1--What is the title of your latest release?
TOWN OF SHADOWS
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
In Victorian London, using magic earns you a noose, but uncovering its secrets often leads to something far more deadly. When Dorothy St. James’s father is taken by a kidnapper called the Rook, she strikes a desperate deal with Ashley Gardner, a master illusionist, to help her discover the mysterious masked hero who’s been rescuing the victims. Ashley agrees to give her three clues as to his identity, but he won’t make them easy. In fact, he’ll make them impossible, because he has his own dangerous reasons for keeping Dorothy away—and Ashley always gets what he wants.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I’ve always had a fascination with London, probably due to my seeing every Sherlock Holmes adaptation in existence. There’s this elegance and charm to it, while still maintaining a cold undercurrent of grit. To me, it’s the obvious setting for a story that’s both whimsical and grounded.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Absolutely. She reminds me a lot of friends I already have.
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Clever. Resourceful. Brave.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
That everything is fixable. There was a point in the process after my first draft where the number of plot-holes was so overwhelming—I’m talking about thirty different threads that needed to be fleshed out, which was nothing like what I’d experienced with my regencies. I wanted to throw in the towel. Instead, I rolled up my sleeves and turned this story into something I’m unbelievably proud of.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I used to edit as I drafted, but thanks to four kids who keep me on my toes, I only have pockets of time to write. Sometimes I only have twenty minutes, and I’ve got to spend those getting words on a page. I long for the days when I could write a paragraph then immediately agonize over it!
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
I have a pretty simple palate, but I’m always down for Café Rio salad, plain potato chips, bubblegum, or Milk Duds.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
Most of my writing takes place on my laptop, and I’ll write on the couch, in bed, at the table, or even outside if the weather is moody. With editing, I prefer a bigger screen and an actual mouse, so I do that on a desktop in my bedroom (where also sits a miniature of Big Ben).
10--Who is an author you admire?
I love Beth Brower! She is doing something so unique, and the way she weaves her metaphors is so poetic and beautiful.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
I’d have to say Edenbrooke. Though there are books I loved far more, this was the book that set me on the path of writing and made me believe I could tell stories too!
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
I was so nervous when my publisher called me—not because I thought she wouldn’t offer, but because I still wasn’t sure I was going to sign. It felt so final, to give someone else the rights to not only a project I’d painstakingly worked on for years, but also for projects I had yet to write. After telling me everything they had to offer, however, I was convinced!
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
Fantasy, hands down. I would say romantasy, but I’ve found I prefer my romance as a subplot (still a heavy subplot though, let’s not get carried away).
14--What’s your favorite movie?
Ever After. This movie ticks every single box for me. An interesting, medieval French setting, beautiful costumes, a hilarious meet-cute, palpable chemistry, stellar performances, interesting side characters, amazing humor, a score that carves my heart out, and last of all, DOUGRAY SCOTT.
15--What is your favorite season?
Maybe it’s because I’m a homebody, but I love winter. I love building snowmen with my kids, as well as snuggling inside with a blanket and Christmas music.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
My favorite thing is to go see plays! I’m really into theatre. My favorite productions include Les Miserables, Newsies, The Scarlet Pimpernel, and Anastasia.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I recently binged Alex Rider on Amazon Prime, and wish more people knew about it. It’s a twisty mystery about a teenage spy and the way the story unfolds really kept me hooked!
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Italian…or American. My heart is half pasta, half cheeseburger.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
I like taking walks. They help me think, and looking at nature gives me inspiration. I also love composing music, playing guitar, and let’s be honest, taking afternoon naps.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
You can watch for Book 2 in my Slanted London series! It’s slated to release early next year, with a potential release of Book 3 in the fall if I can kick my rear end into gear.
In Victorian London, magic earns you a noose.
Eighteen-year-old Dorothy St. James can’t control her magic. To avoid arrest, she locks herself at home and buries her nose in her experiments. But a kidnapper called the Rook is on the loose, and his victims keep turning up insane. When Dorothy’s father is taken, she must exchange her beakers for bravery and find the Rook’s trail—the problem is, only one person ever has: a mysterious masked hero.
Ashley Gardner unabashedly casts illusions, using his charm to flit between the upper ton and the magical underbelly below. When Dorothy accuses him of knowing the masked hero’s identity, he flatly denies it. Until the clever beauty intercepts a communique he desperately needs.
They strike a bargain: she’ll give him the message in exchange for three clues to point her in the right direction. But Ashley won’t make them easy. In fact, he’ll make them impossible, because he has his own dangerous reasons for keeping Dorothy away—and Ashley always gets what he wants.
Through dazzling ballets, wild carnivals, and death-defying train rides, Dorothy must use her wits and magic to solve Ashley’s riddles and unravel her budding feelings for the illusionist mastermind behind them. The masked hero isn’t who she believes, and the Rook is closer than she suspects. While the game was always rigged against her, returning her father—mind intact—might just cheat her out of a heart too.
Romance Paranormal | Romance Historical [Oliver-Heber Books, On Sale: July 1, 2025, e-Book , / ]
Jessica Scarlett writes amazing books and lame author bios. She hates the pressure of encapsulating everything about herself in a hundred words or less, because she’s too divergent, dynamic, and different for that. And simultaneously not that interesting. She is the author of the Wycliffe Family Series, Slanted London series, and a couple plays. When not writing, she loves composing music, laughing with her four kids, or doing life on a ranch in Utah with her cinnamon-roll husband.
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