Welcome to my weekly Author Spotlight. I’ve asked a bunch of my author friends to answer a set of interview questions, and to share their latest work.
Today: J.R. Loveless is an avid fan, reader and writer of anything pertaining to male/male romance. She started out her adventure into the genre in 2004 when she discovered the anime Loveless, a softer side of Yaoi. The moment she saw Loveless, it sucked her in and hasn’t let go since.
After Loveless, she voraciously searched for anything she could find within the anime world pertaining to Yaoi and Shounen-Ai. She found Gravitation, Princess Princess, Gakuen Heaven, Junjou Romantica and so much more. As she searched for the different animes available, she stumbled across an amazing forum that to this day she is more than ever thankful she found.
Here she became known as LovelessSoubi. It took time for her to gather up the courage to begin writing her own original fiction in the Fiction section, but she did and over the course of the next five years, she gathered a following that surprised even herself. Posting well over thirty some odd stories and some still in progress to this day that she isn’t even sure she will be able to finish.
J.R. made a lot of friends from the site, but one person in particular would push her to actually submit one of the stories to a publishing company, Janick67. Touch Me Gently was the very first full length story she posted on AarinFantasy and it took almost five years before she submitted it to Samhain Publishing. Samhain refused it and unfortunately, this deterred her from submitting it elsewhere until Janick67 kicked her in the rear end and sent her to Dreamspinner Press. J.R. never thought the story would be picked up and accepted, but a month later she received the contract. It left her breathless and so excited about seeing her lifelong dream come true.
J.R. currently has several works in progress and several more ideas on the slow cooker. Ideas come to her out of the blue, a lyric in a song, a line in a movie, or just out of nowhere while she’s standing in the shower. She loves to make up her own stories, to follow her heart, and to write things her way because she loves a happy ending.
She is always thankful for all of her followers on AarinFantasy and for all of the wonderful people who read her stories. Please feel free to send her an email or to drop her a note on Facebook. She will always try to respond, even if it isn’t right away.
Facebook Reader Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/justreallove
Goodreads Profile: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4172510.J_R_Loveless
Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/j-r-loveless
Amazon Author: https://www.amazon.com/J-R-Loveless/e/B009SZ0VRU/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jrloveless/
Thanks so much, J.R., for joining me!
J. Scott Coatsworth: What was your first published work? Tell me a little about it.
J.R. Loveless: My first published work was actually a poem that appeared in a creative writing magazine during my sophomore year of high school. I’ve never considered myself a poet, nor have I been someone who regularly reads poetry. It simply never resonated with me in quite the same way it seems to for some people. However, our class focused heavily on poetry with a small amount of short-story writing, and that experience ultimately led to my first publication.
I still have a copy of the magazine somewhere, although I haven’t been able to locate it recently. Interestingly, I can’t even remember what the poem was about anymore.
JSC: If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
JRL: Don’t give up. Keep trying. And don’t regret the experiences that ultimately led you back to writing. They may have been difficult and unpleasant, but they fueled your passion and gave you a deeper understanding of the kinds of characters you want to create—flawed, complicated, and imperfect, yet worthy of being loved anyway.
JSC: How long have you been writing?
JRL: About thirty years or so. I started writing in middle school, when I was around twelve years old. My school was holding a short-story competition, and a friend and I decided to enter. We ended up winning second place, and that experience sparked something in me. From there, I began writing simply for myself.
I still have several of the short stories I wrote during middle and high school, printed out and tucked away in a notebook. They were mostly little YA romances, which makes looking back at them both nostalgic and a little amusing. They weren’t very mature.
After high school, I stepped away from writing for a while because life got in the way. I didn’t write at all from 2000 to 2005, but in April 2005, I picked up my pen again and I’ve been writing ever since.
JSC: Are you a plotter or a pantser?
JRL: Ah, the age-old plotter versus pantser conundrum. I am most definitely a pantser. I’m sure there are probably clues of that throughout my books: a loose thread I may have forgotten to tie up, or an idea that gets introduced but never quite goes anywhere.
