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.

Stars Collide by Janice Thompson ~ 4 stars

Stars Collide

Janice Thompson

Backstage Pass series #1

Revell

About the book:

Her future's so bright, she's gotta wear shades

Kat Jennings and Scott Murphy don't just play two people who are secretly in love on a television sitcom--they are actually head over heels for each other in real life. When the lines between reality and TV land blur, they hope they can keep their relationship under wraps. But when Kat's grandmother, an eccentric star from Hollywood's golden age, mistakes their on-screen wedding proposal for the real deal, things begin to spiral out of control. Will their secret be front-page news in the tabloids? And can their budding romance survive the onslaught of paparazzi, wedding preparations, and misinformed family members?

My review:

I just want to say that I probably would have given this book a higher rating, but it took me about two weeks to read it (a crazy-long time for me) because of school, and I hate taking so long to read a book. The book wasn’t slow for me to read, I just had so much going on at the time.

I did love the characters, plot, and style. Janice just has such a sweet writing style! The ending was lovely and I loved how the reader was kept in the dark about the surprise right until the end! That was awesome. I really enjoyed this book and can’t wait to see what the rest of the series is going to be like! (And who the main characters will be…) Once again, Janice has come out with a heart-warming, lesson-teaching, faith-filled, fun-to-read book.

Available January 2011 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

End-of-the-Year Celebration DAY 5!!

Sorry I'm late posting all this!

The winner of Day 4's giveaway is:

BookAddict (DreamingEvermore@...)

Congrats!

Lets get started with today's festivities! Remember, today and tomorrow are the final days of the Celebration! And you get to turn in your "banner points" for extra entries today! Here are the authors being featured in the final blowout giveaway!

Penny Zeller, Amanda Stephan, Loree Lough, Janice Thompson, and Suzanne Woods Fisher. :D

What is one thing or area where God has been changing you in 2010? Do you have any scriptures to go along with/support that?

Penny: God has been continually showing me how I can depend on Him in all circumstances – both big and small.  In July of 2010, our family was traveling home on the freeway from a Christian rock festival. We were involved in the worst blinding hailstorm the area had seen in years. I prayed for an exit where we could pull over from the freeway, and God provided one. As my husband maneuvered the truck and our travel trailer to the side of the road, we watched and listened as hail – sometimes the size of a baseball – hit against our truck and travel trailer. Our daughters crouched low on the floor in the back seat and we all prayed God would protect us as the loud hail came toward us with amazing force. In the end, our travel trailer was totaled (and would later have to be replaced) and our truck sustained over $7,000 in damage. Yet, no one was hurt. God had kept us safe.

As we ventured back onto the freeway toward the next two hours to reach our home, we saw people alongside the freeway with their windows broken out of their vehicles. Some vehicles were rolled over and people were standing sobbing alongside the road. Emergency vehicles were everywhere. As we crept along at a slow pace because of our damaged vehicle, we prayed for those we saw alongside the road. We were humbled and thankful. Things could have been so much worse. But God had protected us.

He is teaching me more and more the assurances found in so many books of the Bible, including Psalm 46:1-3, Psalm 91, and Habakkuk 3:17-19.

Amanda: Oh my, has God been changing me so much this past year! I was a stay at home, home-schooling mother that was quite content to stay behind the scenes and never bring attention to myself. Since the release of my first novel, I’ve had to be out in the public, talking and promoting my book. It’s been a tremendous step of faith. Ecc. 3:1 – To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven. (KJV)

Loree: The Lord has always been a steadfast source of calm and peace for me, no matter how turbulent and tumultuous life becomes. I believe He has underscored this knowledge throughout 2010, and the scriptures I return to time and again are
John 14: Let not your hearts be troubled. Believe in God; believe in me.

and

Philippians 4:6&7: …do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication and with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.

Janice: Several months ago our worship pastor preached a sermon about “success/fame.” Because I’m in a business where so much depends on people knowing who I am (and recognizing my name so that they will buy my books) the sermon hit me hard. He posed a question: “What would it look like if you stopped striving for success and just loved Jesus?” Wow. That question stopped me cold. I thought about it all the way home from church. When I arrived home, I took an eyeliner pencil and wrote those words on the mirror in my bedroom so that I would be confronted with them every morning when I woke up. God is really asking me to lay down my “striving” (pushing hard to be well-known/famous) and just trusting Him with my career. I’m learning that, as I crawl into His lap for one-on-one time, He will take care of the rest. What’s really important in the end, anyway? When I get to heaven, God’s not going to ask, “Why didn’t you do a better job marketing yourself?” He’s going to ask, “Hey, why didn’t I see more of you? I needed some cuddle time and you weren’t there!”

Suzanne: There have been a number of experiences this year in which I’ve been pushed way out of my comfort zone and have had to rely entirely on God, and He has been so faithful! The lesson for me is to continually invite God into a situation—every situation—take my sticky fingers off the controls and let Him work!

As for Scripture to support that: Proverbs 16:1-4: “To man belong the plans of the heart, but from the Lord comes the reply of the tongue. All a man’s way seem innocent to him, but motives are weighed by the Lord. Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and your plans will succeed. The Lord works out everything for His own ends…” (niv).

