CANR
WORK TITLE: For One Night Only
WORK NOTES:
PSEUDONYM(S):
BIRTHDATE:
WEBSITE: http://www.jessicajamesbooks.com/
CITY: Gettysburg
STATE:
COUNTRY: United States
NATIONALITY:
LAST VOLUME: CA 356
RESEARCHER NOTES:
PERSONAL
Born in KS.
EDUCATION:Graduated from Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania; earned degrees in veterinary technology and journalism/public relations; master’s degree in communications.
ADDRESS
CAREER
Writer. Former veterinary technician and newspaper reporter/editor.
MEMBER:Military Writers Society of America, Independent Book Publishers Association, Novelists, Inc.
AWARDS:Indie Next Generation Award for Best Regional Fiction and IPPY Award for Best Regional Fiction, both 2008, both for Shades of Gray; NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award, John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction, and Next Generation Indie Award for Best Regional Fiction, all 2011, all for Noble Cause; John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction, Military Order of the Stars and Bars, 2014, for Above and Beyond; NJRW Golden Leaf Award, 2015; Gold Medal, Military Writers Society of America, 2016; IndieBRAG Medallion Winner, 2017; John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction, Military Order of the Stars and Bars, 2019, for The Lion of the South; John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction, Military Order of the Stars and Bars, 2020, for Lacewood.
WRITINGS
Also author of the blog Past Lane Travels.
SIDELIGHTS
Jessica James has written several historical romance novels set during the American Civil War. She later expanded to contemporary romances. In an interview on her personal website, James admitted: “My novels start with a glimpse of a scene or a snippet of conversation. I don’t know anything about the plot other than that one clue. It goes from there.”
Originally a veterinary technician who worked primarily with horses, she left that career to work in journalism. After eighteen years in the newspaper business, she quit in 2006 to work part-time as a stagehand in a regional theater and spend the rest of her time writing novels. Although she grew up in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, the site of one of the Civil War’s most famous battles, it took a change of locale to stir her interest in the war. “It wasn’t until I moved to northern Virginia in the ’80s and learned about a Confederate officer, Colonel John Mosby, that I really got hooked,” James told Mayra Calvani, who interviewed her for the Web site Blogcritics. The “gallant, valiant, handsome, and chivalrous” Mosby, as James described him, became the basis for the lead character in her first novel, Shades of Gray: A Novel of the Civil War in Virginia, or a Tale of the War for Southern Independence in the Old Dominion.
“Once I caught the Civil War bug, I became enthralled by how committed the common soldier was to God, country, and honor,” James continued. “The more I read about the war, the more inspired I became to put a story down on paper that reflected the values and principles of that era.” In another interview she also credited Michael Shaara, author of the classic Civil War novel The Killer Angels, as an inspiration. “He really got me interested in the Civil War,” she told Kim Adkins Schmidtmann, the museum collections supervisor at the historic Shirley Plantation in Virginia, in an interview for the plantation’s blog.
In this novel, the character based on Mosby is Colonel Alexander Hunter, a Confederate cavalry officer fighting in Virginia. The war brings him into contact with Andrea, a Southern belle who, unknown to him, is actually a spy for the Union. She sympathizes with the Union because she has witnessed the ill treatment of slaves at her stepfather’s plantation. At one point she is injured, and Hunter takes her to his home to recuperate. After an attraction develops between them, and Andrea is confronted with the fact that her espionage activities have caused soldiers to die, she begins to question where her loyalties should lie. James chose the title, she told Calvani, “to show that the issues that caused the war were not black and white, or right and wrong—but shades of gray.”
Some reviewers praised the book, although others found it difficult to endorse. “Readers will find the attention to historical detail impeccable and the characters are so strongly drawn that the history does not eclipse the forward trajectory of the story,” commented Carol Lynn Stewart on the Foreword Reviews Web site, adding that James “captures the pure essence of the war.” In the MBR Bookwatch, however, Robin Witte remarked that “the plot moves along quickly at some points and drags at other points,” and Witte also deemed some plot twists “forced.” A contributor to the online magazine Royal Reviews thought the protagonists unappealing and the narrative repetitive, but did have positive words for scenes that emphasized the war’s devastating effects. “To read examples of brothers fighting on opposite sides, women having to constantly worry that their men won’t come home—that all brought me to tears,” the critic wrote. “I wish this book had contained a lot more of that, and a whole lot less of the rest of it.” Blogcritics reviewer Elaine Buff, though, deemed the novel an overall success. “James handles battle scenes with vibrant and powerful images, and her descriptions of setting are poetic,” Buff reported. “There are shades of meaning and lessons to be learned in Shades of Gray, and Jessica James has done a masterful job.”
Noble Cause: A Novel of Love and War is not exactly a sequel to Shades of Gray, but more of a reworking, with James providing a new ending for Alexander and Andrea. He remains a dashing cavalry officer making daring raids, she a spy who is drawn to him, despite her work for the opposing side, when circumstances bring them together.
This work received several favorable reviews. “This is an amazing book for history buffs,” related a blogger at Historical Fiction Obsession. The background is “historically accurate,” the characters are “completely believable,” and James’s prose “is descriptive and elaborate,” the blogger noted. Another online critic, at Jenny Loves to Read, offered similar praise, saying that James “did a wonderful job conveying the war” and that her protagonists “were drawn quite well.”
