(Day 3) Guest Post: Jennifer Rardin

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Welcome to Day 3 of the Battle of the Sexies!  Today we've got the author of the wonderful Jaz Parks series, Jennifer Rardin stopping by!


"I’ve spent all my life in the Midwest, which has certainly shaped my perspective on all kinds of issues, from the question of whether or not we really have an accent, to the many and varied uses of corn.
 

I was born in Evansville, Indiana on April 28, 1965. Mom tells me almost every year what crappy weather it was that day. However I like to think of my birthday as the first frost-free date for my planting area. See what happens when you grow up around farmers? Scary, huh?
 

After a youth spent up to my eyeballs in fairy tales, nordic myths and supernatural legends I made the solid and practical decision to go to college and major in English. After which I never really held a well paying job until this gig came along! Which is why my kids love to sing that song to me from the musical “Avenue Q.” The one that begins with the line, “What do you do with a B.A. in English?”
 

Once I figured out the answer to that question, I wrote Once Bitten, Twice Shy. Now my laptop is my constant companion. We reside in an old farmhouse along with my husband and our two teenagers. No pets since the cat died last winter, but the birds seem to appreciate his absence. They come to feast at the feeders while I write on the back porch in the cool of the morning. Lovely."

Courtesy of Jennifer Rardin's website.

Connect with Jennifer:
Website | Twitter | Goodreads

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Are heroines required to kick ass or be independent in order to be considered a strong lead?

Heroines come in all shapes and sizes, but I think they do need to share a specific sort of strength that appeals to all of us in order to be considered a strong lead. Yeah, they do need to kick ass. If not literally, then with their superior intelligence, sense of humor, and/or sheer ability to stick it out until the mission is successfully completed.

Independence is also a requirement, but again, not necessarily in the way we normally look at it. Heroines can be loyal wives, devoted mothers, adoring sisters and daughters—but they must possess a unique way of looking at the world and dealing with people that allows them to solve problems in a way that makes them extra special. That is a sort of independence that, I think, we all admire and aspire to as well.

Perseverance is the key, however. Heroines can never, ever, give up. Which is why they succeed despite the roadblocks that fall into their paths, and why we want to be just like them.

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Books by Jennifer Rardin:

Click on the images to learn more about Jennifer’s books.

  

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Jennifer is kindly offering three signed copies of any of her books to three different winners.

Giveaway Guidelines:

1. Open to everyone!
   
2. Fill out the form below.
   
3. Giveaway ends 9/4.  Be sure to check back after that and see if you've won!  I will not be emailing winners after they are announced on the blog.  Winners will have 48 hours to respond before a new winner is picked.

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