Tell one thing that God did for you this year just to show He loved you.

Penny: His continued love, protection, and faithfulness in a variety of circumstances and His ultimate sacrifice of sending His Son to die for me tops the list.

Amanda: Narrowing it down to one is difficult! But, every time I felt like just throwing in the towel and giving up, He’d send along someone special to uplift my spirit. It’s much more common for people to tear others down than to exhort, so these people have really become very close to my heart. I look at these people as precious gifts.

Loree: My husband had a heart attack on New Year’s Eve, 2009, and after the ambulance rushed him to the ER and the team got him stabilized, the doc on duty told me that Larry’s main artery was 99% blocked, that the other two major arteries were 97% and 95% blocked, and that a couple of minutes was the difference between life and death, literally. I was too shocked to tell him that Larry had planned to head for the mountains to get in one last day of hunting before the season end. If not for a freaky, unexpected snow, he would have been there, and not at home, when he said “I’m not feeling very well….”

Larry went through surgery and recovery in record time—praise God and hallelujah!

Then, every single month after that, the family suffered at last one monumental blow. And every person I’ve talked with, from the cashier at WalMart to friends and family members I’ve loved for years, has had the same kind of year!

Yet…when we share our trials, we celebrate that God was and is with us through every tribulation, sure and steady and doling out comfort and peace even when things look most bleak. And we thank Him, too, when the waters grow calmer, that He has graced us with hearts that know and express gratitude for these gifts He has given!

Janice: Wow, just one? I could give you a lengthy list! Many of my readers know that I struggle with autoimmune arthritis. The pain is excruciating at times. Because this is a pre-existing condition, I’ve been unable to get health insurance, so getting the proper meds (and medical care) has been difficult. The rheumatologist told me about a medication that I needed to be on (a weekly injection) but it was too expensive to consider ($350/week). In January of ’10 I received word that I’d been approved for a grant to receive the meds for free for one year: $18,000 worth of medicine absolutely free. Talk about a miracle!

Suzanne: Just this morning, over coffee, I was telling my husband that this Christmas almost feels like the end of a book. This very week, a number of pending issues for our family have resolved in wonderful ways. One son has a fabulous new job, one daughter has graduated from college and is working/living in San Francisco, another son is happily adjusted to college, other daughter and son-in-law (who have a beautiful new baby)—just found out they will probably be moving back to the west coast within a few months. It feels almost scripted! My cup runneth over—to see my children all doing so well in life. God’s good gift!

What is your favorite memory from 2010?

Penny: I have many awesome memories from 2010, especially those involving camping with my family, but there is one that sticks in my mind… Our family was camping in the mountains over Labor Day Weekend. While it was chilly, we were having fun hiking, doing some target shooting, and sitting by the campfire. We watched later as people began to leave for home because of concerns of an early winter storm approaching. We prayed about it, then elected to stay since our travel trailer has a great heater. Besides, we were ready for an adventure! Hours later, we sat inside our trailer playing board games and eating snacks at the table until all hours of the night. It began to snow outside, the wind howled, and the temperature fell to 19 degrees.

In the morning, we awoke to more winter weather, but with wonderful memories. I wouldn’t trade that weekend in the mountains with my husband and children for anything.

Amanda: My favorite memory of 2010 is a recent one. This past week, our church put on a Christmas program. Usually I’m behind the scenes, but this year I headed it up. (gasp….) One little girl decided that she wanted to sit by me as I played the piano and not be in the play. As I was playing and the children were singing, she would do a variety of things like hang on my left arm and swing, lay her head in my lap, talk to me, and my favorite, stand up on the piano bench behind me. It was so cute!

Loree: When the surgeon said (on January 2, 2010, after 6 hours in the O.R.) “He did great, and he’ll be fine.” Yes, that was one bright and shining moment, for sure!

Janice: One of my favorite memories just took place a couple weeks ago. My second-oldest daughter and her husband live in Montana, a zillions miles away from our home in Texas. They came for a visit a couple weeks ago and brought my grandbabies. Two of my other daughters live here in the Houston area with their spouses and little ones. So, for ten days, I had three daughters, three sons-in-law, six grandbabies, and my mom. . .all together in one town! We did everything together. The house was a wreck, thanks to the six kids (the oldest is four) but it didn’t matter. We were just so happy to be together and to share in some new memories with the kids.

Suzanne: Personally, it was the moment when I held my first grandbaby in my arms!

Professionally, it was when “The Waiting” hit the top 50 bestseller list for both ECPA and CBA. Wow, wow, wow. I still have to pinch myself. Did that really happen?!

Do you have any New Year resolutions in mind?

Penny: I’m not really one to set formal New Year’s Resolutions. *grins*
I am seeking the Lord’s will for my life in 2011 and praying for His guidance, protection, and wisdom.

