An Interview with Author Joanne Rawson + Giveaway

Joining us today we have Erin Elliott, author of the upcoming “Mira’s View” – the first in The Sword of Lumina YA fantasy series. Erin took time out of her busy schedule to interview Chic-Lit author Joanne Rawson about her short story “Learner Mum.”

First, a little about the story.

Polly Wilkins is a successful freelance journalist slash writer. She has been living with her partner Steve in what her parents call sin for the last eight years. But, to her parent’s disappointment, there are no signs of wedding bells or the patter of tiny feet on the horizon. Why? Because Polly, is not in the least bit maternal. Can this all change after Polly and Steve have a torrid weekend looking after her nephew? Or will Polly stick to her guns and loose Steve forever?


 

Erin:  What inspired this story?

Joanne: I was awaiting the release of my first book, For Better or for Worse. Nancy suggested I write something for the anthology, Having My Baby. Well, having no children myself, and now a little mature in years my maternal instincts have swayed towards being like Polly, which had me thinking. What fun it would be to write a story based on no maternal instincts.

Erin: I found myself laughing at the description that Polly gave when watching her nephew Josh, is this something that you have experience with or that you drew from for your story?

Joanne: Oh no first- hand experience! My brother Tristan is fifteen years younger than me, and being an only child for fifteen years, babysitting was classed part of my sisterly duties. I had many hair raising moments, that my Mum, (Margot) kindly remembers me of still today. However, the one that sticks in my mind and perhaps scared Tristan for life is the night he had an upset tummy, at around the age of two. Well, he called me crying, he had pooped right through his nappy, caked, from head to foot and puked in the bed. (Gross, I am sorry.) Anyway gagging, I removed the nappy, as he processed to poop and puke more, on me and on the carpet. Eventually I got him in the bath. Hot and frustrated, I dressed him, took him downstairs while I went back to gag and change the sheets and clean the carpet. Then there was an almighty scream from downstairs, I ran down to the sitting room just at the point Jaws came lunging out of the water, almost poking his head through the T.V screen. Terrified out of his wits he clung to me, too frightened to stay on his own, even when I put in his video. I had to hold him while I managed to clean up. When mum and dad arrived home, just as I was trying to scrub the carpet while Tristan hung on me like a baby kangaroo around my tummy, I broke down into tears, thinking I had failed. Needless to say, Mum was more than comforting. Sorry Tris for any embarrassment caused – Sis xx

Erin: What other works do you have available now?

Joanne: Always MR. Wrong, Angel of Kindness, No Strings Attached, Trials and Tribulations of a Blind Date (Anthology) For Better or For Worse, Having My Baby

Erin: What ideas are you working on now or what ideas do you have for future stories?

Joanne: Have you ever wondered what goes through a brides mind when she stands at the altar? Well that is the first part on my new book, in the mind of Zoe North. I also have ideas for another book based on the life and trials of Nanny Nora

Erin: Have you considered making a sequel for Ms. Polly?

Joanne: Not at the moment, but I never say never.

Erin: What advice do you have for future writers trying to make it into the publishing world?

Joanne: If at first you don’t succeed try, try and try again. People seem to have a glamour’s notion that as authors we write, we get published, and we bring in the bucks. Oh, I wish! My advice would be: Write only what you know about. Listen to all the advice given from your publisher, they know what sells. Your editor should be your best friend, not your enemy; they are there to make a good story great. Lastly, do not be despondent, making it as an author is a long process. I have had five stories published, and two more to be released soon, but I still class myself as an apprentice, and welcome any help and advice when offered it. Jo xx


Buy It

“Learner Mum” is available from Melange Books and can be purchased here.

Add it to your Goodreads shelf here.


About Joanne Rawson

Joanne Rawson was born and brought up in Derbyshire England. After leaving college in 1984, she headed off to be an au pair in the Loire Valley, France for one year.

Returning back, to England, Joanne worked work for Derbyshire Education Authority in special education, and then for Derbyshire Social services working with adults with learning and physical difficulties.

In 2005, Joanne and her husband decided to give up their hectic lifestyle, after ten years of managing branded restaurants around London’s M25, now spending her time in England, Goa, and Malaysia, writing romantic novels and short stories.

Melange: https://melange-books.com/authors/joannerawson/index.html
Blog: authorjoannerawson.blogspot.com


About Erin Elliott

 I’ve been a preschool special education teacher for the last ten years. I’ve always wanted to be a writer and started writing stories and “books” when I was in high school. I have three books coming out, The Sword of Lumina series. I love spending time with my family, reading, summer and the sun. My lifelong dream is to live in Hawaii someday.

 


Giveaway

Have you had a disastrous experience watching someone else’s child? Leave a comment below to win a free ebook copy of “Learner Mum” by Joanne Rawson!

Winner will be chosen on or after May 4, 2014.

