Jana Richards has tried her hand at many writing projects over the years, from magazine articles and short stories to paranormal suspense and romantic comedy. She loves to create characters with a sense of humor, but also a serious side. She believes there's nothing more interesting then peeling back the layers of a character to see what makes them tick.
When not writing up a storm, working at her day job as an Office Administrator, or dealing with ever present mountains of laundry, Jana can be found on the local golf course pursuing her newest hobby.
Jana lives in Western Canada with her husband Warren, along with two university aged daughters and a highly spoiled Pug/Terrier cross named Lou.
FLAWLESS by Jana Richards - Jewels of the Night Series
Jana Richards takes you to World War Two France, and a time of danger, betrayal and love.
France, 1942. The world is at war. The Nazis have stolen the infamous blue diamond, Le Coeur Bleu, intending to barter it for weapons that will destroy the Allies. Jewel thief Hunter Smith is given a choice: help the French Resistance steal back the diamond and avenge the death of his best friend, or stay locked up in an English prison. He chooses revenge.
Resistance fighter Madeleine Bertrand's husband died when he was betrayed by Hunter Smith. How can she now pretend to be married to the arrogant American? How can she betray Jean Philippe's memory by her passionate response to Hunter's kisses?
Neither is prepared for the maelstrom of attraction that erupts between them. To survive they must uncover the mysteries of the past and conquer the dangers of the present. But first Madeleine must decide whether her loyalties lie with her dead husband and the Resistance or with the greatest love of her life.
Morning Jana and congrats on your brand new release FLAWLESS - the book sounds great and I loved the excerpt!
ReplyDeleteYou're a new author for me, tell me a bit more about you and your new book.
Have fun today at your special launch party and I wish you much success with the new book!
Good morning!
ReplyDeleteThank you for having me here today. I'm excited to launch "Flawless" out into the world.
This is my second novella with The Wild Rose Press. My first, called "Burning Love", is a contemporary romantic comedy with a touch of the paranormal. In addition I've written four other full-length novels. You can check out my books at my website at www.janarichards.net
I love to write (and read) contemporary romance, romantic comedy, and romantic suspense. "Flawless" is my first foray into historical romantic fiction, and I'm very excited about that. World War Two is an era filled with amazing stories of heartbreak and danger. I'd love to explore more stories from this era.
I also enjoy writing a story delving into the world of the paranormal, at least a bit. My romantic suspense "Seeing Things" is about a reluctant psychic who "sees" the abduction of a child. It was great fun to give my psychic Leah interesting abilities and powers. Anything is possible in the paranormal world!
As a prize today, I'm giving away a download copy of "Flawless". All you have to do is to ask me a question, about me, or any of my characters or books. I'll choose one lucky winner from all the questions asked.
Thanks!
Jana
Flawless sounds amazing! Did you have any input on the cover?
ReplyDeletegreenduckie13 at gmail dot com
Hello, Jana. I love the cover and found the excerpt interesting. Where and how did the idea germinate for the book Flawless?
ReplyDeleteCongrats on your release from another Rose. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that you'll have great sales. I, too, enjoy writing humor into my stories, but find myself holding back. I tend to go over the top and, unfortunately, not everyone understands my humor. Tell me, how did you do the majority of your research? Online or the old way: reading books.
ReplyDeleteHey greenduckie13! As far as the cover goes, most of the credit goes to my publishers and to the artist, Nicola Martinez. We have the option of requesting an artist we like and that's what I did. I also sent her some pictures of the time period that I found on-line; people dressed in the clothing of the '40's, pictures of actual Resistance members, as well as shots of an actual French Chateau that felt like the one I wanted to portray.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by. Your name goes in the draw! Don't forget to leave your email addresses everyone!
Jana
Hi Zequeatta,
ReplyDeleteThe Wild Rose Press called for submissions for their "Jewels of the Night" series. The only rules were that it had to be a romantic suspense under 60,000 words and had to revolve around a blue diamond. I mulled this scenario over for two or three months, but nothing came to me. Over the Christmas holidays in 2009, my husband and I were watching a show on TV about World War Two and it suddenly hit me; why not set the story during the war? Like I said, that time period fascinates me. I threw around a few ideas with my husband and the germ of the idea started taking shape.
Jana
Hi Vonnie! Great to have another Rose here. Thanks for coming.
