Welcome back to the blog, Joanna. I’m so excited to have you here today. Congratulations on TODAY’S release, Finding Lady Enderly. I am sooooo excited to read this!
Thank you, Savanna! I’m so honored to be back.
What will you remember most about writing this book?
Ooh what a unique question! I’ll remember the thrill of coming up with twist after twist, fitting it all together, and changing it into something entirely different. Wow, that was fun! I’ll also remember searching for the perfect quotes from classic literature that was used in the romance thread of this book. Those made this my favorite romance thread yet to write!
Your cover is absolutely gorgeous! Can you name a few book covers that have caught your eye recently?
Thank you! All credit goes to Revell and the lovely cover model from Australia. You know, book covers are becoming fabulous lately—gorgeous and vivid. I’ve been drooling over Jody Hedlund’s “The Lost Princesses” covers and Jaime Jo Wright’s always capture the shadowy side of my imagination!
What is your most difficult writing obstacle?
Honestly, trying to do it myself. If a book comes easily to me, and the story is exciting, it ends up being sort of shallow because it’s limited by my own skill. It’s the hard books that—while they offer their own obvious obstacles—truly rise to greater heights. When my abilities end, that’s where I fall before God more often and He takes over—and that shows up on the page. I really can’t decide which is worse some days, a book that continually sticks and frustrates, or one that flows so easily that I don’t feel the urgency of falling before God.
Oh, that’s a great point. I love that perspective (and need to remember that for my own writing!)
Have you enjoyed any non-fiction books recently? I’d love to hear it. We can never have too many book recommendations. 🙂
I’ve read a lot of research books, and lately they’ve all been by Igor Guest (a remarkably intelligent ballet historian—guess what the next book’s about!) I also loved “It’s a love story” by Lincee Ray and I’m currently reading “Awakening Pure Worship” by Sonicflood’s Jeff Deyo—it’s spot-on! I’ll tell you though, what I really want to read is “Glorious Weakness” by Alia Joy!
A lot of those are new to me. I’m excited to check them out. Thanks for the suggestions!
What’s one of your favorite things about being an author?
Writing has sort of followed me along the path of my entire life, going up when I go up and down when I do. It has reflected the questions, grief, and excitement of that moment in my life, and more than anything it’s really taught me how to connect with God. We can do that in a lot of ways, but there’s something incredible about finding the way God’s uniquely wired you to connect with Him, and getting to do it every day. Aside from that, connecting with total strangers over God and fiction has been incredible!
I love that! Thank you so much for joining us today, Joanna. It’s always a joy to have you here. Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?
Of course! My next project is about a love letter discovered years after it was written, and it’s found by a woman who is especially fascinated by love stories—as long as they aren’t hers. It’s been a blast to write and the ending surprised me!
Ahhh, I’m so excited. LOVE your books! Have a great week celebrating your new release!
GIVEAWAY!!
Joanna has graciously offered to give away a copy of her new book, Finding Lady Enderly, to one lucky winner. Enter below and it could be YOU! 😉
Thanks for entering! Contest ends August 27, 2019. (US residents only, please.) The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody!
The Number of Love by Roseanna M. White had some twists I didn’t see coming!
Ohhh, I’ve wanted to read that one. Thanks for reminding me to check it out, Erin! 🙂
Too many to choose from. Though one I recently finished that had some twists in it was “Secrets Never Die” by Laurie Lewis.
That’s a new one to me, Emily. Thanks for sharing!
How the Light Gets In by Jolina Petersheim had a twist I didn’t see coming.
That’s on my TBR list for sure! So glad you could join us, Amy!
This book came in my mailbox yesterday! Reading it next! I love Joanna’s books!
Thanks for the great questions Savanna. Really great interview!
How the Light Gets In by Jolina Petersheim has the most surprising twist in it!
Looking forward to reading this story!
Okay, now I’m even more intrigued. I need to read that one soon. I remember the cover being lovely! 🙂
So glad you enjoyed our chat, Paula. We so appreciate you visiting! Joanna’s books are all on my keeper shelf for sure! 🙂
The plot twist that took me by surprise was How the Light Gets In by Jolina Petersheim. I wanted to throw the book across the room! Plus it was the first time I’d read one of her books. Thank you for a great interview!
Seeing so many of you mention this one, I MUST check it out. Hope it ends well? 🙂 Thanks for joining us, Perrianne!
Fire Storm by Nancy Mehl had plot twists I wasn’t expecting. Her books are awesome!
Very cool! Thanks for sharing, Elizabeth. I need to check out Nancy’s books soon!
Castle on the Rise by Kristy Cambron surprised me. Thank you for the chance.
I loved that book! Can’t wait for her next one coming out soon. 🙂 Thanks for visiting, Lucy!
Hi Savanna! Great interview. Loved Joanna’s answers! Hidden Among the Stars by Melanie Dobson had some enjoyable intrigue to it.
So glad you could join us, friend! Ahhh, I sooo want to read Melanie’s book. Thanks for reminding me. 🙂
Fun post! The book that immediately comes to mind is Love’s Pursuit, by Siri Mitchell. I did NOT see the plot twist coming.
Hi Gabrielle! Thanks for visiting! I’ve heard such good things about that book. I need to read it soon! 🙂
How The LIght Gets In was not how I thought it was going to be but it was an EXCELLENT read!
I’m really curious now! 🙂 Gonna have to get my hands on a copy of that one soon. Thanks for sharing, Connie!
Your book sounds so good! I’ve had many books that have had twits and turns. One I just red was A Fire Sparkling. It was good and had many surprises.
Hope you get a chance to read Joanna’s book soon, Faith. You’ll love every one of them! 🙂
Lovely interview! I have this book on my Kindle, and I can’t wait to read it. Congratulations on the new book Joanna!
Can’t wait to hear what you think of it, friend! Love her stories!
Memories of Glass by Melanie Dobson had some surprising twists. Fun interview. Thanks for doing a giveaway.
I’ve heard wonderful things about her books. I need to check them out. Thanks for sharing, Karen! Good luck in the drawing.
Wives and Daughters was a surprise ending.
Joan
Hopefully still a happy one? So glad you could stop by, Joan!
The False Prince by Jennifer Nielsen!
I haven’t heard of that one before. I’ll have to look it up now. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Diane!
Nicholas Sparks’ The Choice
Ah, his books always get me. Usually I’m always in tears at some point. I haven’t read that one, though. Thanks for sharing, Joan!
Jolina Petersheim’s How the Light Gets In surprised me towards the end. I hadn’t seen any indications that was coming.
Wow, I need to read this book! So many of you mentioned it. 🙂 Thanks for joining us, Pam!
I enjoyed the interview! I usually read “predictable” books (and I like them that way!) so I can’t think of a book with a plot twist…
I totally understand that, Ellie. Sometimes it’s nice to know what’s going to happen and enjoy the journey anyway. 🙂 Good luck in the giveaway!
Hidden Among the Stars by Melanie Dobson had a lot of fascinating twists. Thanks for the chance to win a copy of Finding Lady Enderly !
I can’t wait to read that one, Alison. Good luck in the drawing!
Wonderful interview! Jaime Jo Wright has some surprising plot twists in her books.
Thanks for joining us, Caryl. I’ve heard that about Jaime Jo Wright’s books. I need to read them soon!
How The Light Gets In by Jolina Petersheim
I’ve heard great things about that book. The cover alone makes me want to read it. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Brenda!