Above and Beyond: A Novel of Love and Redemption during the American Civil War focuses on a different couple, but it also involves espionage. Confederate officer Douglas Benton meets Sarah Duvall, the widow of a Union soldier, and initially believes she is a Union supporter. Then he discovers she is a spy working for the Confederacy. He falls in love with her while trying to protect her secret. Religion also figures in the plot, as Sarah is a devout believer in God, and Douglas, a skeptic, but they find common ground. “In the end, both characters make sacrifices that show how deeply their beliefs, their faith and their honor influence their actions and their lives,” James told Sarah Chain in an interview for the Web site York Blog.
A Publishers Weekly reviewer praised James’s “skillful grasp” of the war’s “more romanticized parts,” but thought she downplayed its grittier side. The plot is sometimes contrived, the reviewer added, yet the characters are “appealing,” and their love story will bring readers “a lot to like.”
(open new)Meant to Be: A Novel of Honor and Duty is a romance set in Ocean City, Maryland. Rad and Lauren bump into each other on the beach and decide to spend the day together. They have a great time doing fun things. Later she meets up with his friends and is impressed by his circle. The only person that rubs her the wrong way is Angela Powers, an overly ambitious journalist. The two do not exchange contact details but do end up meeting by chance on the other side of the world. Lauren, a CIA operative base in a Pakistani village to gather intel on Osama bin Laden, comes across Rad, a Navy SEALs team leader, who is tasked with assassinating the terrorist. The two acknowledge their strong bond but understand that their feelings should not get in the way of their duties to the country.
In a review in ForeWord, Camille-Yvette Welsch labeled the protagonist “tough, patriotic, intelligent, and cagey.” Welsch reasoned that “historians and romance readers alike will find themselves learning more about the war on terrorism and the tactical strikes that have helped to define it.” A contributor to Publishers Weekly stated: “Sweetly sentimental and moving, James’s novel is an endearing page-turner offering a unique view of military life.”
With For One Night Only, Caleb Sloane and Valerie Quinn were members of the Glitter Bats pop punk band a long time ago. The two were always rumored to be romantically engaged, but after the band broke up, everyone went their own ways and entered new career fields. Caleb became a teacher, while Valerie became the star of a superhero-themed musical TV show. Valerie worries that her show will not be renewed, partly because of a series of bad relationships that were very public. She tries to rehabilitate her image by proposing a single-concert Glitter Bats reunion. The band members are hesitant and still hold heavy feelings over the way the group disbanded. They eventually agree, and even Caleb goes along with renewing rumors about their romantic relationship. However, the two start to feel like all the fake dating they are doing is real, leading them to make some difficult choices in life.
A Kirkus Reviews contributor remarked that “Valerie and Caleb’s inability to communicate can occasionally be frustrating, but their bond feels real.” The same contributor called it “a steamy, second-chance romance full of behind-the-scenes music drama.” A contributor to Publishers Weekly commented that “the foibles of fame and the treacherous waters of the music industry add plenty of delicious drama.” Writing in Library Journal, Elizabeth Gabriel found the novel to be “a lyrical dual-POV romance … that’s perfect for readers who enjoy elements of oral and print storytelling devices.”(close new)
James once told CA: “I love reading, especially nineteenth-century literature, so the beautiful language and cadence of that era definitely influence how I write. My main inspiration, however, is the courage and character of the men and women who built our country. I feel it is my calling to share their principles and values with others through fiction so that we can never forget what they did for us.”
About the most surprising thing she has learned as a writer, James said: “How much time can pass between starting a paragraph and getting it to sound the way I want it to.”
She continued: “It’s hard to say which one of your ‘children’ is your favorite, but if I had to choose, I’d say Shades of Gray, my first novel. Although difficult to write, and at times painfully sad to read, it is the most authentic and poignant love story I’ve written.
“I often hear from readers who say they’ve learned things about our nation’s past that they didn’t know, or they think about things that they do know differently. These comments are the highest reward. I also hope that readers will wish to learn more about history and historical figures, and gain a deeper understanding of the devotion, faith, courage, and sacrifice it took to build this country.”
BIOCRIT
PERIODICALS
ForeWord, May 27, 2015, Camille-Yvette Welsch, review of Meant to Be: A Novel of Honor and Duty.
Kirkus Reviews, December 1, 2024, review of For One Night Only.
Library Journal, October 1, 2024, Elizabeth Gabriel, review of For One Night Only, p. 103.
MBR Bookwatch, May 1, 2008, Robin Witte, review of Shades of Gray: A Novel of the Civil War in Virginia, or a Tale of the War for Southern Independence in the Old Dominion.
Publishers Weekly, August 26, 2013, review of Above and Beyond: A Novel of Love and Redemption during the American Civil War, p. S23; May 25, 2015, review of Meant to Be, p. 33; October 21, 2024, review of For One Night Only, p. 41.
ONLINE
Authoriview, https://authoriview.com/ (August 28, 2022), author interview.
Blogcritics, http://blogcritics.org/ (May 14, 2008), Elaine Buff, review of Shades of Gray; (April 2, 2009), Mayra Calvani, interview with Jessica James.
Examiner, http://www.examiner.com/ (February 13, 2013), “10 Questions with Historical Fiction Author: Jessica James.”
Foreword Reviews, https://www.forewordreviews.com/ (December 11, 2007), Carol Lynn Stewart, review of Shades of Gray.
Historical Fiction Obsession, http://historicalfictionobsession.blogspot.com/ (January 22, 2013), review of Noble Cause: A Novel of Love and War.
Jenny Loves to Read, http://jennylovestoread.blogspot.com/ (December 6, 2011), review of Noble Cause.
Jessica James website, http://www.jessicajamesbooks.com (May 26, 2025).
My Life. One Story at a Time, http://mylife-in-stories.blogspot.com/ (December 7, 2012), Donna McBroom-Theriot, review of Noble Cause.
