Welcome Author Jana Richards!
Give a warm welcome to Jana, author of The Girl Most Likely! And guess what, it’s on sale for 99 cents from 5-13-16 – 5-27-16. Hurry get your copy today!
Now, lets pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a Chocolate Chip cookie from the plate, and learn a little about Jana.
When Jana Richards read her first romance novel, she immediately knew two things: she had to commit the stories running through her head to paper, and they had to end with a happily ever after. She also knew she’d found what she was meant to do. Since then she’s never met a romance genre she didn’t like. She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and historical romance set in World War Two, in lengths ranging from short story to full length novel. Just for fun, she throws in generous helpings of humor, and the occasional dash of the paranormal. Her paranormal romantic suspense “Seeing Things” was a 2008 EPPIE finalist.
In her life away from writing, Jana is an accountant/admin assistant, a mother to two grown daughters, and a wife to her husband Warren. She enjoys golf, yoga, movies, concerts, travel and reading, not necessarily in that order. She and her husband live in Winnipeg, Canada with their Pug/Terrier cross Lou and several unnamed goldfish. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at www.janarichards.com
What inspired this particular story?
The Wild Rose Press sent out a call for submissions for the “Class of ‘85”. It was to be a multi-author series about the 25th high school reunion for Summerville High, a small town in western New York State. The idea of a high school reunion story appealed to me, but instead of a story about a girl who was unpopular in high school and found success as an adult, I decided to turn that idea on its head. What if Cara had been one of the most popular girls in high school? What if everyone expected her to have an amazing life and an amazing marriage? But the reality is that her life has fallen apart. She’s a divorced single mother working at an entry level job. Her former trim figure has gone south along with her confidence. And now she has to face her former classmates at her high school reunion, including her ex-husband. I wanted to see what Cara was made of.
What secret do you use to blast through writer’s block?
I give up! It may seem counter-intuitive, but sometimes the best thing to do when a writing project just isn’t working is to walk away. Sometimes I’ll work on another project, maybe something less taxing like a blog post, or a new piece of writing that I’m excited about. Or maybe I’ll go for a walk or to the gym and turn my mind away from writing. Stepping away often gives my brain time to work out a solution to whatever point I’m stuck on. And if that doesn’t happen, it often means I need to go back and rethink my plot. The trick is to not abandon the project permanently. I’ll admit this has happened to me in the past, but I’m convinced it was because the story had fatal flaws.
Did you tell friends and family that you were writing a book? Or did it take a while to come out and tell friends and family you were a writer?
My writing stayed in the closet, so to speak, a long time. I didn’t even tell my husband for ages. I used to bring out my notebook and write after he went to work. It seems silly now, but at the time I thought he’d think my desire to write was foolish, but in reality he’s always been supportive. As far as other relatives and friends, it took me a long time to talk to them about my writing. Even after all these years, the only people I really talk writing to are my writing friends.
Do you see yourself in your characters?
Absolutely. I believe there’s a little bit of me in all of my characters. In THE GIRL MOST LIKELY, Cara McLeod is trying to lose weight so she can feel confident attending her high school reunion. I’ve been battling my weight all my life and I know what it’s like when your dress feels a little too tight and you feel that everyone is talking about how much weight you’ve gained. But I think I’m also a strong person who picks herself up and pushes forward, just like Cara.
Tell us a little about The Girl Most Likely.
Cara McLeod, the girl most likely to have the perfect marriage, is now divorced and, in her own words, “fat, frumpy, and over forty.” The thought of facing former classmates—and the ex-husband who dumped her—at her high school reunion terrifies her. Cajoled into attending by her kids and her best friend, Cara enlists help at the gym to lose weight and look great for the reunion. Personal Trainer Finn Cooper is more than willing to help—but does he have to be so to-die-for gorgeous?
Finn thinks Cara is perfect just the way she is. She’s everything he wants in a woman, except for one thing—she can’t get past the fact that he’s eight years younger. To Finn, age and weight are just numbers. But can he convince Cara the numbers she worries about add up to only one thing for him—love?
Do you have an excerpt for us?
He chuckled. “Jessica better watch her back. You could give her a run for her money.”
He heard Cara’s throaty laugh, and various parts of his anatomy tingled in response. “Yes, that’s my evil plan. Take over Rochester Noon, then the world.”
“If you set your mind to it, I’m sure you could do it.”
“Thanks Finn.”
“For what?”
“For believing in me.”
“Are you going to be okay now?”
“Yes, I’m fine. Thanks to you.”
He wanted so badly to tell her he loved her, adored her, thought she was the most amazing woman in the world. But fear stopped him. Was she truly over her ex-husband? Why else would losing weight for the reunion be so important to her if not to impress Peter?
“I’ve got to run. Thanks again. I’ll talk to you later at my condo, right?”
“Absolutely. I can hardly wait to hear about your big TV debut. Break a leg. Isn’t that what they say in show biz?”
