Monday, March 3, 2014

Character Interview with Jessica Scott (Coming Home Series) + Giveaway!

You know we are a HUGE fan of Jessica Scott's books here on the blog -- really, look back at all the reviews, discussions, cover reveals and fun posts! 


WELCOME BACK TO THE BLOG, JESSICA! :) 

Jessica Scott is a career army officer, mother of two daughters, three cats and three dogs, wife to a career NCO and wrangler of all things stuffed and fluffy. She is a terrible cook and even worse housekeeper, but she's a pretty good shot with her assigned weapon and someone liked some of the stuff she wrote. Somehow, her children are pretty well adjusted and her husband still loves her, despite burned water and a messy house.

She's written for the New York Times At War Blog, PBS Point of View Regarding War, and IAVA. She deployed to Iraq in 2009 as part of OIF/New Dawn and is currently a company commander stationed at Fort Hood.

Most recently, she's been featured as one of Esquire Magazine's Americans of the Year for 2012.
Where to Find Jessica:


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Kame: In honor of the upcoming release of It’s Always Been You from Jessica Scott’s “Coming Home” series, all of our favorite characters from that series are gathered here in Shane and Jen’s backyard for a cookout.

Hey everyone, thank you for letting me come by. My Mom always drilled into me never go somewhere empty handed; so I made something. I thought since Emily, Jessica and I are all from New England I would bring something that would remind them of home.…whoopee pies.

So who is tending the grill?



Jen looks over her shoulder: “That would be my husband and his side kick.”


Kame: Well I asked because it seems when there are deployments the ones at home have to wear different hats.  Laura has gotten handy with home improvement projects – look at this wonderful gazebo.

Laura do you have a current project?         

Laura:You mean other than my husband’s transition from the military? No, not right now. Right now, we’re just kind of focused on being…a family, if that makes sense?”


Confession – I cried when I read that Jen was pregnant. Shane and Jen this is an awesome scary miraculous gift you have been given. I can only imagine you will be incredible parents. So has the nursery been started?

Jen smiles. “Sort of. I’m kind of terrified about this whole being a parent thing.”
Laura squeezes her hand. “You’re going to do fine. Besides, I’ve already gotten all the neuroses out of the way for you.”


Kame: I foresee a future with Uncle Vic buying the loud obnoxious toys, and when this child gets older the crazy adventures he will encourage. 

I love the care and concern you all have for each other.  Clare you have always been there for Reza, I could sense a few moments there in All For You that you wanted to jump out of the phone and give him a slap upside the head. How is he now; are you less concerned?


Clare: “I’m less worried now that he’s got Emily standing with him. That’s kind of why I’ve always worried about him – he’s always been looking after everyone else, he never had anyone looking after him, you know?”


Kame: Most of you have been in the military for many years, been through a few deployments; what keeps you in, what makes you sign those papers and committing to more years?


Claire looks at Evan. “It matters. What we do matters. For each other, for our army. If it didn’t matter, I don’t think I’d keep doing it, you know?”

Evan nods. “Yeah. You don’t get to make a difference to everyone but man, when you can make a difference for one kid. That’s pretty damn awesome.”


Kame: Now Trent – at the end of Back To You, you told Laura you were done – have you completed the separation process?  Can you share any “plans” with us?

Trent: “Right now, just writing my resume and looking for a job and hunting for normal.”


Kame: Ladies while these books are male dominated they all have a strong woman at their side.  All of you either have a military career or one that is heavily involved in the military.    Do you think that helps your relationships, could your relationships survive otherwise?

Jen glances at Laura and Nicole. “I think it helps to understand a little bit about what goes on in their daily lives. There’s not so much mystery when he calls and says he has to work late.”

Claire grins. “Well, seeing how I’m usually trapped in the motorpool, too, it makes it easier on both of us that we know where the other one is coming from.”


Kame: So guys, what is your take on that?

Reza looks down at Emily. “The fact that she’s not completely jaded and cynical helps a ton.”

Emily grins up at Reza. “You’re cynical enough for the both of us.”


Kame: I know you guys would rather it not get out there, but you all do have tender moments in your books. Shane your Valentine’s gift to Jen, Trent your patience with hamster hunting, but Reza it was your insistence on having a memorial for Sloban that tugged at my heart. You and everyone in attendance risked something to say goodbye.  If you had to do it over – would you do anything different?

“Nope.”

Shane looks at Reza. “Not even the punching Captain Marshall part?”

“Nope, not even that. I’d do that all over again, twice, if I could.”


Kame: Shane and Vic – you were there too – your thoughts?

“I wish he’d learn to keep his temper in check,” Shane says.

“I just wish he’d have let me get as shot at Marshall,” Carponti says, flipping the burgers.


