Monday, July 11, 2011

An Interview with Janice Hanna Thompson and giveaway



answer the question to be entered into a drawing to possibly win one of Janice's books - reader's choice which. Be sure to include your email address

Let’s chat with novelist Janice Hanna Thompson, author of Love Finds You in Groom, Texas (Summerside/Guideposts, June 2011).

Janice Hanna (also published as Janice Thompson) has published more than seventy novels and non-fiction books. She has also published more than fifty magazine articles and several musical comedies for the stage. Janice makes her home in the Houston area near her children and grandchildren.

Please tell us three random things we might not know about you.

My dad was the president of the University of Houston Cougar Cagers Club, so my birthdays, holidays, etc. were spent at basketball games. Our family traveled to Mexico with the U of H Cougars to watch them compete, which was great fun. When I was eleven, I got to play (for fun, of course) with the Harlem Globetrotters, who came to Houston for a visit. To this day, I love a good basketball game.

I once lied to a fellow camper at church camp, telling her that my dad (Billy Hanna) was William Hanna of Hanna/Barbara (Flintstones) fame. That lie still haunts me, though, to his credit, my dad did eventually work as a movie producer on our co-authored movie, Liar’s Moon. (Yes, it’s true. I got to meet and work with Matt Dillon. Eat your heart out, girls!)

I occasionally bake wedding cakes. In 2009 I baked a lovely four-tiered white cake with strawberry filling and cream cheese frosting that toppled less than an hour before the wedding. I managed to piece together two very messy/ugly layers. Thankfully, the bride did not murder me. It made for a great scene in a later book. (Nothing ever gets wasted, not even a mashed piece of cake.)

Please tell us a bit more about the plot of Love Finds You in Groom, Texas.

Always the groomsman, never the groom… It’s 1914, and Jake O’Farrell has gained an unusual reputation among the locals: He’s played the roles of groomsman and best man in all four of his older brothers’ weddings, but he’s never been able to find the woman to capture his heart. And now with the upcoming wedding of his best friend, Jake will become the last single man in the town of Groom.

Anne Denning has made the difficult decision to move with her sisters to Texas, but a train derailment forces them to seek shelter in Groom, near Amarillo. Mrs. O’Farrell, hopeful that Anne will catch her youngest son’s eye, invites the girls to stay at her home until the train is repaired and ready to pull out. Anne has no idea of the blissful chaos that lies ahead!

Why did you decide to write this story?

My editor at Summerside approached me with the name of the town because she knows I write a lot of wedding-themed stories. She wanted something lightweight/fun, and she knew me well enough to know I would enjoy a fun story. The only real question we had in the beginning stage was: “Should this be a historical or a contemporary?” We went with historical because I felt sure the story idea was better suited to the turn of the century.

Tell us something interesting about the town of Groom:

Groom boasts a nineteen-story high cross. More than 100 welders worked together to erect it in 1995. Now you can see why I toyed with the idea of writing a contemporary novel! I wanted to include the cross. Because I went with historical, I decided to give the heroine a small cross necklace to wear, one that symbolizes her faith (and alludes to the “bigger” cross to come).

What is your favorite memory of the Texas panhandle region?

Just one? I love, love, love Palo Duro Canyon, which is not terribly far from Groom. This breathtaking canyon always surprises visitors because you don’t see it coming! Look to your right and see nothing. Then, a few yards up the road, look to your right again and you see a crevice forming. That crevice deepens, then deepens some more until. . .lo and behold! You’re looking at one of God’s most magnificent “sweeps of a fingertip.” Truly glorious. One of my favorite memories was taking my daughters to see the play “Texas” in Palo Duro Canyon when they were little. We camped overnight in the state park, ate BBQ and saw the show. Amazing!

If you were the casting director for the film version of your novel, who would play your heroine?

Because Anne (a one-time socialite from Denver) has dark hair and pale skin, I envision her looking a little bit like the character of Diana Barry in Anne of Green Gables. Diana was played by Schuyler Grant.

