Captivated by Jessica Rooker
What's It About?
This hot romance captures what the heart desires when a self-absorbed playboy and a sweet innkeeper embark on a new relationship fueled by lust and love.Who doesn’t love a handsome man in an expensive suit? Jessica Rooker states her personal preference for strong, dark-haired men in fancy suits was only the beginning of building the dreamy protagonist of her debut romance, Captivated.
Quinton Starks is a vain, self-absorbed, philandering playboy whose life is work, partying, and one-night stands. He treats women as sexual objects rather than equals. That is, until the moment he locks eyes with Amelia Johansson, a sweet and humble innkeeper — and a married woman! But Amelia’s marriage isn’t everything it seems, and she and Quinton soon begin a steamy relationship fueled with lust and love.
We got a chance to speak with the author about the inspirations behind her characters, the complexities of writing about an abusive marriage, and her advice on writing sex scenes.
Q: Dreamy billionaire Quinton Starks is the guy of every girl’s dreams — handsome, wealthy and kindhearted. What inspired his character?
A: I don’t use character sketches, so when I began writing about Quinton, I focused on what I find physically attractive about a man. Men who wear suits, have dark hair and eyes, a strong upper body, and are mentally sharp appeal to me. Instead of being haughty or arrogant, they are respectfully confident. Quinton’s personality came into its own as the plot developed. Although I wasn’t initially planning to make him rich, his character convinced me otherwise.
Q: Amelia, an innkeeper trapped in an abusive relationship, is trying to figure out how to escape her own life and finally follow her heart. Are there pieces of Amelia’s story drawn from your own life?
A: Yes. Captivated is a work of fiction with threads of truth intertwined. For me, writing is a form of escape. I love creating another reality, and sometimes I feel like writers pull that connection into their stories from different aspects of their own lives or possibly the experiences of others.
Q: The novel deals with a complex and difficult relationship between husband and wife, creating the main conflict in the book. How did you find the balance between detailing this abusive relationship and achieving the love story at the heart of the book?
A: Wow that is A great question. Hard to say really, but for me when I write I let the characters drive the story in the direction in which it feels natural. The reader had to be subjected to some of the abuse Amelia endured without smothering the storyline into a book of depression. Without the ugly, Amelia wouldn’t have evolved; the flirtatious banter, subtle flirting and dialog between the two characters pushed the story from heartache to the love story.
Q: Many writers have expressed the difficulty of writing a good sex scene. How do you go about crafting intimate scenes in your work, and what advice would you give to writers who are struggling to do the same?
A: Obviously, I’m comfortable writing intimate scenes. It just comes easily for me, and I think it’s because, in my mind, we all know what’s going on in that department. Sex and intimacy are normal parts of a relationship, but intimacy is so much more. Anyone can have sex, but you’ve got to have that emotional connection for intimacy. So it’s unnatural for me to try to keep the sexual side of the relationship hush-hush, so to speak. The characters lead the story; their personalities and desires take over, so when it feels right, we get steamy!
I like open-door scenes because I am a visual person. Adding explicit details can really bring the story to life. Details help readers connect to both the physical and emotional sides of being with someone. When I write, I can visually see these scenes playing out in my mind. Not only do I enjoy writing these scenes, but I also like reading articles and publications about sex, intimacy and relationships. As well as romance and erotica. Writing sexual content can be tricky, so if you’re uncomfortable reading it, you’re uncomfortable writing it. I suggest writing steamy scenes at a level you are comfortable with. If you’re uncomfortable, then it’s going to show and read awkwardly.
Q: What do you hope people get out of Captivated?
A: Overall I hope they enjoy it. Maybe fall in love with the characters and the love story side of it. Or perhaps the feeling of escapism from whatever reality they are living at that time. If someone connects with Amelia’s abused side, maybe they can gain mental strength and awareness that it’s not okay; they’re not alone, and there is always an option. Even if it’s their darkest moment, they can’t give up on themselves, because when you do, then who is left?
Q: Are there any secrets you can share about what to expect in the sequel, Forever Captivated?
A: There is external conflict, but what that conflict is, you have to wait and see!
About Jessica Rooker:
Jessica Rooker lives in a small town in Northeast Georgia on 30 acres. She enjoys writing titillating romance novels with erotic intimacy and alpha-male protagonists. She received her Bachelor of Arts in pre-law and an Associate’s in paralegal studies. During college she took elective courses in journalism and creative writing. Captivated is her first published novel.
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