Today, I have author Jailaa West in the interview chair. We’re discussing her latest release Obey: Savage Security, Book 2, an interracial contemporary romance. Don’t forget to check out the excerpt.
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All About Obey:
1. First, what’s your favourite scene in the book? Not in regards to writing, but reading, and why?
Jailaa: My favorite scene actually happens at the very beginning of the book. You get a little snippet of it in the excerpt. But I love his initial reaction to meeting her. He thinks he is going to meet a spoiled starlet and treats her as such. However he does notice her vulnerability and quickly learns that she is more than her image.
2. If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your book?
Jailaa: Yes, I would add more about her Puerto Rican background. She is an Afro-Latina but this is a short story so we don’t get a deep dive into her unique culture and how it influences her decision. I would definitely make the book longer so we can see more of how Elle changes Beau.
3. What do you love most about your two main characters?
Jailaa: I love Elle because she really wants to follow his rules. She understands how important her safety is, but she can’t help breaking them! I love Beau because he is ultra-protective. He’s a macho, do what I say guy. But we get to see that he has a tender side. He also pushes Elle to take charge of her life and her sexuality.
4. What makes you want to shake your two main characters?
Jailaa: Elle keeps breaking his rules! Girl he is trying to save your life!!! (I said that as a reader, lol)
Beau keeps lets her slide too much in my opinion. And I really wanted him to hit Adam! But Elle calms him down.
5. If you could spend time with one character from your book, who would it be? And what would you do during that day?
Jailaa: Actually it would probably be Asa. He is so funny. He doesn’t have a big part in the book but his humor comes through. He has a book later in the series and I can’t wait because that one will be funny. I would spend time with Beau, as my book boyfriend. He could start by giving me the same foot rub he gave Elle.
6. Did the characters hijack the story or did you feel like you had control of your book?
Jailaa: I stayed in control until the Savage brothers joined the investigation. They only have small parts but they definitely wanted their voices heard.
7. How did you come up with the title for your book?
Jailaa: Obey – kind of sums up how Beau approaches life. He was a Navy Seal and he sees things in a millitary fashion. You have rules – you follow them – you’re safe. But what happens when someone doesn’t follow the rules? And do rules apply to hearts?
8. If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the leads?
Jailaa: Elle would be played by Vanessa Hudgens (sexy innocence). Beau would be played by Jason Momoa (tough/tender).
9. If your book was a candle, what scent would it be and why?
Jailaa: Cinnamon – because he thinks she tastes like cinnamon.
10. If your book had a theme song, what would it be and why?
Jailaa: This Woman’s Work – Maxwell. Because of the line – I know you gotta little love in you left and I know you gotta lot of STRENGTH left. – Beau encourages Elle to be stronger and take control of her life. This really changes her life forever. Because she had lived in fear for so long.
11. If your book was a colour, what would it be and why?
Jailaa: Red – for passion.
12. If a reader asked you why they should read your book, what would you tell them?
Jailaa: I think readers will enjoy a woman owning her sexuality, reclaiming her strength and finding love.
13. What can we expect from you in the future?
Jailaa: More Savage Brothers! The Savage Security series features stand alone books. Each brother (there are four) faces his own challenges in his quest to protect and win the woman he loves. Book 1 (Submit) and Book 2 (Obey) introduce two men who partner with the Savage Security company but Book 3 Control that releases 3/9/21 is the first book that features one of the Savage brothers. Aiden who is the oldest.
Jailaa West on Writing:
1. Tell us about your writing process.
Jailaa: I am a “plotter” . This means I start story with an idea, that I plot out or outline. But I only use the outline as a skeleton. But I add the flesh as I write. Usually I get to a point where I can feel the character’s presence and then they tell me their story.
2. How much research goes into your books?
Jailaa: I write very short contemporary novels, so not a lot. When I write my longer novels the research is more intensive.
3. What do you enjoy most about writing?
Jailaa: The pleasure it brings to others. I love reading it takes me too my happy place. I’m thrilled if I can carry a reader to their happy place.
4. What do you enjoy least about writing?
Jailaa: Editing! (enough said!) (Followed by promoting!)
5. You can only recommend one of your novels to a reader, which would you choose from the books you’ve written so far, and why?
Jailaa: Pure sex, flaming hot – Thanksgiving with the Naughty Boss. Mystery Suspense – Obey will put you on the edge of your seat. Mix of both – Submit!
6. What novel was your personal favourite to write, and why?
Jailaa: Submit: Savage Security Book 1 – Because the characters had louder voices immediately. I didn’t have to coax them out. They came out swinging from the first page.
All About You Jailaa West!
1. Readers know about the writer you, but what about the everyday you?
Jailaa: I am a homeschool mom of three kids. They are all avid readers and they have all been warned to never read my sexy books!