For me, though, plotting tends to take away some of the excitement of writing. Once I know exactly what is going to happen, I sometimes lose that sense of discovery that keeps me engaged with the story. I enjoy allowing the characters and the story to unfold naturally, even if that occasionally means taking an unexpected detour along the way.
JSC: Name the book you like most among all you’ve written, and tell us why.
JRL: I would have to say my first book, Touch Me Gently. While it may not be the most skillfully written or polished piece I’ve ever delivered, it still holds a very special place in my heart. Of course, it was my first published book, but it means more to me than that.
I wrote it during a particularly difficult and emotional period in my life, and the story gave me the outlet and the hope I needed at the time. Writing about Kaden’s healing journey, with Logan and Shea by his side every step of the way, allowed me to work through some of my own emotions while creating a story that offered a sense of healing and possibility.
It’s also still one of my more popular books today, which makes its place in my heart feel even more special.
JSC: What are your least favorite parts of publishing?
JRL: I’m sure every writer can agree with me when it comes to the editing process. Especially when you hire an actual editor, it can be difficult to see some of the issues they point out in your work. I usually have to read through the edits, take a breath, read through them again, and then breathe again. LOL. It’s hard to separate yourself from your writing when you’ve spent so much time with it and it feels like your baby.
The other part I struggle with is writing the blurb. I’m terrible at them and usually end up consulting with ten different people before I finally land on one that works, one that I don’t think is terrible, misleading, or just plain blah.
I’m also not the strongest when it comes to marketing. Writing something that catches someone’s eye, appeals to them, and makes them want to learn more has never been my strong suit. Whenever I have the opportunity, I usually try to bring someone in who is better at that side of things.
JSC: How long does it take you to write the first draft?
JRL: There are a lot of factors that go into how long it takes me to write a book. I work a full-time day job, which can be pretty mentally and emotionally draining some days. Because of that, most of my writing time is first thing in the morning, when I tend to feel the most inspired and refreshed.
Depending on the story, it can take me anywhere from several months to a year to finish a book, simply because the time and energy I have available for writing can vary so much. And, of course, there’s always the little muse to contend with when she decides she wants to wear duct tape as an accessory! Sometimes the inspiration just isn’t there, and no amount of staring at a blank screen is going to convince her otherwise.
JSC: Do your books spring to life from a character first or an idea?
JRL: Usually, this is based on an idea first, before a character. Though the character or characters are quickly spun up from that idea.
JSC: Do you read your book reviews? How do you deal with bad or good ones?
JRL: Any author who says they don’t probably has to tell a little white lie. It’s inevitable that the ego in us wants to know what people think about our books. I’ll usually check reviews during the initial release, particularly for the first couple of weeks, but after that, I tend to taper off and eventually stop looking.
For the good reviews, I smile widely and feel genuinely giddy that someone enjoyed the story. As for the bad ones, I try to take them with a grain of salt. My books, my writing, and my plots aren’t going to appeal to everyone, and I understand that. I don’t foresee myself ever being on the same level as the biggest names in the industry, nor do I write books that are necessarily meant to make people stop and think about the world around them.
I write to make people feel. I want my stories to inspire them, make them smile, make them cry, or simply give them a pleasant distraction for a few hours. That isn’t going to appeal to everyone, and some readers are naturally going to be disappointed by my writing.
You can’t please everyone, and I try to remind myself of that whenever I see a one-star review because someone felt the story wasn’t realistic or thought the writing was awkward. It may not have been the book for them, and that’s okay. It doesn’t mean it wasn’t the right book for someone else.
JSC: What are you working on now, and what’s coming out next? Tell us about it!
JRL: I’ve actually finished the first draft of True Mates Book Five, the next book following Loving Carter. I’m slowly working my way through the editing process now before I send it off to the editor I use for my books and begin that process with her.
On an especially exciting note, I’ve also just finalized the cover with my cover designer, and I’m absolutely thrilled with how it turned out. My readers should definitely keep an eye out for the cover reveal coming soon!
