Q&A with Author Jessica Lemmon of Rescuing the Bad Boy (#Giveaway)

1. What three characteristics of the stars of RESCUING THE BAD BOY will make readers fall in love with Donovan and Sofie? 

First, Sofie is relatable. I think almost all of us have been in a position where we like someone way more than they like us. You know, the unrequited crush syndrome. In the Prologue, Sofie’s dreams come true when Donovan wants to take her home… and then that dream turns into a nightmare that sets the stage for their reunion seven years later.

Second, I love second chances. Second chance means you can screw up in the past but you don’t have to be a jerk forever. It’s the ultimate do-over. I believe readers will fall in love with Donovan because he’s struggling so hard to remain the man he thinks he is, but faced with Sofie, who is tender and giving and challenges him in every way imaginable, he comes to see he can be different…if he chooses. Will he embrace a new life? Or will he go back to his old ways?

Third, The Epilogue! Where the prologue takes place seven years in the past, the epilogue gives us a peek at seven years into the future. I won’t divulge spoilers, but it’s the happiest of happy. I tear up every time I read it.

2. Is writing the second book in a series more challenging than the first, or easier? Why?

Oh boy, do I have a story for you! Every book has its challenges, but typically, the second book is a little easier in that relationships have been established and the town is already “built”. But Donovan… WOW. His book had about a million challenges. The original version of this book hatched from my imagination way back in 2010 when I first decided to write “a real book” for publication. I was a new writer and had no idea what I was doing, but I enjoyed the process of creating his world. I knew I wasn’t quite getting it right, so I left it behind to write other books, but kept coming back to Donovan and Sofie. There was something about them I couldn’t abandon. I wanted to make their story sing. Rescuing the Bad Boy (then aptly titled “A Second Chance”) became the book I jokingly referred to as “the book I write every winter”. Very long story short, I reworked this book for a few years before my agent sold it to the publisher. Then when we decided to slide Donovan’s book behind Evan’s book, Bringing Home the Bad Boy. Since I had to sandwich these two guys together (did that sound naughty?) I knew the old version wouldn’t cut it and so… I rewrote it. AGAIN. *cue screaming*

Rescuing the Bad Boy is now the book it was meant to be. I had no idea this version existed five years ago. I guess you could say Donovan and I grew up together.

3. The series is set in the lakeside town of Evergreen Cove; did you base this setting off of a real life town? 

Kind of? I knew I wanted the town in Ohio. And I knew I wanted a lake. Evergreen Cove is a mashup of Put-in-Bay on Lake Erie and Norris Lake in Tennessee. With a lot of imaginary elements, of course. And the residents and houses are much more elite. 

4. You Second Chance series is aptly named; what are a few of your favorite second chances romances to read?  

One of the first second chance romances I read was a book by Kathy Love called Getting What You Want. That book is the first in a series of three, with the first book and the third book being my favorites. Basically, each heroine and hero have a past hurt that happened in high school and they are forced to face their former nemesis in current day.

Another one I love, is Knock me for a Loop, a third in a series by Heidi Betts. Zack and Grace have broken up and it is not pretty. At all. For a very long time. She even steals his dog! 

Second chance stores are the best because the hero & heroine are now older and wiser, and it’s fun to watch them come together, clash, and of course, fall in love.

Rescuing the Bad Boy 

(Second Chance #2)

by Jessica Lemmon

Paperback, 432 pages

Published May 26th 2015 by Forever

ISBN 1455558060

NOT ALL SCARS HEAL

For Donovan Pate, the lake town of Evergreen Cove is a minefield of tough memories—including the day he had to let go of Sofie Martin. Years later, he still can’t forget the taste of her lips and the feel of her killer curves. He knows he’s too damaged, that he should stay away for her own good. But what the head says and the heart wants are two very different things…

Seven years ago, Donovan broke Sofie’s heart. Now her career depends on playing nice in order to pull off the charity fundraiser of the decade. She vows to keep things professional…yet working by his side every day doesn’t make it easy to fight temptation, and it isn’t long before she finds herself falling for this bad boy all over again. But loving Donovan means helping him face his past–so they can fight for a future together.

AMAZON | B&N

Don't miss the rest of the Second Chance series!

About Jessica Lemmon

A former job-hopper, Jessica Lemmon resides in Ohio with her husband and rescue dog. She holds a degree in graphic design currently gathering dust in an impressive frame. When she's not writing super-sexy heroes, she can be found cooking, drawing, drinking coffee (okay, wine), and eating potato chips. She firmly believes God gifts us with talents for a purpose, and with His help, you can create the life you want. www.jessicalemmon.com

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