Let’s chat with novelist Janice Hanna Thompson, author of Love Finds You in Groom, Texas (Summerside/Guideposts, June 2011).
Janice Hanna (also published as Janice Thompson) has published more than seventy novels and non-fiction books. She has also published more than fifty magazine articles and several musical comedies for the stage. Janice makes her home in the Houston area near her children and grandchildren.
Please tell us three random things we might not know about you.
My dad was the president of the University of Houston Cougar Cagers Club, so my birthdays, holidays, etc. were spent at basketball games. Our family traveled to Mexico with the U of H Cougars to watch them compete, which was great fun. When I was eleven, I got to play (for fun, of course) with the Harlem Globetrotters, who came to Houston for a visit. To this day, I love a good basketball game.
I once lied to a fellow camper at church camp, telling her that my dad (Billy Hanna) was William Hanna of Hanna/Barbara (Flintstones) fame. That lie still haunts me, though, to his credit, my dad did eventually work as a movie producer on our co-authored movie, Liar’s Moon. (Yes, it’s true. I got to meet and work with Matt Dillon. Eat your heart out, girls!)
I occasionally bake wedding cakes. In 2009 I baked a lovely four-tiered white cake with strawberry filling and cream cheese frosting that toppled less than an hour before the wedding. I managed to piece together two very messy/ugly layers. Thankfully, the bride did not murder me. It made for a great scene in a later book. (Nothing ever gets wasted, not even a mashed piece of cake.)
Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Love Finds You in Groom, Texas.
Always the groomsman, never the groom… It’s 1914, and Jake O’Farrell has gained an unusual reputation among the locals: He’s played the roles of groomsman and best man in all four of his older brothers’ weddings, but he’s never been able to find the woman to capture his heart. And now with the upcoming wedding of his best friend, Jake will become the last single man in the town of Groom.
Anne Denning has made the difficult decision to move with her sisters to Texas, but a train derailment forces them to seek shelter in Groom, near Amarillo. Mrs. O’Farrell, hopeful that Anne will catch her youngest son’s eye, invites the girls to stay at her home until the train is repaired and ready to pull out. Anne has no idea of the blissful chaos that lies ahead!
Tell us something interesting about the town of Groom:
Groom boasts a nineteen-story high cross. More than 100 welders worked together to erect it in 1995. Now you can see why I toyed with the idea of writing a contemporary novel! I wanted to include the cross. Because I went with historical, I decided to give the heroine a small cross necklace to wear, one that symbolizes her faith (and alludes to the “bigger” cross to come).
What is your favorite memory of the Texas panhandle region?
Just one? I love, love, love Palo Duro Canyon, which is not terribly far from Groom. This breathtaking canyon always surprises visitors because you don’t see it coming! Look to your right and see nothing. Then, a few yards up the road, look to your right again and you see a crevice forming. That crevice deepens, then deepens some more until. . .lo and behold! You’re looking at one of God’s most magnificent “sweeps of a fingertip.” Truly glorious. One of my favorite memories was taking my daughters to see the play “Texas” in Palo Duro Canyon when they were little. We camped overnight in the state park, ate BBQ and saw the show. Amazing!
What is it about your lead character that will make your readers care about her?
Readers will care about Anne because she’s been through so much and still chooses to move forward. They will also love her relationship with her younger sisters. She’s the only remaining parental figure and takes that position very seriously.
Tell us a little about your hero? Is he true hero material?
Jake is a hunka-hunka Texas man! He’s a railroad man who loves his job, loves his family and loves the heroine. He’s got a great sense of humor, which is perfect for this story, because the heroine’s little sisters are loaded with antics! Jake has a lot to deal with: he’s the town’s last single man, which has made him the brunt of many a joke. His older brothers (all married with children) taunt and tease. Jake can never catch a break. Unless he’s with Anne, of course. Then he catches far more than a break. . .he catches the woman of his dreams!
What about your sub-characters? Call you tell us about any of them?
