Spotlight on Jenness Walker and Double Take

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

JENNESS WALKER fell in love with books before she could even read them. Growing up, she read while she walked in line, ate lunch, played the clarinet, showered and brushed her teeth. Unfortunately she still hasn’t figured out how to clean the house with a book in hand. Blessed with a vivid imagination—sometimes too vivid—Jenness loves to create her own stories as well. Her writing journey has spanned over twenty years so far, from the contest she lost in first grade to the creative writing correspondence course she took through high school and the first novel she penned in college. Now Jenness lives in Florida with her beloved Web site–designer husband and almost-equally-beloved laptop.

DOUBLE TAKE
by Jenness Walker
Published by Love Inspired Suspense

ABOUT THE BOOK

Cole Leighton can barely believe his eyes. A woman on his bus has just been abducted—in an exact reflection of a scene from the bestselling novel he's reading. Someone is bringing the book to life…and isn't above forcing an innocent woman to follow the story to its tragic end. Using the novel as his playbook, Cole catches up with the beautiful victim—but rescuing Kenzie Jacobs doesn't keep her safe for long. The killer is writing his own ending, and none of the twists and turns lead to happily ever after.

Readers, buy your copy of Double Take today!

AUTHOR INTERVIEW

1. This is your debut novel. Congratulations! What gave you the inspiration for this story?

I’m not really sure what inspired it. I’d just read an interview about a book cover model and thought it was pretty interesting. Then I was mulling a couple plots that had been done before and I was trying to come up with something that combined elements of the two. The result was Double Take although it really doesn’t have anything to do with the ideas I’d been brainstorming in the first place. :)

2. How much of your own experiences influenced your characters? What aspects became traits that were theirs and theirs alone?

Usually my friends and family can pick out bits and pieces of me (or even them) in my characters. This time, not so much. Kenzie is afraid of storms. I love them. Kenzie knows how to whittle. I would slice off my finger if I tried, so I just watched a few tutorials on YouTube. Cole can draw…well, I tried at one point in my life.

3. If your hero/heroine were an ice cream flavor, what would he/she be and why?

Kenzie would be cake batter flavored, because deep inside her is a child who grew up too fast, so sometimes she just needs to lick the spatula and reclaim a bit of her innocence. :)

4. Are there any themes in Double Take that you hope the reader sees? Are there any themes that weren't overt but developed as the stories progressed?

I hope readers see that no matter who they are, God loves them. And no matter what they’ve done, His grace can wash them clean. I didn’t necessarily sit down and plan to work specific lessons into the story, but these just sort of flowed out of what the hero and heroine were struggling with internally.

5. What were your most difficult parts to write? Your favorite?

Honestly, I had a hard time with the kissing scenes, even though they were very brief. Lol. It’s hard to be original and not lame. I’m not into the whole birds singing or violins playing bit. My favorite part to write was probably the pseudo-Psycho scene. You know how misery loves company? Well, Kenzie was my company to bestow one of my childhood fears upon. :)

6. When is your next book coming out and what is the story?

I don’t have a second contract yet, but I’m reworking my first novel to send to Steeple Hill. It’s about a man who’s lost everything, the woman who tries to bring him back to life, and the killer who wants to destroy them both.

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Thank you, Jenness, for being in the spotlight with us.

Readers, leave a comment for your chance to win a FREE autographed copy of Double Take.

Jenness is also giving away a free book to the first person who emails her a picture of her book on a store shelf. As in...you see it there, not plant it there. :) You can learn more about that on her website by clicking on the contests link.

Make sure you also leave your email address (name at domainname dot.com/net). You won't be entered in the drawing without it. If you wish to comment but don't want to be entered, say so when you post.

And if you want to make certain you don't miss anything, check the box that says 'email follow-up comments to:' when you leave a comment and they'll be sent to the email address associated with your blogging account. That way you'll be notified of any comments and will know when the winners are announced each time.

This week, the contest is open to US/Canada residents only.