Amanda: Yes, and it’s rather stupid. I vacuum ALL the time, but I absolutely hate putting them away. ( I have two vacuums that I use everyday. I’m a vacuum-aholic) This year, I’m determined that when I’ve finished vacuuming for the day, I’m going to wind the cords up and put them where they actually go. (It’s going to be tough…)

Loree: I’m going to erase “extra sweets” from my diet. (Notice I said “going to” instead of “try to” because I’m also going to live more by the famous Yoda quote from Star Wars: “Do or do not; there IS no ‘try’.”

Janice: Might sound crazy, but I plan to rest more. I’m a workaholic. I literally work into the night most every night. Because of the autoimmune disease, however, I must slow down.

Suzanne: Oh… the usual. Lose five pounds. Plant a better garden. Improve my tennis game. Spend time nurturing my relationships. Stuff like that!

What is one goal you have set (or God has put on your heart) for 2011 apart from New Year resolutions?

Penny: To be better at prioritizing goals and doing a better job at managing my stress level.

Amanda: One goal is to try to be a better witness for Him wherever I go, no matter where I am!

Loree: I will spend more time writing. (Again, I won’t try to spend more time, I’ll do it!) Why? Because the Father has made sure I know, each day as I sit at my desk, that He aims to use me as a missionary of sorts to carry His word to the places and people He wants to touch and reach in unique and special ways, so they will know the power of His love and the blessing of His grace.

Janice: I hope this isn’t too shocking to my readers, but I plan to write less. I’ve been a full-time freelancer for years and have depended solely on the income from my writing. Because of that, I’ve taken nearly every job that’s come my way. My health will no longer allow that, so I’m slowing w-a-y down, and will probably only write three or four books this year, as opposed to the usual ten to twelve. (I’ve been doing a lot of write-for-hire work on “little” books—devotionals and short pieces.)

