Welcome back to Duck Chat!

Today we have former legal-eagle Julie James with us to talk about her sexy stories set within our judicial system. How I wish these fantasy men would wander through my depositions once in a while.

Julie is taking to heart the author/writer adage to write what you know. Her past law career is what she uses as a backdrop for her sexy romance novels. The U.S. legal system has never looked so good. In the last year and a half, she’s had three books published, all revolving around the ins and outs of courtrooms, law practices, police procedure, et al., and she talks to us about those three books today.

Julie is married and she lives with her family in Chicago. Be sure to leave a meaningful comment or a question for Julie and we’ll toss your name into the ring for a copy of her newest release, Something About You.

Now let’s chat!

DC: We’re so glad you could join us at TGTBTU today, Julie. Welcome! Would you tell those few readers who haven’t read your books yet a little something about yourself?

JJ:   Thanks for having me here!  Here’s the short-version: after graduating from the University of Illinois College of Law, I clerked for the United States Court of Appeals in Jacksonville, Florida. After that, I practiced law with one of the nation’s largest firms for several years until I began writing screenplays.  After Hollywood producers optioned two of my scripts, I decided to leave the practice of law to write full-time.  I now write contemporary romances for Berkley, and my third novel, Something About You, was just released on March 2^nd.

DC: If you could retire any interview question and never, ever have it asked again, what would it be? Feel free to answer it.

JJ:  I’m very flattered when people ask, “Why do we have to wait so long for your next book?” because that means they obviously really enjoy what I write.  But then of course it makes me wonder why I can’t write faster.    I think part of that is just learning to be comfortable with my process.  What works for other authors doesn’t necessarily work for me.

DC:  I’ve heard writers often say their stories take them in surprising directions, or dialogue flows from some unknown place. Is it the same with you? Do your characters surprise you sometimes?

JJ:  Absolutely.  When I get into a groove with a scene, particularly one with a lot of back and forth dialogue, I can “see” the scene in my head.  Sometimes a character will say something particularly clever or funny, and I end up laughing while I type.  Jason from Just the Sexiest Man Alive was a good example of that—that guy cracked me up the whole time I was writing him.

DC:  Your books have been a huge success with romance readers. You do have a new release, but let’s talk about your previous books first, if that’s okay. Just the Sexiest Man Alive was your debut book and was a big hit. Would you give us a quick peek into Jason and Taylor’s story?

JJ:  Sure.  Taylor Donovan is a hot-shot associate at a large firm who is sent to Los Angeles to litigate a class action employment discrimination case.  While she’s in L.A, her firm asks her to coach Jason Andrews, the biggest movie star in Hollywood (and three-time People magazine’s Sexiest Man Alive), for a legal thriller he’s about to start filming.  The problem is that Jason is, um, slightly full of himself.  To put it mildly.  And he can’t believe that Taylor is so wholly un-enamored with him.  So he sets out to win her over and sparks fly.  : )

DC: Do you ever argue with your characters while you’re writing? Who usually wins?

JJ:  I wouldn’t say I “argue” with my characters.  But there might be times when I write something I didn’t plan at first because I realize that it’s necessary to stay true to the character.

DC: What is sure to distract you from sitting down and working/writing?

JJ: The Internet!  Checking email.  But I’ve started limiting that—I set goals where I tell myself that I have to write a certain scene, or so many words, before I can check my email again.

DC:  Practice Makes Perfect is your second book and sounds like a lot of fun when rivals become friends and lovers. Would you tell us about Payton and J.D.?

JJ:  Payton and J.D. are associates at the same law firm, and for eight years they haven’t gotten along.  But they play nice in public, because the one thing each of them wants more than anything is to make partner.  So when their boss hits them with the surprising news that only one of them will make it, it becomes an all-out, battle-of-the-sexes war between them.  But as they’re fighting it out for that partnership spot, they begin to suspect there may be a lot more simmering beneath the surface than they’d originally thought. . .

DC:  Is there a genre you haven’t tackled but would like to try?