No Apology Book Reviews, https://www.noapologybookreviews.com/ (November 5, 2021), Elise Cooper, author interview.
Nomad Authors, https://www.nomadauthors.com/ (June 16, 2019), author interview.
Royal Reviews, http://theroyalreviews.blogspot.com/ (October 26, 2012), review of Shades of Gray.
Shirley Plantation Web log, http://shirleyplantation.wordpress.com/ (February 21, 2011), Kim Adkins Schmidtmann, interview with Jessica James.
Writer’s Digest, https://www.writersdigest.com/ (January 8, 2025), Robert Lee Brewer, “Jessica James: Know What Your Character Wants.”
York Blog, http:// www.yorkblog.com/ (June 6, 2013), Sarah Chain, “Gettysburg Author Jessica James Releases New Civil War Novel.”
JESSICA JAMES FAQs
Where do you get the ideas for your books?
My novels start with a glimpse of a scene or a snippet of conversation. I don’t know anything about the plot other than that one clue. It goes from there.
Do you outline or plot your books?
No. I’ve tried, but my brain refuses to tell me what is going to happen next.
How long does it take you to write a book?
It usually takes about a year. I like to give a rough manuscript to an editor when it’s at about 50,000 words, and then, if I’m on the right track, I begin to layer it and add more depth.
What was your childhood like?
I grew up in a small town outside of Gettysburg, Pa. I was the girl with the horses and the goats, and the chickens and ducks. I loved to read at an early age, and also spent a good deal of time outdoors.
Did you always know you would become a writer?
No. I wanted to work with animals and got a degree in Veterinary Technology. After getting my dream job at a state-of-the-art horse hospital, I discovered that nursing sick animals is kind of a depressing job. I went back to college and received a bachelor’s degree in public relations/journalism, and a master’s in communications while working as a newspaper editor. My fiction writing developed over time.
Awards
Jessica James Awards
✔️ 2021 Bronze Medal from the Military Writers Society of America
✔️ 2020 N.N. Light Book Awards Finalist
✔️ 2020 InD’Tale Magazine Rone Award nomination Sleigh Bells Ring.
✔️ 2020 John Esten Cooke Award for Lacewood (Given by the Military Order of the Stars and Bars).
✔️ 2020 Greater Detroit RWA Booksellers Best Award Finalist
✔️ 2020 HOLT Medallion Award Finalist (Honoring Outstanding Literary Talent) Virginia RWA
✔️ 2019 Finalist Indie Excellence Award
✔️ 2019 John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction for The Lion of the South (Given by the Military Order of the Stars and Bars).
✔️ 2018 Silver Falchion Award Finalist in Suspense
✔️ 2017 Rone Award for Best Cover (Deadline)
✔️ 2017 IndieBRAG Medallion Winner
✔️ 2016 Gold Medal Military Writers Society of America
✔️ 2016 Readers’ Favorite International Book Award Bronze Winner Romance
✔️ 2016 Finalist for BOOK OF THE YEAR in Foreword Magazine’s IndieFab
✔️ 2015 NJRW Golden Leaf Award
✔️ 2014 Valley Forge Romance Writers Sheila Award Finalist
✔️ 2014 John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction for Above and Beyond (Given by the Military Order of the Stars and Bars).
✔️ 2014 Reader’s Crown Award Finalist
✔️ 2014 Next Generation Indie Award Finalist in Fiction/Religious
✔️ 2013 USA “Best Books 2013” Finalist in Fiction/Religious
✔️ 2012 Bronze winner Foreword Magazine Book of the Year
✔️ 2011 John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction for Noble Cause (Given by the Military Order of the Stars and Bars).
✔️ 2011 USA “Best Books 2011” Finalist in Historical Fiction
✔️ 2011 Next Generation Indie Award for Best Regional Fiction
✔️ 2011 Next Generation Indie Finalist in Romance
✔️ 2011 Next Generation Indie Finalist in Historical Fiction
✔️ 2011 NABE Pinnacle Book Achievement Award
✔️ 2010 Military Writers Society Award in Historical Fiction
✔️ 2009 HOLT Medallion Finalist for Best Southern Theme
✔️ 2008 Indie Next Generation Award for Best Regional Fiction
✔️ 2008 Indie Next Generation Finalist for Best Historical Fiction
✔️ 2008 IPPY Award for Best Regional Fiction
✔️ 2008 ForeWord Magazine Finalist for Book of the Year in Romance
FUN FACTS
10 things you probably didn’t know about Jessica James
She still heats her home (and hot water) with wood.
She LOVES yard sales and thrift stores.
She worked part-time as a stagehand at the Majestic Theater in Gettysburg for 16 years.
Her first career was a veterinary technician at a horse hospital (which is why she disdains horse racing to this day).
She prefers flipflops over shoes.
She bought a house with no indoor bathroom—only an outhouse. (But has indoor plumbing now)!
She has a collection of first edition books written during and immediately after the Civil War that she doesn’t think she’ll ever be able to part with.
She secretly wishes she was born in the South.
She shook the hand of a man whose grandfather was in Pickett’s Charge, and another whose grandfather rode with Colonel John Mosby.
She planted a sycamore tree to celebrate the release of Lacewood that is now two stories tall.
Jessica James
Jessica James is the winner of the 2015 Golden Leaf Award in Romantic Suspense and the first two-time winner of the coveted John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction. She writes historical fiction and romantic suspense from a 200-year-old house in Gettysburg, Pa.
