What is the title of your latest release?
FOR OUR NEXT SONG
What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
The decade-long friendship between two rock goddesses is thrust into the spotlight after their mutual desire strikes a perfect—and very public—chord.
How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
Since this is a follow up to my debut, FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY, it made sense for this book to also take place in the greater Los Angeles area! That felt like a natural location for characters who work in the entertainment industry. But I also got to do a little research for a songwriting-retreat-turned-accidental-romantic-getaway for my leads on a luxury ranch in Montana, and it was really fun to play with their dynamic in a more remote location.
Would you hang out with your heroine in real life?
I have two heroines (since this book is F/F) and I’d hang out with both of them! But Jane is deeply kind, always expects the best in people, and she’s a great listener—honestly, hanging out with her would hopefully make me a better person!
What are three words that describe your hero?
I’ll answer this one for my other heroine. Keeley: snarky, outspoken, bighearted
What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I learned a lot about recording contracts! My two love interests are bandmates, and one of their external goals is trying to purchase their masters from the shady record label they signed with as teens, and I did a lot of research about artists who have done that. Taylor Swift might be the biggest artist to reclaim her masters in recent years, but so many other folks have done it. It goes all the way back to Sinatra!
Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I try to edit when I’m totally done, but sometimes I’ll go back in a draft if I feel like I’m off track, and revising might help me find my way. Every book demands something different. The project I’m drafting right now required a lot of editing along the way to feel like I was moving in the right direction.
What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
I’m on a huge Trader Joe’s snack kick this year. Right now, it’s the Milk Chocolate Bar with Corn Flakes!
Describe your writing space/office!
I’ve been writing a lot on the oversized love seat in my living room! It’s right in front of some big windows overlooking the street, and it’s next to our fireplace, which really adds to the ambiance.
Who is an author you admire?
I’m so in awe of Kennedy Ryan. Every single romance of hers has swept me off my feet, and her writing is absolutely gorgeous. If you haven’t read the Skyland series, I cannot recommend it enough!
Is there a book that changed your life?
The Princess Diaries! It started my Meg Cabot obsession, which was my gateway to romance novels… because when I ran out of her YA books, I marched right over to the adult fiction section and picked up The Boy Next Door.
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.
It was a little different for this book, since FOR OUR NEXT SONG is the second book in my contract with my publisher—but when I found out I got to continue writing about Glitter Bats, the band I created for my debut novel, I was genuinely so emotional. I adore these characters, and it was such a joy continuing their story with Jane and Keeley in the spotlight.
What’s your favorite genre to read?
I have such a non-answer for this. Naturally it’s romance, but I also have a soft spot for sci-fi and fantasy, and some of my favorite books are cozy mystery or thriller. My habit of reading widely started when I was working in a public library, and it’s made my life so much richer. I’ve found stories I love in just about every genre!
What’s your favorite movie?
Right now, it’s K-Pop Demon Hunters. I can’t get enough! But my favorite of all time is probably The Princess Bride.
What is your favorite season?
Fall! I love sweaters and chilly weather and breaking out my Dr. Martens.
How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
Quietly! I really just want a good meal and some cake—specifically, vanilla or lemon with buttercream frosting.
What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I just read an advanced copy of Keshe Chow’s upcoming Strange Familiars, which is about two rivals at a magical veterinary college who are forced to put aside their differences to investigate the strange happenings at their school. It’s fresh and fun, with a delicious romantic subplot and excellent stakes. I couldn’t put it down!
What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Right now, I’m deeply obsessed with fancy pub food. A new restaurant opened up in our city recently, and after having them once, I can’t stop dreaming about their fry bread pretzels.
What do you do when you have free time?
I love to go see live bands and musicals when they tour my way, get coffee with friends at one of our wonderful local shops, watch way too much TV, and play relaxing video games. This year, I’m on a retro Pokémon kick!
What can readers expect from you next?
As soon as I have news I can share, I’ll announce it on Instagram! But for anyone who enjoys FOR OUR NEXT SONG and hasn’t read the first book, FOR ONE NIGHT ONLY is available now in paperback, eBook, and audio.
Glitter Bats #2
The decade-long friendship between two rock goddesses is thrust into the spotlight after their mutual desire strikes a perfect—and very public—chord.
For Glitter Bats keys player Jane Mercer, writing music helps tune out her self-doubt from a strict upbringing. Composing also distracts from her longtime feelings for her bandmate and best friend, Keeley, who Jane can’t pursue if she wants to keep her bisexuality out of the media. But when an incompetent percussionist quits mid–recording session on one of her major solo projects, there’s only one drummer to call to make the deadline.
Keeley Cunningham is determined to do what’s best for the newly-reunited Glitter Bats—including conceal her incurable attraction to Jane by keeping her distance. Still, when Jane asks for her help in the studio, Keeley drops everything to fill in. They collaborate harmoniously… until their repressed feelings crescendo into a massive argument about the band’s future that leaves them barely speaking.
As music forces Jane and Keeley into increasingly close proximity, the lingering tension finally ignites into the romance they’ve both been craving—and it’s hot, emotional, and fundamentally secret. But after an intimate moment is caught on camera, they’ll have to decide if their duet can survive its debut—both on and off stage.
Romance Music | Romance LGBTQ [ Berkley, On Sale: January 13, 2026, Trade Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780593817735 / eISBN: 9780593817742 ]
Jessica writes steamy, heartfelt romance about ambitious women and the people who fall in love with them. Her romance obsession began with strong influences from Jane Austen, Meg Cabot, and early 2000’s rom coms. In November 2021, Jessica was selected as a Pitch Wars mentee for adult contemporary romance.
In addition to writing, Jessica has a passion for music—she’s a mezzo soprano with a BA in Music and a deep love of Broadway. Her spare time is spent going to concerts, watching Star Trek, trying new cookie recipes, playing cozy video games, and exploring the Pacific Northwest, where she lives with her spouse and their magical reindeer herding dogs. She can be found with an iced oat milk latte in hand regardless of the weather.
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