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:

For more, visit:  http://www.joannsmithainsworth.com.

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

Goodreads Blog:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/1366481.JoAnn_Smith_Ainsworth/blog?format=rss 

Contact her at JoAnnParanormal@gmail.com.

BUY LINKS:

Amazon - http://amzn.to/Zgbls6

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)  

Guest Post: Ann K Howley

Today I'm please to welcome Ann K. Howley to the blog to talk about her book, "Confessions of a Do-Gooder Gone Bad," and what went into writing this book. 

Why Write a Memoir When You Can Make Everything Up?
by Ann K. Howley

My hairdresser, Dawn, was the first person who told me I was brave. Surprised that I wasn’t interested in coloring my hair to hide the inevitable gray, she said, “Wow, you’re brave! Not many women would do that.”

What Dawn doesn’t know is that most mornings I run my fingers through my short, wet hair and run out the door. If I can’t even commit myself to using a comb, there’s little hope that I would be willing dedicate myself to coloring roots for the rest of my life. Truth is, I’m too indifferent, and possibly lazy, to color my hair.

(Please don’t tell Dawn, though… I’m still going with brave.)

Other people have called me brave because I wrote a MEMOIR. Yep, that’s my life out there in print and cyberspace. Anyone with eyeballs and/or a Kindle can share in the occasional glory, and more frequent ingloriousness, of my life.

But why would I write a memoir when I can write fiction and make everything up?

Fiction is beautiful. What perfect freedom a novelist has to dig into the deepest parts of their knowledge and psyche and construct a plot and characters as real or bizarre as they want. There’s no limit to one’s imagination. Even a sweet, little nun in Poughkeepsie has the capacity to write a flesh-eating zombie horror story - not that a sweet, little nun would necessarily write about flesh-eating zombies.

But sometimes I wonder if the distinction between writing a novel and a memoir is less than we think.

Writing is such an intensely personal act that everything we write, in some way, reflects a piece of who we are. The genre doesn’t really matter. Whether we write westerns, mysteries or romance novels, every word gives clues as to how we think and feel and reveals what appalls, amuses, disgusts and intrigues us.

The biggest difference between writing a novel and writing a memoir is accountability. When you write a novel, you can take an experience from your own life and twist and squeeze it into whatever form, shape or scene you want. A novelist can turn something ugly into something beautiful in their book.

A memoir writer, though, is accountable for truth in substance and chronology. Memoir writers have a pact with readers to be completely honest with the beauty and ugliness of their lives. If a memoir writer breaks that pact, that writer loses faith and credibility.

When James Frey’s memoir, A Million Little Pieces turned out to be A Million Little Pieces of Crap, he not only embarrassed himself, but also the Almighty Oprah, who had raved about his book.

Personally, I would swim through shark-infested waters in Lady Gaga’s Meat Dress for the chance to be the tiniest asterisk on Oprah’s Book Club List. So I want Oprah to know that my memoir is honest and true to the deepest core of my memory and being. I would never write anything false that would upset her or give her gray hair.

But I’m certain my hairdresser Dawn would be willing to fix that.
 

About the Author

Ann K. Howley is the author of Confessions of a Do-Gooder Gone Bad, a humorous coming-of-age memoir published by Oak Tree Press. She is a Wonder Bread, middle-class girl who has never thrown a punch, is cursed with a big bottom, and who celebrated a personal milestone when she finally drummed up the nerve to call a crabby lady a b*tch.

She is a regular contributor to Pittsburgh Parent Magazine and her essays have also appeared in publications nationwide, including skirt! Magazine, Bicycle Times Magazine, the Pittsburgh Post Gazette, LA Reader, Mirror newspapers, Clever Magazine and The Inkwell.

A wife and mom, Ann resides in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Although she is an avid runner, biker and hiker, she still can't keep up with her uber-athletic husband or her dog, who is about 90 in dog years.

Book Summary

Confessions of A Do-Gooder Gone Bad is a wry, humorous coming of age memoir about a well-intentioned “problem child” raised by conservative, evangelical Christian parents in Southern California during the Sixties and Seventies.  As she naively stumbles through her youth and young adulthood, one misadventure after another, she also struggles to reconcile her ultra-Christian upbringing with women’s liberation, prejudice, protest and poverty during this turbulent era, eventually gaining a different perspective of faith in a world more complicated, funny, terrifying and wonderful than she expected.

Get Your Own Copy Here: 

Confessions of a Do-Gooder Gone Bad

Barnes and Noble

New Release: Love Will Find You (Iris Blobel)

Love Will Find You

By Iris Blobel

Blurb:

Can their new love survive the scrutiny of the public eye?

After his father’s heart attack, Australian Football League player Tyson Gaspaldi takes his parents on holiday to a small place at the New South Wales coast.

One morning, following a surfing session, he comes across a crying woman on the beach. Everything about her intrigues him, and he can’t walk away. She’s not only sexy and humble, but, as he soon finds out, vulnerable as well.

It’s only been a few months since Katie Cassidy lost her sister in a car accident.

Still overwhelmed by the loss, a chance encounter on the beach with an attractive stranger awakens unexpected emotions inside her. She’s instantly drawn to his caring nature, but also his looks.