Kame: You have a lot of fans over at TBQ's Book Palace. Each of the “Coming Home” books just rocks us to our core. Your stories are like nothing I have ever read before. I actually picked up Because of You on a dare from RomanceMan.  Now I obsess about these books.  Does the popularity surprise you?


Carponti shrugs. “Yeah, it really does. I mean, I guess it’s just our lives and stuff but people find it interesting. That’s pretty cool.”


Kame: I think I read this series with my jaw slacked There isn’t any fluff in Jessica’s stories are there?


Claire leans back against Evan. “Nope, not really.”


Kame: I know TBQ, Pat and I are anxious for It’s Always Been You ; Ben and Olivia want to tell us a little about it?

Ben looks warmly over at Olivia. “Well, let’s put it this way. She likes to play by the rules…”

“And he doesn’t know what a rule is,” Olivia says.


Kame: I will admit I have already peaked at the new book – it’s another incredible installment. So where do you all see this series going from here.  I know what I would like to see, but what do you the characters see happening in the “Coming Home” future?

Ben leans against a pole. “I think my first sergeant Sorren is up next. His daughter is giving him fits with his ex wife. After that, I think a few of the other company commanders and first sergeants may have a shot. 


Kame: We would love to just spend more time with all our favorite characters; but a few moments are tops on our list – the birth of Jen and Shane’s baby,  a look back Vic and Nic falling in love, a check in with Reza and Emily to make sure he is still sober, and a few secondary characters peak our interest such as Foster, Sloan and Wisniak.


Well it seems it’s time to eat. I want to that Shane and Jen for hosting us. This has been beyond fun for me, thank you so much for letting me stop by. 



Shane raises his beer. “Anytime.”


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It's Always Been You  by Jessica Scott
Publisher: Forever (March 4, 2014) 
Series: Coming Home, 5
Genre: Contemporary Romance



She plays by the rules . . . 

Captain Ben Teague is many things: a tough soldier, a loyal friend, and a bona fide smart-ass. He doesn't have much tolerance for BS, which is why he's mad as hell when a trusted colleague and mentor is brought up on charges that can't possibly be true. He's even more frustrated with by-the-book lawyer Major Olivia Hale. But there's something simmering beneath her icy reserve--and Ben just can't resist turning up the heat . . .

. . . and he's determined to break them

The only thing riskier than mixing business with pleasure is enjoying it . . . and Olivia can't resist locking horns--and lips--with Ben. He's got more compassion in his little finger than any commander she's ever met, a fact that makes him a better leader than he realizes. But when the case that brought them together awakens demons from Olivia's past, she will have to choose between following orders--or her heart . . .





Where to Buy*:
More Info:



Our Reviews of Jessica Scott's other books:

Because of You, #1 (Kame)
Because of You, #1 (TBQ)
Anything For You, #1.5 (TBQ)
Until There Was You, #2 (TBQ)
I'll Be Home for Christmas, #2.5 (TBQ, Kame and Pat) ✦ Discussion
Back To You, #3 (TBQ, Kame and Pat) Discussion
All for You, #4 (TBQ, Kame and Pat) Discussion




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a Rafflecopter giveaway



Open INT, as long as I can gift the ebook to your country via the retailer. Giveaway ends March 6TH!

Two winners will be picked. Each winner will pick ONE book from this series (including novellas) and the format (Kindle, NOOK, ARe, Kobo). I will be providing the prizes. Winners will be announced March 7TH and emailed that same day. Winners will have 48 hours to reply back before I pick a new winner. 

Good Luck!


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Thanks for the fun interview, Kame -- and thank you Jessica for one again stopping by the blog and bringing the whole gang! :) 


Remember, Jessica did a holiday guest post and as well as a fun Top 5 list just last month. 


Do you have any comments or questions about the series, the upcoming book, or the characters? Leave a comment, fill out the Rafflecopter above, and you could win an ebook of your choice from this amazing series!





Enjoy!


Until Next Time,


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  *TBQ's Book Palace is a member of both the Amazon and Barnes and Nobles affiliates program. By using the links provided to buy products from either website, I receive a very small percentage of the order. To read my full disclosure on the matter, please see this post!

7 comments :

Kame said...

That was sooo much fun!

Pat Egan Fordyce said...

Thanks Kame, Jessica, and all our favorite characters! Great interview.

Kathleen O said...

Jessica's books are terrific and her characters are amazing..

Oana said...

I am now at "Back at you" and I hate that I need to be at work instead of finishing the book. Can't wait for the other ones to finish the series, which is one of the most amazing ones I read

Marcy Shuler said...

I love Jessica's writing. Because she knows the military her characters seem so real. And I loved the interview.

bmndshuler(at)hotmail(dot)com

The_Book_Queen said...

LOL I know that feeling! Agreed; this series is truly one of a kind!

The_Book_Queen said...

Very, very true!