Jana Richards and her New Release

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

Beverley: Which genre or genres do you write or prefer to write? And why?

Jana: I primarily write contemporary romance, and mostly small-town romance within that genre. I guess the genre appeals to me because I have small town roots and I feel comfortable there. But I also love other romance genres. My next project is a time travel series that combines my love of World War II stories with mystery and the paranormal.  

Beverley: Who influenced you the most in deciding to become a writer?

Jana: Probably every author I’ve read over the years. Historical authors like Mary Balogh and Jo Beverley, romantic suspense authors like Nora Roberts and Suzanne Brockmann, and small-town authors like Jill Shalvis and Susan Mallery. There are elements of each of these writers (and many more) that I am drawn to and try to emulate. Their writing encourages me to stretch myself, and to be the best writer I can be.

Beverley: What gets your creative juices flowing?

Jana: Being with other writers. Since this past January I’ve been getting together with some writer friends on Zoom to critique each other’s work. It’s been great to reconnect with them and talk writing. I’ve always loved writer retreats where we can physically get together. We write by day and get together for meals and during the evening to talk and laugh and commiserate about the writing life. I love retreats because for the time I’m there, I don’t have to think about anything but writing. I don’t think about the day job, or the laundry or any or the million tasks that wait for me at home. We’re planning our first retreat in two years in October 2021 and I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Covid doesn’t upset our plans. 

Beverley: Do you have a favorite cartoon character? Why?

Jana: Probably Bugs Bunny. Watching The Bugs Bunny Show is one of my favorite childhood memories. I like Bugs because he’s cool and he’s smart. He doesn’t let anyone or anything faze him. Nobody’s going to get the better of Bugs!

Beverley: Who would you love most to meet 'in person' and why?

Jana: I’ve always wanted to meet Nora Roberts in person. I want to know how she manages to be so prolific. If she’s got a secret that makes her write faster and keep coming up with great ideas, I’d love to know about it!

Beverley: If you had an unexpected free day what would you do with it?

Jana: If I had a free day, and for some reason I wasn’t using it to write, I’d likely be reading. Back in June, my husband and I rented a cabin at the lake. I decided to take a break from writing for a few days, and since there was no Internet, I couldn’t spend any time online. So I read and I didn’t feel guilty about not doing something else. It was wonderful.

Beverley: What are you working on now?

Jana: I’m currently working on a new book to give away to readers who sign up for my newsletter. Right now it has the working title “Home to Solace Lake”, and it’s a prequel to my Love at Solace Lake series. When I originally wrote this series in 2018, Jerry and Denise were minor, but important, characters in book 3. Their story always intrigued me and I wanted to know how they got together. So, I decided to give them their own book!

Blurb for Unexpected:

Single dad Ben Greyson wants only to retain custody of his two stepdaughters. A dysfunctional childhood has made family the most important thing in his life. When his late wife's parents sue for custody, a desperate Ben is left with two choices – run away with his girls or marry his next-door neighbor.

Jamie Garven wants to be a mother. She's intrigued by her handsome new neighbor and falls in love with his little girls. Then Ben is faced with losing his children, and Jamie agrees to marry him for a chance at motherhood. They're determined to show the world, and the girls' grandparents, two loving parents.

Their marriage of convenience turns into unexpected love. But Ben interprets Jamie's efforts to save their family as betrayal—they could lose everything, including each other.

Excerpt from Unexpected:

“Is there anything I can say to make you change your mind about running away?”

“Say you’ll marry me.”

The words were out of his mouth before he knew he was going to say them. Jamie stared at him, eyes wide.

“What?”

“Marry me. You’re the only woman I’d trust with my girls.”

It suddenly made sense. If Jamie married him he could keep his kids.

She jumped to her feet, waking one of the dogs who’d been sleeping on the couch next to her. “What kind of marriage do you want, Ben? Are you proposing something for show?”

“No! I don’t know!” He stood and grasped her arms. “If you’re asking me if we’ll sleep together as man and wife, I don’t know.”

Her mouth twisted as if she was holding back tears. “You know I love the girls, but please don’t ask me to pretend. The last few months of my marriage, all I did was pretend. I pretended I had a husband who loved me. I swore I’d never do that again.”

Ben wanted to take her in his arms and hold her. He hated doing this to her, hated making her relive unhappy memories. He was asking too much of her and he didn’t blame her for saying no.

“Please, forget I said anything.”

He’d stick to his original plan. He and the girls would disappear. He’d change their names, go someplace where no one knew them. A life on the run wasn’t what he wanted for his children, but he’d do whatever he needed to do to keep them.

“Ben—”

“I’m sorry, Jamie.”