I love writing stories with fun sub-characters! Those who read my “Weddings by Bella” series know that I spend a lot of time creating my cast! Love Finds You in Groom, Texas is no different. Some of my favorite sub-characters are Emily and Kate (Anne’s younger sisters). Emily was patterned after Margaret O’Brien’s character in “Meet me in St. Louis.” Lots of fun! Another fun-loving character is Maggie, Jake’s mother. She knows just how to get what she wants! Even sour old Uncle Bertrand turns out to be a fun guy. . .in the end.
Why will readers enjoy your novel?
In spite of the lead character’s tough situation, the story is filled with comedic elements. Anne’s two younger sisters are a hoot. So is Maggie (the hero’s mother). She’s an Irish spitfire! I think readers will appreciate the romance between Anne and Jake. It’s filled with all sorts of sweet and comic moments.
What sorts of transformations take place in this book?
How much time do you have? (Ha!) Seriously, there are so many! The heroine, Anne, has been through tremendous losses and struggles with her faith from the get-go. By the end of the story, she is a woman transformed. Likewise, the hero has been through far too much taunting and teasing. He, too, has faced losses. With Anne’s hand in his, transformation comes. Even precocious Emily, Anne’s younger sister, goes through a bit of a metamorphosis as the story progresses. The biggest change of all, however, is in Uncle Bertrand. I don’t want to give away too much. You’ll have to read the story to see for yourself!
What are you working on now?
I just turned in Love Finds You in Daisy, Oklahoma, a fun historical about a single woman in her late 30’s who moves from the Gulf Coast to the landlocked state of Oklahoma to become the director at an orphanage. It’s a love story, of course! She falls in love with the town sheriff, who has adopted two of the unruliest boys from the orphanage. I’m currently writing Wedding Belles, the first book in the Belles and Whistles series for Summerside/Guideposts.
I notice you write under two names (Janice Hanna and Janice Thompson). Why?
Those who’ve been reading my romances over the past several years know me as Janice A. Thompson. My joy is mixed with a smidgeon of sorrow as I explain the change in my last name for some of my current releases. In 2006 I lost my father to bone marrow cancer. His last name (Hanna) is my maiden name—and it’s a name that means even more to me now that he is gone. In memory of my father, I use the Hanna name in my historicals. My Revell books will still release under Janice Thompson. I hope you my readers will stick with me, no matter which name I use!
Where else can readers find you online?
I love to connect with my readers at the following places:
Love Finds You in Groom, Texas can be purchased at any number of online stores, as well as my website: www.janicehannathompson.com (front page). Readers can always join my VIP bookclub and get the locked in price of $11 (no shipping) by contacting me directly at booksbyjanice@aol.com.
A Texan’s Promise is the first book in the new Heart of a Hero series by Shelley Gray. I have grown accustomed to her novels with Amish settings and was intrigued to find this one to be a historical western. I found A Texan’s Promise to be every bit as well written and attention holding as any of Gray’s other novels.
When ranch foreman Clay finds the daughter of the late ranch owner crying in the barn, he discovers that she has been badly beaten by her new stepfather. Remembering his promise to her father to watch out for her, Clay realizes that he must quickly get her away from the ranch for her protection. He is soon convinced that he must marry Vanessa to guard her reputation also. Although Clay’s feelings for Vanessa soon become love, his sense of honor prevents him from revealing them to her because he doesn’t want to take advantage of their situation. Multiple misunderstandings result in a turbulent relationship between Clay and Vanessa. As they make their way toward the safety of his sister’s home, Vanessa’s step-father and her brother Miles are hot on their trail.
A Texan’s Promise has sufficient action, drama, and romance to keep the pages turning. The character of Clay Proffitt definitely fits the description of “a man of honor”. Vanessa seemed a bit young to me but she did mature as the story progressed. I learned just enough about Vanessa’s brother Miles to hope that he will be featured in the next installment of this series. A story of love, courage, loyalty, and honor, this book has a strong message of faith as Clay, Vanessa, and even Miles learn how to depend on the Lord.
This book was provided for review by NetGalley and Abingdon Press.