Suzanne: I want to be sure to continue to develop as a writer. Every book, I hope and pray, is better than the one before it. I am so grateful for this author gig—I can’t even begin to describe how blessed I feel with the opportunity to write for Revell, to connect to readers, to spend time doing something I love. What a gift!

~~~~~

Giveaway! These authors, along with Debby Mayne and Deeanne Gist, have generously offered these 8 books to one lucky winner!

McKenzie and Kaydie, autographed, by Penny Zeller

 

The Price of Trust, autographed, by Amanda Stephan

Maverick Heart, autograhped, by Loree Lough

 

Star's Collide, autographed, by Janice Thompson

The Search, autographed, by Suzanne Woods Fisher

 

Special Mission, autographed, by Debby Mayne

The Trouble with Brides omnibus, autographed, by Deeanne Gist (3-in-1 of Dee's books!!)

Rules:

For this party, only people with USA mailing addresses can enter. You must leave your email address in order to be entered so that I can contact you if you win.

Mandatory first entry: You must be a Google Friend Connect follower (in sidebar) of this blog, OR be an email subscriber (in sidebar) to this blog to enter this giveaway. Let me know in your comment to enter (with your email address) which you are.


Extra Entries:


+1 Post the link for this giveaway on Facebook and/or Twitter. (If you do both, that is +2)


+1 GFC follow or email subscribe to my other blog, Christian Book Giveaways.


+1 Put the buttons for one or both of my blogs on your blog. (You can get the HTML in my sidebar.) If you put both buttons up, that is +2.


+1 For every friend you get to come, enter this giveaway, and say that you sent them. (Make sure they use a name that I can connect with you. I want to make sure the extra points go to the right person!


+2 Post about this giveaway on your blog, telling which books will be given away.

+3 Leave a comment for at least one of the authors in this giveaway encouraging them with something you like about them personally, their writing, or one of their books.


I have one special way to gain extra entries, so pay close attention… For every day that the banner for this End-of-the-Year Celebration at the TOP of your blog (starting the 22nd) it will count as +1 entry towards the final blowout giveaway on the 30th and 31st. That means you can earn up to 10 more entries in the final giveaway!!! You can grab the banner’s HTML HERE.


**Today is the day to turn in your banner day count! Let me know how many days you had my banner up and it will count towards this giveaway!**


This giveaway ends tomorrow (Friday, December 31) at 11:59 p.m. CST. I will try to promptly contact the winner after that time or the next day. I will also announce all the winners a second time in a separate post on January 1, 2011!

Janice Hanna Thompson ~ Interview!

Sorry, guys! No reviews this week. I'm a little behind in reading. :/ Instead, I have an interview with author Janice Hanna Thompson and the characters of her new book, Love me Tender!

Note from Janice Hanna Thompson, author of LOVE ME TENDER:

Hi everyone! Thanks for stopping by to share in the excitement of LOVE ME TENDER, my latest inspirational romance. When I heard about the new “When I Fall in Love” line at Summerside, I flipped! Why? Because I love the ‘50s, and I love music! (The line is based on song titles from the 1930s to the 1970s.) I happen to be a playwright with a really fun musical comedy titled JOHNNY BE GOOD, a story that’s near and dear to my heart. I decided to put a twist on that stage play and turn it into a rockin’ romantic novel! With that in mind, I hope you enjoy this “Hollywood Heartthrob” interview with four of the main characters from the novel.

Hollywood Heartthrob, “Man About Town” Column
Welcome, readers! This is Sunset Sam, columnist for Hollywood Heartthrob magazine, here to interview several characters from LOVE ME TENDER, a new book by author Janice Hanna Thompson. I read the book in preparation for this interview and had a hip-hip hoppin’, be-be-boppin’ time reading about the characters down at Sweet Sal’s Soda Shoppe in Laguna Beach. I’ve been to Sweet Sal’s many times, of course. Everyone in Hollywood knows it’s all the rage. Where else can you get a big, thick cheeseburger, hot, salty fries and the thickest chocolate malts in the country? Now that I’ve enticed you with the food, let’s have a little chat with some of the key players in our story. We’ll start with Debbie Carmichael, daughter of the owners of Sweet Sal’s.

Debbie, could you tell us a little about what your day-to-day life is like?

Most of the girls my age are in college, but I decided to stay in Laguna Beach and help my parents out at our family run soda shop. I have the best life ever! I live across the street from the Pacific Ocean, and love spending time at the cliffs, watching the waves lap the shore. When I’m at the soda shop, the jukebox is always playing. I’m gaga over Elvis’s new song, “Love Me Tender.” It’s all the rage with teen girls right now. Of course, I’m also head over heels for Bobby Conrad, but don’t tell my friends, okay? They think I’m more mature than most of the other teen girls who hang out Sweet Sal’s. Of course, I’m a little distracted by that new guy, Johnny Hartman. He’s so sweet and handsome, and I hear he’s a great singer, too!

Johnny, I read in another article that you came all the way from Topeka Kansas to Hollywood to make it big. How does Hollywood compare to Topeka?
There’s really no way to compare Topeka to Los Angeles. People out here (in California) are more up on current styles, the hottest tunes and the hippest actors and actresses. Back home, folks are so grounded. That isn’t always the case here in L.A. I hope I don’t sound too stuck up when I say that back in Topeka, I was a big fish in a small pond. And because my dad’s a pastor, I had plenty of opportunities to sing in church. But out here in L.A. no one even knows who I am. My agent, Jim Jangles, is working hard to get me a gig on television. I’m auditioning for Arthur Godfrey’s Talent Scouts soon. Say a little prayer for me!

Bobby, I understand you were slotted to sing at the fundraiser at Sweet Sal’s Soda Shoppe, but had to cancel. Could you explain your sudden departure?
Yes, I was scheduled to sing at the fundraiser, but just got word that I’ll be filming my new movie that same weekend. I was really disappointed to have to tell the Carmichaels the news, but hopefully they understand. I think it’s going to be okay, because my agent, Jim Jangles, is sending his latest prodigy—a kid from Topeka named Johnny Hartman—in my place. I hear he’s quite a singer.

Sal, could you tell our readers about some of the Hollywood stars you’ve met over the years?
First of all, thanks for including me in this interview! It’s been decades since I was a teen, but I still secretly read Hollywood Heartthrob magazine. (Shh! Don’t tell my husband, Frankie, or my daughter, Debbie!) I’m blessed to be the co-owner of Sweet Sal’s Soda Shoppe in Laguna Beach, and I’ve met a lot of stars who’ve come through on their way to places like Dana Point and San Diego. Here’s a list of some of my favorites: Doris Day, Gregory Peck, Frank Sinatra, Audrey Hepburn, Lucille Ball, Desi Arnaz, Ozzie and Harriet. There are dozens more, of course. I want to personally invite all of your readers to stop by Sweet Sal’s Soda Shoppe so that they can see the photos on our walls! And while you’re here, why not enjoy a creamy chocolate malt?

Debbie, a little birdie told me that you and the other girls in Laguna Beach are gaga over Elvis, Pat Boone and Bobby Conrad. Now that you’ve gotten to know (and love) Johnny Hartman, what would you say sets him apart from the other great singers you’ve known?
Oh, no doubt about it. . .Johnny isn’t just a great singer, he’s got a heart of gold. I especially love his strong faith. Unlike so many of the other singers in town, he doesn’t put himself first. With Johnny, it’s God first. . .all the way! And when he sings. . .man! That voice! It’s a smooth as velvet. (And it doesn’t hurt that he’s so dreamy! Talk about handsome!)

Johnny, you’ve been asked to fill in for Bobby Conrad at the Laguna Beach fundraiser. Can you tell us how you’re feeling as you look forward to the big day?
I don’t mind admitting I’m a little nervous. Who wouldn’t be? Thousands of girls from Orange County and beyond are looking forward to seeing Bobby Conrad in person. Now I’ve been asked to fill in for him. I’ll be lucky if they don’t boo me off the stage or toss rotten tomatoes at me! Hopefully my new love song—the one I wrote for the gorgeous Debbie Carmichael—will win them over. I hope so, anyway!

Bobby, many Christians have a hard time hanging onto their faith once they achieve stardom. You seem so grounded. What’s your secret?
I always try to honor God in everything I do—whether it’s movies or songs for the radio. There’s a verse that I love, and it’s one I try to live by: “But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” The way I look at it, if I make a choice to put God first, He’s going to bless me above and beyond anything I could ever ask for, anyway. Even if He didn’t bless me, though, I would still serve Him. It’s really the only way to live a fulfilling life. (And trust me when I say that people out here in L.A. are looking for ways to live a fulfilling life!)

Sal, we were sorry to hear about your husband’s health problems. How is he doing now?
Praise the Lord, Frankie seems to be doing a little better. His heart attack several months ago really shook us up. And we got behind on the mortgage, which has made me a little nervous. Still, I choose to trust God. And now that everyone in town is banding together to put on the fundraiser to save the soda shop, I’m feeling more hopeful than ever!

Debbie, is there anything you’d like Hollywood Heartthrob readers to know as we end this interview?
Yes, I would like people to know that it is possible to live in Hollywood—to be a big star, even—and still be a person of faith. I’ve witnessed it in Bobby Conrad’s life, and in Johnny’s, too. I’d also like to share that putting your trust in God is really the only way to go. Some problems are just too big for us to handle on our own. When my dad got really sick, I made up my mind to try to “fix” the situation. What I’ve learned is this—only God can truly “fix” anything. And trust me when I say that His “fix” is far greater than anything we could ever dream up!

Thanks so much, folks! It’s been a great interview.

Well, there you have it, Hollywood Heartthrob fans. This is Sunset Sam, signing off for this week. See you next time!

GIVEAWAY INFO: Janice Hanna Thompson is hosting a giveaway on her facebook page (http://www.facebook.com/jhannathompson). To enter, leave a comment on her page with the name of your favorite ‘50s star (movies or music) and explain why you liked him/her. The drawing to win the Be-Boppin’ ‘50s Basket (filled with great ‘50s memorabilia) will take place on the weekend of October 29^th – 31^st. Why? Because that’s the same weekend Janice is directing a local (Houston) production of JOHNNY BE GOOD the musical comedy that served as inspiration for LOVE ME TENDER.