Also don’t forget, we’re still giving away that $10 Amazon gift card over HERE!

Melange Book Release|| March 12, 2014

 

From romance to chic-lit to sci-fi, we’ve got you covered with these three great short stories from Megan Hussey, Joanne Rawson and John Steiner.

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The Sea Prince

by Megan Hussey

Artist Vivian draws endless inspiration from the beaches and waters of her tropical home. When she meets the exotic Haiden, she finds the ultimate muse—the handsome prince of an exotic undersea kingdom where nature always takes its course….

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Learner Mum

 by Joanne Rawson

Polly Wilkins is a successful freelance journalist slash writer. She has been living with her partner Steve in what her parents call sin for the last eight years. But, to her parent’s disappointment, there are no signs of wedding bells or the patter of tiny feet on the horizon. Why? Because Polly, is not in the least bit maternal. Can this all change after Polly and Steve have a torrid weekend looking after her nephew? Or will Polly stick to her guns and loose Steve forever?

~ * ~ * ~ * ~

Sol Side Up

FLIPSPACE #3

by John Steiner

On completion of two missions, the crew of the Mockingbird returns to Earth for Grav Leave. Not everyone welcomes them back as intrepid explorers and peacekeepers. Colonel Ramachandra becomes the target of a kidnapping plot, and the abductors’ motives aren’t clear. Major Lamarr Fitch struggles with the responsibilities of filling in. He must organize the ship’s crew to get Colonel Rama back. Captain Malcolm O’Connell confronts his past and the legacy of being a reincarnated Xerces Protocol patient.

An Interview with Joanne Rawson + Giveaway

Upcoming Fire and Ice author Melissa March took the time to interview the “queen of chic-lit” Joanne Rawson about her most recent Melange release, “Always Mr. Wrong.”

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Melissa: Nothing stays cemented in a girls mind like her first real crush. Who was your first serious crush?

Joanne: Oh my, that was a long time ago. In the words of Greta, from Sound of Music, I was sixteen going on seventeen. He was seventeen going on eighteen.

First day back at school in the lower sixth form, he walked into the registration room, and I felt my face blush, my stomach fluttered and if I had been standing, I am sure my knees would have buckled. He was much taller and well built than any of the other guys in my year. He had a cheeky smile, and oozed confidence, so why had I never seen him before? It turned out he was retaking the lower sixth, hence his maturity!

Like having a new car, every car you see is the same as yours, I saw him everywhere, popping up in the most unexpected places. Then the bombshell came, I saw him with a girl from the upper sixth. Like Clare my life was ended, I would never find love again. Weeks later I was trying to forget him, praying for a miracle that he would see me across a crowed room, and knew right then and there he couldn’t live without me. “Yeah, like that is so going to happen.” Said my best friend.

Oh yea of little faith. It was as I was standing in the lunch line, someone muscled in at the back of me. An arm slipped around my waist, and whispered in my ear, “would I like to have lunch with him.”

My crush became my first love, for two years after.

 

Melissa: This story invites us to be a part of how Clare met Guy.  I always love a good how-did-they-meet story. So….how did you meet your husband?

Joanne: Having just got out of a relationship I was so off men. I had gone to my friend Polly’s for the weekend; I sat in a pub having a quite drink, when the proprietor placed a fresh glass on the table. “It’s from John,” pointing to a hunk in tight jeans, denim shirt and a waistcoat. Yummy! Much to Polly’s amazement, I asked him to join us. We talked for a while, had a couple more drinks and then Polly and I left. A couple of hour later the phone rang, it was him, apologising for it being so late, but it had taken him an hour to find Polly’s phone number. Next night he took me out, and since then we have never spent a day apart.

 

Melissa: Clare’s friend Jess doesn’t know that Clare and Guy have history so she plays matchmaker. Have you ever played matchmaker or had someone try to fix you up?

Joanne: When I was a restaurant manager, on Sundays we had anything up to a three-hour waiting list. Every Sunday, I had an elderly man who came in asking for a table of one, which always caused me trouble taking up a table of two for a one. Anyway, one Sunday a lovely elderly lady came in asking for a table for one, not long after my regular guy. Talking it over with my assistant Jason, wondering if I could ask them to share, he thought I was crazy. Even so, I wandered over put my solution over to my regular guy, then took him and introduced him to the lady. I could not believe it they both agreed. For the next six months, I was at that restaurant they came in every Sunday and during the week. Not sure how it all ended.

 

Melissa: Have you ever had a bad Star Wars fantasy episode?

Joanne: Not a bad fantasy as such, but enough to put me off having one.  I was dating this guy, with long unruly hair, a bushy beard, that I found a rather intellectual, cultured and mature, seeing as I was going through my arty, farty, intellectual phase at that time. Then one-night things got a little amours; off came his shirt, and to my horror, the beard continued down his chest, and around his back, yes folks I was dating Chewbacca. Just to say every time now I see Chewbacca I cringe.