Projected publication date is October 2011.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Past promises will be tested as new ones are given…
When Clayton Proffitt, foreman of the Circle Z Ranch in Texas, discovers Vanessa Grant crying in the barn late one night, he first thinks she’s gotten herself into another scrape. But when he spies the marks on her back and hears about her stepfather’s advances, Clayton knows he must spirit Vanessa away to safety.
As they make their way west, it becomes apparent that there’s something special between Vanessa and Clayton— far more significant than mere friendship or his sense of duty. Unfortunately, also heading west are Vanessa’s brother Miles and her stepfather Price Venture. Price wants Vanessa back for obvious reasons; Miles wants to earn his stepfather’s respect. Eventually, unexpected confrontations reach a harrowing conclusion. As their family begins to heal, their journey and trials they’ve faced helps them realize their future is in God’s guiding hands.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Shelley Shepard Gray’s first Amish novel, Hidden, was nominated for the Inspirational Readers Choice award. Her book Simple Gifts won the Reviewers Choice Award. A native of Texas, she earned her bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Colorado, and taught school for ten years. She lives in southern Ohio where she writes full time.
A Vision of Lucy was one of the most entertaining and fun books I have read in awhile. Lucy is an avid photographer determined to get a job doing what she loves most. Spunky and tenacious, Lucy seems to attract trouble wherever she goes and tends to run off at the mouth when she gets frazzled (and that happens frequently). During one such misadventure, Lucy is rescued by the mysterious David Wolf who she soon realizes is the “wild man” rumored to be in the area. From that point on Lucy can’t get the elusive man out of her mind. Subsequent meetings reinforce Lucy’s attraction. And although he is often frustrated by her excessive speech and impulsive actions, David finds he can’t get her out of his mind either.
A Vision of Lucy is filled with unforgettable and captivating characters, many who are lovable and others quite detestable. The story is filled with drama, lots of humor, action, suspense, and of course romance. One scene during which a march of the Rocky Creek Suffra-Quilters were confronted by the men of the Society for the Protection and Preservation of Male Independence had me laughing out loud. Even the names of the organizations were funny. Historical facts about photography, women’s rights, and racial intolerance were deftly woven into the story along with a strong message of faith.
I thoroughly enjoyed A Vision of Lucy and would recommend its inclusion on your summer reading list.
This book was provided for review by BookSneeze.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Trouble may follow Lucy wherever she goes, but with the help of God and the rugged, reclusive David Wolf, she’ll never face adversity alone.
Lucy Fairbanks dreams of working as a photographer at the Rocky Creek newspaper. If she can earn money making photographs, then maybe her father will see that what she does is worthy, more than just a distraction. And her deepest hope is that he’ll see her as an artist, the way he thought of her deceased mother, a painter. But trouble follows Lucy on every photo shoot: a mess of petticoats and ribbons, an accidental shooting, even a fire.
When Lucy meets David Wolf, a quiet, rustic man who lives on the outskirts of town, she thinks she can catch the attention of the town with his photograph. She doesn’t count on her feelings stirring whenever she’s near him.
Two things happen next that forever change the course of her life: Lucy meets someone who sees her as no one else has—as the compassionate, creative young woman that God made in His image. And Lucy helps David uncover a secret that forces him to change his perspective on an event that left him deeply-scarred.
God’s arms are around this unlikely couple as they discover the truth about long-held assumptions and the importance of forgiveness.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Thrills, mystery, suspense, romance: Margaret penned it all. Nothing wrong with this, except Margaret happened to be writing for the church newsletter. After making the church picnic read like a Grisham novel, her former pastor took her aside and said, “Maybe God’s calling you to write fiction.”
It turns out God was and Margaret did. She now has more than 20 novels to her credit. In addition, she’s written many Christian articles and a non-fiction book. Still, it took a lot of prodding from God before Margaret tried her hand at writing inspirational fiction which led to her Rocky Creek series. “I love writing about characters at different stages of faith,” she says of the new direction her writing career has taken, “and I’m here to stay.”
Happily married to her real-life hero, Margaret and her husband live in Southern California.
