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. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website
at www.janarichards.com
Character Interview with Blair
Greyson, heroine from TO HEAL A HEART
Beverley: What’s your name?
Blair: I’m Blair
Greyson. Yeah, I know. Blair’s a funny name for a girl. My mother was trying to
earn brownie points with her rich mother-in-law whose maiden name was Blair.
I’m pretty sure it didn’t work.
Beverley: Where did you grow up?
Blair: Mostly in St. Paul, Minnesota, but my happiest memories growing up are
the summers that my brothers and I spent with our grandparents on their farm
just outside of Masonville, North Dakota.
Beverley: During what time period does your
story take place?
Blair: Right here, right now.
Beverley: What’s your story/back story? Why
would someone come up with a story about you?
Blair: Personally, I think I’m dull as dirt. But maybe others could take some
solace from my story. I had an unhappy childhood, and things happened to me in
my adolescence that were…traumatic. But I’ve overcome those things, mostly.
Working with animals as a veterinary technician and rescuing horses has been my
salvation. I know now that I can do worthwhile things with my life, things that
make a difference. I know there are good people in the world, though sometimes
I have a hard time seeing that. I want to believe I’m more than the screw-up,
more than the tramp my mother has always told me I am.
Beverley: What’s your goal in this story?
Blair: Moving to my grandfather’s farm gives me the opportunity to take my two
rescue horses out of the stable where I was boarding them and give them a real
home. I want to rescue more horses and give them a chance at life. But I moved
to North Dakota mainly to look after my Granddad. He has a bad heart and I know
he doesn’t eat properly unless someone makes him. Since my grandmother died a
few months ago he’s been lonely. And to be honest, I’ve been lonely, too.
Beverley: What conflicts are you facing?
Blair: I had a run-in with Garrett Saunders soon after I moved here. I
mistakenly believed he was abusing his horse. When I found out I was wrong, I
had to apologize. Embarrassing but necessary. Before I knew it, Garrett and I
had come to an agreement; I’ll board his horse Harry in exchange for him
helping with repairs around the farm. The problem is, the more time I spend
with him, the more I wish for forevers. But I know there can never be anything
lasting between us. He can do so much better than me.
Beverley: Do you have a plan for resolving
them?
Blair: Not really. I can’t look that far ahead. My only plan is to continue
enjoy being with Garrett until he moves on.
Beverley: Is there anything else you’d like us
to know about you?
Blair: I’d like people to know that even though I’ve made mistakes in the past,
I’m really trying to be a good person. My Granddad keeps telling me I’m
special. Maybe someday I’ll believe it.
Blurb
for To Heal a Heart:
Garrett Saunders' world changed
two years ago on a road in Afghanistan. Back home, he feels like a stranger. As
he struggles to find his place in the world, he meets a horse destined for the
slaughterhouse and a woman bent on rescuing the strays of the world, including
him.
Blair Greyson moves to
Masonville to look after her ailing grandfather and give her rescue horses a
home. Right away she butts heads with a surly former Marine. Despite a rocky
start, they come to an agreement: Blair will board Garrett's rescue horse and
he'll help with repairs around her farm.
Garrett finds purpose working
with Blair—and falls in love with her. But she's hiding a secret. Can she
forgive herself and accept Garrett's love, or will she let guilt and regret
continue to rule her life?
Excerpt for
To Heal a Heart:
He pushed himself to his feet,
disconcerted by his unsteadiness. He made a few halting steps toward the gate
as Blair ran into the yard.
“I forgot my sweater,” she
said, grabbing the garment from the back of a chair and slipping it on. “It’s
cooler than I thought. Are you sure you don’t want to watch the fireworks with
us?”
“No, I—”
His words were cut off by a
loud explosion, and his only thought was that he had to protect Blair. He
grabbed her and threw her to the ground, covering her body with his. He was
under attack. Why was Blair in Afghanistan? How could he keep her safe?
Through the chaos and noise he
heard her muffled voice beneath him. “Garrett, you’re crushing me.”
He shifted his weight slightly.
“Shh. I’m sorry. You have to stay down and quiet. I can’t let them hurt you.”
She stopped struggling. “Who’s
going to hurt me?”
“Can’t you hear the mortar
fire? I have to protect you.”
Her hand rubbed his back in
gentle circles. “It’s all right, Garrett. It’s only fireworks. It can’t hurt
us. We’re safe here.”
He lifted his head and looked
around. He was in Cole and Lauren’s back yard in Masonville. There were no
bombs, no shelling, no Taliban. He looked down into Blair’s face, into the pity
in her eyes. He rolled off her, disgusted with himself.
Disgusted and scared. He was
losing his mind.
Buy
Links for To Heal a Heart: (Pre-order until June 12, 2020)
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/to-heal-a-heart-jana-richards/1136868654?ean=2940162717966
Social
Media Links for Jana Richards
Website: http://www.janarichards.com
Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/JanaRichards_
Amazon Author Page:
http://www.amazon.com/author/janarichards
Amazon UK Author Page: http://www.amazon.co.uk/-/e/B002DEVWWG
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