~~~~~

This Friday, I'm posting a new giveaway as usual but this week the extra entries will be a little UNusual.

*The entries earned here will be put toward winning THE PREACHER'S BRIDE*

To get the *4* extra entries, comment on THIS post saying something about Janice Thompson and her writing.

Here are some ideas of things you could talk about:

-Which book of her's is your favorite?

-Why do you like her books?

-What do you like about Janice herself?

-If you have never read her books, why do you want to?

-Are any of her books on your To-Be-Read list? Which ones?

Just some ideas! Please don't make your comments just a sentence. We want to encourage the author! :D

Janice Thompson and Anita Higman ~ Interview + Giveaway!

*I'm back with a new giveaway! Thanks for being patient, everyone!*

Your Barbour Heartsong 3-in-1 collection is entitled, Ozark Weddings. Tell us a little bit about the three stories.

Anita: All three stories are set in Arkansas—Eureka Springs, Little Rock, and Hot Springs. Larkspur Dreams and Castles in the Air are romantic comedy, while the middle story, The Love Song, is more dramatic in tone.

Janice: Larkspur Dreams is a lighthearted, whimsical tale that will appeal to inspirational romance readers, particularly those with artistic leanings. The Love Song reaches into the depths of the reader’s soul, dealing with the topic of overcoming past hurts. Castles in the Air provides a humorous look at the way we are perceived by others, and teaches us that our prejudices (comical as they might be) often keep us from the very thing God has planned for us.

Anita, you and Janice co-authored the three stories in Ozark Weddings. How do writers go about co-authoring?
Anita: There are a number of ways to co-author a novel. One writer might do the research and the other writer may actually write the story. Or co-authors may each choose a character and write from that character’s POV. In the three novels, I guess you could say I wrote the body and wings of the stories, and Janice helped to make them fly. She has a gift for critiquing.

Janice: Working with Anita is a breeze because she conceives and fully plots the stories then lets me add my thoughts/tidbits to give them flavor. She is so quirky and fun to work with, and I am very proud of the stories we have co-produced.

Were there times when it was hard to work together?
Anita: Janice is not only talented, but easy to work with. There were a few times in one of the novels that I found myself writing in a way that strayed from the general concept of a Heartsong romance. Janice made some good suggestions, which steered me in the right direction.

Janice: I can honestly say that I’ve never worked with anyone who was so willing to accept critique and/or take suggestions as Anita. She is a precious friend and collaborative partner. I already knew she was talented (even before we began this project) but had no idea how gracious she would be. Since I’ve written for the Heartsong line for years, I was able to “teach her the ropes” (as it were) and she was a ready learner! That’s not to say she hasn’t taught me a thing or two. I’ve learned much from her throughout this process, particularly as it applies to romantic tension. She’s far better at that than I am, and I’m happy to admit it.

Why did you choose to be a writer?
Anita: Ever since I was a little girl, I had this need to express myself in some sort of artistic medium. I’ve tried a number of things: piano, painting, decorating, and acting. But I’ve never been very good at any these endeavors, except writing. I guess really then—writing chose me.