Shelley Shepard Gray is the beloved author of the Sisters of the Heart series, including Hidden, Wanted, and Forgiven. Before writing, she was a teacher in both Texas and Colorado. She now writes full time and lives in southern Ohio with her husband and two children. When not writing, Shelley volunteers at church, reads, and enjoys walking her miniature dachshund on her town’s scenic bike trail.
When her mother passes away, Ella’s forced to auction off her family’s farm. Her father died years ago, and she could never manage the fifty acres on her own. But after she moves to town, she can’t deny the pain she feels watching the new owner, Loyal Weaver, repairing her family’s old farmhouse—everything Ella had once dreamed of doing.
What Ella doesn’t know is that Loyal secretly hopes she will occupy this house again…as his wife. He begins inviting her over, to ask her opinion on changes he wants to make. As their friendship blooms, Ella starts to wonder about Loyal’s intentions, especially when her best friend, Dorothy, hints that Loyal is not who he seems. There’s no way the golden boy of their close-knit Amish community could be interested in Ella, long the wallflower, hidden away caring for her ailing parents.
Should she trust the man she’s always yearned for, or the friend who’s always been by her side? When one of them threatens to disrupt the independence she’s finally achieved, Ella is faced with a choice. She can protect her heart and keep things the way they’ve always been. Or she can come out of her shell, risk everything for the love she’s always wanted, and finally have a place to call home.
The Protector is the second book in Shelley Shepard Gray’s Families of Honor series. Revisiting the town of Jacob’s Crossing, The Protector features Ella Hostetler and Loyal Weaver and continues several subplots that began in The Caregiver, the first book of the series.
“Plain Ella” has spent most of her life on the fringes due to her shyness, lack of confidence, and later the isolation of caring for her ailing mother. After her mother’s death, the property was sold to Loyal, one of the most popular young men in the area. When Loyal begins to seek out Ella’s companionship, she doubts his motives and even he is surprised by his own actions. As their friendship grows, Ella’s friend and landlord Dorothy becomes increasingly agitated and Ella’s newly gained peace turns to fear.
The Protector is another fine example of Gray’s writing gift. Her characters are real with believable emotions and reactions. The story is laced with just the right amount of drama, action, humor, romance, and faith and a pinch of suspense thrown in for good measure. Stories like this are one reason I will continue to read Gray’s novels even when I become weary of much Amish fiction.
The second book in Deborah Raney’s Hanover Falls series, Forever After focuses on two more characters affected by the devastating fire that destroyed the town’s homeless shelter and resulted in the deaths of several firefighters. Widow of firefighter Zach Morgan, Jenna has come to the realization that she can no longer pay for the lifestyle expected by her wealthy in-laws. She knows she has to make some serious adjustments but is fearful of returning to the poverty of her childhood. Lucas Vermontez is still recovering from injuries he received and is anxious to return to his duties at the fire department. Only his strong faith has kept him from despair during his long recovery period and his grief over his father’s death in the same fire. When Lucas and Jenna become reacquainted, their mutual attraction is evident but each of them has doubts about the wisdom of a relationship.
A convincing plot and well developed characters with authentic interactions made this novel a delight to read. Lucas in particular was a strong character who was not afraid to challenge Jenna when her behavior was questionable. His devotion to his family and to the Lord set a positive example that eventually helped Jenna to make the correct decisions. With a combination of drama, humor, and romance blended with a compelling message of faith, Forever After is definitely a book I would recommend to all who enjoy contemporary romance that surpasses the norm.
This book was provided for review by
LeAnn Hamby with Glass Road Public Relations.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
Jenna Morgan mourned the loss of her husband, Zach, in the fire that destroyed the Hanover Falls homeless shelter and claimed the lives of three other firefighters. A year later, her ability to keep up the charade of prosperity she and Zach lived is at an end. Even with financial help from Zach’s parents, she can’t make the mortgage and credit card payments. But Jenna Morgan refuses to go back to the trailer home life from which she escaped. She’s come so far. She just can’t go back to that.
