Wild Women Authors is pleased to welcome back long-time Wild Rose Press author, Jana Richards as she celebrates the release of To Heal a Heart, a contemporary romance set in North Dakota. With Jana is veterinary tech Blair Greyson who, as usual, will go first.
Good morning, Blair. Tell us a bit about yourself, starting with where you’re from: I was born in St. Paul, Minnesota. Before my recent move to North Dakota, to my school there to become a veterinary technician, and after I finished college, I worked at a veterinary clinic in the city. But my heart’s been in Masonville for a long time. My brothers and I spent every summer there with our grandparents for years.
When
my grandmother suddenly died and I discovered that my grandfather’s health
wasn’t good, I was really worried about him. Then a job came up at the
Masonville Veterinary Clinic and I saw it as a sign that I should move to
Masonville. Living with my Granddad means I can look after him, at least as
much as he’ll let me. If nothing else, I can make sure he eats properly. It’s
also given me the chance to move my two rescue horses to Granddad’s farm from
the stable where I previously housed them. It’s a win-win-win for all of us.
Tell
us a bit about To Heal a Heart. It’s
about overcoming heartache and trauma, and realizing that you’re worthy of love
and family, and that you deserve good things to come into your life.
What
did you think the first time you saw Garrett Saunders? I thought that he was a big, scruffy bully. I thought
he was the reason his horse was emaciated and abused. His horse had welts all
over his body and it infuriated me. I can’t stand the idea of anyone abusing an
animal. So I let him have it. I told him exactly what I thought of someone who
would hurt a defenseless animal, and I threatened to call the authorities on
him.
As
any animal rescuer extraordinaire worth her weight in oats and barley would.
Your second thought? That maybe it
wasn’t such a smart idea to call someone out on a deserted road, especially
when that someone is twice your size and angry. I also thought that there was
something familiar about him that I couldn’t put my finger on. Later, when I discovered
who he was and found out that he’d rescued his horse Harry and wasn’t the person
who abused him, I had to eat some crow. I sucked up my courage and apologized.
So
it wasn’t what some would call love at first sight? Hardly! I think I can safely say that Garrett didn’t
feel that way about me either. He thought I was a pain the ass! But once we got
to know each other, we began to like and respect each other. Our feelings grew,
but because both of us were damaged by past tragedies, neither of us felt we
deserved someone so wonderful in our lives.
What
do you like most about Garrett? So many
things. He’s trustworthy, honest, honorable. He’s the most honorable person I
know. If he makes a promise, he keeps it. Or at least he’ll try, and if he
can’t, he’ll do his best to make up for it. He’s a wonderful son, brother,
uncle and friend, and the most loving man I’ve ever known.
How
would you describe him? Beautiful,
inside and out.
That
is so sweet! Here’s the kicker: how would Mr. Beautiful, inside and out,
describe you? Aside from being a pain
in the ass? I hope he’d describe me as a caring person. He knows family is the
most important thing to me – my grandfather and my brothers mean everything to
me. I hope he’d describe me as a good person. Even if I don’t deserve that
title.
What
made you choose veterinary technology as a career? I love animals and I wanted to make a difference in
the health and welfare of as many animals as possible. I work alongside
veterinarians in preventing disease when we can and treating animals when
they’re sick. In my spare time, my passion is rescuing homeless and abused
horses. I currently have two rescue horses and my hope is to rescue more in the
future.
What
is your biggest fear? That Garrett
will find out about Eve and know I didn’t keep her safe. That’ll he’ll hate me
for it. I don’t want to talk about it.
How
do you relax? By spending time with my
horses. Horses are naturally empathic, and I’ve found myself telling them my
troubles on more than one occasion.
Who
is your favorite fictional character? Probably
Anne of Green Gables. Even though she had her share of heartaches in her young
life, she never lost her optimism or her sense of wonder. I wish I could be
more like her.
What
is the best piece of advice you ever received? My grandfather told me to quit holding on to the past.
He told me I had nothing to feel guilty about. I didn’t believe him at the
time, but now I wish I could let go of my guilt because I know it’s keeping me
from having a future. I want to move forward, but in a weird way I’m
comfortable with my guilt. I wish I could take Granddad’s advice.
Blair,
thank you for taking time away from all your obligations to spend time with us.
This has been very interesting. Now we’d like to chat with Jana.
What
movies or books have had an impact on your career as a writer? Probably every book Mary Balogh has ever written has
had an impact on me as a writer. Even though we don’t write in the same romance
genre, the emotion she packs into her writing has always affected me. I always
feel something when I read one of her books – anger, pity, sorrow, joy – and
that’s what I want to give to my readers. I want to take readers on an
emotional journey.
