Interview with Jana Richards, author of “The Girl Most Likely”

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, along with two university aged daughters and a highly spoiled Pug/Terrier cross named Lou.

Interview with Jana Richards, author of “The Girl Most Likely”
Cara McLeod here, your host of our local events TV show, Rochester Noon. Today Finn Cooper will be my co-host as we interview writer Jana Richards. Jana is a special guest for us because she’s written a novella featuring Finn and me and our rocky road to happily ever after. Without further ado, let’s begin the interview.

Cara: Welcome Jana! Thank you for being our guest today.
Jana: Thank you for inviting me.

Finn: Is this your first time on live television? It’s a bit unnerving, isn’t it?
Jana (staring nervously at the camera): Yes, this is my first time. Is it hot in here, or is it just me?

Cara: (handing her a glass of water) It’s probably you. Now Jana, as I said, you’ve written a story about Finn and me called “The Girl Most Likely”. How did you come up with that title?
Jana: (takes a sip of water) You inspired it, Cara. In high school you were the girl voted most likely to have the perfect marriage, as well as being voted most likely to be running a Fortune 500 company by the time you were thirty. And since this story is about you and your fellow Class of ’85 classmates and your 25th high school reunion, the title seemed appropriate.

Cara: Yeah, well, those things didn’t pan out for me. My first marriage failed and I’ve never run any Fortune 500 companies.
Finn: (taking her hand) Maybe things didn’t turn out the way you envisioned in high school but in the end, things turned out great.

Cara: (smiling) They really did, didn’t they? Life doesn’t always give you what you want, but sometimes it gives you what you need.
Jana: Aren’t those the lyrics to a Rolling Stones song?

Cara: Jana, let’s get back to you. Why did you feel the need to tell our story?
Jana: When the call came for submissions for reunion stories from The Wild Rose Press, I looked at possibly writing the stories of some of your other classmates, but it was your story and Finn’s that really called to me.

Finn: Why us? What makes our story different?
Jana: Well, for a start, Finn, you’re eight years younger than Cara. That’s a little different from a typical romance novel couple. Then there’s the whole weight thing. I knew many readers would be able to relate to Cara’s struggle to lose weight and look good for her high school reunion, especially when her ex-husband was going to be there with his new hot, young girlfriend.

Cara: I had to shape up for the reunion. I still had a little pride left.
Jana: But what I found out in the writing of this story was that Finn could totally relate to Cara’s desire to lose weight. You could understand the struggle she faced to get fit, couldn’t you Finn?

Finn: Totally. I was once obese myself. Through healthy eating and exercise over a two year period, I lost 128 pounds.
Jana: No one looking at you now would believe you were once fat. It took unbelievable strength of character to get where you are now. You’re amazing, not to mention totally gorgeous.

Cara: (smiling fondly at Finn) Right on both counts, Jana. Finn is gorgeous and amazing. He’s also a terrific physical trainer as well. He helped me get in shape.
Finn: After I lost the weight I wanted to change everything about my life. So I become a trainer to help others get healthy.

Cara: (turning to Jana) What else besides Finn’s weight loss makes “The Girl Most Likely” a little different?
Jana: I think it’s different because rather than being an outsider in high school, you were one of the popular kids. In many reunion stories, an outcast in high school returns to triumph over the popular kids who were mean to him back then. I love those stories, but I wanted to tell your story because you were exactly the opposite. You were popular in high school and now you’re returning to the reunion as a loser.

Cara: (wincing) That’s harsh.
Finn: Cara’s never been a loser, and never will be.
Jana: Maybe not, but you felt like a loser, didn’t you, Cara? You worried that people at the reunion would either pity you or laugh at you because your perfect marriage failed, your perfect figure went south, and your career consisted of being a junior assistant at a TV station. Serving coffee to guests of Rochester Noon was hardly the career you’d envisioned for yourself in high school.

Cara: No, I thought I’d be an executive with a six figure salary by the time I was thirty. So much for that idea. But my marriage wasn’t a total waste. Even though it failed, I have two beautiful daughters that I’m very proud of.
Jana: I know you are and I think you’re a terrific mother. But what makes “The Girl Most Likely” really different is Finn’s secret.

Cara: Finn’s secret?
Finn: How did she find out about that? Did you tell her?
Cara: Well, I might have mentioned it in passing…
Finn: (groans) Does everybody know?
Jana: Only people who read the book. Or see this interview. Finn Cooper is an unusual romance hero because he’s a—

Finn: Cut to commercial! Quick!

Sherry, Jana here. Thanks for having all three of us on your blog today. I hope you enjoyed the interview!
Sherry:  I did indeed, thank you for visiting with us today And thanks too, to Cara and Finn for doing such a terrific interview.