2. What is something unique/quirky about you?
Jailaa: I pick up accents subconsciously. So if I’ve been talking to a French speaker for a long time especially over several days. Then I will have a French accent and don’t realize it until some one asks me if I’m from France. LOL it is very weird. I guess it is just related to my love of words?
3. What are some of your pet peeves?
Jailaa: When people start to tell you something and then won’t finish! “Never mind” are the worst words in our language.
4. Where were you born/grew up at?
Jailaa: Chicago, Il.
5. Describe yourself in five words or less!
Jailaa: Smart, funny, creative, spiritual.
Jailaa West on Reading:
1. What book do you think everyone should read?
Jailaa: Paranormal Romance Readers – Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison
2. What fiction genre(s) do you read the most?
Jailaa: Romance – any and all.
4. Share your favourite character from a book that you’ve read, and why they are your fave.
Jailaa: Pia from Dragon Bound. She is hilariously funny, spunky, strong and vulnerable.
5. On average, how much do you read every week?
Jailaa: Every day without fail. Some days less or more. But I never skip a day and finish about three books a week.
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Title: Obey: Savage Security Book 2
Series: Savage Security
Author: Jailaa West
Genre: Interracial Contemporary Romance
Heat Rating: 4 out of 5 (very steamy)
Length: 100 pages
Publisher: Jai-Latte Romance Books
Release Date: February 9, 2021
To keep Elle alive Beau only needs her to do one thing… Obey.
Blurb: For the last six years Elle’s worked hard to rebuild her life after a youthful mistake. But someone won’t let her forget. When his threats escalate she hires Beau for help. She isn’t interested in a relationship but she can’t help being drawn to the gruff bodyguard. She’s trying to save her life but maybe she should focus on saving her heart.
Beau’s known bravery on the battlefield and off. So meeting strong willed, sexy, brave Elle shouldn’t have captivated him. But her mix of strength and vulnerability makes him want to give her the one rule he’s never given anyone… Stay.
Note: This short steamy insta-love romance mystery is a standalone story in the Savage Security Series. It features a HEA with no cliffhangers. It contains spicy love scenes and adult language that is intended for a mature audience.
She sauntered her voluptuous ass to the door and let him in four minutes after he rang the bell. In one more minute, he would have been out of there. And Aiden could kiss his ass. Somethings were not worth the trouble. Especially spoiled starlets who made him wait after her security buzzed him into the ultra-private gated community. If they were going to work together then he needed to establish some ground rules. And he didn’t give two flips about how damn beautiful or sexy she was.
“I’m sorry to keep you waiting. I was on an important phone call and I…”
“And you couldn’t be bothered to respect my time.” Beau’s tolerance for bull was at an all-time low since his return to civilian life. And he didn’t tolerate games or disrespect from anyone.
Elle’s eyes blazed defiance before banking down to cool embers. She didn’t offer any more excuses and he was glad ‘cause he didn’t want to hear any. “As I said, I apologize.” Her tepid voice didn’t freeze him out or try to warm him up. It reminded him of the bland brackish water he’d had to drink during missions in Iraq. Water that hydrated without relieving his burning thirst.
She invited him in and closed the door. “You are Mr. Rockmore, from Savage Security, correct?”
“Shouldn’t you have found that out and checked my identification, before you let me in the house and closed the door?” Beau growled, angry at her carelessness.
Her palm went to her neck, with a small tremor, that was quickly quelled when she lowered her hand back to her side. “Yes, you’re right of course. I was on the phone with Aiden, who told me to expect you, and I assumed they checked your id at the gate?”
“They did check my id.” He rolled over her response. “But they are not responsible for your safety. You are. Your safety depends on you and your choices. You have to take that responsibility. I’m here to help protect you until we catch this frigging asshole. But I can’t help you more if you help yourself.” His voice lowered and he paused to judge her reaction. Either she’d heed his advice and he’d stay, or she wouldn’t and he was out. “So, from now on, you check every person, every id, every time. Unless I clear somebody. You check and double-check.”
Elle raised a manicured brow and nodded her head in submission before she challenged him. “In that case, may I see some identification?”
So she did have a little spark, good, a little spark might save her life.
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Indie author of sweet steamy romance novels. I grew up In Chicago, Il. And I have loved romance books since junior high school when I snuck my first one from my mom’s bookshelf. I used to dream about the fantasy worlds I read about. Now I enjoy writing them for others to dream about. As a mom of three, I frequently write after bedtime or behind a locked bedroom door. And I thank God that all of my hot steamy books, (that I still read and write) are stored safely on my tablet, where no one can sneak them off of my bookshelf.
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Maggie Blackbird 