Jennifer Raines
We are so excited to have with us, Jennifer Raines. Please share a little about yourself...
Australian Jennifer Raines writes contemporary romances set mainly in Australia, but not exclusively – think Malta, Finland, New Zealand or ?. A dreamer and an optimist, her stories are a delicious cocktail of mutual respect, passion and loyalty because she still believes in happily-ever-afters.
Jennifer loves those days when words flow and the joy of writing makes the hard slog worthwhile. She’s always made up stories about strangers in the street, in a café or strolling through an airport terminal; finding inspiration in snippets of conversations, news items and the sheer puzzle of human interactions.
Jennifer lives in inner-city Sydney, Australia, with the requisite number of partners (1) and animals (2). Her desk overlooks a park which nourishes her soul when she raises her head from her keyboard. She gets some of her best ideas during long yin yoga poses or walking – anywhere. Jennifer adores historical romance but chose to write contemporary because she thought (wrongly) it needed less research. You can find out more about Jennifer at:
Website- https://www.jeniferrainesauthor.com
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/romanceauthorjen/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/jenniferrainesauthor
Let's get into the questions!! If you could go back in time to when you were seven years old, what wisdom or advice would you pass on to yourself?
Sometimes adults tell fibs, let’s be blunt, lies to try and protect their children. At seven I was in a Catholic children’s home for orphans or children whose parents were struggling to survive. My parents were divorced, my father rarely made support payments, my mother was working full-time to support three children under seven. I understood my mother had few choices, but I felt confused, abandoned and loved at the same time.
For what are you grateful?
My mother was passionate about education. Education was my ticket out of poverty, to a satisfying job and financial security. It also made reading and writing central to my life.
At what age were you the happiest? What triggered such joy?
I have lots of moments of happiness; times when you can say with absolute confidence “I am happy.” I’d say almost all of them have occurred as an adult. Moments can be spontaneous—I’m suddenly aware that I’m completely happy. Although, they usually happen when I’m with someone I love, and we’re sharing a meal, or a view, or discussing some world problem which can’t be solved, but we’re doing it together. Happiness for me is about emotional safety. Knowing I’m loved makes me feel safe and happy.
Now about you as an author…What authors had an impact on you growing up and as an adult?
I had an eclectic reading list as a result of the children’s home library and hand-me-downs from neighbours. From the age of six to nine I read every book I could find about Robin Hood. My abiding recollections are of stopping exploitation and redistributing wealth. Injustice still makes me angry as hell. Georgette Heyer is the first “name” I remember. I read her by torchlight after dark as a twelve year old. I don’t know who gave me These Old Shades, but it started me on a journey leading to all the historical romances in the school library. During Covid lockdowns in Australia, my go to escape was Grace Burrowes’s historical romances. I read a lot of non-fiction as well, but pure relaxation is romance or crime—not too violent.
Did anyone in your life influence you or encourage you to be a writer? (teacher, family member, friend)
I loved to read, so writing seemed a logical step, but my childhood taught me to always be prepared to support myself financially. I wasn’t sure writing could do that, so worked full-time in a job which provided a stable income. Writing has always been a side hustle. My partner is probably my biggest and most consistent supporter, but family members from both sides have been supportive. My brother-in-law introduced me to Romance Writers of Australia; my sister reads all my work.
What aspect of writing would you most like to improve on?
Beginnings and conflict are my two greatest weaknesses. I tend to start slowly, include a bit too much back story, and struggle to find a sustainable external conflict. My partner tells me my conflicts should be “a bit more hurtful”.
Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing?
My only must have would be my computer. I’ve taught myself to write in different locations and at different times of the day, although I don’t write between 11 pm and 5 am. If my computer isn’t handy, for example, when I’m walking to commune with my muse, then I take notes on my phone. It can make a short walk turn into a stop-start adventure.
Do you have a common theme or item that appears in each of your books?
Tolerance, respect and equality are intertwined, and essential, for any relationship or community to thrive. Despite whatever situation has thrown them together, I hope my protagonists show tolerance for each other. By the time they’re lovers, I insist on respect. I like my male and female protagonists to be strong individually, but stronger together.
What have you learned the most from being in the writing business?
That you can always improve on what you’ve written. That everyone, from a friend or fellow author chatting about plot weaknesses, to an ARC reader, to your editor, or an anonymous reviewer has something positive to offer you as a writer.
