Friday, March 11, 2011

Janice Hanna ~ Interview + Giveaway!

*You can earn up to 2 entries in this giveaway. Read below for details*


Today author Janice Hanna is telling us about her new book, Love Finds You in Camelot, Tennessee (March 2011). She has offered an autographed copy of her book to one lucky commenter. She will also be stopping by throughout the week to answer your questions! So if you have anything you want to ask her, you can leave a comment on this post to find out the answer!


Here is Janice's author bio:
Award-winning author Janice Thompson also writes under the pseudonym Janice Hanna. She got her start in the industry writing screenplays and musical comedies for the stage. Janice has published nearly seventy books for the Christian market, crossing genre lines to write cozy mysteries, historicals, romances, nonfiction books, devotionals, children’s books and more. In addition, she enjoys editing, ghost-writing, public speaking, and mentoring young writers. Janice formerly served as Vice-President of CAN (Christian Authors Network) and was named the 2008 Mentor of the year for ACFW (American Christian Fiction Writers). She was thrilled to be named the 2010 Barbour/Heartsong Author of the Year, with three books on the top ten list for that house. Janice is active in her local writing group, where she regularly teaches on the craft of writing. Her online writing courses have been helpful to many who want to earn a living with their writing. Janice is passionate about her faith and does all she can to share the joy of the Lord with others, which is why she particularly enjoys writing. She lives in Spring, Texas, where she leads a rich life with her family, a host of writing friends, and two mischievous dachshunds. She does her best to keep the Lord at the center of it all. You can find out more about Janice at http://www.janiceathompson.com/ or http://www.freelancewritingcourses.com/.

Welcome, Janice! Tell us about your salvation experience.
I grew up in church and felt the Lord’s tug from the time I was young. I committed my life to Him at age eleven and have never looked back!

How do you handle disasters/BIG problems? Do you have a funny or interesting story showcasing how you handle them?
I try to laugh my way through every situation. It doesn’t always happen, but I try. When I went through a particularly difficult season several years ago (multiple deaths in the family, all in a row) I found myself turning to Robin Jones Gunn’s light-hearted books. There’s something about comedy (or light-hearted stories) that really lifts my spirits.

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I bake wedding cakes on the side. It’s true! I’m not the best decorator in the world, but I can bake a mean cake.

What is one book that you recently read and would recommend to your readers?
I loved One Thousand Gifts by Ann Voskamp. Her beautiful literary style blew me away, but the content of the book is really what sealed the deal. The book is a personal expose on living life with an attitude of gratitude, no matter what you’re going through.

What is your favorite time of day to write?
I write all day long, but my best time of day is in the late hours of the night. I’m a night owl, so this just seems to work best for me.

If you compared your writing style to any other Christian Fiction author, who would it be? Also, how would you rate the romance in your books?
Hmm. I’ve been told my writing is a bit like Lisa Wingate’s. I think it could also be compared to Kristin Billerbeck and/or Robin Jones Gunn. I write light-hearted romance that’s definitely G rated!

What are you working on now or going to write next?
I’m writing Love Finds You in Daisy Oklahoma, while marketing Love Finds You in Camelot, Tennessee, (which just released).

Back cover blurb:
Steve Garrison is the newly elected mayor of the tiny town of Camelot, Tennessee. When his childhood friend Amy Hart comes up with a plan to revive the town’s economy, he jumps onboard. The townspeople will perform the musical “Camelot” in the city’s park, drawing in nightly crowds. While excitement is high, talent is lacking. Amy casts several of the parts but is stumped when it comes to the role of King Arthur. In desperation, she turns to Steve. Will he pull the sword from the stone and save the day? Steve reluctantly agrees—on one condition. In exchange for his willingness to wear tights, Amy must play the role of Guinevere. And when a handsome newcomer cast as Lancelot takes an interest in Amy, the stage is set for a little tension—and perhaps love.

What research did you have to do for this book?
I went to college in East Tennessee, so I was pretty familiar with the Knoxville area. The story is close to my heart, because I performed in the musical “Camelot” while in college (less than two hours away from the area where this story takes place).