Tell us a little about your hero? Is he true hero material?

Jake is a hunka-hunka Texas man! He’s a railroad man who loves his job, loves his family and loves the heroine. He’s got a great sense of humor, which is perfect for this story, because the heroine’s little sisters are loaded with antics! Jake has a lot to deal with: he’s the town’s last single man, which has made him the brunt of many a joke. His older brothers (all married with children) taunt and tease. Jake can never catch a break. Unless he’s with Anne, of course. Then he catches far more than a break. . .he catches the woman of his dreams!

You always seem to add animal to your stories. Any animals in this one?

Yes! Most of my readers know that I’m an animal lover. My two miniature dachshunds, Sasha and Copper, are my ever-faithful companions. They’ve made appearances in several of my books. Love Finds You in Groom, Texas, is set on a ranch in North Texas, so I couldn’t possibly write it without adding animals! The cattle are a part of the story, naturally, but so is the family’s collie, Ginger. My favorite animal/character is Frances, the hero’s mare. He’s so enamored with his mare (and so comfortable talking to her) that he ends up practicing his “love speech” on the mare while working up courage to deliver it to Anne.

What are readers saying about this book? Have you had any feedback so far?

So far the book has all five-star reviews on amazon (which makes me smile, of course). Here’s a review I found that really got me excited:


5.0 out of 5 stars: A Delightful Read

This delightful tale of romance which emerges out of tragic circumstances is set in a wonderful town called Groom in the panhandle of the great state of Texas. It is a story of tragedy, love, and God’s divine hand of providence that enters a situation just at the right time and changes everything. Young Anne finds herself on a train heading to Dallas with her two younger sisters after the loss of their father. When fate intervenes, the trail derails and their future is forever altered. And then there is Jake, the last available young man in Groom who finds himself to be the recipient of many jokes about his situation, especially from his brothers. Jake’s mother, Maggie, embodies everything wonderful that Anne remembers about her own mother before she died. Throw in the mixture of the antics of Aunt Bets and the perceived sternness of Uncle Bertrand, and you have a story of new revelations and delightful outcomes.

How absolutely wonderful, in this day and age when problems seem to loom on every side and people have lost faith and hope, to read a story that is all about faith and hope. It is refreshing to read a story set in an era when one’s words meant something, when prayer was the first course of action, when faith ruled our very existence, when people looked out for one another even during hard times. Perhaps after reading this book, your faith will be renewed, as well. – Cherri Taylor


What are you working on now?

I just turned in Love Finds You in Daisy, Oklahoma, a fun historical about a single woman in her late 30’s who moves from the Gulf Coast to the landlocked state of Oklahoma to become the director at an orphanage. It’s a love story, of course! She falls in love with the town sheriff, who has adopted two of the unruliest boys from the orphanage. I’m currently writing Wedding Belles, the first book in the Belles and Whistles series for Summerside/Guideposts.

I heard through the grapevine that you direct theater productions on the side. Why theater?

I grew up doing musical theater and have always loved it. A good friend of mine (Brenda White) is a brilliant musician, probably the most talented I’ve ever known. She writes some amazing pieces. We co-direct at a local theater. I write the plays (mostly) and she does the music. We hold auditions and then rehearse for about two months. Our most recent production was Zaney Muldaney, on the Road to Kingdom Come. To check out the pictures on facebook, go here.

I notice you write under two names (Janice Hanna and Janice Thompson). Why?

Those who’ve been reading my romances over the past several years know me as Janice A. Thompson. My joy is mixed with a smidgeon of sorrow as I explain the change in my last name for some of my current releases. In 2006 I lost my father to bone marrow cancer. His last name (Hanna) is my maiden name—and it’s a name that means even more to me now that he is gone. In memory of my father, I use the Hanna name in my historicals. My Revell books will still release under Janice Thompson. I hope you my readers will stick with me, no matter which name I use!