Australian Jennifer Raines writes contemporary romances set mainly in Australia, but not exclusively – think Malta, Finland, New Zealand or ?. A dreamer and an optimist, her stories are a delicious cocktail of mutual respect, passion and loyalty because she still believes in happily-ever-afters.
Jennifer loves those days when words flow and the joy of writing makes the hard slog worthwhile. She’s always made up stories about strangers in the street, in a café or strolling through an airport terminal; finding inspiration in snippets of conversations, news items and the sheer puzzle of human interactions.
Jennifer lives in inner-city Sydney, Australia, with the requisite number of partners (1) and animals (2). Her desk overlooks a park which nourishes her soul when she raises her head from her keyboard. She gets some of her best ideas during long yin yoga poses or walking – anywhere. Jennifer adores historical romance but chose to write contemporary because she thought (wrongly) it needed less research. You can find out more about Jennifer at:
Website- https://www.jeniferrainesauthor.com
Instagram https://www.instagram.com/romanceauthorjen/
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/jenniferrainesauthor
Let's get into the questions!! If you could go back in time to when you were seven years old, what wisdom or advice would you pass on to yourself?
Sometimes adults tell fibs, let’s be blunt, lies to try and protect their children. At seven I was in a Catholic children’s home for orphans or children whose parents were struggling to survive. My parents were divorced, my father rarely made support payments, my mother was working full-time to support three children under seven. I understood my mother had few choices, but I felt confused, abandoned and loved at the same time.
For what are you grateful?
My mother was passionate about education. Education was my ticket out of poverty, to a satisfying job and financial security. It also made reading and writing central to my life.
At what age were you the happiest? What triggered such joy?
I have lots of moments of happiness; times when you can say with absolute confidence “I am happy.” I’d say almost all of them have occurred as an adult. Moments can be spontaneous—I’m suddenly aware that I’m completely happy. Although, they usually happen when I’m with someone I love, and we’re sharing a meal, or a view, or discussing some world problem which can’t be solved, but we’re doing it together. Happiness for me is about emotional safety. Knowing I’m loved makes me feel safe and happy.
Now about you as an author…What authors had an impact on you growing up and as an adult?
I had an eclectic reading list as a result of the children’s home library and hand-me-downs from neighbours. From the age of six to nine I read every book I could find about Robin Hood. My abiding recollections are of stopping exploitation and redistributing wealth. Injustice still makes me angry as hell. Georgette Heyer is the first “name” I remember. I read her by torchlight after dark as a twelve year old. I don’t know who gave me These Old Shades, but it started me on a journey leading to all the historical romances in the school library. During Covid lockdowns in Australia, my go to escape was Grace Burrowes’s historical romances. I read a lot of non-fiction as well, but pure relaxation is romance or crime—not too violent.
Did anyone in your life influence you or encourage you to be a writer? (teacher, family member, friend)
I loved to read, so writing seemed a logical step, but my childhood taught me to always be prepared to support myself financially. I wasn’t sure writing could do that, so worked full-time in a job which provided a stable income. Writing has always been a side hustle. My partner is probably my biggest and most consistent supporter, but family members from both sides have been supportive. My brother-in-law introduced me to Romance Writers of Australia; my sister reads all my work.
What aspect of writing would you most like to improve on?
Beginnings and conflict are my two greatest weaknesses. I tend to start slowly, include a bit too much back story, and struggle to find a sustainable external conflict. My partner tells me my conflicts should be “a bit more hurtful”.
Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing?
My only must have would be my computer. I’ve taught myself to write in different locations and at different times of the day, although I don’t write between 11 pm and 5 am. If my computer isn’t handy, for example, when I’m walking to commune with my muse, then I take notes on my phone. It can make a short walk turn into a stop-start adventure.
Do you have a common theme or item that appears in each of your books?
Tolerance, respect and equality are intertwined, and essential, for any relationship or community to thrive. Despite whatever situation has thrown them together, I hope my protagonists show tolerance for each other. By the time they’re lovers, I insist on respect. I like my male and female protagonists to be strong individually, but stronger together.
What have you learned the most from being in the writing business?
That you can always improve on what you’ve written. That everyone, from a friend or fellow author chatting about plot weaknesses, to an ARC reader, to your editor, or an anonymous reviewer has something positive to offer you as a writer.
Tell us about your latest release- Lela's Choice...
Missing in Malta--A Risk Worth Taking?