Once the manuscript is with my editor, I’ll be turning my attention to the sequel to my first book, Touch Me Gently. I’m already about halfway through the story, and I really want to see it through to completion. The sequel takes place ten years after the events of the first book. Logan and Kaden will, of course, return, but this time the story will also center around their adopted son.
And now for J.R.’s new book: Loving Carter:
Carter Wilkes believed in true mates—until a lifetime of ridicule and abuse shattered that dream, leaving him with a broken body and the certainty that no one could ever want a damaged wolf.
Rey Featherstone has waited his whole life for the mate fate promised. He never imagined his first mistake would almost drive that mate away. Now, he’ll do anything to prove to Carter that he is worthy of love, safety, and a forever he thought was lost.
As Carter finds his voice and strength in Rey’s hometown, a shadow from his past refuses to let go. His abusive ex is back, and this time, he’s not just out for control—he’s out for blood. Fate forges true-mate bonds. But only by fighting for their lives can they prove it’s strong enough to last.
Please note, there is violence, domestic abuse, some slight anger management issues, reference to off-page dub-con between MC and ex.
Tags: Fated mates, tattoos are delicious, coffee affects Carter oddly, height different – small/large, True Mates, protective enforcer, Senaka wolf pack, The Friendly Reboot is the perfect name, exes are the worst, Carter is a chatterbox.
Amazon
Excerpt
When he woke, the sun had dropped low on the horizon, and the room had darkened significantly. Carter struggled to his feet and grabbed his cane. At least a half-dozen people milled around the living room area of the lodge, and several more carried food out of the lodge to the tables outside by the bonfire. He walked outside, navigated the steps carefully, and sat down on a bench in front of the fire someone had already lit.
He stared into the flames, lost in thought over everything he’d gone through in the last six months. If he’d known where he’d be at this summit, he may not have attended the last one. His loneliness and the lack of finding his true mate at the previous one had driven him to that club where he’d met Darryl. Maybe things would have turned out differently if he’d just stayed home last time.
Someone holding a plate in front of his face disrupted his thoughts, and Carter looked up to see Nick standing there. Carter took the plate, noting the burger, hot dog, and various salads plopped onto it. He wasn’t hungry, but he knew Nick would nag him if he didn’t eat something. Nick sat down next to him, with Thayne taking the spot beside Nick. “Did you have a good nap?” Nick asked between bites of macaroni and cheese.
Carter nodded, stuffing a bite of potato salad in his mouth to avoid having to talk. Nick kept up a stream of chatter, greeting anyone who walked by. His cousin knew both packs well after visiting Seth on more than one occasion and mating into the pack, despite Thayne’s banishment. Carter noticed how everyone from the Senaka pack ignored Thayne, though. More than once, Carter saw Thayne’s jaw tighten and a flash of pain flicker over his features, so fast, if he hadn’t been watching, he would have missed it. Thayne noticed Carter studying him and gave him a slight nod but didn’t explain or acknowledge the rebuffs of his previous pack.
Kasey and Seth, the alpha and alpha-mate of the Senaka pack, came around to talk to Nick, and Carter saw Seth glance at the cane resting against the bench. Carter flushed and glared at the ground, ignoring the alpha-mate’s stare. Seth crouched near Carter. “What happened, Carter?”
Carter flicked his gaze at Nick, who gave him an encouraging nod. “I was hurt,” Carter whispered.
“How?”
Shame and embarrassment kept Carter’s gaze firmly locked on the grass beneath his feet. He’d met Seth only a few times, so he didn’t know the other shifter enough to trust him. Nick leaned in and whispered into Seth’s ear. Seth released a small noise of shock, then he set his hand on Carter’s knee. “I can help.”
Carter gave him a skeptical glance. “How?”
Seth looked around and shook his head. “Not here. Tonight, after everyone has gone to bed, we’ll meet at our lodge. I can explain then.”
Confused, Carter looked at his cousin again, who gave him a very subtle head shake. “Okay,” he replied.
