In celebration of the upcoming release of my debut novel, Fast Forward (see announcement here), I’m doing a series of interviews with authors about their past, present & future. Today, please welcome… Jennifer St. George! (leave a comment to win a kindle copy of her new release…)

Thanks so much for having me Juliet!!

You’re welcome!

PAST:

1. When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?

I was an ambitious kid.  At the age of nine I would review the weekend newspaper looking at job ads and circling the ones I was qualified for.  Sad, but true.  Obviously I wasn’t qualified for much. I wasn’t sure what industry I wanted to work in but I definitely wanted to do work involving travel.  I remember writing job applications to cruise liners when I was in high school (yes, I know, again quite sad, but two companies replied with encouraging letters)

2. What did you do before you became a writer?

I spent the first 20 years of my career in corporate marketing and management consulting roles.  Some career highlights include launching Guinness beer in Russia; reaching 40 million people through a publicity campaign that ‘gave away’ a pub in Ireland and launching the Ford Ka brand in Australia. I also launched an online business and had my own marketing company for about four years. I also love studying and have a graduate business degree and an MBA from Melbourne Business School and Duke University (USA).

3. What is one of your most treasured memories from the past?

Wow – that’s a tough one.  I think it would have to be from the time when I lived in South America as a child.  One weekend, my family visited a farm far out in the centre of Uruguay.  None of us had ridden horses before, but my brother and I were thrust up onto these huge Uruguayan stallions (the rest of the family were on ponies!!) Accompanied by gauchos, we headed out to the pampas for a tour of the property.  It was like something from a Spanish western movie. When the horses were turned for home, mine took off.  It galloped about two kilometres back to the farm with me clinging to its back. I had to keep my head down to avoid being scalped by low tree branches.  It was the most terrifying but exhilarating experience.  One I’ll never forget.

PRESENT:

4. What’s your latest release about and/or what are you currently working on?

My debut novel, The Convenient Bride, was recently launched by Penguin’s new digital-first romance imprint, Destiny Romance. To say I’m a little excited about it is an understatement.  It’s a sexy romance set mostly in luxurious surroundings in Venice and Lake Como. My second novel is coming out in January 2013.

5. What’s a typical day like for you? (If there is such a thing!)

I (try!) to get up early and write 500-1000 words before the children are up.  After dropping them to school, I walk to the Byron Bay Lighthouse, go to the gym or go for a run. Then I write for as long as my brain will let me until it’s time to pick up the kids.  In between I do the occasional freelance marketing job.

6. Name three things you are grateful for in your life right now:

Happy family, flexible career and a positive out-look on life.

FUTURE:

7. If you could fast forward in time to any age or year for just one day, what would you choose & why?

I’d speed ahead to a time when the medical community had found a cure for all the terrible diseases (eg cancer) inflicted on the world. I’d come back and mass produce vaccines (as while I was in the future I’d have learned all about which stocks to invest in, so I’d be a billionaire too!).

8. If you could have any new technology or invention in the future that would make your life a whole lot easier (or more fun), what would it be?

I’d love a machine you could program to a particular destination, for example, southern France, where you’d arrive instantly.  A port key from Harry Potter would do.

9. What are your hopes & dreams for the future?

Wow  – where do I start (world peace, no poverty, an end to the GFC….)? If we are just talking writing, I simply hope that readers enjoy my stories and they come back for more!

Jennifer around the web:

Website Facebook Twitter Author Page

Jennifer’s debut book just released!

The Convenient Bride

Back Blurb

Sienna De Luca will do anything to save her family’s hotel, and ruthless Italian businessman Antonio Moretti knows it. With problems of his own, he proposes a marriage of convenience and plans to use Sienna to secure his next business deal. But things don’t go quite according to plan.

In keeping with her part of the bargain, Sienna travels to Venice to be with Antonio, who introduces her to a life of great luxury and opulence. As befits the fiancée of the famous Antonio Moretti, Sienna is given a new wardrobe of designer gowns and outfits and instructed exactly how to behave when out in public. But after thinking he can manipulate her at his will, Antonio begins to realise he has seriously underestimated Sienna, her intelligence, her skills, her courage – and her beauty. Unexpectedly, Sienna gets too close and when she discovers his dark secret, Antonio’s perfectly planned life begins to unravel.

The Convenient Bride is a fabulous romance set in a world of great beauty and luxury, portrayed in picture-perfect detail. Two opposing souls strike up a partnership in a deal that has overlooked one important detail – that it involves a woman who knows her mind and her heart.

Buy links for THE CONVENIENT BRIDE

Destiny Romance      Amazon      iTunes

WIN! Jennifer will be giving a Kindle copy of The Convenient Bride to one lucky commenter here today!