Series
Shades of Gray Civil War Serial Trilogy
1. Duty Bound (2014)
2. Honor Bound (2013)
3. Glory Bound (2014)
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For Love of Country
1. Meant to Be (2015)
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Phantom Force Tactical
1. Deadline (2016)
2. Fine Line (2016)
3. Front Line (2017)
4. Protecting Ashley (2018)
5. Presidential Advantage: Operation First Lady (2020)
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Novels
The Lion of the South (2017)
Lacewood (2019)
Sleigh Bells Ring (2020)
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Non fiction hide
The Gray Ghost of Civil War Virginia (2013)
Jessica James (author)
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From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Jessica James
Occupation Author
Nationality American
Alma mater Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania
Genre Romance, suspense, historical fiction, military fiction
Website
jessicajamesbooks.com
Jessica James is an American author of suspense, historical fiction, and military fiction ranging from the Revolutionary War to modern day.[1][2]
She is a three-time winner of the John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction[3] and was featured in the book 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading published in 2010.[4] Her novels are featured in library collections throughout the United States including Harvard University and the U.S. Naval Academy.[5]
James is a graduate of Shippensburg University of Pennsylvania and resides in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. She is a member of the Military Writers Society of America,[6] the Independent Book Publishers Association, and Novelists, Inc (NINC). James is also a member of the American Legion Post 202 Auxiliary, Gettysburg.
James shares her historical research and travels on her blog Past Lane Travels.
Books
James, Jessica (2008). Shades of Gray: A Novel of the Civil War in Virginia. Gettysburg, PA: Patriot Press. pp. 468 pages. ISBN 978-0979600005.[7]
James, Jessica (2013). Noble Cause: A Novel of Love and War. Gettysburg, PA: Patriot Press. pp. 392 pages. ISBN 978-0979600098.[8]
James, Jessica (2013). Above and Beyond: A Novel of the Civil War. Gettysburg, PA: Patriot Press. pp. 208 pages. ISBN 978-0979600098.[9]
James, Jessica (2014). Liberty and Destiny: A Novella of the American Revolution. Amazon Digital Services. pp. 113 pages.
James, Jessica (2015). Meant To Be: A Novel of Honor and Duty. Gettysburg, PA: Patriot Press. pp. 320 pages. ISBN 978-1941020029.[10]
James, Jessica (2016). Deadline: Phantom Force Tactical. Gettysburg, PA: Patriot Press. pp. 320 pages. ISBN 978-1941020098.[11]
James, Jessica (2016). Fine Line. Gettysburg, PA: Patriot Press. pp. 274 pages. ISBN 978-1941020111.
James, Jessica (2017). Front Line. Gettysburg, PA: Patriot Press. pp. 340 pages. ISBN 978-1941020142.
James, Jessica (2018). Protecting Ashley. Gettysburg, PA: Patriot Press. pp. 152 pages. ISBN 978-1941020210.
James, Jessica (2018). The Lion of the South. Gettysburg, PA: Patriot Press. pp. 340 pages. ISBN 978-1941020166.
James, Jessica (2019). Lacewood. Gettysburg, PA: Patriot Press. pp. 406 pages. ISBN 978-1941020227.
Awards
John Esten Cooke Award for Southern Fiction (2012, 2014, 2019)[12][13]
Indie Excellence Award Finalist (2018)[14]
Silver Falchion Award Finalist in Best Suspense (2018)[15]
B.R.A.G. Medallion Honoree (2017)[16]
Gold Medal – Military Writers Society of America (2016)[17]
Bronze Medal (Romance/Suspense) – Readers’ Favorite International Book Awards (2016)[18]
Book of the Year Finalist (War & Military) – Foreword Magazine (2015)[19]
NJRW Golden Leaf Award (2015)[20]
Valley Forge Romance Writers Sheila Award Finalist (2014)
Reader's Crown Award Finalist (2014)
"Best Books 2013" Finalist (Fiction/Religious) – USA Book News (2013)[21]
Bronze Winner: Book of the Year – Foreword Magazine (2012)
"Best Books 2011" Finalist (Historical Fiction) – USA Book News (2011)
Best Regional Fiction – Next Generation Indie Awards (2011)[22]
Pinnacle Book Achievement Award – North American Bookdealers Exchange (2011)
Military Writers Society Award in Historical Fiction (2010)
HOLT Medallion Finalist for Best Southern Theme – Virginia Romance Writers (2009)
Best Regional Fiction – Next Generation Indie Awards (2008)[23]
Silver Award (Best Regional Fiction) – Independent Publisher Book Awards (2008)[24]
Book of the Year Finalist (Romance) – Foreword Magazine (2008)[25]
Jessica James: Know What Your Character Wants
In this interview, author Jessica James discusses what she learned in the process of publishing her debut romance novel, For One Night Only.
Robert Lee Brewer
Published Jan 8, 2025 1:00 PM EST
Jessica James (she/her) is a writer who also loves watching musicals, baking family recipes, and exploring the Pacific Northwest with her spouse and two dogs. In addition to writing, Jessica has a passion for singing. She's a mezzo-soprano with a BA in Music and a healthy Broadway obsession. Follow her on Instagram.
Jessica James
In this interview, Jessica discusses what she learned in the process of publishing her debut romance novel, For One Night Only, her advice for other writers, and more.
Name: Jessica James
Literary agent: Samantha Fabien, Root Literary
Book title: For One Night Only
Publisher: Berkley/Penguin Random House
Release date: January 7, 2025
Genre/category: Contemporary Romance
Elevator pitch: For One Night Only is a second-chance romance about Valerie Quinn, a bisexual actress with a bad reputation who reunites the pop punk band that made her famous as a teen to generate some positive press. But getting the Glitter Bats back together for one last show doesn’t just mean facing the found family she walked away from, but navigating feelings for her co-founder and first love Caleb Sloane, the anxious sweetheart whose heart she broke when she drove him from the industry.