Blurb:
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?

Excerpt:
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?

JANA WILL BE GIVING AWAY: one $20 GC to The Wild Rose Press to one randomly drawn commenter AND a $20 Amazon GC to one randomly drawn commenter during the goddessfishpromotions tour – the more you comment, the better their chances of winning.

The tour dates can be found here: http://goddessfishpromotions.blogspot.com/2011/09/virtual-book-tour-girl-most-likely-by.html

 
Website: http://www.janarichards.net
Blog: http://janarichards.blogspot.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jana-Richards/157005711005866

Please welcome Shea McMaster today

Thanks Shea for guesting on THoR today please tell us a little bit about your new book Rachel Dahlrumple.

First please will you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Author Bio: The softer, sweeter side of Morgan O’Reilly, Shea McMaster lives for traditional romance.

Born in New Orleans, raised in California, Shea/Morgan got moved to Alaska in 1977, where she attended high school before running back to California to get her English degree from Mills College. Alas, once back home she met and fell in love with her own forever true hero, a born and raised Alaska man. Since then she’s had a love-hate relationship with America’s largest state.

With her one and only son half way through college, and mostly out of the house, Shea is fortunate to spend her days engaged in daydreaming and turning those dreams into romantic novels and novellas featuring damsels in distress rescued by their own brains and hunky heroes.

Where did the idea for your book, Rachel Dahlrumple, come from?
Straight from the pages of the news. The summer of 2009 was very eventful with celebrity death and scandal. We lost many big names that year from late June on through the fall. A great many of them are mentioned in the book. But what really set me off, was the week leading up to and including the 4th of July. Governors running off to Argentina, stars dying from cancer and drug overdoses, and a sports figure was murdered by his 20 year old girlfriend who then committed suicide. While his wife waited at home with their two children. I got mad. And then I started writing. Rachel was born. And since I’d recently watched “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever” that got mixed in there as well.

Did you give Rachel her name, or did she tell you what it is? Is there any history behind it and the unusual spelling?
She named herself. Possibly because there was a time in my life when a few people called me Rachel. I have no idea why. Also, a couple weeks ago when I was in Mexico, the waiters at our resort couldn’t say my name very well, so one decided my name in Spanish was really Raquel. Sometimes they called me Raquelita. They also tried out Margarita, which I liked, but Raquel was better. Very timely with Rachel releasing. Maybe I was Rachel in a past life and they knew me then. Could have happened. My mother believes I was a Buddhist monk in a previous life because I recognized a statue at the age of four.

If you asked her, how would Rachel describe you?
Bossy. *laughs* She and I had some words from time to time. She gave as good as she got.

In ten words or less, describe your hero?
Delicious, darling, decent, dedicated, dangerous, distracting, dunkable, aDorable Deputy Dan. He’s a lovely man. *sigh*

What is your favourite colour and why?
I love green. It’s cool, refreshing, and soothing. I think of forests and hidden glades with trickling water. Not far from the chair where I do all my writing, I have a fabulous indoor garden with a lemon tree, peace lily, dieffenbachia, small coffee tree, African violet, bonsai ponytail palm and more. In need of a new pump, I have a tiny fountain for the sound of water. Oh, and green does fabulous things for my hair and eyes

If you were a flower what would it be?
A round luscious peony. Or a voluptuous old fashioned rose. Blousy and sweetly fragrant.

What is your daily writing routine?
Um. Routine? Daily? I don’t like to get too rigid in my approach to anything. That’s the joy of working from home, for myself. When inspiration hits, I dig in and run. When it’s not hitting, sometimes I try to force it, but usually I work on other things. Like editing, or reading, or finding creative ways to avoid housework. Facebook is awesome for avoiding real work and it counts as promotion!
ROFL :-)

Are you a ‘pantser’ of plotter? If a plotter, how/where do you start when you have a new story in mind?
Pantser and proud of it. Although I do find myself doing small amounts of plotting. Sort of like laying out the bones of a skeleton, or the pieces of a puzzle. As I write, the layers build and sometimes something needs to move. Often what I initially see as the beginning is really the start of the last third of the book. Being flexible helps, until I get too flexible and end up with too many options. Many times my books start with a dream. I tend to have very vivid and memorable dreams. If I can remember them in the morning, I write them down in as much detail as I can then let them simmer until a story begins to emerge. This does not always happen at a convenient time.

What is/was the biggest influence in your writing career?
That’s a tough one. I’m not sure I can truly pin it down to one thing. As a child I’d tell myself stories when I wasn’t actually reading a book. In the sixth grade we had to write a story and my teacher commented mine was very romantic. Lots of little instances popped up here and there until I had the time and the drive to make the time. And here I am.