Who would you pick to play the lead roles if this book was made into a movie?
I would choose Reese Witherspoon for Amy and Hugh Jackman for Steve.

How can readers get in contact with you?
Follow Janice at:
Website: http://www.janicehannathompson.com/
Writing Courses Website: http://www.freelancewritingcourses.com/
Facebook page: http://www.facebook.com/jhannathompson
Reader’s Page on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Janice-Hanna-Thompsons-Readers-Page/303537684650
Blog: http://janiceathompson.com/blog/?cat=1

Is there anything you would like to add, or tell your readers?
I love writing romantic comedies and I love musical theater, so combining both of these elements in Love Finds You in Camelot Tennessee was such a blast. The story was especially dear to me since I attended college in Tennessee.
~~~~~
**USA addresses only, please**

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of Love Finds You in Camelot, Tennessee!

TO ENTER:

*Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win). The comment is mandatory. You will not be entered unless you leave a comment AND your email address.

*If you leave a comment you will be entered unless you specify that you do not want to be entered.

*Here are the ways to get entries:

(First entry) The mandatory comment saying you would like to be entered with your email address.

+1 Become one of my followers OR subscribe to my blog by email.
**You can earn a total of 2 entries if you do all of the above entry options. Make sure to tell me in your entry comment on this post which of the things you did to get extra entries. (You can put them on one comment if you want to, you don’t have to separate each entry into its own comment or anything like that.)**

*The contest will run from today (March 11) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (March 17). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner either directly after choosing him/her or on Friday the 18th, and then that person will have one week to reply. If the winner doesn't reply within that time period, I will pick a new winner.

Good luck! Thanks for visiting.

44 comments:

Courtney said...

I love the sound of this book!! It would be great to win it!!

I am now a subscriber also!!

Thank you!

kcmelone[at]yahoo[dot]com

Katy said...

I've seen this book a couple of times lately and I put it on my wishlist! Please enter me to win!

afewmorepages at gmail dot com

Casey said...

I LOVE the premise of this story, it sounds so good!! And Janice, you know how much I love your fiction and it's so good to stay connected with you through FB. :)

Carman, please enter me, I am a follower! :)

caseymh18(@)Gmail.com

MaureenT said...

I really enjoy LFY stories. Please include me.

I am a follower and a subscriber.


alekee02[at]yahoo[dot]com

Vidisha said...

sound great!!

Enter me!! GFC follower

vidishamun@gmail.com

Janice said...

You are all so sweet. I had such a blast writing this one because of my "Camelot" tie. :)

Linda Kish said...

I would love to read this book.

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Linda Kish said...

I am a GFC follower

lkish77123 at gmail dot com

Amber Holcomb said...

Fun interview, Carman and Janice! :D

I got to meet Robin Jones Gunn a couple of weekends ago at a conference at my school--what a sweet, inspiring woman! I can't wait to read some of her work. :) And I really enjoyed Stars Collide, Janice. Very fun!

And yay for the Love Finds You series! I'd love a chance to win this book. :) Thanks!

~Amber

stokes[dot]a[at]suddenlink[dot]net

P.S. I'm a follower. :)

Judy B said...

Sounds like a fun read! Can't wait to read it! Please enter me in the contest.
I'm a follower.

jdbuscher[at]gmail[dot]com

Anonymous said...

I love her books! Definitely want to read this one.

jedakiah@frontier.com

Bluerose said...

I want to read this one SOOOO bad!! It's actually the closest the LFY books have came to my parts. ;)
I've heard such great things about Janice's books, so I can't wait to give them a try.
And I just love it when an author picks Hugh as their leading man! That's all you've got to do to get me to read a book. Just kidding! Kinda. ;)
I'm a follower.

bluerosesheart at yahoo dot com

cheri horgan said...

Janice, you know I love you! In fact I think we need to start the Janice Thompson Fan Club! Enter me in your drawing to win your book at cherihorgan@hotmail.com