Ben was out the door before he could hear anymore of her objections.

Buy Links for Unexpected:

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B09CG2MVS7

Barnes and Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-unexpected-l-rosamond-richards/1114738832?ean=2940162376996

iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/unexpected/id1580981690

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57013622-unexpected

BookBub:  https://www.bookbub.com/books/unexpected-masonville-series-book-3-by-jana-richards

Amazon CA: https://www.amazon.ca/dp/B09CG2MVS7

Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Jana_Richards_Unexpected?id=oOBDEAAAQBAJ

Kobo US: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/unexpected-139

Kobo CA: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/unexpected-139

Short Links:

Amazon Us  ~  Amazon CA  ~  B & N  ~  iBooks ~ Google Play ~ Kobo US ~ Kobo CA

Social Media Links:

Website:  http://www.janarichards.com

Blog:  http://janarichards.blogspot.com

Facebook:  http://www.facebook.com/JanaRichardsAuthor

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

Newsletter Signup: http://janarichards.com/contact.html#newsletter

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2892274Jana_Richards

Bookbub: https://www.bookbub.com/authors/jana-richards

Interview with Sara R. Stewart

        Beverley: Which genre or genres do you write or prefer to write? And why?

Sara: I write Steamy Contemporary Romance/Erotic Romance. I read what I write, so I know the beats and the expectations of readers intimately and you write what you know. As a member of the BDSM community I write about couples where BDSM is often a factor in their relationship. Sometimes a big factor and sometimes a small factor.

Beverley: Who influenced you the most in deciding to become a writer?

Sara: I’ve wanted to write romance novels since I was twelve years old and first stayed up all night trying to write a vampire romance novel. Meghan March, Penny Reid and Mariana Zapata are the authors that have influenced me the most. These three authors all write a different type of female main character and are self-published. The characters are smart, they often break out of the constraints traditional publishers put on the female lead in a romance and because each of them is highly successful at selling their books I became aware of an audience for romances novels I wanted to read and write.

Beverley: What gets your creative juices flowing?

Sara: Everything. I could sit down and write anytime. I have yet to experience a lack of ideas (however I’ve only been writing seriously for the last two years). My issue is sticking with the book and series I’m currently working on. I am constantly having new ideas and day dreaming about new stories.

Beverley: Do you have a favorite cartoon character? Why?

Sara: No, not really. But I have a favorite fictional TV character and that is Anyanka or Anya in Buffy the Vampire Slayer (not the movie version). I love the story arch throughout the series and the characters and I identify with a character who speaks their mind and is often socially inappropriate or rude without meaning to be.

Beverley: Who would you love most to meet 'in person' and why?

Sara: Mariana Zapata, Penny Reid or Meghan March. They are my favorite authors and I would love to pick their brains.

Beverley: If you had an unexpected free day what would you do with it?

Sara: Read of Course, or write, or paint, or knit. Basically anything creative that I can do completely alone. 😊

Beverley: What are you working on now?

Sara: I am writing book 4 of my Portland Lovers Series and the working title is Training his Heart. This book is not at all what I expected it would be and it seems to have a life of its own like most of my books. I am a pantser and never know what I’ll end up writing until after I’ve sat down and put words on the page. My characters personalities come to life and they tell me what they will do next, I’m just responsible for getting it down.

     Character Interview

Beverley: What’s your name?

Cordelia: Cordelia Delila McAdams but I go by Delia.

Beverley: Where did you grow up?

Cordelia: Santa Cruz, CA. I live in Portland, OR now.

Beverley: During what time period does your story take place?

Cordelia: Current time period (no pandemic in my stories)

Beverley: What’s your story/back story? Why would someone come up with a story about you?

Cordelia: I grew up with surfer bums for parents in a dilapidated beach shack. My parents were free spirits and spent most of their time trying to figure out where their next beer or pot was coming from. I was left to my own devices and thankfully had a neighbor with a houseful of kids that often fed me and passed to me used clothing. I was often forgotten or neglected and sometimes hungry.

Beverley: What’s your goal in this story?

Cordelia: To move up in my career, get ahead and be independently and financially stable.

Beverley: What conflicts are you facing?

Cordelia: My company was just purchase by a Venture Capital Group and the new Chair of the Board promoted me in a company filled with mostly white-male leaders. I need to prove myself to my peers and employees that I belong in this role. I need to prove to my boss that he made the right decision. Did I mention that my new boss is the most attractive man I’ve ever seen and well there is obvious sexual tension that I have to contend with as well?

Beverley: Do you have a plan for resolving them?

Cordelia: Ignore the sexual tension, focus on work. Like always work is my first priority.

Beverley: Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?

