'The Stars That Guide You Home' is a historical romance fiction due to be released in 2021!
Head to Jemma's Author pages on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to stay up to date with her publishing journey and get to know the characters...
What is one thing most people don’t know about you?
JR: I have been lucky enough to attend numerous film premieres and have had the chance to interview incredible actors Sam Claflin (The Hunger Games / Me Before You) and Iain Glen (Game of Thrones) on the red carpet!
What do you do when you’re not working?
JR: Sleep! I was diagnosed with M.E in January of last year so I get tired really easily and spend a lot of time sleeping unfortunately. But when my energy levels are okay I like concentrating on my writing, social media and meeting up with friends for board game nights.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given? By whom?
JR: Not directly given to me, but one of my favourite quotes is from ‘Me Before You’ by Jojo Moyes. “You only get one life. It’s your duty to live it as fully as possible.” I’ve learnt over the years to be who I want to be and do what my heart tells me. This quote has always resonated with me for that reason. I also have another quote from the book as a tattoo. “Just live well. Just live.”
What’s your favourite way to unwind a busy day?
JR: Some self care (face mask / hair mask / cup of tea) then catching up with friends over Zoom, watching our fave programmes together and just having a laugh.
What’s your guilty pleasure?
JR: I love Sister Act 2. I watched it so much when I was younger that my brother taped over my VHS copy. I was distraught!
What are you really bad at?
JR: Maths! It’s been a struggle of mine since school and although I’ve gotten better I would still say it’s my achilles heel.
Are you a dog or a cat person?
JR: Both! I’ve never had a pet cat but after working at Hull Animal Welfare I fell in love with them and often cat sit for a friend. I currently have two pet Jack Russells, 2 house rabbits, a guinea pig, a Syrian hamster and EIGHT rats. So you can say I’m a lover of all animals really.
What book are you reading at the moment?
JR: ‘The Secret Political Advisor’ by Michael Spicer. He is a comedian and his ‘Room Next Door’ sketches have gotten me through this year. He makes me laugh and the book is as perfect as his sketches! I’m also reading ‘Open’ by Frankie Bridge which is a fantastic book for anyone who, like me, has ever suffered with depression or anxiety.
What’s your favourite band?
JR: I have three. Queen, The Bee Gees and Steps. Yes, I have eclectic taste!
What’s your (celebrity) girl/man crush?
JR: I’m not keen on the word ‘celebrity’. Because I feel that (thanks to reality TV) anyone can do anything now and be classed as a celebrity. Talent is attractive to me, and talent is often ignored in favour of column inches in newspapers. My well known crush is Jamie Bamber (Battlestar Galactica) because he is an incredible actor and all round great guy. My girl crush is Alin Sumarwata (Strike Back) as she is so badass and I love her hair!
What’s your favourite animated film?
JR: Perhaps controversially, it has always been Pocahontas. I adore the songs and the story. And a fun fact is that a scene in my novel is inspired by a scene within the film!
What would we most likely find you doing on a weekend?
JR: On a Sunday you will more than likely find me at the Hull Animal Welfare where I used to work prior to my M.E diagnosis, cuddling dogs and socialising with kittens!
Where you would you love to travel to?
JR: I really want to visit Croatia as it looks so beautiful. I also want to visit Germany and if I wasn’t so scared of flying, Australia would be a dream to explore.
What’s your most hated household chore?
JR: Cleaning out the rat’s cages. My ratties have incredible living spaces, filled with lots of hammocks and tunnels for them to explore, but because they are so big, they take SO long to clean.
What would you do if you won a million pounds?
JR: I’d open an animal sanctuary for any and all animals. I follow so many Instagram pages of people (usually in the US) who have bought rescue ranches and rescue and look after animals in need. That would be a dream for me.
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