However, Tyson’s past quickly catches up with them, causing Katie’s childhood demons to return, and the road to romance becomes anything but smooth.

Author:

Iris Blobel was born and raised in Germany and only immigrated to Australia in the late 1990s. Having had the travel bug most of her life, Iris spent quite some time living in Scotland, London as well as Canada where she met her husband. Her love for putting her stories onto paper only emerged a few years back, but now her laptop is a constant companion. Iris resides west of Melbourne with her husband and her beautiful two daughters as well as their dog. Next to her job at a private school she also presents a German Program at the local Community Radio.

Buy Links:

Amazon Australia: http://www.amazon.com.au/Love-Will-Find-Australian-Sports-ebook/dp/B00NMYIVDE/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1412333131&sr=8-1&keywords=love+will+find+you%2C+iris+blobel

Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/Love-Will-Find-Australian-Sports-ebook/dp/B00NMYIVDE/ref=la_B00KCJOA28_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1412331685&sr=1-2

Kobo Books: http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/love-will-find-you

Barnes & Noble:   http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/love-will-find-you-iris-blobel/1120428127?ean=9781500920227

Where to Find Me:

My Blog: www.iris-b.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/irisblobel

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/4067254.Iris_Blobel

Twitter: @_iris_b

Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/iblobel/

Google+:  https://plus.google.com/107759085454255573026/posts

Excerpt:

Prologue

Tyson held the Brownlow Medal in his hand, but celebrating was the last thing on his mind. His fake smile was as much a lie as the last message he’d sent to Katie the day before. As a result, it was his mother who sat in the crowd amongst his teammates, his friends, the footy world, reporters, and whoever else was important—and not Katie. His gaze wandered around the ballroom, with all the round tables neatly positioned in nice rows. Each table was beautifully set with dinnerware, menus, and a floral arrangement. The TV screens on either side of him showed a close-up of the stage, and as he tried to protect his eyes against the bright lights, he watched them all, making toasts, their glasses filled with the best champagne, applauding his achievement.

The crowd settled and awaited a speech. His speech. Nervousness crept up in him as he stared into the audience. His throat burned as the acid in his stomach churned.

The Brownlow Medal was awarded to the best and fairest football player of the season, yet he didn’t think there was anything fair about the way he’d treated his girl.

Tyson Gaspaldi took a deep breath, unfolded his little note, and cleared his throat. The first word he focused on was her name, Katie. He blinked to refocus and thanked his mother as well as his family. It came effortlessly once he was past the initial hurdle and in only a few minutes he finished, held up his medal, and walked behind the stage.

Why had he said the things he had? Why didn’t he just answer her question?

A short time later, Tyson joined his friends and his mother at the table again.

“Congratulations, darling.” His mother took his face into her hands and gave Ty a kiss on his cheek. Only a few years ago, he would have been embarrassed by such open emotions in front of a crowd, but since his father’s death earlier in the year, he welcomed every sign of affection by his mother.

“Thanks, Mum.”

“Dad would be so proud of you.” Caroline Gaspaldi took a step back and gazed at him. Pride radiated from her eyes. “Look at you. You should wear a suit more often.”

His friends around the table gave him a quick clap on the shoulder and congratulated him before sitting down to proceed with the evening. Ty noticed his phone buzzing and with a flick of his finger, he scrolled down his messages. He stopped at Katie’s message from earlier in the day.

I don’t believe u!

With a heavy sigh, he switched off the screen, ignoring all the other new messages and the phone into his pocket. He took the beer in front of him and tried to concentrate on what the guy on stage was saying. Out of the corner of his eye, he spotted a woman at the other table. She looked incredible in her shimmering silver evening gown. The décolleté of her dress revealed tanned skin upon which a delicate necklace hung. Her curly brown hair was pinned up in a ponytail which made her look very sexy. When she smiled at him, he winked at her in return.

“What are you doing, Ty?” his mother whispered into his ear. 

Love Will Find You is available today on your favorite ebook platform!

Cover Reveal: Let Her Sleep by Gail Wagner

Coming October 27th, 2014 from Gail Wagner...

Let Her Sleep 

is Book One of the 

Dream Walker Chronicles

After surviving the accident that killed her mother, 

Cordelia Jameson’s life has been ruled by survivor’s guilt. 

She thinks quitting her meds is the first step 

to taking back control of her life, 

but they are the one thing that’s been keeping her safe. 

Rescued from her nightmares by the boy of her dreams, 

she finds herself inexplicably falling for him. When 

he shows up at her school she begins to question 

her sanity. 

Reid Shaw pulls her into his world of Shadows and nightmares

putting her in grave danger as the evil that haunts 

all dreams begins to hunt her. She is forced to choose 

sides, and no matter what, 

she’ll lose someone she loves.

LET HER SLEEP will be hitting your favorite ebook and paperback platforms October 27th, and pre-order links will be available soon!