Janice: Like Anita, I’ve always been artistic. As a youngster, I sang, danced and played the piano. I was also very involved in theater as a young person. I’ve been writing since childhood. I wrote my first novella in 6th grade, then went on to write musical comedies for the stage before turning to books in the mid-90’s. Like Anita, I can truly say that I didn’t choose writing; it chose me. Or, perhaps I should say that God chose it for me, as a gift.

When did you have your first success as a writer?
Anita: After several years of writing, I had some gradual success—books for children, books of one-act plays, and nonfiction for women. These successes were enough to keep me going toward my ultimate goal, which was to write novels.

Janice: This may sound a bit silly, but my first real writing “success” happened my senior year in high school, when I was chosen to help write the senior production. I had a blast, and the scene I crafted (a 1930’s/Busby Berkeley-esque “The Show Must Go On” scene) was a huge success. I can’t tell you what fun I had, or how great it felt for people to respond as they did.

Do you have any special methods of getting into the writing zone, such as favorite scents, music, or certain foods?
Anita: In the past I used to go to a French café, order coffee and scrambled eggs, and then write a rough chapter. The noise, music, and bustle always energized me creatively. But now I’m more of a homebody, so I sit for long hours in my office, working on my stories.

Janice: An "ideal" writing situation for me would involve someplace like Starbucks (or otherwise) with a cup of my favorite hot beverage in my hand (to be discussed below). Ironically, when I'm at home, I can't stand having music going. I find it terribly distracting... something about the "beat" drives me nutty. Having the television on is okay, but it's often muted. Crazy, I know. I'm a fanatic about my Diet Dr. Pepper and several flavors of hot tea. I particularly love Earl Grey and Chai Latte, among others. And I'm nuts about hot chocolate in the wintertime. I'm also crazy about my puppies. I have two red mini-dachshunds named Sasha and Copper. They usually settle in next to me on the sofa, Sasha on my right, Copper on my left. When we're all in place (with a cup of tea or a Diet Dr. Pepper on the end table, depending on the season) I'm ready to begin. Of course, I usually have to weed through several emails (clearing a path) before I can actually start writing. Whew! Sounds like quite a process, doesn't it?! It's a wonder I get anything done at all!

What is your best advice for aspiring writers?
Anita: If you feel called to write, don’t let people discourage you. I’m sure they don’t realize the impact of their words, but negative remarks can undermine our courage and joy. Comments similar to: “Maybe you weren’t really meant to be published.” Or, “Are you making any money at this yet?” Perhaps you’ve heard, “Why can’t you write like my favorite author?” Honestly, I could go on and on here. Writing is a great and honorable profession—one that can challenge, inspire, and change people’s lives. If you love words and love arranging them into stories, then don’t let the battering influence of dispiriting comments shatter your dream. Keep pressing on!

Janice: I often say this to young/new writers: Learn the craft, but don’t necessarily write what the publishers/agents/houses tell you to write. Trends change. Stick with the stories God places on your heart and if He intends them to be published, He will find the right publishing house in the right time.

What are your writing plans for the future?
Anita: I’d love to just keep doing what I’m doing. But I think I’d also enjoy writing novels for the young adult market.

Janice: I’m open to whatever God wants (and I really mean that). If He shifts me in a new direction (women’s fiction, for example) I’m following His lead! If He asks me to lay the writing down for a season in order to accomplish a different task, I’m open to that, too.

We’d love for you to visit our websites at www.anitahigman.com and www.janiceathompson.com. If you’re interested in our Heartsong collection, Ozark Weddings, it can be purchased in bookstores or ordered online at http://www.amazon.com/.