I understand you have a new VIP bookclub. Can you tell us about that?

Yes, I’m so excited about this, too! I came up with this idea several months ago: Why not create a “club” where members can get each new Janice Thompson/Janice Hanna book as it releases for a set price of $11, shipping included. Books are autographed and mailed out to club members before they ever hit the stores. I also encourage my VIP club members to leave reviews, as they are able, on amazon, christianbook.com and www.barnesandnoble.com. If people are interested in joining the club, all they have to do is shoot me an email at booksbyjanice@aol.com with the words “VIP bookclub” in the subject line and their address in the body of the email.

Can you tell our readers about your recent road trip? Where did you go, and why?

In May of 2011 I went on a cross-country road trip to twelve different states. The goal, (as it relates to books, anyway) was to hit several key spots where I could speak to writers and teach on the subject of our God-given uniqueness. I also researched several locales for my new “Belles and Whistles” series while on the road. I took my mom along for the ride, and what a ride it was! We spent twenty-three days on the road, traveling from Texas to Oklahoma to Kansas to Colorado to Wyoming to Montana to Washington to Idaho to Utah to Arizona to New Mexico, then back to Texas. We met some amazing writers and readers along the way, and even got to spend a little time with my daughter, son-in-law and grandbabies in Montana. What a blast!

Anything else you want our readers to know?

Yes, I’m very passionate about my faith, which is why I write Christian books. I could no more leave out the faith elements than I could stop eating chocolate. They are integral…to my stories and my life. I’m a huge believer in stirring up the gifts that God has placed inside of us, which is what I hope to do through my teaching.

Any suggestions for writers who are trying to get published?

Learn the craft. Take courses. Go to conferences. Do the work. But don’t ever let what you’ve learned rob you of your natural, God-given voice. There’s only one you, after all.

Where else can readers find you online?

I love to connect with my readers at the following places:

•www.janicehannathompson.com
•www.freelancewritingcourses.com
•www.facebook.com/jhannathompson

Where can I get the book?

Love Finds You in Groom, Texas can be purchased at any number of online stores, as well as my website: www.janicehannathompson.com (front page). Readers can always join my VIP bookclub and get the locked in price of $11 (no shipping) by contacting me directly at booksbyjanice@aol.com.

Thanks for spending time with me! I had a blast!

And to win a copy of ANY of Janice's books, answer this question: Have you attended any weddings lately? Can you share something funny that happened?

19 comments:

Janice said...

Thanks so much for running this interview!

MaureenT said...

One of the last weddings I attended, ended up strange. There were these wonderful cookies, but no cake. The baker got the wrong day. Then she called the Bride and Groom at 1am to apologize ...UGH! She thought the wedding was the next day!! Now do you call a couple on their wedding night???

Anonymous said...

No, I haven't attended a wedding in the last year. I get teary eyed when I do.

joyce.williams2(at)yahoo(dot)com

Judy said...

I attended a wedding where the Bride wasn't late, the Groom wasn't late, but the Groom's parents were!! The wedding was held up for nearly 30 minutes when finally they arrived! It appears they didn't leave early enough to beat the traffic! The wedding was in Columbus, Ohio.

P.S. The Groom's Father had just yelled at the Groom the night before for missing the wedding rehearsal because he was out golfing and wasn't watching the time!! Then he shows up late for the wedding!

Anonymous said...

I haven't attended a wedding in a couple of years... Two years ago seemed to be the year of weddings. I went to several right in a row and even went to mass one day NOT knowing that it was a wedding mass. Luckily the couple wanted to share their day with the normal parishners so we stayed and witnessed a beautiful union.

srstormo at yahoo dot com

Debbie Clark said...

It has been a few years since I went to a wedding. My most memorible was when my husband was invited to a Russian wedding. It was all spoken in Russian. I was impressed by the 2 hr wedding. We had somewhat of an intermpreter for the reception dinner, but not for the wedding. It was very fun and interesting.

