I’m a work-from-home mom of one super cute baby girl (pictures to prove it) and I write novels. I married my hero Vince, who is my love and my polar opposite. I write, he tears it up with the red pen. I break cars and other mechanical things, he puts them back together. He’s nailed the “speak the truth” thing, and I bring the “in love” part. But the real spark to our marriage is that he does not like chocolate and I… like it a normal amount. We love and live from our little house in the woods near Lake Michigan, which is undergoing a constant renovation. For more, visit https://jdpstories.com/
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Welcome to the blog, Joanna. I’m so excited to have you here today. Congratulations on your upcoming debut release!
Thank you! I’m honored to be on a blog I’ve enjoyed so much as a reader.
🙂 If readers could only take away one lesson from this story, what do you hope it would be?
I want to reassure readers of one truth—if you don’t always feel like you fit in well, that’s ok. In fact, that’s GREAT. Because the truth is, we live in a very broken world. If we fit into that sort of place well, then we are the wrong size. People tend to hide this struggle, feeling out of place in their world, but it’s so common. And it’s SO OKAY. Creatives like my heroine often stifle their gifts and uniqueness to conform to what they see around them, but God can do a lot with a person who knows his or her identity and uses it well, rather than looking like everyone else.
Beautifully said. I am so excited to read this book!!
Tell us a little about one of the characters you’re most excited for readers to meet.
The one who stands out to me in Lady Jayne Disappears is the family matriarch, the heroine’s aged aunt. She’s prickly and bitter, a wrinkled old lemon dressed in gorgeous black lace and red taffeta. However, she embodies a truth that is dear to my heart—there is so much more to a person than what we first see on the surface, and there is often great value that’s buried under a mountain of surface-level flaws or misconceptions.
Without giving too much away, can you share a favorite scene or quote from your book?
Certainly! Here’s a snapshot from the heroine’s first formal dinner in the new home she does not fit well:
“A young lady who is not dying for dresses?” Garamond spoke up, mouth dotted with garnish. “Is she broken?”
“Really, if you only give me access to a library, I shall be more than happy to amuse myself. Reading makes me forget that I’m wearing anything at all.”
A fork clattered and someone choked on a bite and Aunt Eudora leaned back and rolled her eyes. The other diners fell silent.
My already-warm face heated even more. What, were ladies not even to like books?
LOVE it!! 🙂
What book(s) are you in the middle of reading right now?
I’m reading a public domain book published in 1881 about raising vineyards (hello, research!) and a guidebook on a castle that has utterly fascinated me. Currently on my nightstand, though, would be the very beautifully written Mistress of Tall Acre by Laura Frantz and Honor Redeemed by Christine Johnson.
Sounds like a great combination to me! 😉
You had your second baby just a few weeks before I had mine. 🙂 He’s so cute! What’s a few of your favorite childhood books you enjoy reading to him?
Thank you! I’m pretty smitten with him myself. Hm, books… I’m such a sucker for Dr. Seuss books. I can read those all day! I’ve also discovered a new author called Mo Willems. Simple stories that manage to surprise me and make me laugh.
Oh, I love Dr. Seuss books. I haven’t heard of Mo Willems, though. I’ll have to look him up now. 😉
Is there anything else you’d like to add? Any upcoming projects you can share with us?
Of course! I’m very excited about my next book which is set in an English vineyard and the castle that goes along with it. The storyline is based on that of a longtime family friend whose family story of a buried fortune that was never found absolutely captivated me… and the romance thread is based on my own romance with my husband, who is the last person I ever thought I’d marry when I met him. It’s set to release in summer 2018!
That sounds amazing! 🙂 Can’t wait!! Thank you so much for joining us today, Joanna. I look forward to following your publication journey from here. Have a blessed day!
GIVEAWAY!!
Joanna has graciously offered to give away a copy of Lady Jane Disappears. Enter below and it could be YOU!
Thanks for entering! Contest is open only in the U.S. and ends September 15, 2017. The winner will be notified by email. Happy Reading, everybody! 😉
I’m reading Call the Midwife, which is a bookclub pick, but I like it so far. And I loved the TV series, which is a bonus!
Hi Julie! I didn’t realize the TV show was based off a book. I’ve not seen the show or read the book yet, but I’ll have to check it out now. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by!
I’m looking forward to reading your book. And Mo Willems is one of my grandkids’ favorite authors.
We’re glad you could join us, Jeanne. Good luck in the giveaway!
Have they read Watch Me Throw the Ball yet? We LOVE that book. And There’s a Bird on My Head. But they’re all great!
I’m just about to finish A Moonbow Night (Laura Frantz). This book sounds intriguing! Thanks!
Hi Cynthia! Wasn’t that a wonderful book? Love Laura and her stories. 🙂
Love Laura Frantz books! It feels like reading descriptive poetry 🙂
“What are YOU reading right now?”
I just finished reading Kim Vogel Sawyer’s “Bringing Maggie Home” this morning. The next book I will be starting is Mark Batterson’s “Whisper: How to Hear the Voice of God.” Then, I will be visiting the Appalachian Mountains with the Frontier Nursing Service in a Historical, “These Healing Hills” by Ann H. Gabhart. EnJ*O*Y! Kathleen ~ Lane Hill House
P.S. Loved the spunkiness of this fun interview ~ hope I win a print copy of this debut novel!!
Hi Kathleen! It’s so nice to have you visit. 🙂 Sounds like you’ve got a great reading list going. How fun! Hope you get to read Joanna’s book soon!