Bookshop | Amazon
[WD uses affiliate links.]
What prompted you to write this book?
My creative background is in classical voice, to the extent that I have a Bachelor’s of Arts in Music. At the start of the pandemic, I was really missing collaborative artistic spaces, and I inhaled any media I could about music, from picking up Daisy Jones and the Six to rewatching “Smash” to making “Julie and the Phantoms” my comfort show. As a result, I was struck all over again by the importance of the community that builds around art, and the idea for this project slowly evolved from there. I knew I wanted to write another romance novel, and I loved this idea about creatives finding their way back to each other over a shared love for music … they just happened to end up being sexy rock stars who got their start in Seattle.
How long did it take to go from idea to publication? And did the idea change during the process?
The idea sparked as a second-chance romance about child stars in early 2022, but I wasn’t super excited or ready to move forward with outlining it until I decided they needed to be rock stars! That framework made me really invested to see where the project might go, and I couldn’t get it out of my head until it was drafted. The concept largely stayed the same throughout the drafting process—except for the title. For One Night Only was titled When Our Stars Collided while it was on submission to editors, but we changed the title before we announced the sale. (I love the official title so much better!)
Were there any surprises or learning moments in the publishing process for this title?
I’m a debut author, so my life has been nonstop learning moments since we sold For One Night Only! But I think the biggest surprise has been just how many different people contribute to the book between sale and publication. It’s not just editors working on it, but copy editors and proofreaders and art directors and designers (and I’m sure I’m missing folks!) The final version of For One Night Only is absolutely stunning inside and out, and this process has given me so much appreciation for all of the work that has gone into my favorite books.
Were there any surprises in the writing process for this book?
As an author, I fully believe every book teaches me something. For One Night Only really challenged me to know the extensive backstory of my characters, because the nature of a second chance romance is that these people have a history. I had to know Valerie and Caleb incredibly well for their history to feel natural. And since the Glitter Bats are getting back together again, I also had to really understand their bandmates to make sure they felt real on the page. The other members of the band really started demanding more page time as I discovered their layers. Because of all of that developmental work, there are so many pieces that didn’t make it into this book … but I might get to share them in the future!
What do you hope readers will get out of your book?
At its core, For One Night Only is about two people learning to love and be loved in a world heavy with expectation, even after making huge mistakes. I hope this book makes readers swoon and smile and believe in second chances.
If you could share one piece of advice with other writers, what would it be?
Know what your character wants! So much of what drives a good plot comes from character motivation, so this is such an essential piece of your story. If we know what a character wants from the first page—and what they have to lose if they do or don’t get it—we can root for them throughout the entire novel. I’m a massive musical theater fan, and I like to think of it as making sure my characters get their “I Want” songs. Sometimes I’ll even listen to a bunch of those songs when I’m struggling with character motivation!
The AUTHORIVIEW Interview - Jessica James
28 Aug 2022
AuthorsPhoto
Jessica James
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Tell us a little about yourself and your background?
I'm an award-winning author who writes historical fiction and suspense/thrillers.
I started my working career in the veterinary technology field at a horse hospital, and then moved on to journalism, spending 18 years in a newspaper newsroom.
Writing fiction is a dream come true, because it gives me the opportunity to experience new things while I'm doing research.
Do you have any unique or quirky writing habits?
I'm not sure how unique or quirky it is, but I do have to have complete silence when I'm writing. No TV. No radio. No talking.
I guess it's kind of quirky that when I was buying a house, I wouldn't look at any that weren't secluded and QUIET.
Who is your favorite hero of fiction?
My favorite fictional hero is Mitch Rapp who was created by Vince Flynn and is now being written by Kyle Mills. It's the only books that are a true "must-read" for me.
Give us an interesting fun fact about your book.
I do a lot of research for all of my books, so that means if I'm writing about someone shooting out of a helicopter, I have to experience that to see what it feels like. (Yes, I've done that). I try to give readers the same sensory experience that I've had so they feel like they are there.
How long does it take you to write a book?
At least a year.
What do you think about the role of readers?
Everything a writer does is for readers! The reader's role is to be entertained and hopefully have a wonderful escape from reality for a few hours.
What is your most treasured possession?
That's a hard one! The first thing that popped into my head was my new rescue dog. I can't believe how much I love that ball of fur.
I also have a treasured book collection of signed books and original books from the Civil War era.
What is your greatest fear?
I don't like confined spaces.
What do you do as a hobby?
I love to travel to historic destinations and blog about them on my Past Lane Travels blog.
Give us an interesting fun fact about your book.
The novel Meant To Be was named as much for the set of strange circumstances that brought it to life as for the plot. The universe really pushed me to write it, and once I accepted the challenge, it was the easiest book I've ever written.
Is there anything you find particularly challenging in your writing?
My biggest challenge is always finding the time to sit down and write.
What do you like to do when you are not writing?
Travel.
Horseback riding.
Researching history.
What advice would you give to aspiring authors?
I always give the same advice. Writing a book is as easy as A-B-C, meaning Attach Butt to Chair.
Interview with Jessica James (Meant To Be and Presidential Advantage)
November 5, 2021 by Danielle
Article and Interview by Elise Cooper
Meet Jessica James, known for her gripping historical novels and national security suspense. She combines some romance with a lot of action and intriguing characters. Besides an intense plot, readers get a unique view of military life and hardship. If someone has not read her in the past they should do so now.
