Enjoy this fun interview with author Janice Thompson, where
she shares the story-behind-the-story regarding Bella’s return.
Janice, welcome! I really enjoyed the Weddings by Bella
series and am excited to read the spin-off series.
1.
Can you tell us more about why you decided to write it?
Sure! (Thanks for hosting me, by the way!) When I wrote Fools Rush In
(book one in the Weddings by Bella series) I knew I had something special on my
hands. The characters really resonated with me, but there was more. I felt as
if I’d created a world of real, wonderful, wacky people. Sure, I’d breathed
life into them on the page, but they seemed to take it from there, springing to
life and moving the story forward as they willed. I wrapped up the series with Swinging on a Star
and It Had to be You,
but my readers weren’t satisfied! At least once a week I got a letter from a
fan saying, “Are there more? Please keep this story going!” I sent several of
those letters to my editor, and before long she agreed that we should, indeed,
keep the story going! That’s how the Weddings by Design
story began. I’m so relieved to have more to offer. Since Fools Rush In went
free on Kindle, it has been downloaded nearly 300,000 times. Crazy! So, I have
many, many new readers, aching for more!
This is a wedding-themed series, just like the first, and
loaded with fun, quirky mishaps on the way to the altar! Readers will
experience the same “feel” of Galveston Island and my ever-present humor, which
drives the stories forward. I
truly hope that readers pick up the first book in this new series and sigh with
relief as they catch up with their favorite characters from the last series:
Bella, D.J., Aunt Rosa, Uncle Laz, the three ladies from Splendora, Brock
Benson, and so on. Here’s what the publisher had to say about the new series: “With her contagious humor and cast of quirky characters, Janice
Thompson gives readers more of the bridal business drama they want in a
brand-new series all about those long-suffering people who make beautiful
weddings happen. Readers are desperately waiting for more of Bella and this new
series brings her back in a big way, while introducing new characters fans will
love. Fans will laugh out loud as they experience this breezy and entertaining
novel from a great storyteller.”
3.
What sets this new series apart from the last one?
The Weddings by Design
novels are told from the point of view of new characters. Book one, Picture Perfect,
is about a wedding photographer named Hannah. Book two, The
Icing on the Cake, is about a wedding cake designer
named Scarlet. Book three, The Dream Dress, is about a dress designer named
Gabi. Book four (yet untitled) is about a wedding florist named Gina. Each
of these ladies longs to work with the most fabulous wedding coordinator on the
island—Bella (Rossi) Neeley, so everything loops back to Club Wed, just like
the first series.
4.
When does the new series release?
Book one, Picture Perfect,
is already available on Amazon. The Kindle version will be ready for download
on February 15th. (Happy Valentine’s Day, y’all!) I received my
author copies last week, so autographed copies are available for purchase ($12)
if readers are interested in that. They can email me at booksbyjanice@aol.com
for more information.
Ooo, I’d love to! The synopsis should
answer any questions:
She’s trying to focus on her future. How can one man make
everything feel so . . . fuzzy?
Hannah McDermott has a successful photography studio. She’ll
soon be featured in Texas Bride magazine. And she has a celebrity client whose
Galveston ceremony will be her ticket to the top spot on wedding coordinator
Bella Neeley’s list of recommended photographers. But it could all come
crashing down around her because of one man: archrival and photographer
extraordinaire Drew Kincaid.
As the competition between Hannah and Drew heats up, Hannah is
surprised to find that it’s not the only thing getting more intense. She can’t
get the handsome man out of her thoughts-or even out of her line of sight-and
the job of her dreams is turning into a nightmare. Will everything she’s worked
for slip out of her hands? And can she see past her pride to find a
picture-perfect love?
6. How
is the new series doing with readers so far?
Great! Folks who’ve read the book have already
contacted me to say they love it! I’m also thrilled that Picture Perfect got a
great Romantic Times review. . .four stars! Here’s what the reviewer had to
say: "Fans
of romantic comedies are in for a treat just in time for Valentine’s Day. Book
one in the Weddings by Design series does not disappoint! Funny one-liners and
absolutely lovable characters combine with just enough romantic tension to keep
the pages turning at a brisk pace — but readers will want to slow down to savor
this one."
7. How
are you kicking off the new series?
I’m hosting an online party! I’m
calling this my “Bing & Bob” party and it will be held on the night of
February 18th at 7:00 p.m. central time. These two funny fellas hold
a special place in the heart of my characters and they will provide the
entertainment at our gathering! This fun, interactive party will take place
inside the “Bella’s
Back” group on facebook. Join me for an interactive chat, video
teasers, Bing Crosby music and giveaways! Some lucky reader/participant will
win a free Kindle Fire! To be entered, you must join the Bella’s
Back facebook group and attend the party. (i.e. “Must be
present when your named is called.”)
8.
Can you share a little bit from the novel?
Prologue
Going My Way
May your troubles be as few and as far apart as my
grandmother’s teeth.
Irish proverb
My life has been a series of almosts.
Take, for instance, the time I almost made the cheerleading squad in high school but lost out to
my archnemesis, Jacquie Practically-Perfect-in-Every-Way Goldfarb. Then there
was the time Matt Hudson, the hunkiest football player at my high school, almost asked me to the prom but ended up
going with Jacquie instead. Oh, and we can’t forget the time I almost got a photographer’s dream job,
shooting superstar Brock Benson’s wedding. Yep. Another almost. That time, the opportunity of a lifetime slipped through my
fingers and into the open palms of my chief competitor, Drew Kincaid of Kincaid
Photography.
Some people are haunted by memories of things they’ve done. Me?
I’m haunted by all of the things I nearly accomplished but missed by a quarter
of an inch. That’s why, when faced with yet another unbelievable opportunity—a
profile piece in Texas Bride magazine
to promote my new Galveston-based photography business—I couldn’t blow it. No
more almosts for me. This time I
would hit the finish line a winner. My meeting with the Texas Bride reporter would transform my career and propel me into
the limelight, winning me the favor of the island’s top wedding planner, Bella
Neeley. If I could just keep from messing it up.
Oh, but this time I wouldn’t! In fact, I could almost hear my Grandpa
Aengus cheering me on from the great beyond: “Hannah Grace, if you’re lucky enough to be Irish, then you’re lucky
enough.”
I didn’t happen to believe in luck, but if being Irish meant I
stood a better chance at succeeding in business, I would embrace my heritage as
never before. I would bathe with Irish Spring soap, dress in the vibrant colors
of the family crest, skip through fields of shamrocks, and listen to my
father’s nightly tales of Clan McDermott’s glory days. And I would do it all
with a smile on my face and confidence in my stride.
From his mansion up in heaven, Grandpa Aengus smiled down on me,
his gold-capped front tooth gleaming like the precious stones in the pearly
gate. I could sense his pleasure as I made up my mind to do the McDermotts
proud. Like my warring ancestors of yesteryear, I would fight to the finish,
wielding my bloody sword—er, my two-thousand-dollar digital camera with stellar
resolution and optical zoom—until I took the prize. I would come out a victor
in the end, or make a fool of myself trying.
Either way, I wouldn’t go down without a fight. A true McDermott
never did.
Thanks for visiting
with us, Janice! Looking forward to the new series!
STAY CONNECTED WITH THE AUTHOR:
Check out the Bella’s Back Video on
youtube
Margie's comments: I have a copy of Picture Perfect and plan to post a review soon!
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