Cordelia: I may have some self confidence issues that I work really hard to disguise and makes me feel like I always have to work more and better than everyone else to prove myself because I’m not sure I’m good enough.

Blurb for Bound by Pride

Business acquisition or BDSM takeover? Working in a male-dominated industry, Delia knows three things; she can sell anything, the only person she can count on is herself, and men are not to be trusted.

John sees, acquires, and transforms companies. His legendary focus and control have made him rich while his ability to recognize and nurture talent routinely guarantees success. Promoting Delia based on merit is the right thing to do, even if he’d prefer her bound and kneeling at his feet.

After finally being recognized for her hard work and effort, Delia wonders if this new boss is different from the men she’s known. Will these two end up in a mutually beneficial merger, or are they looking at a hostile takeover?

Excerpt from Bound by Pride, book 3 in the Portland Lovers Series

     Walking into my office, I’m instantly pissed because some asshat is sitting at my desk using my space as if it were his own. He doesn’t notice me walk in as he has his back to me, and is wearing a headset, talking on the phone. Although I cannot see his face, I cannot help but notice his physique. The man is huge, with thick arms and a broad, muscular back. Noticing that he is on what sounds like a cold call, I decide to stand there and wait for him to finish. I listen in to how he approaches the conversation and the ask for more time to talk about our products. As he says goodbye and signs off the call, I clear my throat to get his attention.

“Oh, hello. You must be Ms. McAdams,” says the behemoth of a man as he strides from behind my desk to greet me. He is easily the most attractive man I have ever seen, and for an instant, it stuns me silent and makes my girly bits take notice. Shaking it off, I respond with a bit of my irritation coming through.

“And who the hell are you? Why are you in my office?” I ask. Might as well establish right up front I’m not taking his crap, and I’m no pushover. I wish he had stayed seated; as I must tip my head back, way back to look him in the eyes, he is so tall.

“I’m John Gulbrandson, your newest Sales Manager. It is nice to meet you, Ms. McAdams,” he says with his hand outstretched to shake mine. I begrudgingly shake his hand and get a jolt of electric attraction shoot up my arm. His smile is too sexy and his eyes are an intense blue that I feel like could get lost in. Not liking my reaction to him at all, I walk around him to put my bag on my desk and sit down in my chair.

“John, as I’ve just returned from a two-week vacation, I have a few things to do to get caught up this morning. Find another place to work until our meeting at nine; we can catch up then.”

“Sounds good boss. I’ll look forward to my meeting with you after you’ve settled in. Have a nice morning, and let me know if you need anything. I’m at your disposal,” says John with a wink as he strides out of my office. Did he just flirt with me?

It is hard not to notice his nicely sculpted ass as he walks from my office, and I shake my head to get it out of the gutter. What an annoying and distracting man. Did he think his smile and wink would appease me after he took over my office? Why the hell did he think it would be okay to set up camp in here while I was out anyway? I’ll bet one of my team put him in here as an attempt at hazing, knowing how annoyed I’d be arriving to find someone making themselves at home in my office.

Buy Links for Bound by Pride

https://linktr.ee/Sara_R_Stewart

Social Media Links

https://linktr.ee/Sara_R_Stewart

Jan Selbourne and Eileen Troemel and Their New Release

Jan Selbourne was born and educated in Melbourne, Australia and her love of literature and history began as soon as she learned to read. After graduating from a business college here career began in the dusty world of ledgers and accounting, working in Victoria, Queensland and the United Kingdom. On the point of retiring, she changed course to work as secretary of a large NSW historical society. Now retired Jan writes historical fiction. She has two adult children, a lovable dog and lives near Maitland, New South Wales

USA Today Bestseller Author Eileen Troemel writes action packed and emotionally powerful fantasy, scifi, romance. She’s versatile and writes in many genres.  She’ll try almost any genre if it means she can tell a good story.  In addition to her writing, she loves to read, crochet, and research genealogy. Her best days are spent with her family of three adult daughters and her husband or writing.  

Character Interview

Beverley: What’s your name?

Susan: Susan Cooper

Beverley: Where did you grow up?

Susan: Wisconsin, USA.

Beverley: During what time period does your story take place?

Susan: In the year 2030

Beverley: What’s your story/back story? Why would someone come up with a story about you? 

Susan: My life, as I knew it, came to an abrupt halt when I became aware of a huge conspiracy hidden behind the walls of a renowned philanthropic organization. To start at the beginning, my brother Micky, a well-known archeologist, was the achiever in our family. That was my excuse for drinking too much and drifting from job to job - until he was convicted of embezzlement and sent to the world’s toughest prison, on the moon. Micky can be a mind-numbing nerd but he’s no thief and I wanted answers. That’s when I met Greg Tanner searching for his brilliant linguist cousin Samantha, accused of treason and sent to the same prison. At first, I wasn’t sure if he was genuine, but it soon became obvious someone wanted both of us silenced. We had no choice but trust each other and take the shuttle to the moon. The dark side of the moon.