What advice would you give anyone starting out on their writing career?
Don’t worry about form the first time out. Just write. Get the ideas out of your head and onto “paper” if you will. Something you can hold and read. Only then can you begin to guide and shape the direction of the story.

What do you consider the single most important tool in your book promotional arsenal?
Word of mouth. I love creating a buzz and getting people talking. The hardest part is going to the loops and inserting my voice into the noise of everyone else doing the same thing. This is why I’m so thankful for friends who support blog tours! Thank you so very much for having me here.
You're very welcome.

BLURB:  Rachel Dahlrumple
A Novel of Romantic Suspense

Her husband's death is just the beginning of her marital woes.
Rachel's humiliation over the discovery of her late husband's affairs turns to fear when one of his mistresses sends her a poisoned bouquet. But finding the source of the killer flowers is only one step on her path to solving the mystery her husband left behind.

Deputy Dan Weston is with Rachel when the bouquet arrives, and he's at her side as she deals with so many of the secrets that come to light after her husband's death. Dan has carried a torch for Rachel since puberty and he's not going to let her dead husband's vindictive girlfriends or his psychotic mother come between them now. But that means finding out who is sending snakes and poisoned posies before one kills Rachel.

Excerpt:
I looked up and took in Dan’s expression. All teasing gone. Cop mode.
“I’m a simple person, Deputy Weston. Steady and calm. Boring. I don’t offend anyone, and no one gives me trouble. Unless you’re talking about Jose Delgado, who is three weeks late with the last book he checked out.”
“I don’t think Jose wrote this.” With a deepening scowl, he turned the card so I could read it through the clear plastic.
Black, block letters, innocuous enough, aside from the message. Ah, yes, the kicker.
Let him go. We want to be together. Start divorce proceedings. Or better yet, end your pitiful life. Your choice. For now.
Dan’s gaze was glued to my face, which first felt hot, then cold. My head swam and my breathing wheezed in and out, as ragged as my stuttering heartbeat.
That bastard. The low down, scheming, rotten, lying, slimy, vile, despicable…
“Care to revise your statement?”
A few quick blinks brought the deputy back into focus, though I could feel the airways in my lungs constricting.
“I know who’s going to die, and isn’t going to be me,” I whispered. “Chinese water torture is too good for him. Splinter those bamboo chopsticks and the minute he gets home, they’re going under his fingernails” I’d learned a few things from my father’s stories of ’Nam. And of course, by reading about the war. After all, I was a librarian. I’d read nearly every book on the shelves. Briefly, I considered doing a search on torture techniques.
The tanned face so near mine blanched. “Easy going, ma’am.”
Right. I wasn’t known for saying such things. I wasn’t known for saying much.
“Well?” I demanded. My fragile world had just vaporized before my eyes and it was far too soon to see what might be left. If anything. The only future visible looked like a rapidly expanding black hole.
Someone wanted me dead. But who? My husband? His girlfriend? Divorce loomed in front of me like a huge gaping maw. I wanted to wail, gnash my teeth, and obliterate something, anything. Of course, I was Rachel the Mouse, so I did my best to hide the violent urges building inside. Rachel the Meek never, ever, let loose with her most primitive emotions. She hid them deep, keeping a calm, submissive, accepting face turned toward the world at large.
“What would you do?”
For the first time I could remember in our long history, Dan looked directly, and very deeply, into my eyes. The sympathy, sincerity, and concern on his face hit me before his words did. Already overwhelmed from too many emotions boiling in my heart and head, I had no defense or response for his reply, or the way he ever so lightly caressed my cheek with the back of his fingers.
“Since I’m not the kind of idiot your husband is, Rachel, I wouldn’t be stupid enough to screw around on the most amazing woman anywhere. Were I the lucky one to have you, I wouldn’t leave you alone long enough for you to ever feel abandoned.”
Aside from the asthma and allergy thing, I was a healthy woman. I’d never, ever, once fainted in my life. But the shocks to my system that night hit too hard. A poisonous gift, a nasty note, knowledge I didn’t want of my husband’s cheating ways, and a gorgeous, younger man, telling me he considered me amazing… The zing I felt in my tummy from his touch did me in.
Black waves engulfing me, limbs losing strength, I slowly collapsed and Dan caught me at the last moment of consciousness. Like any nineteenth-century heiress worth her crumpets and tea, I fainted right into his arms.

http://sheamcmaster.com /
shea@sheamcmaster.com
http://morganqoreilly.com
http://themorgandiaries.blogspot.com
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Shea-McMaster/240251469328338
Buy Link: http://www.lyricalpress.com/store/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=81&products_id=472

Will also be available on Kindle, Nook, and Sony... links will be available on or soon after 11/7/11

Also Available From Shea

Borealis II: A Space Anthology – Bleu Lies ~ebook Six Foot Hero ~ebook

Giveaway

To celebrate, at my Zazzle store I have created a mug and a tote bag with the Rachel cover on it. Not sure if I’ll give both away, or let the winner of the drawing choose... things to consider. Just comment or “Like” my Facebook page to get your name tossed in the hat! Drawing and winner will be decided and announced on the last day of the tour. Stick around to find out the answer!

