Author Interview - JT Geissinger

Updated: Jan 21, 2022

J.T. Geissinger is a #1 international bestselling and Amazon All-Star author of twenty-eight novels. Ranging from funny, feisty romcoms to intense, edgy suspense, her books have sold over six million copies and been translated into more than a dozen languages.

She is a three-time nominee in both contemporary and paranormal romance for the RITA® Award, the highest distinction in romance fiction from the Romance Writers of America®. She is also a recipient of the Prism Award for Best First Book and the Golden Quill Award for Best Paranormal/Urban Fantasy.

After owning a successful floral and event design business with her husband in Los Angeles for many years, J.T. turned her creative focus to writing. First published in 2012, she’s now a hybrid author, with books both traditionally and independently published.

She hates selfies, adores cocktail hour, and passionately believes in true love.

Her Latest Book "Savage Hearts" got released on Nov 19th 2021

Interview Q/A

1. Hey JT! How are you? Hope you have been staying safe in these covid times let us start by giving a real glimpse into your life. Please tell us something about you that is hidden from public knowledge.

I'm doing great, thank you! I'd say pretty much everything personal about me is hidden from public knowledge, except the fact that I'm married (because every book I write is dedicated to my husband) and I have a cat (because there are plenty of pics of Zoe on my Insta feed.) I'm private and secretive by nature, lol. You'll never catch me sharing personal stuff on social media.

But I will share this: the T in J.T. stands for Tierney, my middle name.

2. What was the first book that you published and how did it make you feel?

Shadow's Edge was my first book. It was a paranormal romance published in 2012. Twenty-eight novels and a decade later, I still kind of can't believe I'm a published author. My life feels like a dream. Being an author makes me both proud and self-conscious, because people are fascinated by writers and have lots of questions, and I can't stand talking about myself. In fact, this is probably only the second interview I've granted in more than five years. You caught me on a good day :-)

3. What's or who's the biggest factor in your life that motivates you to write and give us all these swoon worthy heroes?

My motivation is a complete mystery to me. And I don't want to look at it too closely because I'm superstitious. I just love books. Really, I love reading books more than I love writing them. So I suppose creating these things I love is the real motivation. As for the heroes, I allow them lots of space to let me get to know them, then I just write what they tell me to. For me, writing well is all about being totally open and not forcing anything or having any pre-conceived notions.

I love it most of all when a character shocks me, like Kage in Ruthless Creatures did with his dirty, dirty mouth. I was like, Sir! I can't publish this! But I did, and he's very smug about how well his book has been received.

4. I absolutely love the Queens and Monsters series and would definitely want to know that what gave you the idea to write this series?

It didn't start out as a series. I just had an idea about the story, the two characters, and the conflict, which is how I always start with a novel. I don't plot or plan anything. I tried to outline a novel once, and by the time I finished the outline, I hated the book and never wrote it. So now I just follow my muse and write whatever I feel like in the moment. It has to capture my attention, or I figure it won't capture a reader's.

5. Your heroes are absolutely amazing in every way possible! Which one of your men was the toughest to write? Like maybe his story was too emotional and it drained you or any other reason?

A.J. from the Bad Habit series is one of my all-time favorite heroes. He has a very tragic backstory, and his happily-ever-after is also tainted by tragedy. I cried writing that book (Make Me Sin) so much. Same with Theo from Midnight Valentine, who is a scarred recluse. When I sob writing a story, I know I'm on the right track.

6. Do people in your real life know that you are an author?

Oh, yeah, and I wish they didn't. Especially because men can be so creepy when they find out I write "spicy" romance. They project all their fantasies onto me and assume every sex scene I've ever written is something I've done or am into. People have a hard time separating an artist from their work.

If I ever move to a new town, I'm just going to tell people I'm retired. I can't wait until I'm super old and I can be the town crazy cat lady so everyone will leave me alone, lol.

7. Did you gain success and popularity in the book world from the first book that you published or was it a gradual progress?

Before I was published, I assumed that getting a publishing contract would equate instant success and worldwide fame. Ha. The book was commercially successful, and my publisher ordered four more titles in the series, but I didn't feel really successful until about ten novels in. Now I feel like I'm getting away with something because I get to go to work in my pajamas and do the thing I love most in the world every day. I'm very fortunate, and I don't take it for granted. My readers mean everything to me. Without them, I'm just shouting into the wind.

8. I have read both contemporary and Mafia romances by you but I want to know that which genre is your favorite to write? Dark romance or contemporary one?

If I had my druthers, I write dark, dark, dark novels, with lots of twists and a shocking, unhappy ending. I love unhappy endings. I love it when all is lost at the end and you're sobbing and emotionally spent. My readers, however, don't like that kind of thing. Maybe in my next life I'll write the really bleak stuff, but for now, I have the most fun writing contemporaries because I love banter. (But I'll always be a dark-sided girl.)

9.What do you have planned for us next and Please tell us about your upcoming book(s) .

Next up is book 4 in the Queens & Monsters series, Brutal Vows. It's Spider's book and an arranged marriage trope! Those are always a blast to write. So much hate-sex and juicy enemy vibes.

After that, I've got a dark and twisty contemporary planned that I can't wait to start. It's gonna be one of those you'll-never-guess-the-twist books, like Perfect Strangers.

10. Do you like to read for pleasure? If yes then who are your top authors and what genres do you prefer to read?

I love reading more than anything else in life, with the exception of my husband. When I was a kid, books were my whole thing, and that never really went away. I never read romance, however, because I don't want other authors' ideas in my head.

Mostly I read non-fiction, but on the occasion I do read fiction, it's the heavy literary stuff. The Road by Cormac McCarthy is one of my top 3 most beloved books, and it's probably the bleakest (and most beautifully written) book out there.

11. Do you ever put the people you meet in real life as characters in your books? Or take inspiration from them for new characters?

Ha! My attorney has advised me against including any friends, family, or acquaintances in my novels. Or any public figures, for that matter. But I do listen and observe proactively when I'm in public, and many things I see or overhear inform my characters.

For instance, I was standing in line at a grocery store checkout once and the couple in front of me was having an argument. The guy said to his girl, "You're such a bitch." She laughed and said, "I'm not a bitch, I'm the bitch." That conversation inspired the novel Wicked Beautiful, where the main character makes a living teaching women how to be bitches.

12. Before we wrap up, let's have a round of quick questions :

Your favorite food to eat?

Wine

First nickname you had?

Little Mary Sunshine, when I was four. (It was supposed to be ironic, because I was a contrary little brat whose favorite word was "No.")

Worst gift you received?

The worst gift I ever received was a sweet sixteen birthday card my boyfriend had borrowed five bucks from me to buy. The putz.

Ever googled yourself?

I try hard to avoid discovering what other people think of me, which is why I don't read reviews, go to Goodreads, or search for myself on the web. Ignorance is bliss. Except my mind is very vulnerable to suggestion, so now that you've put it in my head....gah!

Declan/Liam sandwich or a Kage/Killian one?

Oh god! What a choice! Um...I think I'd do Kage/Killian while Declan/Liam watch. But only in my imagination, because no way am I that brave in real life. I'd be too worried about how big my butt looked or something like that to enjoy myself.