Author Interview: Jessie Elliott

Tell us why you chose Romance and tell us a little bit about one of the books you will have at the event.

I’ve been reading romance for over 15 years and writing it since 2013. I have classics like the Twilight series to thank for my introduction to the genre. I fell in love with it instantly and went on to devour any paranormal romance I could get my hands on. My favourites included: The Mortal Instruments, Hush, Hush, Fallen, Sweet Evil, and Vampire Academy. It probably came as no surprise to anyone who knows me that I went on to write and publish paranormal romance and romantasy.

I’m thrilled to attend Pages & Pleasures Ottawa and can’t wait to share my event exclusive special editions with everyone—they feature printed edges, stunning foil, custom end pages, a ribbon bookmark, and black pages! Grab your copy of Taken by the Fae (MF fae romance) or Blood Oath (vampire reverse harem romance)! See you in Ottawa!

Tell us about yourself and where we can find you!

Jessi Elliott is a paranormal and fantasy romance author. She lives in Ontario, Canada with her adorable calico cat, Phoebe. When she’s not working on her next book, she likes to travel with friends and family, get lost in a steamy romance novel, watch Friends, and drink coffee. Jessi also writes taboo and reverse harem romance under J.A. Carter.

Social Links:

Instagram - www.instagram.com/authorjessielliott and www.instagram.com/authorjacarter

TikTok - www.tiktok.com/@authorjessielliott and www.tiktok.com/@authorjacarter 

Facebook - www.facebook.com/authorjessielliott and www.facebook.com/jacarterbooks

What does a typical writing day look like for you (if such a thing exists)?

I work a 9-5 job, so my writing time is either 5am or evenings and weekends (if I’m not at a book event). Typically after work I hit the gym, then head home and work on my current project for 2-3 hours before bed. I’m more of a night owl than a morning person and I value my sleep very much, so I only do early morning writing sessions if I’m tight on time and need to make a deadline. I often video call with my author friends for writing sprints to help keep me accountable!

How do you handle writer’s block or creative slumps?

I’ll go back and re-read scenes I’ve written that I really enjoyed to remind myself that everything doesn’t suck, LOL! I also have a playlist for each book I write; I pull inspiration from music, and it helps guide scenes as I draft them.

Tell us about your books. What subgenre of romance do you write and why do you love it?

I write paranormal romance with angst and spice under Jessi Elliott. Taken by the Fae is a standalone fae romance akin to City of Bones and the show Lost Girl with forced proximity and snarky banter—and he falls first! 

The Love in Hell series is perfect for fans of Buffy and Supernatural. It’s about a woman from a family of demon hunters who falls in love with the prince of hell. Filled with angst, spice, and an epic cast of side characters, it’ll be your new obsession!

I also write reverse harem romance under J.A. Carter, mostly paranormal, but I do have one standalone taboo contemporary I co-wrote with my bestie, Alexandria Goncalves—check out Wicked Little Thing if you want a quick, hot step-family romance! 

Blood Oath is a completed, 7-book series you can sink your teeth into…pun intended! It’s about a woman whose ancestors made a deal with a group of vampires in exchange for the firstborn daughter of their bloodline—and now they’ve come to collect. Think enemies to lovers, forced proximity, and lots of spice!

What themes or tropes do you love exploring in your stories?

I’m going to sound so basic when I say this, but I adore enemies to lovers. I know, I know. Me and everyone else, right? I’ve written more like hate to love than true enemies to lovers I think, but one of these days it’ll happen! I’d also love to delve into more personal family history in a project, which I’m doing this year when I travel to Ireland, because drum roll my next Jessi Elliott book will be…an Irish folklore fantasy!

Do you have a favorite fictional couple you've written? What makes them stand out?

I have to say Camille and Xander from the Love in Hell series because I’ve spent so much time with them. I wrote and rewrote the first book, The Devil’s Waltz several times from 2014 to 2024 when it was released, and have since written two sequels, The Devil’s Trials and The Devil’s Ruin, which releases in October! These characters refused to stop speaking to me until their story was told, which makes it so special to me—even as the author, the characters truly control the story!

What’s your go-to comfort read when you need a little romance magic yourself?

I’ll grab something I’ve already read and loved and flip to my favourite scenes, or dive into something by an author friend! Or, if I’m not in the headspace to read, I’ll find a cute rom-com to watch. I recently re-watched Red, White, and Royal Blue—so cute!