Beverley: What’s your goal in this story?

Susan: Greg and I knew Micky and Samantha were set up and the answers were inside the impenetrable moon prison. Like most people, we were in awe of the first moon landing in 1969. We had no idea the moon’s inhabitants were a lot smarter than us.

Beverley: Do you have a plan for resolving them?

Susan: Greg and I didn’t have time for a plan. It was a case of heading into the unknown. Were Micky and Samantha alive? If they were how would we get back to earth and seeing planet Earth from the moon brought home how much danger we were in. I won’t tell you more because I want you to find out for yourselves.

Beverley: Is there anything else you’d like us to know about you?

Susan: It took a trip to the moon and enormous danger to make me grow up.

Blurb for The Moon Crossing

USA Today Bestselling Author Eileen Troemel and Coffee Pot Book Club Historical Fiction Silver Medal author Jan Selbourne present an alternate history, sweet romance of life after the Moon Landing in 1969. 

In 2030, World Correction Center - the Earth's most secure prison - is a miserable place to land. Since it's on the moon, it's inescapable. It contains the worst criminals Earth has ever seen. So why are the brilliant minds across the globe being sent to this black hole of the justice system. When renowned archaeologist Micky Cooper is charged with embezzling, his sister Susan knows it's a set up.  It's up to her to prove his innocence. Susan thinks she might be paranoid but she swears she's being followed and should she trust the nice man whose cousin has disappeared as well? Was it a chance meeting or is he against her too? Teaming up with Greg Tanner, a man equally resolved to prove the innocence of his cousin, Samantha Tanner - a word leading linguist - Susan and Greg seek clues wherever they can find them, but they're barely keeping one step ahead of those who want them to stop.  They begin to unravel the web of lies, fraud and cover up. Just when they start to put pieces together, Susan and Greg are forced to run for their lives.  With a nudge from Samantha they find someone to help. Is this woman an ally? Or simply part of a greater conspiracy to hide the truth? What exactly is on the moon and why are the Earth's greatest minds being sent there to serve time?

Excerpt from The Moon Crossing

“The prison and the workers’ facilities and the resort have brilliant high tech security, yet you’re telling us we can walk out onto the moon surface and enter another unused tunnel?” Greg said incredulously. “Why doesn’t this right hand tunnel link up with the old emergency tunnel?”

“If I knew, I wouldn’t be standing here trying to explain,” James said brusquely. Then he took a deep breath. “I don’t know. It’s twenty percent information and eighty percent assumption and hope to hell I’m right. Maybe the damned tunnel caved in or was the unmarked tunnel a deliberate ruse in case prisoners did escape. Shut the door behind them because there’s nowhere for them to go.”

Susan put her hand on James’s arm. “I know the two of you are connected but you better loop us in so Greg and I can follow directions too.” Her heart thudded in her chest. She lied and cheated to get to the moon. The Commander, whom Samantha mistrusted and feared, searched for them. She held the hand of a man she barely knew and they followed two aliens in human form to a high security prison.

Tell this one to your friends, Susan, and when they stop laughing, they’ll demand to know what you’ve been drinking. More likely a ghastly nightmare, then she stumbled on the uneven surface. No, it’s real. Micky, please be there, her throat tightened, please be alive. 

Buy links for The Moon Crossing

https://books.bookfunnel.com/comingsoon-sep/7zyf50v78e

Amazon.com: The Moon Crossing eBook : Troemel, Eileen, Selbourne, Jan: Kindle Store

Social media links: Jan Selbourne

Website: https://nomadauthors.com/JanSelbourne/index.html

Blog: http://nomadauthors.com/blog

Twitter: http://twitter.com/JanSelbourne

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/jan.selbourne

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/14661584.Jan_Selbourne?from_search=true

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.com/Jan-Selbourne/e/B0184OSZ6E/ref=ntt_dp_epwbk_0

Newsletter: https://landing.mailerlite.com/webforms/landing/h8t2y6

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jan-selbourne-2817b6140/

Social media links: Eileen Troemel

Website: https://eileentroemel.com/ 

Twitter https://twitter.com/EileenTroemel

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/EileenTroemelAuthor/ 

Instagram https://www.instagram.com/eileentroemel/

LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/eileen-troemel-6667825b/

MeWe https://mewe.com/i/eileentroemel

Goodreads https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7868345.Eileen_Troemel