Stay up to date on Gail's new series and all her other projects here: 

Facebook : Twitter : Blog : Google+

Cover Reveal: Shark Out Of Water by DelSheree Gladden

Shark Out of Water (Date Shark #2) 

by DelSheree Gladden

COVER HIGHLIGHT

Synopsis:

Guy Saint Laurent is too busy cursing his sister for roping him into taking over Eli's Date Shark business to prepare himself for the slew of bizarre women he's about to get involved with. This is the last venture he intended to take on, but somehow he's just become Chicago's newest, most reluctant Date Shark. 

On top of dealing with bug-toting, mothering, obsessive women, Guy faces personal tragedy that changes his outlook on life, whether he wants it to or not. He's not sure what it is about Charlotte Brooks that draws him in, but getting her off his mind after a brief encounter proves impossible. 

As Charlotte tries to help Guy deal with his loss, he begins to get the impression she's hiding something from him. He knows he could simply walk away, continue as he always has, but he suspects whatever she's hiding, she won't be able to face it alone. 

Charlotte is the one woman who can capture his attention, but she may also be the one woman capable of breaking him.

Pre-Order Your copy now!Kindle

Cover Reveal: The Body by D. Nichole King

Coming November 18th, 2014 from D. Nichole King and Limitless Publishing!

They vowed to never return.

Their lives depend on it. With last summer behind them, Lucas and Carrie think they’re safe.

Only the Moore House isn’t through with them.

When Lucas receives bad news, the search for the elusive half-demon who holds the key to Lucas’s death becomes first priority. The creature might be Lucas’s only shot at finding his soul. Problem is he doesn’t want to be found.

Dead ends and blocked attempts leave them wary.

Lucas seems to be fading away. His eyes no longer glow, his skin pales. Exhaustion consumes him, leaving him distant when he’s with Carrie. Not knowing what’s happening to him kills her.

From all around, shadows creep in, and there’s nowhere to hide.

Then, a mysterious stranger suddenly appears in town and unlocks a deadly secret from Lucas’s past. When the Moore House becomes their only escape—

No one is safe.

Get Book One of The Spirit Trilogy Free 

Kindle

Pre-Order The Body Now!

Kindle

Cover Reveal: The Oath by Apryl Baker

The Oath 

Book 2 of The Coven Series
By Apryl 

Baker Release Date: 10/07/2014 

Summary from Goodreads: 

She killed herself. Everyone asked why, but when I got my hands on my sister's diary, I understood exactly why. I stared at the girl in the mirror as I removed my nose ring. Gone was the black hair, replaced by golden blonde locks that made my sapphire blue eyes shine and my California sun-kissed skin glow. The Goth chic clothes had been put away and I wore a pink tank top and a pair of khaki colored Capri’s. Stylish sandals completed the outfit. I wanted to barf. The snotty little would-be witches would pay for what they'd done. By the end of the week, they’d all be praying to whatever god they worshiped to hide them from the hell coming for them. May the Fates have mercy upon them, because they would pay the same price they’d demanded of her. Their lives. 

Add to your Goodreads to be read list now! 

Available for pre-order now!

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Apple | Kobo 

Read book 1 of The Coven Series, The Promise!

Summary from Goodreads: 

Armed with kick-ass shoes, can CJ stop a maniacal coven leader, save the town, and still get Mr. Melt In Your Mouth Gorgeous while surviving the darkness coming for her? The smoke from the fire burned her eyes, its heat caressed her skin and the taste of fear choked her. She was going to burn just as her ancestor did all those centuries ago in New Salem Village. How could she have been so wrong about everything? Cassie Jayne Bishop grew up the only non-believer in town of Coven. When a stranger comes to the sleepy town of New Salem, everything she thought was true unraveled around her. Ethan made her question everything, even her sister’s death. Clues start to pile up and Cassie is determined to find out if the Coven was the real reason her sister died. What she uncovers terrifies her to the very depths of her soul.... 

Buy Links: 

Amazon US | Amazon UK | Apple | Kobo | B&N

About the Author 

So who am I? Well, I'm the crazy girl with an imagination that never shuts up. I LOVE scary movies. My friends laugh at me when I scare myself watching them and tell me to stop watching them, but who doesn't love to get scared? I grew up in a small town nestled in the southern mountains of West Virginia where I spent days roaming around in the woods, climbing trees, and causing general mayhem. Nights I would stay up reading Nancy Drew by flashlight under the covers until my parents yelled at me to go to sleep. 

Growing up in a small town, I learned a lot of values and morals, I also learned parents have spies everywhere and there's always someone to tell your mama on you. So when you get grounded, what is there left to do? Read! My Aunt Jo gave me my first real romance novel. It was a romance titled "Lord Margrave's Deception." I remember it fondly. But I also learned I had a deep and abiding love of mysteries and anything paranormal. As I grew up, I started to write just that and would entertain my friends with stories featuring them as main characters. Now, I live Huntersville, NC where I entertain my family and watch the cats get teased by the birds and laugh myself silly when they swoop down and then dive back up just out of reach. The cats start yelling something fierce...lol. I love books, I love writing books, and I love entertaining people with my silly stories. 

You can reach me at any of these places: 

Facebook | Twitter | Wattpad | LinkedIn | Google+ 

PS: DO NOT GET IN MY WAY IF THERE IS A SALE ON AT TARGET - my home away from home!