Meant To Be, the first national security novel, by Jessica James delves into the meaning of honor and duty. This is a story of hope and love along with patriotism, conviction, and perseverance.
The story begins with a chance encounter between Rad and Lauren, on a beach in Ocean City Maryland. They spend the day together doing fun things along the Boardwalk including going to Ripley’s Museum, an arcade, and a Ferris wheel. In the evening, the hero, Michael Radcliff, asks the heroine, Lauren Cantrell, to meet his buddies at a party on the beach. She is impressed with his friends and their partners, with their humor, compassion, and helpfulness. That is except one person, Angela Powers, a power-hungry journalist who will stop at nothing to make a name for herself. Unfortunately, for Rad and Lauren, at the end of the day they both go their own ways, never revealing their occupation or last name.
But soon they find themselves reunited on a Special-Ops mission. She is a CIA operative, embedded in a Pakistani village to gain intel on a terrorist. Rad is the leader of the Navy SEALs who has been assigned to take out this powerful terrorist. They reunite after she arrives at the base to share her intel. Readers will think of the Osama Bin Laden take down but also understand how 9/11 plays into the story. Lauren’s parents were on flight 77 as it flew into the Pentagon, the reason she became a spy.
Both Rad and Lauren realize their intense emotional connection cannot interfere with their common goal: take down and eliminate one of the greatest threats to world safety. After they separate, neither knows if they will ever see each other again.
The story involves love, heartache, healing, and hope. Readers will be on the edge of their seat. A bonus is the great job the author does showing military life, the difficult choices faced, and how love, courage, and resolve can conquer all.
Presidential Advantage, her latest novel, switches from the military to political intrigue. It is very realistic showing the dark world of politics with leaks, lies, deceits, deceptions, betrayals, and secrets.
In the plot, readers learn that Elizabeth (Liz) Vaughn always prefers to spend time with her horses, not people. This shy country girl who works on a horse farm met her Prince Charming, a Senator, Ethan Collins, who became Vice-President. After the President dies, Collins is catapulted to the office of President of the United States, while she is thrust into the position of First Lady. At first, she listens to all her advisors, but then realizes she must become more assertive to survive the Washington swamp. She must overcome Camilla, her personal advisor, and the Chief of Staff, Chandler who want to thwart her at every turn. They constantly try to obstruct her good intentions and feed the media news stories that show Liz in a bad light. Knowing she only has her Secret Service Agent Clint Brody as someone she can trust, she decides to take matters into her own hands. This works to her advantage as the nation finds her a breath of fresh air.
With her husband Ethan involved in his own presidential duties, Liz realizes their marriage is growing apart. Readers might be reminded of Jack and Jackie Kennedy. Ethan realizes that Liz is helpful in securing voters for the upcoming election. She is no longer the shy person who felt overwhelmed but has a growing confidence that displays compassion. The second half of the book becomes a thriller as Liz and Brody struggle to overcome the many betrayals.
This is a story about a shy Virginian woman who not only survives extremely nasty politics but holds true to her own values. Readers will not want to put this book down with a plot that is a page turner.
Elise Cooper: The first book does not put journalists in a good light and the last book does not put politicians in a good light.
Jessica James: Yes. I was a journalist, a reporter, and an editor for over eighteen years. The journalist in the story is what I see happening today. She is power hungry, would throw anyone under the bus, and there is some fake news. I am old school and that is not how journalism was when I worked in that occupation. Politicians are just as power hungry and deceitful.
EC: How would you describe the hero, Rad, in Meant To Be?
JJ: Serious, patriotic, devoted, big-hearted, sincere, generous, and protective.
EC: How about the heroine of that book, Lauren?
JJ: Competitive, trusting, calm, reserved, resourceful, friendly, and courageous.
EC: How about their relationship?
JJ: Cautious because of their occupations. They are both wary. They do trust each other and realize there is a chemistry and intensity between them. Both are strong-willed.
EC: How would you describe the hero, Brody, in Presidential Advantage?
JJ: Smart, courageous, stubborn, a professional. He is also calm, reliable, authentic, and a warrior.
EC: How about the heroine of the book, Liz?
JJ: Introverted, kind, naïve, generous, compassionate, and fearless. I based her not on Jackie Kennedy but on Melania Trump who seems uncomfortable when in the spotlight.
EC: What about the advisor Camilla?
JJ: She is evil, malicious, a power grabber, a backstabber, and represents everything people do not like about politics.
EC: What is the theme?
JJ: How money and power create deceit and betrayal.
EC: What about your next book?
JJ: Presidential Advantage was the first book in the “Phantom Force Tactical Series.” In late 2022 the next book will be published, with a working title of Relentless Truth. It has a new President whose child gets kidnapped while at a summer camp. The group is assigned to rescue her.
EC: THANK YOU!!
June 16, 2019
An interview with award-winning author, Jessica James
We’re happy to welcome award-winning Jessica James and her new newest book, Lacewood!
Lacewood by Jessica James
NA: How did you come up with the idea for your book?
JJ: Lacewood came about because I started noticing sycamore trees (once called Lacewood trees). Strange, but true. (You have to read the book to understand the connection).
NA: What is the main thing you want readers to take away from your book?
JJ: Two things: Trust that there is plan for your life—even if you have no idea what it is. And…history should never be forgotten.
NA: A fun fact about writing your book.
JJ: I planted a 10-foot sycamore tree in my yard to celebrate its completion and to remind me of the effort it took write it.
NA: Do you have a day job? What was your job before you started writing full time?
JJ: I work part-time as a stagehand at a local performing arts center as a means of getting exercise. Before becoming an author, I was a newspaper editor and freelance writer.