 

Melissa: I love English sayings. But I’m not familiar with one in the book. What is silly o’clock?

Joanne: I am not sure if it is an English saying, but it is a saying I use. Instead of saying, “She rang me at three o’clock in the morning.” I would say, “she rang me at silly o’clock this morning.” My friends would know it was an inappropriate time of the morning she called.

 

Melissa: Your character Eleanor was a hoot. Is she based on someone you know?

Joanne: Mainly I make up my characters, but there perhaps is a mix match of people I know, or that I have observed. Some of the tales I tell are real life stories from people I have met over the years.

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About Joanne Rawson

Joanne Rawson was born and brought up in Derbyshire England. After leaving college in 1984, she headed off to be an au pair in the Loire Valley, France for one year.

Returning back, to England, Joanne worked work for Derbyshire Education Authority in special education, and then for Derbyshire Social services working with adults with learning and physical difficulties.

In 2005, Joanne and her husband decided to give up their hectic lifestyle, after ten years of managing branded restaurants around London’s M25, now spending her time in England, Goa, and Malaysia, writing romantic novels and short stories.

Melange: www.melange-books.com/authors/joannerawson/index.html
Blog: http://authorjoannerawson.blogspot.com

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About Melissa March

Melissa March lives in Pennsylvania with her husband and son. Love You To Death is her first published novel.

She gravitates toward YA fiction and is currently working on three other novels, expanding her genre to include an adult mystery.

She spends most of her time writing, trying to figure out how to work her blog site, and chasing after her toddler.

Website: www.melissamarch16.com 
Facebook: www.facebook.com/melissa.march.963

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~ * ~ GIVEAWAY ~ * ~

Leave a comment below to be entered to win a copy of “Always Mr. Wrong”

A winner will be chosen on March 16, 2014

Melange Book Release|| February 12, 2014 + Giveaway

Melange Book Release|| February 12, 2014

Melange Book Release|| February 12, 2014

 

"Always Mr. Wrong" by Joanne Rawson

“Always Mr. Wrong” by Joanne Rawson

Always Mr. Wrong by Joanne Rawson

Clare Darby is feeling restless, but can’t quite put her finger on why. Her life is in order, so what is the problem? When her daughter asks what she really wants for Christmas how can Clare tell her all she wants is to get laid. All her life she has fallen for Mr. Wrong. Will she ever find Mr. Right?

 

"Point of No Return" by Tara Fox Hall

“Point of No Return” by Tara Fox Hall

Point of No Return by Tara Fox Hall

Promise Me # 7

When Sarelle discovers Theo’s love for Tasha is not all it seems, she breaks the love spell, even as she fears the consequences. Dreaming with Theo again awakens old feelings, even as Devlin’s possessiveness increases when Sar is discovered to be pregnant. Influenced by her blood bond to Devlin and Danial, and her magical bond with Theo, Sar is determined to make the relationship with her lovers work. But can Sar trust her heart fully, much less her own desires?

"Blood and Fire" by Tori L. Ridgewood

“Blood and Fire” by Tori L. Ridgewood

Blood and Fire by Tori L. Ridgewood

The Talbot Trilogy, Book Two

What chance does one witch have against five vampires? Alone, not much. But Rayvin’s allies are gathering… The battle between good and evil supernatural forces heats up in the long, cold November nights of the former mining town. But how will Rayvin’s motley crew of spellcasters and shapeshifters cope when they discover the threat they face is even greater than they imagined?

"Death Song" by Richard Dawes

“Death Song” by Richard Dawes

Death Song by Richard Dawes

A Tucson Kid Western #2

The Tucson Kid is sentenced to death when he’s accused of murder after killing a man in a gunfight. He’s bought out of his sentence by a woman who has a job for him. A bandit is holding something over her father, and she asks Tucson to infiltrate his gang to discover what it is. Tucson is pitted alone against the outlaws and must face the bandit chief in a battle to the death.

"Elmo's Sojourn" by Walt Trizna

“Elmo’s Sojourn” by Walt Trizna

Elmo’s Sojourn by Walt Trizna

Elmo, a retired scientist, travels through a wormhole to the planet Roth where he helps combat an alien invasion which is menacing the planet.

Buy the book here: 

“Little Girls Dream Big” by Nicole Angeleen – Giveaway

About the Book:

Olympic gymnast Trixie Dalca’s world is destroyed the day her sister Ileana falls during training, slips into a coma, and dies. To cope with the loss, Trixie turns to her best friend, American gymnast Shaye Sylvester. Together with Shaye and amateur documentary filmmaker Abby Vicari, the three unlikely investigators question whether Ileana’s death was merely a tragic accident or murder.