Lucas Vermontez has endured physical therapy for a year, but the legs crushed while he fought the homeless shelter fire are nowhere near 100% yet. Will his dream of returning to the fire station ever become reality? And can he conquer these feelings he has for his best buddy’s widow?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Deborah Raney is the award-winning author of several novels, including A Nest of Sparrows and the RITA award winning Beneath a Southern Sky and its sequel, After the Rains. Deborah’s first novel,
A Vow to Cherish, was the inspiration for World Wide Pictures’ highly acclaimed film of the same title, which in December 2004 aired on prime time network TV for the second time.
Deb’s novella, Playing by Heart, was a National Readers Choice Award winner and a 2004 Christy Award finalist. Her most recent novel for Howard/Simon & Schuster, Yesterday’s Embers, appeared on the ECPA Christian fiction bestseller list.
Deb has also written nonfiction books and articles and often speaks at women’s retreats and writers’ conferences around the country. She and her husband, illustrator/ author Ken Raney, have four children and make their home in Kansas.
Too Rich For A Bride is the second book in Mona Hodgson’s series The Sinclair Sisters of Cripple Creek and features the oldest Sinclair sister, Ida who is more interested in pursuing a career than a husband. Interestingly enough, although she immediately obtains a good job working for Mollie O’Bryan, she finds herself pursued by not one but two eligible men. Colin Wagner, the dapper lawyer appears to be the most suitable beau but Ida finds herself more attracted to the entirely unsuitable itinerant preacher/iceman Tucker Raines.
The basic concept for Too Rich For A Bride is a good one but I would like to have seen a bit more plot and character development as well as more details about the progress of Ida’s romance. Then too, more build-up to the suspenseful confrontation would have been nice. For me it was somewhat unexpected and over and done with much too quickly.
Other than that, I found Too Rich For A Bride to be a light, entertaining read that is perfect for a lazy summer day.
This book was provided for review by Blogging For Books.
ABOUT THE BOOK:
As the business-savvy Sinclair sister, Ida has never wanted to settle down.
Instead of love, she craves success.
But while searching for one, she just might find the other.
Ida Sinclair has joined her sisters, Kat and Nell, in the untamed mining town of Cripple Creek, Colorado for one reason: to work for the infamous but undeniably successful businesswoman, Mollie O’Bryan. Ida’s sisters may be interested in making a match for their determined older sister, but Ida only wants to build her career.
Under Mollie’s tutelage, Ida learns how to play the stock market and revels in her promising accomplishments. Fighting for respect in a man’s world, her ambition leaves little room for distractions. She ignores her family’s reservations about Mollie O’Bryan’s business practices, but no matter how she tries, she can’t ignore the two men pursuing her affections—Colin Wagner, the dashing lawyer, and Tucker Raines, the traveling preacher.
Ida wants a career more than anything else, so she shrugs off the suitors and pointed “suggestions” that young ladies don’t belong in business. Will it take unexpected love—or unexpected danger—for Ida to realize where her priorities truly lie?
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
In 1987, Mona Hodgson began writing articles, poems, and short stories for publication and has had several hundred printed in more than 50 different publications. Her publishing credits now include two historical novels, nearly 30 children’s books, and contributions to 11 books for adults.
Mona is a speaker for women’s retreats, schools, conferences for educators and librarians, and at writers’ conferences throughout the United States and Canada. She holds professional memberships in the American Christian Fiction Writers, Romance Writers of America, Women Writing the West, Christian Authors Network, Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, Advanced Writers and Speakers Association, the Society of Southwestern Authors, and Arizona Reading Association.
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Janice Hanna (also published as Janice Thompson) has published more than seventy novels and non-fiction books. She has also published more than fifty magazine articles and several musical comedies for the stage. Janice makes her home in the Houston area near her children and grandchildren.
Always the groomsman, never the groom… It’s 1914, and Jake O’Farrell has gained an unusual reputation among the locals: He’s played the roles of groomsman and best man in all four of his older brothers’ weddings, but he’s never been able to find the woman to capture his heart. And now with the upcoming wedding of his best friend, Jake will become the last single man in the town of Groom.