Please enter me in the drawing. I love Janice Thompson's books. Thanks for the chance to win.

Debbie Clark

debbiemcla[at]msn[dot]com

Wendy Newcomb said...

Yes, on July 2nd, my daughter had a very casual wedding and my son thought, hmmmm "a hillbilly wedding", so he dressed up in SHORT (I mean SHORT) cut-offs with an old fashioned t-shirt (like men used to wear in the old days). You should have seen her face when she saw him, lol, funny stuff. Her and the groom both laughed. Needless to say, our son did change into presentable clothes for the wedding.

wfnren at aol dot com

Wendy Newcomb said...

Yes, on July 2nd my daughter got married, she had a very casual ceremony. My son dressed as a hillbilly, with VERY SHORT cut-offs and the old fashioned type of t-shirt. Our daughter and her husband to be about died laughing when they came in and saw him. Our son was nice and changed into more appropriate casual clothes for the wedding though.

wfnren at aol dot com

Judy said...

This is Judy again. What a dunce! I forgot to post my e-mail.

judyjohn2004[at]yahoo[dot]com

Carla Gade said...

The book sounds great!!

I attended a wedding once and the centerpieces were a fish bowl with live Siamese Fighting Fish. Sadly, the couple didn't stay together, they fought too much.

Blessings and congrats on Janice's novel.

carlagade [at] gmail [dot] com

B. J. Robinson said...

An outdoor wedding, and it was drizzling rain, but the rain stopped and a double rainbow appeared after prayer. Blessings, BJ

Betty Thomason Owens said...

Great interview! I attended my niece's wedding earlier this year. Her flower girl was her 3-year-old daughter, who threw the rose petals like a fast-pitch softball pitcher. Then, during the photo session, laid down and stuck her feet in the air. I have the photo to prove that. It's one of life's funniest moments for us.

Betty Thomason Owens said...

I'm Rosie the flower girl's aunt and I forgot to leave my email address! So sorry.
batowens [a] gmail .com

DCeroniWrites said...

My husband officiated at a wedding for my best friend's daughter at our church. While dressing in the basement, her mother was trying to get her to relax a bit as she was so nervous. She asked her to think positive thoughts and share a favorite memory of their dating experience. At that moment, the bride leaned over and threw up...we prayed that the marriage experience would be better! ;-) Fortunately, a church member had a helpful prescription with her for easing anxiety and the brides symptoms disappeared for the ceremony!

Rebecca said...

I haven't been to any weddings in ages. The last wedding I remember going to I had a broken arm that they had to hide behind someone for the pictures. Thank you so much for the chance to win this. This sounds like an amazing book. Thanks again.

agent_beckster(at)yahoo(dot)com

margie said...

How's this?? About 1986, my husband planned a renewal of vows service for us without telling me!! My family and the whole church were in on it but no one told me anything. My Mother and 3 sisters were in the congregation at church and I didn't even see them. I was sitting with the choir...in my choir robe...when the pastor called me to come to the front of the church. HUH??? That's when I found out I was getting married again!!! How many ladies out there have been married in a choir robe?? I asked if it was too late to change my mind!!! The ladies of the church had made a big cake and planned a pot luck social/reception for after church. After getting over the shock of having been so completely kept out of the loop, we had a wonderful day and are still married...it will be 33 years the 29th of this month!! margie at mijares dot net

cjajsmommy said...

Love all the comments above! (We did the fighting fish in bowls as centerpieces for my dd's outdoor wedding in 2003, btw!)

We were at a barn wedding, fairly casual -- the bride wore pink tennis shoes, reminiscent of a movie (Runaway Bride, maybe?). When the reception music started, someone switched out the first song that was supposed to be played, country song that honored marriage, and replaced it with one that was all about divorce. You should have seen us scrambling to get that song turned off as we realized what the words to the song were.

Janice said...

I LOVE the comment about the Siamese fighting fish. How ironic! (And how strangely funny!)

Janice said...

Margie, WOW, what a story!

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