Interview with J.A. Owenby, Author of The Essence of You

What can you tell us about your new release, The Essence of You?

The Essence of You is an enemies-to-lovers, romantic suspense novel. Here’s the blurb: Sometimes it’s sweeter to surrender. My life is going in the right direction. Good friends. Good school. Bright future. Until… One night. One look. One guy.

And just like that my nightmare and everything I tried to forget comes roaring back. Layne Garrison—stormy grey eyes, bully, the guy who made my life hell in high school is suddenly there, in front of me, in the same town, the same college, and I can’t shake him. But the darkness never stays neatly tucked away when I learn the reasons that dumped me in foster care. Will I lose the only man I’ve ever loved, or will my past ruin my future as well? An enemies-to-lovers suspenseful standalone with an HEA and no cliffhanger.

Tensley, the main character, bounced around in foster care while in high school and was bullied by Layne, the popular jock. Three years later, she is doing well after all of the trauma and attending college when she sees him again. After a run-in with Layne, truths are revealed, and the healing begins. However, Tensley learns more about why she landed in the foster system, and her world is turned inside out.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

My mom when she sold her first short story. I was 5 years old.

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

Slammed by Colleen Hoover, The Twilight Series by Stephanie Meyer, Water for Elephants by Sara Gruen, The Help by Kathryn Stockett, and The Outsiders by S.E. Hinton. Honestly, there are so many good books, I couldn’t possibly have a top 5.

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

Oprah. What was the pivotal point in your journey that you realized you could have the life you wanted?

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

Creating the story and characters. I love the energy, fun, and excitement during that time.

What is a typical day like for you?

I’m typically in my office ready to write around nine a.m. Monday through Friday. I’m very disciplined so implanting a schedule is easy for me.

What scene in The Essence of You was your favorite to write?

I have several, but the ending is really beautiful.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

“Everything springs forth from the imagination. Everything.” Abraham Hicks.

J.A. Owenby is the author of the new book The Essence of You.

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