ARTIST PROFILE:
JAYCI LEE
FAST FAVES RIGHT NOW:
City: Edinburgh, Scotland
Smell: Sesame oil
Music: Classical music by composer Camille Saint-Saëns
Dessert: Apple pie
Podcast: Don’t know. Don’t listen to them.
Weather: Spring/fall but those are seasons. Oh, well.
Souvenir: Food items
Item of Clothing: Jumpers
BODY OF WORK
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CONTEMPORARY ROMANCE
Jayci is the first ever author to feature Korean-American characters for the romance publishing giant, Harlequin. Read her two series, THE HANA TRIO and THE HEIRS OF HANSOL.
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ROMANTIC COMEDY
Jayci’s romcom novels are the perfect beach reads that you’ll want to pass on to your friends. Filled with wit & chemistry, her books are consistently lauded on Best of Love & Romance Lists.
JAYCI in this moment
How would you describe this moment in your life right now?
Hot. Haha. But otherwise lovely. The school year just started and my boys are adjusting well. *knocks on wood* I’m busy editing my next romcom coming summer 2024 and waiting for developmental edits on my first fantasy romance also coming summer 2024. The next few years will be very busy for me but I’m excited for what life brings.
What phase of life are you in, & how do you think your age affects your thoughts, your feelings, your decisions?
Hmm… Phase of life? I’m not sure. But after 15 years of practicing law, I’m settling into a new profession as an author and finding my footing in a very topsy turvy industry. I lost my father a year and a half ago so I don’t know if I’ll ever feel quite whole again. Learning how to live in a world without my dad feels wrong and strange. But losing him also taught me that everything else in life is not a big deal. All that matters is being safe, healthy and happy. Don’t get me wrong. I’ll stress over everything, but ultimately there’s no point in sweating the little things.
What’s the last thing you thought of before you went to bed last night?
Hahaha. I’m going sound like a hypocrite after my answer to the previous question. I was thinking, “Please let my next two books be HUGE hits and take me to a different level—a different stratosphere—as an author.” Yup. But no biggie.
The first thing you thought of upon waking this morning?
“I want to make my younger son a pretzel bagel with eggs for breakfast.”
What have you been working on / playing with / scheming this last week?
Umm… As to my thought above? Well, I’ve been thinking all week that he doesn’t have time for one of his favorite breakfasts on school days, so I wanted to make it for him on the weekend. Today is a Saturday, you see.
If you were to use only three words to describe your current creations, what would they be?
Hopeful, heart-pounding, hilarious
What early experience or influence on you is still very much alive for you today in your way of living or in your work?
As the child of first generation immigrants (I came to the US when I was 9), my parents’ love and sacrifice—putting my brother and me—above everything else has shaped who I am as a mother. They also taught me the value of hard work, so my work ethic is very strong. My writing is my passion but it also takes a lot of discipline and hard work, which I thank my parents for teaching me.
What is something you’re trying to let go of right now, & how is that going?
Hmm… Some aspects of my life—certain relationships—aren’t perfect, but I have to come to terms with it because the relationships that matter the most to me make the imperfection worth enduring? It’s not easy, but it’s going.
What is something people would be surprised to learn about you?
Oh, this interview question is my Achille’s heel. But I had a random thought a while back that people might find funny. So I’ve published 10 books and written 12 so far. And…all the main characters in those books have even numbered ages, because I hate odd numbers. Except 5. I can’t even have any volume for TV or stereo set at an odd number. But I think one heroine is 27 because I loved being 27. Yup. That is my wonderful and weird tidbit.
BIO
Jayci Lee writes poignant, sexy, and laugh-out-loud romance featuring Korean American main characters. Her books have been on O, The Oprah Magazine, Cosmopolitan, Entertainment Weekly, Hollywood Reporter, E! News and Women’s World.
Jayci is retired from her fifteen-year career as a litigator because of all the badass heroines and drool-worthy heroes demanding their stories to be told. Food, wine and travel are her jam. She makes her home in sunny California with her tall-dark-and-handsome husband, two amazing boys, and a fluffy rescue.
