When Jana Richards read her first romance novel, she immediately knew two things: she had to commit the stories running through her head to paper, and they had to end with a happily ever after. She also knew she’d found what she was meant to do. Since then she’s never met a romance genre she didn’t like. She writes contemporary romance, romantic suspense, and historical romance set in World War Two, in lengths ranging from short story to full-length novel. Just for fun, she throws in generous helpings of humor, and the occasional dash of the paranormal. Her paranormal romantic suspense “Seeing Things” was a 2008 EPPIE finalist.

In her life away from writing, Jana is an accountant/admin assistant, a mother to two grown daughters, and a wife to her husband Warren. She enjoys golf, yoga, movies, concerts, travel and reading, not necessarily in that order. She and her husband live in Winnipeg, Canada with their Pug/Terrier cross Lou and several unnamed goldfish. She loves to hear from readers and can be reached through her website at http://www.janarichards.com

Jana has several book series, and I hope you’ll go to her website to see them all, and while there, you can get one of her free short stories! Now, get to know Jana a little better through the questions she chose to answer, then be sure and check out her latest book, First and Again. (I love the title and cover)

 If you could snap your fingers and make one thing happen, what would it be and why?
Just one? There are many things I wish I could make happen with the snap of my fingers (losing weight comes to mind) but if I had to pick one, it would have to be speed reading. I’d love to be able to quickly read every book that interests me. So many books to read, so little time.

Ann: Oh my gosh, Jana. I so agree on both counts!!

 If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
I live in Canada, and there’s no other country I’d want to be a citizen of. However, I could be persuaded to live somewhere warm in January, February and March when it’s -40 below here. We visited the south of France, and it was glorious. I’d be very happy to spend my winters there.

Ann: We generally have such mild winters in Texas, I’d like to spend one with -40 just once! Any excuse to stay in my pajamas all day next to a roaring fire would suit me just fine!

 What makes you laugh?
I’m a big fan of satire and irony and making fun of the ridiculous. Or pointing out the ridiculous. Aside from that, funny cat videos get me every time.

Ann: Cats really are funny and the rest of the world must agree because those videos get millions of views!

 Do you read horoscopes?
I read my horoscope every morning, though I don’t take it too seriously. I usually forget what it said as soon as I finish reading it. But I remember a few, particularly the year-end horoscopes that predict what the year ahead is going to be like. Last year on my birthday my horoscope said this: “…get ready for 2017, which will be one of the most powerful years of your life – a time of accumulation. Whatever you have done in the past will now ripen, because it’s your time of fruition.” I’ve kept that one and I’m waiting for it to come true.

Ann: I’ve always looked at horoscopes as adult fairy tales. I still want to believe in the possibility of a bigger happily-ever-after in my personal and professional life! So fun to dream and think…what if?

What is the single most powerful challenge when it comes to writing a novel?
I would say the most powerful challenge is creating characters, plots, and situations that elicit an emotional response from a reader. We read for the thrills, the romance, the mystery, but unless the novel makes a reader feel something, it’s only a mediocre experience. The reader won’t remember the book or the author.

Ann: I love reading books just as you describe. When I to the last chapter, I’m sad because I don’t want it to end!

Bridget Grant is back in Paradise. Paradise, North Dakota, that is.

She’s swallowed her pride and moved back to her hometown with her daughter after her divorce and the loss of her catering company. Now she’s trying to navigate the strained relationships she’d left behind – including her first love, Jack Davison.

Jack never forgot Bridget or the day she left town – and him. When Bridget caters a lunch at Jack’s tourist ranch, old flames reignite. They have more in common than ever – Jack’s also a single parent. Though they both try to keep things casual, Bridget, Jack, and their girls are starting to look a lot like a family.

But Bridget’s only planning to stay in Paradise until she’s saved enough to relaunch her business. Jack’s invested too much in his ranch to leave. And with their daughters involved both have a lot more at stake than heartbreak. How can they risk falling in love?

https://www.amazon.com/First-and-Again-ebook/dp/B00E1UY6GE

https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/first-and-again

http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/first-and-again-jana-richards/1116133465?ean=9781426896439