NA: What do your friends and family think about your being a writer?
JJ: I don’t think they believe it’s a real job.
NA: The biggest surprise you had after becoming a writer.
JJ: That after one book another would follow…and another and another.
NA: Do you outline books ahead of time or are you more of a by-the-seat-of-your-pants writer?
JJ: I absolutely write by the seat of my pants. I never know what is going to happen next.
NA: What has been one of your most rewarding experiences as an author?
JJ: Getting to travel to do research, and winning the John Esten Cooke Award three times. [NA: WOW!]
NA: What are your top three favorite books of all time?
JJ: Scarlet Pimpernel, Northwest Passage, Count of Monte Cristo
NA: A pet peeve.
JJ: That’s easy. People who are late. I believe in the old adage, “better to be an hour early than a minute late.”
NA: Why did you choose the shirt you have on?
JJ: Baggy. Comfortable. Perfect for writing.
NA: First thought when the alarm goes off in the in the morning?
JJ: What day is it?
NA: What are you working on now?
JJ: I’m still mulling over my options. My readers have been begging for another book in my Phantom Force Tactical series, so that’s where I’m leaning.
LACEWOOOD Blurb:
A love story that spans centuries…
Two people trying to escape their pasts find a connection through an old house—and fulfill a destiny through the secrets it shares. Part love story, part ghost story, Lacewood is a timeless novel about trusting in fate, letting go of the past, and believing in things that can’t be seen.
MOVING TO A SMALL TOWN in Virginia is a big change for New York socialite Katie McCain. But when she stumbles across an abandoned 200-year-old mansion, she’s enthralled by the enduring beauty of the neglected estate—and captivated by the haunting portrait of a woman in mourning.
Purchasing the property on a whim, Katie attempts to fit in with the colorful characters in the town of New Hope, while trying to unravel the mystery of the “widow of Lacewood.” As she pieces together the previous owner’s heartrending story, Katie uncovers secrets the house has held for centuries, and discovers the key to coming to terms with her own sense of loss.
The past and present converge when hometown hero Will Durham returns and begins his own healing process by helping the “city girl” restore the place that holds so many memories. As the mystic web of destiny is woven, a love story that might have been lost forever is exposed, and a destiny that has been waiting in the shadows for centuries is fulfilled.
EXCERPT:
Turning in a circle, Katie studied the room again. Faded wallpaper curled and peeled above the dusty wainscoting, but the walls themselves appeared sturdy. On the far side of the entryway, and dominating the wall, stood a mammoth fireplace with an ornately carved hearth. Her attention was immediately drawn to a painting of a woman in nineteenth century dress that hung prominently over the mantel.
“Who is she?”
The sheriff turned to the dusty, sun-bleached portrait in the heavy carved guilt frame. “One of the previous owners, they say.” He shrugged. “The family history kind of got lost with the house. Everyone around here calls her the Widow of Lacewood.”
Katie’s heart suddenly struggled to beat. The anguish in the woman’s eyes kept her riveted. She could see the pain. Feel a heart ripped apart. Something was missing that could never be replaced. Katie had felt such loss before. In a way that’s why she was here.
See the Lacewood trailer.
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Meant to Be
Jessica James. Patriot Press, $16.99 trade paper (320p) ISBN 978-1-941020-02-9
James uses the idyllic setting of Ocean City, Mary., as a man and woman quickly fall into a whirlwind romance. Rad meets Lauren as he is jogging on the beach; despite being brushed off, he meets her again on the boardwalk, and she agrees to go to the Ripley Museum with him. Their romantic day on the boardwalk together turns into a most memorable night as she meets his friends at a beach bash, and their romance continues until almost dawn. Neither Rad nor Lauren disclose any information to the other about their jobs or what paths led them to Ocean City, and they go their separate ways. But not much later, through circumstances related to their military careers, they see each other again. In this difficult new situation, however, both Lauren and Rad need to set aside their personal feelings to complete their respective assignments. Sweetly sentimental and moving, James's novel is an endearing page-turner offering a unique view of military life and the difficult choices faced by those involved. (BookLife)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2015 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
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"Meant to Be." Publishers Weekly, vol. 262, no. 21, 25 May 2015, p. 33. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A416115963/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=eab33f9e. Accessed 1 May 2025.
Jessica James; MEANT TO BE; Patriot Press (Fiction: Romance) 16.99 ISBN: 9781941020029
Byline: Camille-Yvette Welsch
Two tough, career-driven people fall in love in this novel of nerve-wracking suspense.
Sometimes, in romance, twenty-four hours is enough. In that time, love sparks bright and strong enough to sustain the rest of a novel that immediately separates its central protagonists and keeps them at a distance for most of the book. Still, in this military-themed romance, Meant to Be, Jessica James packs enough suspense and action that the loss of the typical formula is no loss at all. Known for her meticulous military research, James brings her insight into antiterrorism task forces sent to Afghanistan and uses it to create nerve-wracking scenes of chaos and danger.
The story begins in Ocean City, Maryland, when Lauren Cantrell and Michael "Rad" Radcliffe meet and spend twenty-four hours cultivating a brewing attraction. Neither reveals career information; instead, the two opt to speak only of the personal and find themselves falling in love, though they know that they cannot act on it due to the careers that define them. A few days later, continents away, they each return to military life and high-intensity danger, only to meet again under inauspicious circumstances. Both their love and their lives will be endangered as they move over the Afghan terrain.