Scarlett Scott

Scarlett Scott writes sexy historical and contemporary romances. She lives with her hero and their adorable but occasionally evil puppy.



First, thank you to Sherry for inviting Thornton, Cleo, and myself to drop in today. We’re very happy to be joining you.
Scarlett, I'm delighted to welcome all of you and am looking ofrward to your interview with Thorton and Cleo.


Scarlett: Thornton, what brought you to Lady Cosgrove’s country house party?
Thornton: My dragon of a mother insisted I go to support her efforts at matchmaking for my sister. The old bird has an incredible knack for producing guilt in her offspring.


Scarlett: Did you expect to see Cleo there?
Thornton: Of course not. I wasn’t aware she would be in attendance, or I dare say I would’ve skipped the affair altogether.


Scarlett: I understand there was an incident at the house party involving a broom closet and lavender perfume. Would you care to elaborate?
Thornton: Perhaps you’ve been on the receiving end of Lady Grimsby’s gossip? I’m fairly certain the chamber in question was not a broom closet. The rest, I’m afraid, I refuse to discuss.


Scarlett: How did you feel seeing Cleo for the first time in so many years?
Thornton: I believe the feeling was somewhat akin to being trounced by an omnibus.


Scarlett: Cleo, how did seeing Thornton again affect you?
Cleo: Given Thornton’s response, perhaps I should say I felt rather as if I’d been trounced by two omnibuses. *She smiles* But truly, when I first saw him I must admit I’d hoped he’d gained a paunch and lost a bit of hair. He hadn’t, the devil, and he was handsome as ever. I felt as if I’d gone back in time to when we were younger and carefree.


Scarlett: Speaking of the past, what can you tell us about your history with Thornton?
Cleo: He insulted my cat and ruined one of my best dresses, but of course I loved him. I was also very young and naïve, making some poor decisions I now regret.


Scarlett: Were you aware you were the center of the scandal brewing at Lady Cosgrove’s house party?
Cleo: The row Thornton had with Lord Ravenscroft certainly threw us onto the stage for all to watch. That was the moment I realized we’d caused more than a normal bit of fuss.


Scarlett: Your situation seemed very untenable after scandal broke. How were you able to make it through?
Thornton: We’re keeping our secrets.
Cleo *with a wink*: Well, perhaps not all of them…

Blurb:

Seven years ago, the Marquis of Thornton broke Cleo’s heart. He’s the last man she wants to see at the country house party she’s attending with her sisters. However, fate has a different plan when she finds Thornton standing before her, as devastatingly handsome as ever. Thornton’s resolve is tempted by Cleo’s reappearance in his life. He’ll stop at nothing to have her back in his arms. Now a respected politician, he jeopardizes his career and reputation with each secret moment he spends with her. Together they must battle against ruin and swirling scandal to discover if their mad passion is worth the price.

Excerpt:

The floor creaked behind her. "This is an interesting place for an audience," drawled a deep voice laden with bad intentions and sinful promise.

She swirled around in her bath, flinging her arms over her chest and pulling her knees up. Thornton leaned in the open doorway, the soft light from her bedchamber glowing behind him so that he looked other worldly. Like a fallen angel come to tempt the wicked wife. How had she thought him a saint?

He was sin personified, wearing a white, un-tucked shirt with an improper amount of buttons open, a black jacket and no shoes. His bare feet drew her notice, strong and disturbingly attractive. It occurred to her she’d never in her life seen a man’s bare feet, neither Thornton’s nor John’s. It shocked her to think he had walked the hall sans shoes, in a state of half dress. And he’d entered her chamber. Had anyone seen him? Was he mad?

"What are you doing here?" she demanded, keeping her voice stern. It wouldn’t do to let her eyes slip to the enticing expanse of chest visible beneath his shirt’s gaping vee. Even if it was strongly muscled and lightly bronzed. Did he work out of doors without a shirt? How uncivilized, yet how thrilling.

Thornton continued to rest his hip against the doorjamb with the negligence of a conqueror. His gaze traveled to her bathwater and then back up to her face. "You sent me a letter."

Visit Scarlett's  twitter and blog:

Blog: http://scarscoromance.blogspot.com


Twitter: @scarscoromance

Please come and support Genella deGrey's interview here on the 22nd April as part of her book tour with Goddess Fish Promotions.