Lela Vella has been a dutiful daughter and aunt for the past decade. But her plan to wean her father and orphaned niece off their dependence on her is scuttled when her niece and boyfriend flee Sydney for Malta. Lela suspects her autocratic father of provoking the flight. Lela’s desperate to reach the teenager before her father’s ultimatums blow another generation apart.
Widowed, Australian international child-protection lawyer, Hamish McGregor accepts Giovanni Vella’s request to remain in Malta after a conference to search for Vella’s missing granddaughter. Hamish’s formidable reputation is built on putting the needs of the child first. He doubled down on his work after the revenge murder of his pregnant wife by a client’s husband, vowing never to get close enough to another woman for her to be a target.
Lela doesn’t expect her father’s henchman to beat her to Malta. Hamish doesn’t expect the girl’s doting aunt to see him as an enemy.
Reluctant partners, they navigate false leads and unexpected attraction. Can Lela balance her family’s demands with her love for Hamish?Can Hamish accept living life is all about taking risks?
Excerpt:
Lela surrendered to the dark comfort of the car’s bucket seat. Briefly she closed her eyes, before gazing out the window, trying to get a sense of the island, a sense of a city steeped in history. Hot, parched, and that was a surprise to someone who came from one of the driest and hottest continents on earth.
“Have you been to Malta before?”
“Never.” Except for a few brief business trips to Asia, Lela hadn’t been out of Australia in nearly a decade.
“Even with the family connections?”
“My parents moved to Australia shortly after their marriage. We have no close family here.” It was easier to stare out the window; she really was too tired to think. The muddle of exhaustion was her best explanation for her reaction to the man beside her. Years spent controlling her impulses, training herself to think of consequences before action, yet one look at him had shaken her more than she would have believed possible.
Fatigue, an abnormal situation, bone-crushing worry … and fatigue.
Hamish MacGregor was just a man.
She’d trained herself to deal with men.
A pity the confined space in the car enhanced the subtle scent of his aftershave, its spiciness tugging at her senses—its base note absurdly reassuring.
“How was the flight?”
“Long.”
“You must have moved to be here so fast.”
She gave him an A for perseverance. “The first available flight.”
He nodded. “A lot of time to think.”
“Is there a point to this conversation?” Lela made the mistake of meeting his gaze. Deep pools, deep enough to find your soul. Fatigue, she recited her mantra, blaming it for her uncharacteristic flight of fancy.
“People chasing runaways often focus on a single fear, the catalyst for the flight. What’s your theory?”
Sounds great!! How did you decide on your story plot?
At the time I started writing, and regularly since, I’ve seen media coverage of parents kidnapping their children and transporting them across borders to punish their partner/ the other parent in a divorce or custody dispute. Not all countries have signed the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. A story about total family dysfunction doesn’t lend itself to romance, but what about if I had a runaway—with cultural connections in two countries—who fled across a border. What if she’s 17, and adult, but not quite an adult. My main protagonists are the two people looking for her and their reasons why.
How did you choose your characters names and location for your story?
Many Maltese emigrants have settled in Australia. My family has had strong connections to people of Maltese heritage over several generations, so it seemed plausible for an Australian family to have links to Malta. Malta’s also a member of the European Union, so it’s also plausible for someone interested in international treaties to attend a conference there.
Names are a struggle for me. Sometimes I discover I’ve used the same name in more than one manuscript, and have to go back and sort it out. That includes first and surnames. I don’t know if it’s a leftover from school or old work colleagues, but I dismiss some names automatically. However, by the time a book is ready for release, I land on names that I think work for the specific characters in this specific story. For Lela’s Choice, I engaged in some internet searching for common Maltese first names and surnames.
Do you have a favorite scene? Why?
Possibly the scene in Xlendi Bay where Lela confronts her runaway niece Sophie for the first time, then wanders to the end of the boardwalk where Hamish finds her. I like this scene because Hamish understands what Lela’s feeling, but also knows her well enough to ask the right questions to shift her from distress to fighting back.
Do you have a character that you identify with? Who and why?
I identify with aspects of Lela. Because Lela learned responsibility early, and because money is really only useful for what you can achieve with it, rather than simply accumulating it.
Thank you Jennifer for sharing these insights with readers. LELA'S CHOICE releases Dec. 5, 2023. Be sure to grab a copy for yourself!!
Missing in Malta--A Risk Worth Taking?