James sketches a heroine who is tough, patriotic, intelligent, and cagey -- Lauren is not waiting for a prince to save her. Her hero is loyal to friends, strong, directed, and capable. A fierce love of country guides these two and dictates so much of what happens in the novel. As Rad readies himself for the strike, James writes:
Two radios were mounted on either side of the front plate with three magazines for his assault rifle and a frag hand-grenade mounted between them. He also carried a breaching charge in back, as well as several chemical lights in the front of his vest. Visible only to those wearing night vision goggles (NVGs), the lights were used to mark rooms or buildings that had been cleared and were considered secure.
Historians and romance readers alike will find themselves learning more about the war on terrorism and the tactical strikes that have helped to define it.
Camille-Yvette Welsch
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2015 Foreword Magazine, Inc.
http://www.forewordmagazine.com
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Welsch, Camille-Yvette. "Meant to Be; A Novel of Honor and Duty." ForeWord, 27 May 2015. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A415987603/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=0f769e16. Accessed 1 May 2025.
James, Jessica. For One Night Only. Berkley. Jan. 2025. 368p. ISBN 9780593817711. pap. $19. CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
DEBUT After a wild night out leads to public and professional backlash, Valerie Quinn is in desperate need of a PR glow-up to help save her musical TV show career. As the former lead singer of the cult-favorite and short-lived pop-punk band the Glitter Bats, Valerie is no stranger to drama and decides to leverage the promise of a reunion concert to help reform her reputation and save her show. And if her fans think she and bassist Caleb Sloane are dating, all the better, even if Caleb is afraid he will again end up heartbroken. Despite his misgivings and anxiety attacks, Caleb is hopeless to fight his chemistry with Valerie, which launched their young band to superstardom over six years ago, and their fake relationship soon becomes very real, threatening to recycle the bad drama from the past. VERDICT A lyrical dual-POV romance debut that's perfect for readers who enjoy elements of oral and print storytelling devices, such as in Daisy Jones & the Six by Taylor Jenkins Reid, but crave a happily-ever-after too.--Elizabeth Gabriel
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 A wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.
http://www.libraryjournal.com/
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Gabriel, Elizabeth. "James, Jessica. For One Night Only." Library Journal, vol. 149, no. 10, Oct. 2024, pp. 103+. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A813629168/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=e0c4a79a. Accessed 1 May 2025.
For One Night Only
Jessica James. Berkley, $19 trade paper (368p) ISBN 978-0-593-81771-1
James's passion for music shines in her cute second-chance romance debut. Teen pop-punk band Glitter Bats achieved meteoric success before everything came crashing down around them. Ten years later, lead singer turned television star Valerie Quinn, 27, winds up as tabloid fodder after apparently cheating on her ex-boyfriend with her female costar. To save her career, she hopes to get the band back together for a one-night-only performance. She'll capitalize both on her old fans' goodwill and on their intense investment in her never-confirmed but never-denied romantic relationship with her bandmate, Caleb Sloane, to redirect the conversation around her dating life. The only problem is getting Caleb to agree. After Valerie broke his heart, he struggled with balancing his mental health, fame, and family issues and walked away from the limelight for good. When Valerie unexpectedly shows up at his door, are they and the rest of the band ready to face the ghosts of their past? James makes the camaraderie between all the members of the Glitter Bats just as endearing as the lingering attraction between Valerie and Caleb. The foibles of fame and the treacherous waters of the music industry add plenty of delicious drama, but the abundance of frequently name-dropped fictional bands and TV shows grows somewhat tiring. Still, James is off to a strong start. (Jan.)
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 PWxyz, LLC
http://www.publishersweekly.com/
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"For One Night Only." Publishers Weekly, vol. 271, no. 40, 21 Oct. 2024, p. 41. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A814019936/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=262dd0fd. Accessed 1 May 2025.
James, Jessica FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY Berkley (Fiction None) $19.00 1, 7 ISBN: 9780593817711
Former bandmates reunite for one performance, but their fake-dating plan brings up old feelings.
Once upon a time, Valerie Quinn and Caleb Sloane headed the pop punk band Glitter Bats. Along with bandmates Jane, Keeley, and Riker, they performed to crowds of obsessed fans. While listeners suspected they had a romantic relationship, no one knew for sure--and when the band suddenly broke up, the band members all moved on to various jobs. Now, Valerie stars in a superhero-themed musical TV show, and Caleb is a teacher. Their lives couldn't be more different--but when Valerie's bad press and dramatic romantic entanglements threaten her show's chances of renewal, she knows she needs an image rehabilitation, fast. So, she proposes a Glitter Bats reunion: one epic concert to make the fans happy and garner herself some good press--not such a big deal, right? The band members all have hard feelings from the way things fell out, no one more than Caleb. But his feelings for Valerie never went away, and when she suggests playing up their will-they-won't-they relationship for the press, he goes along with it. Pretty soon, though, all this fake dating is feeling very real, and they have to decide if what they have is worth keeping, or if it's really just, as the title suggests, for one night only. In her debut, James creates a sense of realism around the Glitter Bats reunion by including interview transcripts, gossip site articles, and fan social media posts, as well as Glitter Bats song lyrics. Valerie and Caleb's inability to communicate can occasionally be frustrating, but their bond feels real, and their happily ever after is well earned.
A steamy, second-chance romance full of behind-the-scenes music drama.
Copyright: COPYRIGHT 2024 Kirkus Media LLC
http://www.kirkusreviews.com/
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"James, Jessica: FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY." Kirkus Reviews, 1 Dec. 2024. Gale General OneFile, link.gale.com/apps/doc/A817945902/ITOF?u=schlager&sid=bookmark-ITOF&xid=3495749e. Accessed 1 May 2025.