I am reading The Secret of Pembrooke Park by Julie Klassen….sooooo good! Lots of twists and mystery. Every time I think I have the mystery figured out, another twist is thrown in 🙂
Thanks for the GREAT interview, Joanna and Savanna! It’s always fun getting to know a new author. Lady Jane Disappears sounds like my kind of story. I love historical fiction! Thanks for the opportunity of this giveaway!!
Hi Alison! So glad you could stop by. I loved The Secret of Pembrooke Park. So intriguing! 🙂 Good luck in the giveaway!
oh my goodness, this sounds like such a fun book.
right now I am reading “Yearning of the Reluctant Bride” by Faye Sonja
I haven’t heard of Faye Sonja’s book before. Thanks for sharing, Lori, and happy reading! 😉
I’m reading Crown of Souls by Ronie Kendig. It’s soooo good but also very intense. I might need to find a fluffy story to read afterward. I’m looking forward to reading Lady Jayne Disappears soon!
Thanks for the fun interview, Savanna and Joanna.
Hi Winnie! I’m so glad you could join us. I’ve not read any of Ronie’s books, but I’ve heard a lot about them. Good luck in the drawing!
Ooh yes, intense. I usually follow up those books with Karen Witemeyer or Mary Connealy. 🙂
I am re-reading Jane Austen’s Pride and Prejudice. Such a fantastic book. Sigh. Another very interesting book I have started is The Writing Desk by Rachel Hauck.
Awww, Pride and Prejudice. Love that you’re re-reading it, Sylvia. I have a long list of favorites I hope to re-read soon myself. 🙂 I can’t wait to read The Writing Desk too. Sounds amazing!
Currently reading Lady of Breken Manor by Heather B Moore. Just finished Beneath Copper Falls by Colleen Coble and On Love’s Gentle Shore by Liz Johnson.
And my children loved Dr. Seuss and Mo Willems. They love Cynthia Rylant, too.
Thanks for sharing some great book suggestions! I’ll have to look up those authors of children’s books too. 🙂
I’m reading Daring to Hope by Katie Davis Majors and All of You by Sarah Monzon. Lady Jayne Disappears sounds like a great book. Thank you for the interview. It’s always nice to find a new-to-me author.
Hi Anne. I’m thrilled to introduce you to Joanna and her new novel. I hope you get to read and enjoy it soon. 🙂
LOVED All of you!! Isn’t Sarah a fantastic author?
Thank you for a great interview. I am reading The Hideaway.
Thanks for visiting, Melanie!
I’m reading Johnnie Alexander’s newest and its great!
I’ve seen her books, but I haven’t gotten to read any of them yet. Hope to change that soon. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by, Kathryn.
Right now I’m reading and gonna review “These Healing Hills” by Ann H. Gabhart. I’m enjoying it, I usually LOVE Appalachian Mountain stories and this one kinda felt like the beginning of Christie! 🙂
Many Blessings, Amada (pronounced: a.m.a.th.a)
P.S. I’ve been DYING to read and review “Lady Jane Disappears” It sounds FANTASTIC! Thank you for the opportunity to win a copy! 🙂
Hi Amada! That book by Ann H. Gabhart sounds so good. LOVE the setting. 🙂 Hope you get a chance to read and review Joanna’s book real soon!
I’m SO excited for These Healing Hills. So very excited! And I loved Christie, so now I’m even more anxious to read that one. It’s my reward after some other things I have to do. 🙂
i am reading book 2 Of “Cousins of the Dove” Series “My Sister’s Prayer”
Marilyn
That’s a new one to me, Marilyn. I’ll have to look it up now. 🙂 Have a great weekend!
I’m actually between books right now. The next book I read will be our selection for this month’s book club, Welcome to Fred by Brad Whittington. I haven’t read anything by this author and don’t know anything about the book. Hopefully I’ll like it. Joanna’s book sounds really good.
Hi Pam! Thanks for joining us for the interview. Hope you enjoy your next book club selection. 🙂 And I hope you get to read Lady Jayne Disappears too. 😉
I’m currently reading The Mountain Between Us by Charles Martin. It’s definitely not my usual reading material, but I saw the trailer for the movie and that looked interesting, so I figured I’d try the book 🙂
Hi Hayden! That looks like such an interesting story. 🙂 Thanks for stopping by.
I just devoured An Inconvenient Beauty by Kristi Ann Hunter–loved it just as much as I expected! Lady Jayne Disappears has been on my wishlist since first glimpsing that gorgeous cover (though the synopsis clinched it!)
I have that one sitting on my nightstand, tempting me away from my work 🙂 And thank you! Revell did beautiful work with that cover.
Hi Rachael! Oh, I love Kristi’s books. Can’t wait to read that one. 🙂
A non-fiction, Walk It out, by Tricia Goyer.
Hi Joan! I so want to read that one. Looks really good!
I’m almost finished with a Novella collection, Winter Brides by Denise Hunter, Deborah Raney and Betsy St. Amant. I love it!!
This book looks so good, thanks for the giveaway!
That novella collection is on my TBR list, Megan. Happy Reading! 🙂
Just finished the wonderful These Healing Hills by Ann Gabhart. Love it! Just into A Secret Courage by Tricia Goyer. WWII ! This novel looks intriguing, would love to win it! Thanks
Sounds like some great books, Paula. 🙂 Thanks for visiting!
Oh-my-goodness Joanna! I love that scene! Haha! I have a feeling Jane and I would get along famously, as I completely agree about reading and libraries. 🙂
It was so nice to meet you at CFRR and I cannot wait to read this book!
So glad you could join us, Sarah! Hope you get to read Joanna’s book soon.