by Anna Sugden
I’m thrilled to welcome one of my dearest friends, the super-talented, award-winning author Janice Lynn.
For as long as she can remember, Janice Lynn has dreamed of writing romance novels for Harlequin. Unfortunately, she didn't start pursuing that dream until 2002 when she penned her first novel since high school. A 2003 Golden Heart finalist, Janice's work has won numerous contests including the very first American Title, run by Romantic Times. JANE MILLIONAIRE was published by Dorchester in 2005. In 2006, Janice achieved her dream when she sold her first medical romance to Harlequin.
A nurse practitioner, Janice lives in Tennesse with her husband, their four children, their Jack Russell - appropriately named Trouble - and a lot of unnamed dust bunnies that have moved in since she started her writing career. She keeps her muse happy with lots of Matthew McConnaughey photos.
For more information, check out Janice's website and blog:
http://www.janicelynn.net/http://www.janicelynn.blogspot.com/Welcome, Janice.What an awesome intro! Thanks, Anna. Very glad to be here.
Many people will remember you as the first American title winner, with your fabulous book JANE MILLIONAIRE. Can you tell us how that contest changed your life and what you learned from it?
Do you have all day? No? Okay, I’ll be brief. The American Title contest was an amazing journey to publication that was filled with a lot of ups and downs. From the moment I found out Jane had been chosen as one of the ten finalists, my life got sucked into a big whirlwind that was filled with a lot of fingernail biting, developing ulcers, and pulling out my hair.
Fortunately, meeting the other finalists, getting to know the fabulous folks from Romantic Times magazine, learning how wonderful and loving my friends really are (they actually still talked to me after the contest and months of begging them to vote, along with all their family and friends, of course. ;) ), doing multiple media stints, and seeing the pride and excitement in my children’s eyes when they’d heard I’d advanced another round, made it all worthwhile. That, and the publishing contract that came along with the win.
The one thing I’d say the contest taught me most though is to push myself one step further than I thought I could go. I stuck with it, gave it my best, got a LOT of help from friends, and in the end all the hard work paid off.
Your latest book, THE DOCTOR’S PREGNANCY BOMBSHELL is a Medical Romance. What made you decide to switch to writing medicals?I submitted a Modern Extra to the London office. The editor didn’t purchase the book, but said she really liked my voice, and oh by the way had I ever considered writing medicals? I hadn’t for the simple reason I was afraid it would be too much like my real life and I wouldn’t enjoy it. I work as a nurse practitioner and use writing as my stress relief. I had visions of my stress reliever becoming part of my stress. But I decided to give it a try, wrote a proposal, sent it to her, she asked for a full, then revisions, and unbelievably bought that book and my next one in a two book deal.
Although I love the fun, quirky books like Jane Millionaire I have enjoyed writing Medicals as well. It’s kind of nice to have the power to actually make patients get well and to give happily-ever-afters.
Can you tell us a bit about THE DOCTOR'S PREGNANCY BOMBSHELL?Without really meaning to, I poured a lot of my heart--a lot of me--into the first book. Nothing literally, but I have a lot of me buried in the layers. Early on in my career, I really struggled with knowing that it’s okay to have a life of my own and at times felt guilty for being happy when so many around me were sick, miserable, or dying. Medicine/caring for people can be very soul-consuming.
THE DOCTOR'S PREGNANCY BOMBSHELL is about a doctor who struggles to find balance in her life. She’s torn between the patients who need her and the man who loves her. My hero feels neglected because of the heroine’s commitment to her career. He plans to jar her into realizing how she always puts him last in her life. Only his plan backfires when she tells him she’s pregnant. He’s a tortured soul who feels responsible for the death of an infant and after which decided he never wanted kids. Together they learn the true meaning of love and the sacrifices/compromises that go along with the emotion.
I actually cry every time I read this book. Bawled like Joan Wilder while writing one particular scene. It’s an emotional read—at least, I think so. There is a bit of humor laced in, but overall, TDPB is a very different kind of book from Jane Millionaire. Much more intense, deeper characters, more serious conflicts/settings.
