Wednesday, October 8, 2014

Interview: JoAnn Smith Ainsworth


Today I'm Pleased to welcome Joann Smith Ainsworth to the blog to talk about her novel, "Expect Trouble." 



First... A little about "Expect Trouble."

Opening herself to ridicule by revealing she’s clairvoyant is the last thing U.S. WAVE Livvy Delacourt wants, but when Uncle Sam needs her skill to track Nazi spies, she jumps in with both feet.
Join this emotional journey through paranormal realms of fast-paced suspense and supernatural battles as U.S. Navy psychics pit themselves against their Nazi counterparts.


1. What was your inspiration for your book? 

I was alive in WWII and remember the family’s fear when the air raid sirens went off. I was sent to the local store with ration coupons in hand and worked in the family’s Victory Garden. These experiences make the EXPECT TROUBLE story come alive.

I lived in Philadelphia in the 1950’s. Since things didn’t change quickly back then, I decided to use that city and WWII for the setting of the Operation Delphi series.


2. Can you tell us about how your own experiences influenced this story? 

I decided to use Pennsylvania hex signs painted on Pennsylvania Dutch barns in the 1800's and early 1900s in my Work in Progress paranormal suspense manuscript. I grew up in Pennsylvania knowing that these colorful hex symbols were painted so witches would think they were windows, hit their heads against the barn wall, knock themselves out, and thus save the animals and stored crops in the barn from witchcraft. 

In the 21st century, the research books I studied went to great length to deny witchcraft and to assure us researchers that hex signs were only colorful, artistic symbols, now considered tourist attractions. 
I know better. 

2. Would you classify this series as plot driven or character driven? 

All my stories are character driven. In them, the heroine is empowered through the coming of self-awareness and self-fulfillment as she works through each crisis in the story.

3. Can you tell us a little about your main characters?

U.S. WAVES Lt.  Olivia Delacourt, the heroine, must learn that being a clairvoyant is a precious gift that can be used to help others and is not a reason for shame.
Naval Commander Barrington Drew, III, the hero, must learn that he is a man who makes his own decisions and is not an extension of his father. 

4. Without giving away too much, tell us about the main conflict. 

The U.S. government recruits psychics to ferret out Nazi spies on the East Coast during WWII.

5. What do you hope readers take away from this book? 

That no matter what the problem Life throws our way, we each have the talent and understanding to resolve it. 

6. What song best describes your writing style?

I have no idea, but I’m told my Voice is similar to that of Anne Frazier in Play Dead.

7. Night Owl or Early Bird?

Definitely an Early Bird. I’m doing my daily exercises by 5:30 or 6 a.m. and start work right afterward. 

8. Skittle or M&Ms?

Definitely M&Ms…they melt in your mouth.

9. Who are your favorite authors?

Robert B. Parker. I like the crystal clarity of his writing.

10. Can you tell us about any other future projects? 

I’m writing book 2 of the Operation Delphi series, EXPECT DECEPTION. I’ve added an evil warlock to the mix. Here is the back cover blurb:

Just when U.S. WAVE Delacourt thinks she finally has this Nazi spy chase thing under control, Hitler’s wizard adds a minor demon to the mix.
Skeptical Naval Commander Drew doesn’t believe in things he can’t touch, but when assigned to lead a psychic team, he’s forced into experiencing unseen planes.
Warlock Daryl Fergus was flattered when Hitler tapped him to disrupt U.S. war readiness, but he’s stretched to the max by unexpectedly formidable Navy psychics.

Meet the Author

When JoAnn Smith Ainsworth carried wood as a pre-teen so her Great Aunt Martha could stoke up the iron stove to prepare dinner, she wasn’t thinking, “I could use this in a novel someday.” Yet, the skills she learned from her horse-and-buggy ancestors translate into backdrops for her historical romance and paranormal suspense novels. JoAnn’s debut medieval romantic suspense novels received 4 stars from RT Book Reviews. Of her historical western romances released fall 2013, one reader said, “seamlessly, flawless writing.” Another said, 

Praise for Expect Trouble

“There was fun, excitement, adventure and so well put as a love story.” Her paranormal thriller, EXPECT TROUBLE, released July 2014. She is represented by Agent Dawn Dowdle of Blue Ridge Literary Agency. One reviewer said:  "If you like the British series The Bletchley Circle, you will enjoy this book!"   .............. Patricia Simpson, Author.

LINKS:
Twitter @JoAnnAinsworth or @JoAnnParanormal or Facebook’s JoAnn Smith Ainsworth Fan Page.

Contact her at JoAnnParanormal@gmail.com.

BUY LINKS:
Barnes & Noble - http://bit.ly/HMX2KH
Books a Million (BAM) -   http://tinyurl.com/ld8czbf 

and at an independent bookstore near you - http://www.indiebound.org/indie-bookstore-finder


Other Books By JoAnn


MATILDA'S SONG (ISBN:  978-1-60504-195-7)  / OUT OF THE DARK (ISBN:  978-1-60504-277-0) 

POLITE ENEMIES (Book 1) (ebook ISBN:  978-1-61160-636-2; print:  978-1-61160-590-7) / THE FARMER AND THE WOOD NYMPH (Book 2) (ebook ISBN:  978-1-61160-660-7; print:  978-1-61160-898-4) 

EXPECT TROUBLE (ebook ISBN:  978-161009-517-4; print:  978-1-61009-074-2)  


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