Before we get started talking about your writing, tell us a little about yourself, where you’re from, what you do for a living (if you’re not a full-time writer) what hobbies you have, etc. Whatever you’d like to share to introduce yourself.

Hello. Jesse Bond was the pen name I chose in 2020 when writing became my passion. Born in 1981 in Oregon, I moved to Arizona in my early years and lived there until I was twenty. I was one of those typical B average students who did enough to get by, loved to hang out with my friends, and got into just a bit of trouble. I loved rock and metal back then and was especially attracted to the bad boys with tattoos who didn’t conform. When I was twenty-one, I moved with my ex-husband to a tiny mountain town in Colorado where I ran a restaurant, waited tables, and bar tended to make ends meet. We split and I got remarried to a local guy who was much more my speed; a bad boy turned good guy. We married and are coming up on fifteen years strong. In that time, we created two crazy kids, love a couple of lazy cats, and enjoy playing indoors and outside alike. We especially like gaming, both board and video, camping, hiking, and working in our yard. I work full time as well as write as an accountant in our local government and love numbers and words alike.


1. What’s your favorite part of the writing process?

The best part is when I first sit down and start letting the words out on my laptop. There is no outline, no grand plan, just thoughts and emotions that form into characters and their experiences. I’m along for the ride as much as I am for the writing.

2. If you were to choose one superpower, what would it be?

There were several times as a child I would dream about flying, except strangely enough, it was like swimming in the air. It’s funny to think of now, but nothing would be more wondrous to me than to take to the air and soar high above the world. To see everything with the wind in your face and the rain on your cheeks would be the best thing there could be.

3. Do you ever get stuck when you’re writing a book? What do you do to get “unstuck”?

I tend to get stuck from time to time right about the thirty-to-forty-thousand-word mark. It takes a short break, then a long conversation with my PA where we hash out many different ideas and plans. I think that conversation gives me the kick of confidence to get back to it. Once I get back to writing, the story usually flows easily from there.

4. What is your least favorite part of writing?

Marketing. Okay, that’s not a part of writing but really my least favorite part is when the story is over and then I need to decide on a cover, a blurb, and where to market my story. I love each of my works, but the work after writing is the hardest and most tedious part. I just want to get back to writing again!

5. If we came to your house for dinner, what would you prepare for us?



I love to cook for parties or game nights. You would get asked what you would like probably from one of our favorite homemade meals. Tacos, chicken bacon alfredo, or pizza.

6. What do you wish you’d done differently when you first started the publishing process?

It was difficult finding a good editor and I was too new to know how good the editing I had done was. I learned and fixed and edited that first book so many times I could nearly recite it. I do wish I had done better research on types of editors and ensured the quality was of the highest standard. Now, I’m incredibly picky with my editing and it shows. I love where I am today.

7. What is most difficult for you to write? Characters, conflict or emotions? Why?

I’ve always struggled the most with emotional conversations. I’m a levelheaded individual. I hardly ever cry or get worked up over things, so having a character show those emotions and speak naturally has been a challenge. I’ve rewritten many conversations to ensure there was good flow or to really punctuate a scene.

8. A penguin walks into your office, right now, wearing a sombrero. What does he say to you and why is he here?

The penguin plucks a parcel of folded up paper from the brim of his wide hat. He glances left and then right, finally spotting the photo of my family on the desk space before me. Zeroing in on the towheaded children his beak lifts on one side, ever a birdlike smirk if I saw one. “I’m here for the job,” he chirrups with a sparkle in his eye. He hands me his resume, more like kindergarten artwork ink stamped which I only imagine were made by his own little flippered feet and nonsensical crayon drawings. “I’ve never lost a chick, yours will be a breeze. Sit back and relax miss, I’ll be watching the kids from now on.” I smile. It’s time for a margarita. The bird’s got it from here.

9. If you could wave a magic wand, what ill in the world would you solve and why?

There are a multitude of ailments in the world, and I would struggle to name just one. But, if I must, I would insist that all people no longer held prejudice or bigotry. That all men and women knew nothing but equality and compassion toward their fellow man. With kindness across all nations and all people, I think many of the other world’s ailments would soon be fixed. People would care enough to fix them.

10. Tell us about your next book & when is it being published?

Thank you. I’m currently undergoing three projects and plan to release those details to my readers soon.

About Author Jesse Bond…

Born in 1981, Jesse Bond is the pen name for Heather MacDougall. Growing up, Jesse split her time between living in Southern Oregon and Arizona. In 2001, Jesse moved to Colorado to live in the Great Rocky Mountains in a tiny mountain town where she still resides. Wife and mother of two, her favorite activities include video and board gaming, hiking, camping, and reading. That is of course when she isn’t writing her next steamy romance novel. Nothing makes Jesse happier than eight legged mollusks, dragons and other fantasy creatures, magic, and tacos.

Primarily a romance author, you’ll find Jesse’s books range from paranormal romance, urban, and high fantasy and all shades in between right down to contemporary. In addition to traditional romance she also enjoys writing reverse harem and LGBTQ+ love stories. Don’t be surprised if you find something outside of the romance genre though, Jesse loves to write any chance she gets, and will try everything if the inspiration hits.