I know a number of our visitors will be keen to get their hands on a copy of THE DOCTOR’S PREGNANCY BOMBSHELL, but it isn’t available at Amazon.com or Barnes and Noble. (though you can get copies from Amazon.co.uk) If they don’t manage to snag one of your prizes, how can they purchase it?eHarlequin.com is the easiest place to purchase a copy in the US. It’s actually on sale right now. Yea!!!
Janice's book on eharlequin.comYour first Medical Romance sold out in the UK - Congratulations!!! Can you tell us about your next books and when they will be available?
I’m in love with the hero from my second Medical Romance, THE HEART SURGEON'S SECRET SON. He’s a dedicated 35 year old heart surgeon, who is developing a new pacemaker—exciting, I know. My heroine works for the company who is going to market the pacemaker and has to spend time training with him in the OR. A really cool thing about this book is that my hero has blond hair on the cover and apparently that is a rarity! His name is Daniel and in my mind I saw Daniel Craig—yes, that *might* be why I adore him. The guy on the cover is a bit too young, but he is blond!
The heroine is loosely named after a dear friend. She has a thing for “Dr. Travis” from ABC’s The Bachelor from a couple of years ago. Did I mention that Daniel’s last name is…drum roll please…Travis, making him “Dr. Travis”. That’s a secret first revealed here, btw.
You mention that you used Daniel Craig as a model for Daniel Travis. Is that how you come up with your characters - by basing them on a star?Normally a character comes to mind in my head and I see him clearly without using photos or the such of stars. In Jane Millionaire, I used Benjamin Bratt as a loose basis for Rob. In others, I've used Goran V and Jude Law. Considering I’ve written 20 books, that works out to about a quarter of them being connected to a star in some way.
For those who don’t know you, tell us about your Matthew obsession!
Matthew? Matthew who???? Okay, I confess. Despite my infatuation with Daniel Craig and David Beckham, I am madly in love with Matthew McConaughey and were I not happily married, I’d be plotting ways to sign my checks as Mrs. McConaughey. Unfortunately, his taste tends to run to gorgeous, dark, exotic foreigners—Anna, I think you have a better chance with him than I do.
I fell for Matthew in A TIME TO KILL, the John Grisham thriller. He gave a powerful performance in that movie and I was hooked. By the time he did HOW TO LOSE A GUY IN 10 DAYS, I was a total goner. That is my all time favourite movie. He and Kate Hudson rocked. I hope their new movie captures that same great chemistry.
My husband is very tolerant of my Matthew obsession. For some reason, he isn’t too worried about Matthew actually showing up on our doorstep to whisk me away. Pity.
And, yes, I am very aware of the fact there is no hero based on my darling Matthew. Honestly, I’ve not come up with a story big enough. When I do, there will most definitely be a Matthew book. I’ve been teased that when I write that one it’ll be my all time best seller.
So, Janice - if Matthew showed up on your doorstep, what would you say to him?I'd just ask him to play doctor with me!Over to the rest of you, if the hunk/hotty of your dreams (no husbands/wives allowed) appeared on your doorstep, what would you say to him/her?Three lucky visitors can win prizes!! Janice is giving away a copy of JANE MILLIONAIRE, THE DOCTOR'S PREGNANCY BOMBSHELL and THE HEART SURGEON'S SECRET SON.
by Anna Sugden
I’m thrilled to welcome one of my dearest friends, the super-talented, award-winning author Janice Lynn.
Your latest book, THE DOCTOR’S PREGNANCY BOMBSHELL is a Medical Romance. What made you decide to switch to writing medicals?
Matthew? Matthew who???? Okay, I confess. Despite my infatuation with Daniel Craig and David Beckham, I am madly in love with Matthew McConaughey and were I not happily married, I’d be plotting ways to sign my checks as Mrs. McConaughey. Unfortunately, his taste tends to run to gorgeous, dark, exotic foreigners—Anna, I think you have a better chance with him than I do.
On Sale October!