ReplyDeleteI did much of my research on-line; I researched the French Resistance, details about WW2, the plane used in these spy missions, even the history of flashlights (did they have them in the 40's?), and how to pick the lock of a safe (you'll have to read the book to see where that comes in!)
But I also read books, which I love very much. I read a biography of a Frenchmen from the unoccupied South of France who smuggled refugees into the South to escape the Nazis. He also gathered information on the Nazis' movements and forwarded it to the British. It was a fascinating read.
I also got some advice, as well as help with my French, from someone I know who lived in France at that time. It was invaluable help.
As far as humor goes, it's so subjective. What I think is funny may not tickle your funny-bone and vice-versa. I try to stay away from slap-stick style physical humor because it's so hard to portray in a book. That kind of humor works better on film. I try to stick to witty dialogue and inner monologue (at least I hope it's witty) and comic situations.
Jana
Hi Jana!
ReplyDeleteWow, do I ever have some catching up to do ... so glad to start with you. It's exciting to get on board with your launch.
My question for you was going to be about research, but you have already answered that! I am already aware of your fascination with the WWII period, but I don't think I know how that developed in the first place. So I will make that my question, because I would love to win a download copy. Was it books and movies that sparked your interest, or is there a more personal or family connection to the period?
hekhmk(at)sasktel(dot)net
Hi Hazel. Great to see you here!
ReplyDeleteYes, my interest has a more personal origin. My dad was in the Second World War and participated in the Normandy Invasion. He was captured by the Germans a couple of days after D-Day and remained a POW till the end of the war. It was only near the end of his life that he talked about it much, and I always regret not asking him more questions. I guess this is my way of learning a little about what he went through.
Jana
Hi, Jana.
ReplyDeleteFlawless sounds good; I look forward in reading it.
Do you work with on particular artist to create your book covers?
Thanks,
Tracey D
booklover0226 at gmail dot com
You are a new to me author. Your book sounds like a great read. Are you working on a new book now?
ReplyDeleteForgot my email
ReplyDeletekissinoak at frontier dot com
Hi Jana and congratulations on your book, "Flawless". The excerpt was great and I can't wait to read it. Blessings on your writing andf in the New Year!
ReplyDeleteRegina
andrews_regina@yahoo.com
Hi Booklover! Mostly the artist, in this case Nicola Martinez, takes care of the cover art. I supply her with written information about the book, basic stuff about the time period, and descriptions of the hero/heroine. I also supplied her with some photos from the time period and she took it from there.
ReplyDeleteThanks for stopping by!
Jana
Hi Estella,
ReplyDeleteThank you for commenting! I hope you'll go to my website at www.janarichards.net and check out my other books too.
I'm always working on something else, sometimes more then one something else! Right now I'm working on revisions to a story I call "The Girl Most Likely" that I'm hoping will be included in The Wild Rose Press's 'Class of '85' series. This series is all about graduates of Summerville High going back for their 25th class reunion and the adventures they have along the way.
Good luck with the contest!
Jana
Regina, thank you so much for the good wishes. I'm glad you were able to stop by.
ReplyDeleteAll the best,
Jana
Hi Jana,
ReplyDeleteCongratulations on the release of Flawless. Sounds like a great read.
I feel the Word War 2 era, isn't used as a background as much as it should be. My Dad fought in the World War 2 also, but in the Pacific campaign.
Regards
Margaret
mjljtanner@hotmail.com
Congratulations on your new release! Is there any chance Hunter's best friend and Madeleine's husband are one and the same? Or are connected somehow?
ReplyDeleteHi Margaret,
ReplyDeleteThank you for stopping by. I think writers, at least writers of ebooks, are starting to use WWII as a setting more often. It's a very rich time period for an author.
Being Australian it makes sense that your Dad should have participated in the Pacific theatre. My Dad, being Canadian, landed at Juno beach on Normandy, after spending at least two years in training. And then his fighting war lasted all of 2 days.
Jana
Hi Liana,
ReplyDeleteOh, you're a clever girl! Yes, Madeleine's late husband and Hunter's best friend are one in the same. Hunter grew up in France. But that's all I'm telling you!
Jana
I put everyone's name in a hat and drew....drum roll please!
ReplyDeleteGreenduckie13!
Congratulations! I'll be emailing a download copy of "Flawless" to you very soon.
Thanks to everyone for coming by today and making my launch such fun. All the best,
Jana