Lela Vella has been a dutiful daughter and aunt for the past decade. But her plan to wean her father and orphaned niece off their dependence on her is scuttled when her niece and boyfriend flee Sydney for Malta. Lela suspects her autocratic father of provoking the flight. Lela’s desperate to reach the teenager before her father’s ultimatums blow another generation apart.
Widowed, Australian international child-protection lawyer, Hamish McGregor accepts Giovanni Vella’s request to remain in Malta after a conference to search for Vella’s missing granddaughter. Hamish’s formidable reputation is built on putting the needs of the child first. He doubled down on his work after the revenge murder of his pregnant wife by a client’s husband, vowing never to get close enough to another woman for her to be a target.
Lela doesn’t expect her father’s henchman to beat her to Malta. Hamish doesn’t expect the girl’s doting aunt to see him as an enemy.
Reluctant partners, they navigate false leads and unexpected attraction. Can Lela balance her family’s demands with her love for Hamish?Can Hamish accept living life is all about taking risks?
Excerpt:
Lela surrendered to the dark comfort of the car’s bucket seat. Briefly she closed her eyes, before gazing out the window, trying to get a sense of the island, a sense of a city steeped in history. Hot, parched, and that was a surprise to someone who came from one of the driest and hottest continents on earth.
“Have you been to Malta before?”
“Never.” Except for a few brief business trips to Asia, Lela hadn’t been out of Australia in nearly a decade.
“Even with the family connections?”
“My parents moved to Australia shortly after their marriage. We have no close family here.” It was easier to stare out the window; she really was too tired to think. The muddle of exhaustion was her best explanation for her reaction to the man beside her. Years spent controlling her impulses, training herself to think of consequences before action, yet one look at him had shaken her more than she would have believed possible.
Fatigue, an abnormal situation, bone-crushing worry … and fatigue.
Hamish MacGregor was just a man.
She’d trained herself to deal with men.
A pity the confined space in the car enhanced the subtle scent of his aftershave, its spiciness tugging at her senses—its base note absurdly reassuring.
“How was the flight?”
“Long.”
“You must have moved to be here so fast.”
She gave him an A for perseverance. “The first available flight.”
He nodded. “A lot of time to think.”
“Is there a point to this conversation?” Lela made the mistake of meeting his gaze. Deep pools, deep enough to find your soul. Fatigue, she recited her mantra, blaming it for her uncharacteristic flight of fancy.
“People chasing runaways often focus on a single fear, the catalyst for the flight. What’s your theory?”
Sounds great!! How did you decide on your story plot?
At the time I started writing, and regularly since, I’ve seen media coverage of parents kidnapping their children and transporting them across borders to punish their partner/ the other parent in a divorce or custody dispute. Not all countries have signed the Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of International Child Abduction. A story about total family dysfunction doesn’t lend itself to romance, but what about if I had a runaway—with cultural connections in two countries—who fled across a border. What if she’s 17, and adult, but not quite an adult. My main protagonists are the two people looking for her and their reasons why.
How did you choose your characters names and location for your story?
Many Maltese emigrants have settled in Australia. My family has had strong connections to people of Maltese heritage over several generations, so it seemed plausible for an Australian family to have links to Malta. Malta’s also a member of the European Union, so it’s also plausible for someone interested in international treaties to attend a conference there.
Names are a struggle for me. Sometimes I discover I’ve used the same name in more than one manuscript, and have to go back and sort it out. That includes first and surnames. I don’t know if it’s a leftover from school or old work colleagues, but I dismiss some names automatically. However, by the time a book is ready for release, I land on names that I think work for the specific characters in this specific story. For Lela’s Choice, I engaged in some internet searching for common Maltese first names and surnames.
Do you have a favorite scene? Why?
Possibly the scene in Xlendi Bay where Lela confronts her runaway niece Sophie for the first time, then wanders to the end of the boardwalk where Hamish finds her. I like this scene because Hamish understands what Lela’s feeling, but also knows her well enough to ask the right questions to shift her from distress to fighting back.
Do you have a character that you identify with? Who and why?
I identify with aspects of Lela. Because Lela learned responsibility early, and because money is really only useful for what you can achieve with it, rather than simply accumulating it.
Thank you Jennifer for sharing these insights with readers. LELA'S CHOICE releases Dec. 5, 2023. Be sure to grab a copy for yourself!!