Thanks for inviting us to your blog!

~~~~~

*USA residents only, pelase*

TO ENTER:

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

*If you leave a comment you will be entered unless you specify that you would not like 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.

+2 Read and leave a comment on one of my recent book reviews.
**You can earn a total of 4 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.**

*The contest will run from today (July 9) until 6:00 CST on Thursday (July 15). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner on Friday the 16th, 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.

It Had to Be You by Janice Thompson ~ 5 stars

It Had to Be You

Janice Thompson

Weddings by Bella series #3

Revell Publishing

About the book:

Get ready for a double dose of wedding frenzy!

Bella couldn't be happier that two of her long-feuding relatives have finally admitted their love for one another and are getting married. Their forties-style wedding is sure to be a night to remember. But when the Rossi house begins to fill up with family from Italy--and an old mobster from New Jersey--life starts to get complicated. Will a friend from the past drive the happy couple apart once more? And will Bella ever have time to think of her own rapidly approaching wedding amid the chaos?

Full of humor, plenty of Italian passion, and a bit of Texas gumption, It Had to Be You will have you laughing out loud and wiping a tear from your eye.

My review:
Can you say “word from God”? This book is exactly what I needed to be reading right now. I’ve been struggling with taking too much stuff on, letting myself become stressed, and not staying in close connection with God. He comes first. Then family, friends, and work. Gotta get that right! I was completely able to relate to Bella. And, of course, D.J. is back and better than ever! He is a character that will melt your heart. Love him! He’s so thoughtful.

All the other zany characters from books past are back and still never fail to crack me up. There are even more hilarious characters added to the mix, and situations that will nearly make you bust a gut. Too funny. I’m sad to see the end of this series, but I thought that this was a great conclusion to the Bella stories. However… if we just HAPPENED to see Bella and everyone else again in some other series down the road, well… I certainly wouldn’t object. ;)

Available May 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Swinging on a Star by Janice Thompson ~ 5 stars

Swinging on a Star

Janice Thompson

Weddings by Bella series #2

Revell - publisher

About the book:

There’s a fine line between ambitious and crazy. Bella’s just not sure where it is.

Bella Rossi’s life is nearing perfection. Not only does she have the perfect guy, but she’s also running a successful wedding-planning business and is about to plan its most ambitious wedding yet --- a Renaissance-themed fairy tale come true, complete with period costumes and foods, horse-drawn carriages, and even a castle. There’s only one hitch. The best man just happens to be Hollywood’s hottest and most eligible bachelor, and he’s showing an interest in Bella. Oh, and did we mention he’s staying at her house to avoid the paparazzi?

With all the pressure surrounding this wedding, Bella’s not sure she’s going to make it through. Add her starstruck sister and her feuding aunt and uncle, and you’ve got a recipe for disaster --- and a lot of laughs.

My review:
Janice Thompson has done it again with this great second book in the Weddings by Bella series. The characters we know and love are back and better than ever, with some new lovable characters too. But things such as a medieval wedding extravaganza, the Food Network team coming to her house (the day before the wedding), nosy little neighbor children, a serious case of mistaken identity, a startling event involving uncle Laz, and a tropical storm threaten to destroy all of Bella’s struggles for balance (and sanity). Not to mention the Hollywood hunk that is staying at her house to hide out from the paparazzi… and who seems to be falling for her. The craziness is sure to make you laugh, and the ending is sure to make you sigh. Be sure to check this series out!

Available January 2010 at your favorite bookseller from Revell, a division of Baker Publishing Group.

Janice Hanna Thompson ~ Interview + Giveaway!

Today author Janice Thompson is telling us about her new book, Allegheny Hopes. 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 include it in your comment for entering the contest. If you are only leaving a question in the comment and not entering the giveaway please say so.

Welcome, Janice! Tell us a little about yourself.

Where do I begin? Do I tell you about the little girl who dreamed of one day acting and singing on the stage? Do I bore you with the details of my first book, which I wrote in sixth grade? Do I share my heart about the various trials I’ve been through in my adult life, which gave me plenty of fodder for the books I now write? Nah. Instead of all of that, I’ll just tell you that I’m a girl on a journey. . .each day moving one step closer to the Lord. I write because He’s called me to write. I infuse humor in my stories—as much as possible—because I know that a merry heart “doeth good like a medicine.” I live each day to the fullest, despite any obstacles, and thank God for every blessing, including the most wonderful one, of late. . .my awesome, godly children and grandchildren.

How long have you been writing? How many books do you have published?
I started writing in sixth grade, as mentioned above. My first book was published in 1999 and released in 2000. Since then I’ve written fifty-four novels and/or non-fiction books.

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?
My books are similar to those by authors like Sandra Bricker, Kristin Billerbeck and Ray Blackston. I suppose they would fall somewhere between G and PG. :)

In your own words tell us a little about Allegheny Hopes.
In 2005, while on a road trip with my mom, I conceived the idea for my “red, white and blue” books” – three books set in Pennsylvania, each having a redemption theme. I knew that I wanted the stories to be about people with a “past” – people wanting a fresh start. “Red Like Crimson” was published first. It’s set in Philadelphia in the fall (and is a true redemption story). “White as Snow” came next. It’s set in Pittsburgh in the winter (and is a football story). The final book is titled “Out of the Blue.” It’s the story of a young woman running away from the Amish lifestyle. That book is set (primarily) in Paradise, Pennsylvania. All three of these stories were put together in one book, which is titled “Allegheny Hopes.”

Blurb-

Watch as God takes the mistakes from yesterday and uses them to bridge the path to love for three Pennsylvania couples. Adrianne and Chris were in love in college, but an unexpected pregnancy made Adrianne run without telling Chris why. Brianna’s and Brady’s interests couldn’t be more different, and just the talk of football could make Brianna close her heart forever. Katie and Karl were expected to marry and settle in the Amish community, but Katie’s desire for a different life could make her misjudge Karl’s ability to love her completely. Among rolling Pennsylvania hills, three women’s mistakes from the past may block the road to love. Can Adrianne reveal her secret? Can Brianna forgive her father? Can Katie find her place to call home? Will they each allow God to move them forward while learning from yesterday?

What made you want to write this story?
I’ve always had a heart for people who need/want a fresh start. Also, I knew that people think of Pennsylvania as the birthplace of freedom (and that freedom theme comes naturally for people who’ve been set free from the bondages of the past).

What research did you have to do for this book?
My sister lives in Pennsylvania, so I went for a visit with this book in mind. I flew into Philly, a place I’ve been many times before. On our trek through the historical sites, I gathered the information I needed for the first book. We drove out to Paradise (about an hour and a half from my sister’s house) and spent a day in the Amish country. I’d been there before, but this time I visited as a writer, taking careful notes and pictures. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to visit Pittsburgh. In addition to studying the areas, I had a huge task ahead of me for “Out of the Blue” – an Amish story. I needed to get it right, so I contacted a professor in Florida who grew up in an Amish household. He patiently answered every question for me.

What are you working on now or going to write next?
I’m currently writing a book titled “Love Me Tender” – which is one of the kick-off books in the new Summerside “When I Fall in Love” line. The story is set in 1957 in a soda shop in Laguna Beach California. It’s a sweet 50s love story with a true Southern California/Hollywood theme.

How can readers get in contact with you?
I can be reached online at www.janiceathompson.com. I’m also on facebook. Folks would need to look for Janice Hanna Thompson. If anyone is interested in emailing me, I can be reached at booksbyjanice@aol.com.

What are you currently reading?
I’m currently reading one of the best books I’ve read in ages: “Never Say Never” by Lisa Wingate. I don’t want to give away too much, but let’s just say I “connect” with this story because it touches on several areas/issues in my own life. Beautifully done!

Tell us something surprising about yourself that readers may not know.
I bake wedding cakes. In fact, I baked one back in March of ’09 that toppled. Not a happy memory. Thankfully, I had a gracious bride. One other thing people might not know is that I have an autoimmune disease called psoriatic arthritis, (a cousin to rheumatoid arthritis). The pain is unbearable at times, especially when I’m going through a flare. Every day is a struggle. Sometimes, garnering the strength to write is tough.

If you could be any animal, which would you choose? Why?
I happen to be the owner (slave) of two miniature dachshunds, Sasha and Copper. I would gladly switch places with either one of them on any given day. They’re spoiled rotten. Their meals are prepared for them, their tummies are tickled regularly, they sleep under the covers on the bed with their master (slave) and they are forgiven for every shoe they chew up. In short, they live a charmed life.

FAVORITES:
TV show, and/or movie?
I’ve worked for years as a drama director, so it probably won’t come as a big surprise that I’m drawn to shows like “American Idol,” “America’s Got Talent,” and “So You Think You Can Dance.” There’s just something about the arts that gets me excited. I also love the Food Network (too many shows to list) and several shows on HGTV.
Place to go on vacation?
Italy. Need I say more?

Book this year or month? Why?
As I mentioned above, this book by Lisa Wingate is blow-you-away good. Honestly, after reading the first two pages, I told my best friend that I could never write another book again, because anything I wrote would be rubbish in comparison to what I was reading in Lisa’s book. Thankfully, my friend had the good sense to tell me not to quit writing.

What is/was this book’s release date?
This book released in November of ‘09

