#1 Bestselling Author Jessica Lauryn has been writing since before she could hold a pen! She always loved books as a child and, when she was six, watching soap operas with her mother, she fell in love with romance. Now a busy mom of two, married to her real-life hero, Jessica writes as often as she can, creating stories The Romance Reviews describe as having “Just the right amount of passion and romance!” Jessica writes romance as Jessica Lauryn and erotic romance as J. L. Jade. Villains often reform in her novels and just may become heroes themselves! Jessica makes her home in the rural northeast. When she’s not writing, she enjoys collecting antiques and finding beautiful, wooded areas to explore with her family. A passionate idealist, Jessica aims for her readers to always envision the possibility of having romance in their lives, to insist upon having it, to hold onto it, and to never settle for anything less!
Q. Who is Jessica Lauryn?
I was born and raised in New Jersey, where I live to this day. My family and I make our home in a rural part of the state where we enjoy hiking and exploring our local gorges, waterfalls, reservoirs and arboretums.
A born-again antique collector, I love hitting up the local (and sometimes not so local!) antique stores in search of pretty, Victorian treasures.
I’ve worked in a variety of jobs, where I’ve met a number of interesting people, several of whom have found their way into my stories. I’m obsessed with upbeat 80’s music but try to stick with classical while I’m reading and writing. I like to listen to ‘Butterfly Comb’ from the movie Titanic, particularly when I’m writing a love scene. It’s a beautiful song and I find it incredibly inspiring!
Q. Who is J.L. Jade?
My erotic alter ego made her debut with my October 2025 release, At Her Pleasure. Stories written under this pseudonym are spicier, darker and more intense. While the heroes in my J. L. Jade novels might be mistaken for the villain, their tortured souls are put to the test. Reform and redemption lie out of reach in a world of power struggles and erotic play. Characters transform, become worthy of love and a gratifying happily ever after.
When did you know you wanted to be a Writer?
I always loved books as a child and when I was six, watching soap operas with my mother, I fell in love with romance.
I kept the idea of one day writing for the soaps in the back of my mind for years. But along the way I discovered romance novels and realized that writing a full-length novel was something I had to try for myself.
When I graduated from college and was looking for my first job, I spent a lot of time asking myself what I’d do with my life if I could do anything at all. Writing kept coming into my mind and I perused several non-fiction books regarding how to get started with a career in writing. I remember reading in one of the books that writers spend their entire lives in basements doing nothing but writing. I believe the comment was intended to discourage people but I remember thinking that being left alone to simply use your imagination and write for hours on end sounded like more fun than anything I could imagine!
Q. What prompted you to take the leap to become an Independent Author?
When I was first looking for a home for my work, a major publisher took an interest in one of my titles. But the changes I was asked to make would have changed the course of my story and ultimately, my series.
So, I published my first 7 titles with a small press, later coming to the conclusion that as an author, I prefer having full control over every aspect of the publishing process.
I requested the rights to my titles back, set out on a new course of becoming my own publisher and I am having the time of my life writing what I love while wearing many hats (often literally!)
Q. Of the Books you’ve written so far, which one is your Favorite?
My taste in reading and writing is constantly evolving, which is a wonderful thing, because I always have the next great idea, waiting for me to turn it into my “favorite.” The current reigning champion is my August 2024 release, Ruthless. True to my author brand, I reform one of my villains and he’s definitely top tier. In fact, I was so in love Jason Davenport, and his story, that I wrote the series out of order, unable to stop until I typed “The End.”
I’ve got it bad for bad guys, and in this vengeance quested enemies-to-lovers romance, I pulled out all the stops. Honestly, I miss writing it. I’m glad the characters can pop into some of my future stories, one of the wonderful things about writing a series.
Q. Which of your titles have achieved BestSeller status?
A Passionate Play [The Rabourn Theater Series #1], and all of my Pinnacles of Power Series titles achieved BestSeller status when they were originally published by Siren BookStrand.
Dangerous Proposal, Dangerous Proposition and Dangerous Ally are # 1 BestSellers.
Q. What Advice do you have for Aspiring Authors with regards to Writing?
Write what you know and what you love! I would also take that statement a bit further and say that with regards to writing romance, you need to fall in love with your hero. (And it’s so much more fun if you do!) Write, write, and write some more! Be yourself, own your voice, let your imagination take you where it will!
Q. Why do you Write Suspenseful Romance?
I write romance because I want my readers to always envision the possibility of having romance in their lives, to insist upon having it, to hold onto it, and to never settle for anything less!
I refer to my primary genre as suspenseful romance because I aim to deliver just that. I like a bit of suspense in a romance – the threat of danger provides an exciting opportunity for feelings to come raging to the surface. I don’t like to overdo the violence. Like the historic romance authors I admire, I strive to tell a rich, colorful, emotionally-satisfying tale. I set my stories in the present day because I want my readers to see that romance is every bit as alive today as it was in 1810. If we follow our hearts, the world around us can be even more romantic!
Q. Why do you Reform Former Villains?
When I began reading romance novels for the first time, I often found myself falling for the bad guy. I thought something must be seriously wrong with me but then I discovered many of my fellow readers also dream of kissing the villain, and even meeting him between the sheets! To satisfy these wild desires, I started writing series, and reforming the villains from my previous stories to give my bad-boys a chance to take center stage. It’s exciting! There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing a lost soul get a second chance at love!
Q. Are your Series Titles also Stand Alone Titles?
YES! All of my titles are stand alone titles! Feel free to jump right into the middle or the end of a series! I’ll always fill my readers in on anything relevant that happened in the past. I’ll never end the major storyline on a cliffhanger, always with a gratifying happily ever after.
Q. Tell us about what you’re working on now!
Reckless and Ruthless are available now, Relentless is coming in September 2026, and I’m hard at work on the final 2 Shores of Avalon titles! Heroines Mia, Sky, Aly, Natalie, and happening mom Veronica attempt to begin new lives, stumble upon a network of criminal activity, and find love under the most unlikely of circumstances.
Set in a fictious beach town, the Shores of Avalon Series has a similar feel to my Pinnacles of Power Series, minus the paranormal elements. Estranged lovers reconnect, emotions run wild and series villain Jason Davenport (hero in Ruthless), will blow your freakin’ mind!
My first erotic romance, At Her Pleasure [Impassioned in Arabella City #1], released, under my new pen name J. L. Jade, October 27, 2025! In this story, runaway Amelia Lawson has spent years putting herself through school, fighting for survival, all to exact revenge against the monster responsible for destroying her family. A position of power at Lillian James Media is the key to her plan, but when her new boss, the CEO, makes her an offer, it comes with a price. Everett tempts Amelia with charm, opportunity, and an exciting world of erotic play. But to obtain her desires, is she willing to become the one thing she swore she would never be, and surrender all control?
The remaining 2 stories in the series are outlined and drafted. I’m currently editing book 3, At Our Desire.
I look forward to sharing the rest of the Shores of Avalon Series, Impassioned in Arabella City, and many others one day soon!
Q. What prompted you to break into erotic romance?
Ruthless, my 2024 release, takes an erotic turn. It’s my favorite book to date and since I wrote it my creative brain has been drifting in a racier direction. I’m officially in the game and I’m completely swept up in it!
Q. Where can Readers learn more about You?
I love to hear from readers! Hop on over to the Contact page to get in touch with me and follow me on social media. Sign up for my Newsletter for updates on my newest releases, exclusive giveaways and a free book!
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Enjoy Janette at Wayne Public Library’s chats with Jessica!
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