Q&A: Jennifer K. Lambert, Author of ‘Never The Roses’
We chat with author Jennifer K. Lambert about Never The Roses, which follows the most powerful sorceress in all the world who comes face to face with her greatest rival in this enchanting and seductive fantasy romance.
Hi, Jennifer! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Sure! “Jennifer K. Lambert” is a new pen name for me. I’ve been writing as Jeffe Kennedy for many (many) years. This is natural name for me to adopt as my legal name is Jennifer Kennedy. (Jeffe is a lifelong nickname for Jennifer.) Lambert is a family name from a few generations back before my Irish ancestors emigrated. I started writing fantasy romance before anyone could figure out what genre my stories were, have been a member of both RWA and SFWA (including president of SFWA), and I’ve been making my living as a writer for nearly a decade now.
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I can’t remember a time I didn’t love stories – my mother read to me before bed – but I didn’t decide to be a writer until my mid-twenties. I went to college and grad school to be a scientist, only switching after I figured out that kind of life wasn’t right for me.
Quick lightning round! Tell us:
- The first book you ever remember reading: Charlotte’s Web – because I learned to read for myself since my mother couldn’t get through the ending without crying while reading aloud and I wanted to know what happened
- The one that made you want to become an author: The Witching Hour by Anne Rice
- The one that you can’t stop thinking about: The Forgotten Beasts of Eld by Patricia McKillip
Your latest novel, Never the Roses, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Sorceress wants to be alone.
What can readers expect?
This is a story about trauma, forgiveness, and the magic of healing. There is an epistolary romance, animal companions, and a woman finding her way back to wanting to live.
Where did the inspiration for Never the Roses come from?
I’ve said that this is a book that fell on me from out of the sky. I wasn’t inspired so much as taken by the throat and forced to write it, because it wouldn’t let me write anything else. That said, the visuals of Netflix’s Sandman series and Patricia McKillip’s The Forgotten Beasts of Eld very much intertwined in my head during a very emotional and difficult time in my life to make this story.
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
It was super fun to write the scene where Oneira and Stearanos finally meet in the flesh!
Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?
The only challenge is this was “the book I’m not supposed to be writing” for a very long time. I was *supposed* to be working on two other projects. But once I gave up all resistance and wrote this one down, it almost told itself to me.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on final revisions of book 2! Once that’s done, I’ll be writing MAGIC REBORN, the ninth book in my Indie published epic fantasy romance series under Jeffe Kennedy that begins with DARK WIZARD
Lastly, what books have you enjoyed reading this year? Are there any you’re looking forward to picking up?
Right now I’m reading DANCE OF LIES by Brittney Arena, a debut romantasy with a disabled heroine that I’m loving.
Other books I’ve read this year that I super enjoyed:
I’m looking forward to reading The Knight and the Moth by Rachel Gillig. I just received a copy and I’ve heard such good things! I also just picked up Forged by Blood by Ehigbor Okosun. I was recently on a panel with her and she’s so smart and articulate that I can’t wait to read her book, too!