I didn't realize you went to college in Knoxville; I used to own a farm in Crossville (until my husband got the gold mine and I got the shaft!). I was expecting you to compare to Liz Curtis Higgs, you both have a wonderful way with words that an bring a smile to anyone! Even this older, full-figured, Twila wanna-be! LOL!

Sarah said...

I definitely agree with Janice about lighthearted and funny books. I always enjoy a book that can make me laugh! This one looks good! I love the series LFY! I have already subscribed. Thanks!

sarah45431@hotmail.com

amber said...

I want to win this!! And I subscribe to your blog via email.

afren07[at]gmail[dot]com

Sandee61 said...

I love these Love Finds You books and this one sounds delightful. I've only read a few so far, but enjoyed them all and hope to read this one too. Thank you for the entry. I enjoyed the interview with Janice and her comments. I agree that Reese Witherspoon would do good if there was a movie made of this book.

Have a blessed day,
Sandee61

Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

Sandee61 said...

I'm an email subscriber.

Blessings,
Sandee61

Muzzley56[at]aol[dot]com

PriviesAndPrims said...

Please enter me in the contest!

I'm a follower and a subscriber.

blessings,
Doreen

priviesandprims[at]yahoo[dot]com

Wendy said...

I would love to win this book.

I am a subscriber too.

wsmarple/at/gmail/dot/com

Virginia said...

I want to be entered!!!!!
Virginia vrush729(at)aol(dot)com

I am a follower.......

and I'd love Janice's book, she is a favorite of mine and such a great great person!!!!!!!! love you Janice!!

looks like you get 2 entries right? or I do!!!!!!! don't I?

Nancy D said...

Oh how i would love to read this book. Pick Me, you won't regret it. gr8fullone@gmail.com

apple blossom said...

Oh, yes. would love to win thanks

+1 gfc follower

ABreading4vun [at] gmail [dot] com

Edna said...

I would love to win this book, love to read


mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Edna said...

I follow




mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Edna said...

have your button on my blog
http://edna-myfavoritethings.blogspot.com/


mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Edna said...

I get your newsletter


mamat2730(at)charter(dot)net

Nancy D'Oporto said...

I would love to read this book. I love learning about a new author. This one will be new for me.
I am a follower on this blog site!! gr8fullone@gmail.com

Carrie at In the Hammock Blog said...

I'd love to enter! thank you!!


+1 i'm a follower gfc

inthehammockblog at gmail dot com

Aimee said...

Sounds like a great read, Please accept my entry. Thanks!
+1 GFC follower

gevin13{at}gmail{dot}com

Jo said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Jo said...

I"m a subscriber and follower

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

Jo said...

Blogger Jo said...

I love Janice's books and this sounds like one of her usual great reads. Please enter me.

Blessings,
Jo
ladijo40(at)aol(dot)com

rbooth43 said...

I would love a chance to win an autographed copy of Love Finds You in Camelot, Tennessee!


I am an email subscriber and google follower!

Thanks!
Rebecca
rbooth43 at yahoo.com

Anita Yancey said...

I would like to be entered to win this book. It sounds like a great love story. Please enter me. Thanks!

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

Anita Yancey said...

I follow on GFC, and subscribe via email.

ayancey(at)dishmail(dot)net

karenk said...

i'm a follower...and subscriber :)

karenk
kmkuka at yahoo dot com

Amy said...

Hi. This books sounds really interesting and I would like to be entered in. Thanks.

arsmelser6[at]gmail[dot]com

Patsy said...

This book sounds really good. I know if it's by Janice it has to be good. Looking forward to reading it.
plhouston(at)bellsouth(net)

Katie Marie said...

Please count me on this giveaway. This book looks fun!!

~ Katy
agirlslegacy(at)yahoo(dot)com

Leanne said...

I'd love to read this!

leanniegehrke at hotmail dot com

Leanne said...

Email subscriber.

leanniegehrke at hotmail dot com

Book Flame said...

Thank you for this awesome giveaway!

+1 subscriber
+1 follower

bookflamereviews@gmail.com

Tori said...

I am from TN and love reading book set in TN would love to win a copy of this book
vrtheriot@gmail.com

Tori said...

I follow via GFC
vrtheriot@gmail.com