~~~~~

*USA residents only, please*

Okay readers, here is your chance to win an autographed copy of Allegheny Hopes!

To enter:

*Leave a comment with your name and email address (so I can contact you if you win).

*Please specify that you want to be included in the contest!

*If you want an extra entry, become one of my followers.

*The comment is mandatory. (Please, say in the comment if you are a follower!! It makes my job easier when you do.) You will not be entered unless you leave a comment. If you are already a follower, and then you leave a comment, you will still get two entries in the contest.

*The contest will run from today (Jan. 15) until 10:30 CST on Thursday (Jan. 21). I will announce the winner that night. The winner is always randomly drawn. I will contact the winner on Friday the 22th, 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.

Fools Rush In by Janice Hanna Thompson ~ 5/5 stars

Fools Rush In

Janice Hanna Thompson

Weddings by Bella series, Book 1

Revell- Publisher

About the book:

Ever wonder how Italian sounds with a Southern drawl?

Bella Rossi's life is just starting to get interesting. When her Italian-turned-Texan parents hand over the family wedding-planning business, Bella quickly books a Boot-Scootin' wedding that would make any Texan proud. There's only one catch--she doesn't know a thing about country music. Where will she find a deejay on such short notice who knows his Alan Jackson from his George Strait? And will Bella ever get to plan her own wedding?

Fun, fresh, and full of surprises, this flavorful combination of Italian and Tex-Mex highlights the hilarity that ensues when cultures clash.

My review:

Fools Rush In is an amazing read! I really loved it. Janice writes her books in such a way that all the characters are important, though you don’t end up following so many storylines that you get confused. This gives her books a very homey feel, like you are visiting the character’s family and friends and simply getting to know them all. Janice’s humor is so fun to read! She could make anyone laugh, I believe. Bella is such a real character, and I could really relate to her! I enjoyed getting to know her immensely. D.J. is a heartthrob and SO sweet and caring. I loved how she wrote his character. :-) Those beauty secrets were something else! I just want to know if they really work… hehe. This is a wonderful read that you are sure to enjoy. If you don’t… Well, then we need to have a talk ‘cause you must have issues. ;)

Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas winner!

The very lucky winner of Janice Hanna Thompson's new book, Love Finds You in Poetry, Texas, is:

Renee!!

Congrats! I will contact you later today for your mailing address. I'm sure you will enjoy this amazing book. :-)