He didn’t understand what the hell was going on, but if Seth knew of a way to make him whole again, he would give him a chance. Sighing, he leaned against Nick’s shoulder a bit. Nick and Thayne continued to chat with Kasey and Seth while Carter sat quietly, watching the other shifters around him. He saw several had met their mates, by the way some were seated close to each other, talking quietly and exchanging soft glances. Carter’s heart ached. He wondered whether he would ever meet his true mate. If he did, would they want him? Healed or not? Because no one in his own pack wanted him around, so why would his mate?
Embers from the bonfire floated in the air to mingle with the sounds of laughter and chatter coming from the many in attendance. The night had grown cooler, and Carter shivered a bit. Nick slid an arm around his shoulders, pulling him against him. Carter sighed, pressing into Nick’s warmth. He couldn’t be more grateful to his cousin. If it weren’t for Nick, Carter wasn’t sure where he’d be right then.
Kasey and Seth wandered off after a bit, and he saw Seth enter the nearby lodge. A large vehicle pulled into the area a short time later, and Carter’s attention focused on the occupant. The guy was enormous. He had to be at least over a foot taller than Carter’s mere five feet five inches. Denim encased long, powerful thighs and calves. A black t-shirt covered an extremely broad chest, straining at the seams as if it weren’t quite the right size when the stranger moved. Dark hair hung in a ponytail to the middle of the man’s back. He was too far away to tell what color the guy’s eyes were, but since everyone from Senaka was Cheyenne, Carter figured they were a dark brown. Black boots clomped up the steps, and the man disappeared into the lodge. Carter’s wolf whimpered in his mind, and he frowned.
Nick interrupted his thoughts, and Carter looked away from the lodge. “What?”
“Did you get enough to eat?”
“Oh, yeah, I’m fine.” Carter nibbled his bottom lip and leaned in to whisper to Nick. “Why does Seth think he can help me?”
Nick glanced around the bonfire. “Not here, cuz. I’ll explain later.”
The conversation redirected after that, and Carter just stared at the fire, watching the embers floating in the slight breeze and the way the orange flames flickered across the wood. He didn’t take his gaze from the fire until he heard a commotion to his left, and then he saw the huge stranger from earlier bearing down on him and Nick, rage on his handsome face. Carter squeaked in terror and stumbled to his feet when the angry stranger slammed into his cousin, taking him to the ground with fists swinging.
Carter hit the ground with a small shout of surprise and pain, his bad leg twisting slightly. Dirt and debris dug into his palms when he tried to stop himself from sprawling completely out. The sounds of shouts and fists hitting flesh wrenched a whimper from Carter as the fight brought him back to the night Darryl had beaten his ass until he’d blacked out. He curled in on himself, hugging his knees to his chest as best he could to protect his vital organs. Darryl would surely kill him this time.
Tears spilled over, and Carter sobbed. He screamed when a hand settled on his shoulder. Then he heard his cousin shushing him, trying to calm him down. The fighting had stopped, and there were conversations going on around him, but Carter wasn’t aware of much until Nick assisted him from the ground and back onto the log bench. He winced when his palms stung and his leg protested the movement.
“Are you okay, Carter?” Nick asked, cursing when he saw Carter’s palms.
Carter looked up to see the stranger being held down by Kasey, a palm on the man’s shoulder and one arm bent behind his back. Carter’s heart still beat a fast rhythm against his chest. Sheer remorse shone on the man’s face, and he could see pain in the man’s eyes. “I’m sorry. Please forgive me, little wolf.”
Kasey released the man slowly, waiting to see if he would need to intervene again. Carter swallowed when the guy rose to his feet. “Wh-who are you?” he asked.
Approaching at a slow, steady pace, the man lowered himself to his knees in front of Carter. He could see the deep as rain-soaked soil color of the stranger’s eyes then. The scent of warm vanilla and melted sugar rushed over Carter just before the man spoke. Carter’s wolf went crazy, howling inside his mind. “My name is Rey. You… You’re my true mate, little wolf.”