She laughed. “Yeah, that’s what they say. Bye.”
Finn replaced the receiver and closed his eyes. He hoped everything went well with this interview. Cara deserved to realize how amazing she was.
If she did come to that realization, would there still be room in her life for him?
You can find The Girl Most Likely at :
Ibooks –
You can find Jana at:
Website: http://www.janarichards.com
Blog: http://janarichards.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/JanaRichardsAuthor
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JanaRichards_
Newsletter Signup: http://www.eepurl.com/m3UnT
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2892274Jana_Richards
It was wonderful having you with us today. Please feel free to stop by anytime.
Views: 762
Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Contemporary, Romance by Tena Stetler with 12 comments.
Welcome Author, Mariah Ankenman
Give a warm welcome to Mariah author of Love on the Sweet Side released May 11th!
Pull up a chair, grab a drink of your choice from the cooler, a peanut butter cookie from the plate, and let’s find out a little about Mariah.
What inspired you to write?
I’ve always had a vivid imagination. I never needed toys as a kid, just a cardboard box and I was off, sailing the high seas in my pirate ship, zooming to the moon in my space rocket or driving across the country in my racecar. I was making up stories before I could even write. It never felt right that we only get to lead one life so I found a way to live many. Writing lets me experience a thousand different lives in my one lifetime.
Do you see yourself in your characters?
I think every writer puts a little bit of themselves in each of their characters, good or bad. I have a penchant to write very short heroines, as I barely reach past five-foot. I also like to add plenty of sass to my characters. Wallflower has never been a term used to describe me so I tend to write very outspoken characters. Still, I try to write a quite character every now and then. It’s important to step outside your comfort zone and grow as a writer.
Where do your story ideas come from?
Most of my initial story ideas come from my dreams. I have very detailed dreams almost every night. Oftentimes I will dream a scene that sparks an idea for a book. For example, Love on the Sweet Side arose from a dream I had about two people being snowed in at a remote cabin in the woods.
RWA® Golden Heart® Nominated Mariah Ankenman began writing at the tender age of five. Her first book “George and the Green Glob” received high praise from her mother. Many years, and green glob stories later, Mariah received a playwriting degree from the University of Wyoming. After a few years in Hollywood, working in “the biz,” she came home to the beautiful Rocky Mountains. When she’s not writing Mariah loves to read, crochet, and play her ukulele. Mariah loves to hear from readers. You can find her at: http://mariahankenman.com/
Twitter: @MAsbooks
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mariahankenmanauthor/
Tell us a little about Love on the Sweet Side.
Maggie Evans is back in Peak Town, Colorado to take over her grandmother’s cupcake shop, but problems keep arising. Is it rotten luck…or something more nefarious? To top it off, her former best friend/childhood crush, Colton Denning, won’t leave her alone. He’s sexier than ever. But Maggie has no time for love.
When his best friend comes back into town all grown up, Colton finds his feelings for her go far beyond friendship. Unfortunately, the pretty baker only sees him as the town playboy. He plans to convince her otherwise, but may not get the chance when someone starts threatening Maggie’s life.
Whether she likes it or not, Colton plans to take her safety into his own hands. How will Maggie keep her shop afloat with a madman after her? More importantly, how will she keep her heart intact when Colton admits her safety isn’t the only thing he wants in his hands?
How about a sneek peek inside your book?
“Colton Denning, get out from behind my counter this minute,” Maggie admonished and smacked him on the shoulder.
Ouch. The tiny woman packed quite a wallop. He put Jamie down and turned. “Oh come on now, Magpie. I was just caught up in the excitement of the news.”
“Yeah well, catch up on that side of the counter. You’re going to violate my health codes.”
He looked down at himself—dusty, faded jeans that may have been worn one season too long, a relatively clean, long sleeve flannel over a black T-shirt, and cowboy boots caked in dried mud. Okay, she might have a point. Not that he would ever tell her that. One thing Maggie did not need to hear was that she was right, again. Besides, it was much more fun to tease her.
“I’m not that dirty.”
She rolled those pretty green eyes of hers. “You’ve got hay stuck in your jeans.”
A quick glance revealed a short stalk stuck in the waistband of his wranglers. Not surprising. Working on a horse ranch, you were bound to get a stray piece of hay here and there.
“Why, Magpie, were you eying my unmentionables?”
She snorted, a very unladylike snort, but adorable as hell.
“Oh please. You probably put it there on purpose to draw attention to your unmentionables. You’re a shameless flirt, Colton Denning, and you know it.”
“What’s wrong with a little harmless flirting? Especially when it’s with such a pretty lady.”
Well, I can’t wait to get my hands on Love on the Sweet Side. So here’s where you can find her book.
Amazon and The Wild Rose Press –
Thanks so much for stopping by and visiting with us! Please feel free to stop by any time.
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Posted in Authors' Secrets Blog and tagged Contemporary, Romance, Suspense by Tena Stetler with 23 comments.