What
event in your private life were you able to bring to this story and how do you
feel it impacted the novel? That’s a
tough question. I have no one in my life who has been affected by PTSD or has
had an amputation. I didn’t have the kind of loveless childhood that Blair and
her brothers experienced. I’m fortunate that war has not touched my life
directly. Aside from my father serving in the Canadian military in World War
Two, I don’t have any close association to military life. He rarely talked
about it, so war was a long ago and far away thing for me growing up.
But I like to think of myself as an
observer of human nature and a person of empathy. I’m also a consumer of news
and books and I’ve read quite a bit on all these subjects. I can certainly feel
for people who have gone through war and have come out damaged, either
physically or mentally. I can also feel the hurt and the lasting damage of people
who have had abusive childhoods. So, I guess the answer to your question is no
one event informed this story. The events and the emotions of this story are a
result of observing, and empathizing.
Tell
us a bit about your publisher: how did you hear about them and what influenced
your decision to submit to them? This
is my eighth book or novella with The Wild Rose Press. I know it’s been a while
since I became aware of TWRP because the first time I read a call for
submissions from them it was on MySpace! That’s eons ago in the tech world. In
any event, I made that first submission and was accepted (after several
rewrites), and I’ve always been happy to work with them.
What
book[s] currently rest on your TBR pile? I just looked at my Kindle and I have about 30 unread books in there. I
keep buying books that interest me, but I haven’t read them yet. I have to
admit that during the pandemic I haven’t always felt like reading. It’s weird
because I love reading, but I’ve found myself watching more TV instead. And I
used to listen to books when I went to the gym, but now that I’ve stopped doing
that, I haven’t listened to a book since March. However, I just finished
reading a romantic historical book in print called “The German Heiress” that I
really enjoyed so I hope that means I’m getting back into the swing of reading
once again.
Lastly, what's up next and
when can we expect to see it on the shelves? I’m currently doing edits on the next book in the
Masonville series. This is Ben’s story. He’s Blair’s eldest brother, a widower
and single father to his two young stepdaughters. Ben is focused on caring for
his kids and making sure he retains custody. He certainly isn’t expecting to
fall in love so that’s why I call this story “Unexpected”.
Once I whip this story into shape, I’m
going to begin on the fourth and final book in the Masonville series, which has
the working title of “Strong Enough”. This is Damon’s story, Blair’s other
brother. His love interest is Charlotte, who is Garrett’s sister. Nothing like
keeping it all in the family!
With any luck, “Unexpected” will be out
sometime in 2021. If you’re interested in receiving news about new releases,
subscribe to my newsletter at https://www.janarichards.com/contact.html#newsletter
Website: http://www.janarichards.com
The Wild Rose Press: https://www.thewildrosepress.com/books/to-heal-a-heart
Amazon.com: https://www.amazon.com/Heal-Heart-Masonville-Book-ebook/dp/B0875SLGK6
Amazon.ca: https://www.amazon.ca/Heal-Heart-Masonville-Book-ebook/dp/B0875SLGK6
Amazon.UK: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Heal-Heart-Masonville-Book-ebook/dp/B0875SLGK6
Amazon.de: https://www.amazon.de/Heal-Heart-Masonville-Book-ebook/dp/B0875SLGK6
Amazon.fr: https://www.amazon.fr/Heal-Heart-Masonville-Book-ebook/dp/B0875SLGK6
Barnes & Noble: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/to-heal-a-heart-jana-richards/1136868654?ean=2940162717966
iBooks: https://books.apple.com/us/book/to-heal-a-heart/id1508639914
Kobo US: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/to-heal-a-heart-7
Kobo CA: https://www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/to-heal-a-heart-7
Walmart: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/to-heal-a-heart-7
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/books/details/Jana_Richards_To_Heal_a_Heart?id=zNDpDwAAQBAJ
Love the interview!
ReplyDeleteThanks Jennifer!
DeleteGreat interview! Horses are a blessing!
ReplyDeleteThanks Hunter! I love horses but I really don't have much experience with them. I asked a friend who owns horses to read the story for me before I sent it to my editor and she told me I was making the horses do things they really don't do. So I listened to her advice and did my best to create a more realistic portrayal.
DeleteLoved the interview! Your book sounds so interesting.
ReplyDeleteI love a story with horses! Also a huge fan of Mary Balogh. Congratulations on the book!
ReplyDeleteI have read To Heal a Heart and now want to read the series. I love when minor characters turn into entire books themselves. Blair gave a great interview.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. From one Canadian to another, wishing you all the best with this book and the ones to come.
ReplyDelete