Straight Chatting From the Library: Jana Richards

Jana Richards, author of There Goes the Groom, is here to talk books with us. Thanks to Goddess Fish Promotions for setting this interview up. Jana will be awarding a $20 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter on the tour, so be sure to leave a meaningful comment at the end of this post and follow her tour for more chances to win. Other stops on the tour can be found here.

1.       What is the favorite book you remember as a child?

One of my favorite series as a child was the “Little House on the Prairie” books by Laura Ingalls Wilder. Maybe I could relate to them because I was also a little girl growing up on the prairie – albeit some hundred years after Laura. I think my all-time favorite was “These Happy Golden Years”, which I believe was the last book in the series. I probably liked it so much because it was essentially a romance – Laura marries the love of her life, Alonso. Even back then I was hooked on romance!

2.       What is your favorite book today?

That’s like asking me which of my children is my favorite! But okay, I’ll try to answer. One book that really stands out for me is Suzanne Brockman’s “The Defiant Hero”. It has a great, nail biting plot about terrorism, a woman willing to do anything to rescue her daughter, and the lengths a man will go to save the woman he loves. But one of the things I loved most of all about this book was the interwoven story about the events of the Dunkirk evacuation during World War Two, as told by the grandmother in the story as she and her great-granddaughter are held captive by terrorists. It was a story within a story, a love story inside another love story. And as someone who is fascinated by all things related to World War Two, I found this a can’t-put-down read.

3.       E-Reader or print? and why?

I’ve had an ereader since 2008, and I love it. I love the convenience of being able to go online and quickly find the book I want. I also love my ereader for travel. I can take far more ebooks with me on the road than print books. Lately, I’ve started listening to audio books on MP3 when I’m at the gym. It makes the time go faster (not exactly a big fan of the gym) and I get to keep up with my reading.

4.       One book at a time or multiples?

 At the moment, I have a stack of books on my bedside table. Unfortunately, most are research books, rather than books I’m reading for pleasure.

5.       Dog-ear or bookmark? (don't worry—Librarian Judith won't hold it against you—much)

Even though I have a basket filled with bookmarks I’ve collected over the years, I sometimes find myself without one. (Not sure how that happens.) In such cases, I am forced to dog-ear a page. I know, I should be severely reprimanded.

6.       When do you do most of your reading?

Crazily enough, it’s in the car. Last summer my husband and I made several road trips and spent many hours in the car. He plugs in his MP3 player and I pull out a book. I read “Jane Eyre” last summer in the car. The other place I did a lot of reading in the past few months was on an airplane. This past March we flew to Hawaii and spent something like nine hours in the air, plus a lot of time in various airports. I got a lot of reading done. So it seems I have to leave home to get some reading done. 

7.       Favorite place to read?

Despite what I said in the last question, my favorite place to read is In bed, propped up with lots of pillows, all snuggly and warm under the blankets.

8.       Favorite genre?

 Romance , of course. Lots of different sub-genres.

9.       Do you loan your books?

Not often. I’m a little selfish that way.

10.   Favorite book to recommend?

 

Even though it’s not a romance novel, one of my all-time favorite books is Canadian author Anne-Marie McDonald’s “Fall on your Knees”. It’s a definite page turner.

11.   How do you keep your books organized?

Organized? People keep books organized? What a novel concept.

12.   Re-reader or not?

I have some books that I’ve re-read several times. But it has to be a very special book for me to do that.

13.   What would make you not finish a book?

Really bad writing, implausible events, or crappy dialogue will stop me from finishing a book. I’ve also stopped reading a book that scares me, ‘cos I’m kind of a wus.  And it’s not monsters that scare me. It’s if a child is threatened, or if I can just feel that one of the characters is not long for this world.

14.   Keep books or give them away?

It depends. I have a keeper shelf of books that I love and may never give away. But if the book didn’t grab me, if it was just so-so or just plain bad, they’ll likely end up in my garage sale.

Thanks for having me here today. I’m celebrating the release of “There Goes the Groom” by awarding one lucky commenter on this blog tour a $20 Amazon gift certificate. In addition, I’m giving away a PDF copy of my romantic comedy “Rescue Me” to anyone who signs up for my newsletter.  You can read an excerpt from “Rescue Me” on my website. Good luck!

MEET THE AUTHOR

Jana Richards has tried her hand at many writing projects over the years, from magazine articles and short stories to full-length paranormal suspense and romantic comedy. She loves to create characters with a sense of humor, but also a serious side. She believes there’s nothing more interesting then peeling back the layers of a character to see what makes them tick.

When not writing up a storm, working at her day job as an Office Administrator, or dealing with ever present mountains of laundry, Jana can be found on the local golf course pursuing her newest hobby.

Jana lives in Western Canada with her husband Warren, and a highly spoiled Pug/Terrier cross named Lou. You can reach her through her website at http://www.janarichards.net

http://janarichards.blogspot.com

http://www.facebook.com/JanaRichardsAuthor

http://www.amazon.com/author/JanaRichards

http://www.twitter.com/JanaRichards_ @JanaRichards_

Buy link: www.uncialpress.com/There-Goes-The-Groom.html

READ THE BLURB:

Eight years ago Tony left Olivia at the altar. He was sure she didn't really want to marry him. Now he's back, and they're forced to work together.

Coming home isn't easy for Tony, because his father wanted him to work at a trade instead of going off to college. Their relationship is still unsteady. Even before Tony's return, Olivia began questioning the depth of her love for her fiancé, a man she chose because he was safe and reliable. Yet the last thing she wants is a loveless, faithless marriage like the one her parents suffered through.

When Tony, who never stopped loving her, insists her fiancé is the wrong man for her, Olivia sets out to prove him wrong. But the sexual chemistry between them is still strong, and so are her feelings for him. Even so, how can she break her engagement, hurt her fiancé as she was once hurt? And how can she trust Tony not to abandon her as he did before?

If anyone does the jilting this time, she will.

ENJOY AN EXCERPT

A black Mercedes pulled into a visitor parking stall beside Liv's car. Liv's mother stepped out of the luxury vehicle, appearing as elegant as ever. Tony could tell the instant Mrs. Taylor recognized him. Her expression first registered shocked surprise and then anger.

"Tony DiPietro." Grace Taylor's tone dripped with sarcasm. "I never thought I'd see you again. What on earth brings you back here?"

"Mom, Tony's helping with an important exhibit for the museum." She gave her mother the Reader's Digest version of events. "It's only for three months."

"I'm just here to do a job, Mrs. Taylor." Tony slung his backpack over his shoulder and picked up the suitcases. "Thanks for the ride, Liv…Olivia."

"We have a lot of work to do, Olivia," Grace Taylor said. "A lot of decisions have to be made about your wedding."

Tony stopped cold. Her wedding?

Mrs. Taylor glared at him triumphantly. "Haven't you told Tony about your engagement, Olivia?" She lifted her daughter's left hand into Tony's face and for the first time he noticed the engagement ring on her third finger. "Stuart gave Olivia his family heirloom ring. It belonged to his great-grandmother. I'd say that shows how deeply committed he is."

"Mom, please."

"Congratulations Olivia." A torrent of questions whirled in Tony's brain. Who was this Stuart guy? Where was he from? Was he good enough for her? "I hope you'll be very happy."

She lifted her chin and looked him straight in the eye. "We already are."

He lugged his belongings into the rented condo, his gut twisting and his mind reeling. News like this shouldn't surprise him, nor should it give him the stab in the heart he'd just experienced. But still it did.

The worst part was knowing that another man could make Liv happy when he couldn't.