JJ:  I never say never to anything, but right now I’m very happy writing contemporary romances.

DC:  What advice would you give to your younger self?

JJ:  Listen up, third-grade Julie: don’t tie yourself with a jump rope to Lisa Anderson and attempt to roller skate down that hill!!  Because when she falls down, you will too, and YOU will have the broken arm to show for it.

DC:  If you were a book, what would your blurb be?

JJ:  Oh gosh, no clue.  In fact, let’s just go with that—the blurb of the book about my life could be “No Clue.”

DC:  What would be your “voice’s” tagline?

JJ:  Hmm. . . I’d say: Smart, sexy, and fun.  (I hope.)

DC:  Your latest release is Something About You, which hit the shelves earlier this month.  Jack and Cameron have a rocky past. Can give us some insight into their relationship?

JJ:  Cameron is an Assistant U.S. Attorney.  Three years prior to the beginning of the book, she worked with FBI Special Agent Jack Pallas on a case that turned out badly, and they both blamed each other.  Heated words were exchanged, and Jack said some not-so-nice things about Cameron to the press—actions that got him shipped off to Nebraska.  Now he’s back in Chicago, and the first case he’s assigned to is a high-profile murder investigation in which Cameron is the only eye witness.  When it turns out that the killer might be after Cameron next, Jack is assigned to protect her.  And you guessed it, high jinks ensue.

DC:  What romance novel would you recommend our readers pick up during their next bookstore run? (Along with the latest Julie James, of course!)

JJ:  I am currently making my way through Joss Ware’s new series, and Release by Beth Kery is on my nightstand as well.  Prior to that, I read Nalini Singh’s Archangel’s Kiss.  All are books I highly recommend.

DC:  If you had never become an author, what do you think you would be doing right now?

JJ:  I guess I’d still be a lawyer, which I genuinely enjoyed—just not as much as being an author.  Nothing beats a job you can do in sweatpants.  <g>

DC:  What’s on the horizon for Julie James?

JJ:  I’m currently finishing my fourth book, which is about a wealthy wine store owner who agrees to pose as the girlfriend of an undercover FBI agent (as part of a sting operation) in exchange for her twin brother’s release from prison.  It’s a lighter, dialogue-driven contemporary romance with a small suspense subplot.

DC: Thank you so much for spending the day with us, Julie!

JJ: Thanks again for having me!  For more information about me or my books, people can visit either my website or my blog.

Are you tired of reading 2008 wrap-up lists yet?? Too bad! Read on, suckers gentle readers.

My top 10 books I read in 2008 (in no particular order): 

	Heart Fate (Celta’s HeartMates, Book 7) by Robin D. Owens Fantasy romance released by Berkley Trade Sep 2008 A series that just keeps getting better and better!
	Flat-out Sexy by Erin McCarthy Contemporary romance released by Berkley Sensation Nov 2008 Sweet, sexy, fun read! The internet buzz sucked me in and I’m glad. )
	Innocent In Death by J.D. Robb Futuristic romantic suspense released by Berkley Aug 2007I purposely keep myself behind in this series but I’m catching up – oh noes! I must pace myself better.
	Pleasure Unbound (Demonica, Book 1) by Larissa Ione Paranormal romance released by Forever Jun 2008 An excellent start to a new series! With a looonnngggg wait between books one and two. However, books two and three will be out back-to-back. Yay!
	Gabriel’s Ghost by Linnea Sinclair Sci-Fi romance released by Bantam Oct 2005  Sully! Does anything else need to be said? I didn’t think so.
	Grimspace by Ann Aguirre Sci-fi romance released by Ace Feb 2008
	A Lady’s Secret by Jo Beverley Historical romance released by Signet Apr 2008 I love the Mallorens and this was one secret I was glad to see revealed.
	At the Bride Hunt Ball by Olivia Parker Historical romance released by Avon May 2008An excellent Avon debut! Ms. Parker’s website says she is working on the sequel.
	Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James Contemporary romance released by Berkley Oct 2008 More online buzz I couldn’t ignore and another excellent debut.
	With Every Breath by Lynn Kurland Fantasy time-travel romance released by Jove May 2008One of my very favorite authors! She doesn’t get the attention she deserves, says me.

