my hubs, the theater god) was wacky. Sounds like you have an extremely interesting life — a very good thing for a writer.
Thanks for joining us here at the Ball! 😀
Thanks for having me Linda! I’m super excited to be here.
I’m still looking for a way to combine my regency knowledge with circus sideshows, it would make a very entertaining story.
Hi Jennifer! A little bit racy sounds like our cup of tea here! Nice!
Thanks so much for visiting us and sharing such fun tidbits. (And you’ve done me a great service–I was almost positive I had heard that new rule about not spraying the customer directly and had written a scene for my WIP using that rationale and lo! ‘Tis true!)
Wishing you continued success with all things–and a great 2012!
Thanks for being here, Jennifer! Oy, my toppling TBR pile just got taller, too, because as everyone knows, I’m a sucker for historicals. And yeah, it’s nice to see someone giving Linda, our resident stage goddess, a run for her money.
Sounds great. I just read my first romance novel not too long ago so I’m ready for another one!
Jennifer,
As you know I am a huge Jenifer Ann Coffeen fan and I loved “Priceless Deception”. The characters were so vivid for me and the story was fun. At first it was hard for me to separate you as the performance artist I know and as the author of this wonderful book. I had to forget that I actually know you. Then it was easy. It’s weird to know a published writer. I am so lucky. I can’t wait to read everything you write or see you perform. I think you are an amazingly skilled writer. And performer.
And sometime I want you to perform at “Cafe Cabaret” you little minx!
Sounds like a great read!!! Love the cover!
-Amber
goodblinknpark@yahoo.com
I loved Nancy Drew too! I was always disappointed that her relationship with Ned never seemed to go anywhere. LOL
Numbskull the Human Blockhead sounds interesting. How in the world did your husband pound sharp objects into his nose????
Your next series sounds awesome–can’t wait to read it!
To answer your question India- very carefully.
Thanks to everyone for the comments and for stopping in. I had a great time chatting with the Debs!