A side note – I have got to change my rating system, dang it all. I suppose I’ll go back to numbers. I always have too many books with the same rating and then I can’t sort them properly.

Honorable Mention:

	Josh Lanyon’s Adrien English Mysteries – yup, I read them all in 08…I can haz moar, plzkthx?
	J.L. Langley’s Englor Series – just so fab!

Lawson’s review of Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James
Contemporary romance released by Berkley Sensation 7 Oct 08

This is the debut novel for Julie James, who seems to have a knack for having things with a legal setting. It also has to do with the always good story of the super famous movie star with a heart of gold. The characters are realistic, especially for being set in Hollywood, the dialogue is snappy and there’s enough sizzle to satisfy that fall sexy craving.

Taylor Donovan is a successful associate lawyer sent from her Chicago law firm to handle a sexual harassment lawsuit, as her specialty is employment law. Taylor is asked by the senior partner to help out a personal friend and advise an actor about an upcoming legal thriller. Though Taylor is under pressure to keep up with the information from her case, she does the favor for her boss to look good for her future with her law firm and becoming a partner. When the actor blows her off, twice, to go spend a long weekend in Vegas, Taylor has no time for him in no uncertain terms.

Jason Andrews has never been told no, at least not since he came to Hollywood. When Taylor refuses to see him after he didn’t show to their appointments, he thinks he can charm his way into getting her do what he wants. Taylor is different than the star-struck women he’s used to, and when she puts him in his place, he’s intrigued. Though he does do some things that would win any other girl, Taylor remains outside his charm.

I liked Taylor a lot. She didn’t let anyone boss her around, even her boss, and she let everyone know she was smart enough and capable of doing anything thrown at her. Though she’s career driven, she still had relationships with her family and three best friends in Chicago. When Jason tries to get what he wants, she effectively shuts him down using logic and intellect, rather than any sort of womanly wiles.

Jason starts off a petulant, spoiled superstar. He knows that he can get any woman he wants, any part he wants and any other thing he wants at the time. When Taylor proves a tough nut to crack, especially after a failed attempt to make her jealous, just being himself is what wins Taylor’s time. He’s loyal to his best friend Jeremy, a screenwriter, who he knew when they were in college together. What shows underneath is a good guy, if someone far to used to getting anything and everything whenever he wants it.

The villain worked well enough in the story, if someone who’s overly ambitious and desires to be famous more than to be respected. The story between Taylor and Jason, weaving her legal career, her case, his movie career, the paparazzi and life in L.A. was a good story. The only problem with the book was a personal grind for me. Though it’s a romance, that doesn’t mean there has to be sex. And there’s not a lot of sex scenes, but with the chemistry between Taylor and Jason, I wanted there to be some horizontal mambo going on. They sparkle and the payoff really isn’t there, but it doesn’t take away from the rest of the story.

Grade: B+

Summary:

COOL. CALM. COLLECTED.

Nothing fazes Taylor Donovan. In the courtroom she never lets the opposition see her sweat. In her personal life, she never lets any man rattle her–not even her cheating ex-fiancé. So when she’s assigned to coach People’s “Sexiest Man Alive” for his role in his next big legal thriller, she refuses to fall for the Hollywood heartthrob’s charms. Even if he is the Jason Andrews.

CONFIDENT. FAMOUS. IRRESISTIBLE.

Jason Andrews is used to having women fall at his feet. When Taylor Donovan gives him the cold shoulder, he’s thrown for a loop. She’s unlike any other woman he’s ever met: uninterested in the limelight, seemingly immune to his advances, and shockingly capable of saying no to him. She’s the perfect challenge. And the more she rejects him, the more he begins to realize that she may just be his perfect match. . .

Read an excerpt.