Awesome Romance Author Elizabeth John

Today I am interviewing awesome romance author Elizabeth John. Elizabeth writes contemporary romance and romantic suspense. Since she is a  school teacher, it is not surprising that her newest book’s heroine is a first grade teacher. Say hi to Elizabeth!

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

Sure! I’m an elementary school teacher by day and writer by night. Actually, that’s not really true. My alarm goes off at 5:30 am each weekday so that I can get some writing done before I get ready for work. Prior to becoming a teacher, I used to write at night when my children went to sleep. Now, my own kids are grown, but after teaching twenty-eight six year olds all day, I’m exhausted! I do my best writing in the morning and on the weekends. Let’s see what else? I love the beach, so I’m there any chance I get. I have two little rescue dogs, and a parakeet. My house has so many books, I could fill up a small library! Can you tell I love to read?

What interesting jobs have you had? How have those jobs affected your writing?

Speaking of small libraries, I worked in two of the tiniest library branches you’ve ever seen. When I was fifteen, I was employed with the New York Public Library in Staten Island, and received my first real paycheck. That’s where I discovered romance books, especially the old gothics. Phyllis A. Whitney and Victoria Holt definitely affected my writing. Right before I started teaching, I was a ceremonial resolutions writer for the State of New Jersey. Writing those special rewards for people was a lot of fun. That job helped me to write concisely and hone my grammar skills!

How much research do you do for each book you write?

This is a tough one for me because I’m a perfectionist, and sometimes that stalls my writing process. Since I write romantic suspense, and that usually includes having characters in law enforcement and some sort of crime scene, I do as much research as I possibly can on those subjects. I really want to get the details correct. I once wrote an article about a large amber discovery, which was an incredible find for the scientific community. I interviewed one of the scientists and my article made the front page of the local newspaper. The scientist and I spoke after the article was published, and he paid me the highest compliment. He stated that out of all the articles published by the major magazines and newspapers about the find, mine was the most accurately written. I was elated! Why am I telling you this? That article took a lot of time and research to write and the pay was very little, but the perfectionist in me was on cloud nine after receiving such accolades. With regards to research, I sometimes have to cut myself off so I can start the story!

Have you written a book you love that you have not been able to get published?

Yes, I think most authors have those early manuscripts that are ‘hidden under the bed’ and will never see the light of day, but I have one that I’m confident I will publish in time. That story started out as a romantic suspense. The editor I sent the book to liked it, but rejected the novel. She suggested that if I revised the book to be a mystery with a romance, she would like to see it again. I jumped right on that, rewrote the entire book, and sent it out, only to be rejected by a different editor at that house. She stated they wanted only straight romances or straight mysteries and not a mix of the two genres. Huh? Okay. I shelved that story. The main character in that book was a botanist. Talk about research! I can tell you a lot about poisonous plants. In the end, I think everything happens for a reason, because I’ve decided to make that book into a series instead of a stand-alone.

Can you tell us about any other upcoming books, series, or writing plans?

Right now I’m working on a romantic suspense trilogy of three sisters who inherited a family bridal shop. Each sister has her own story, so they can be read as stand-alones, but there are reoccurring characters in each book and an overall mystery that ties them together. I’m revising the first book and writing the second one right now. The books take place at the Jersey Shore during different seasons. I love the beach all year round so I decided to incorporate that into these stories.

Do you have any advice to give to aspiring writers?

Write what you want to read. If you don’t love the story, it’ll show in your work. Develop a thick skin and stamina. This industry is not for the faint-hearted or those willing to give up easily. Keep writing and try not to get discouraged if you start piling up rejections. Rejections are your friends. Learn from them, be grateful, and then move on. Ask yourself why do you write? If you knew you’d never publish a thing, would you stop now? Could you? Probably not, because storytelling is innate and that’s part of what makes us writers.

Is there anything that you would like to say to your readers and fans?

I love to hear from readers! Right now I’m rebuilding my website and I’m going to start a newsletter to give the latest news about my books. I’ll announce on my Facebook page and on Twitter when it’s done. Dear Readers, I hope you’ll stop by my website and sign up for it.

Thanks so much to Zara for hosting me and to all of you who have stopped by today!

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Judging Joey by Elizabeth John

 Tender Romance with a Touch of Intrigue

Madeline White must return to her hometown to help her uncle, her only family. She gets a job teaching and sees the man who broke her heart back in high school. Then she discovers he’s the school’s Safety Officer and his nephew is her student! Madeline’s determined to clear the air with him and hopes they can be civil to one another. When she builds up the courage for a painful reunion, she is shocked that he doesn’t remember her.

Officer Joey O’Neill is committed to his job, so after the beautiful redhead accuses him of the contrary, he takes offense. When Madeline informs him they’ve met before, he insists she’s mistaken. Although his family wants him to settle down and judges his carefree bachelorhood lifestyle, it doesn’t mean he forgets the people in his life. Past or present.

Like years before, people begin to whisper about her when things go missing in the school. Joey starts to wonder if what they say is true. As the past comes back to haunt Madeline, she struggles with a secret that jeopardizes her job and hopes she can trust Joey. Has he finally out grown being a wise-cracking jock?

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Buy Link 

AMAZON 

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Learn more about Elizabeth John

Website: www.ElizabethJohn.com

Facebook:  www.facebook.com/elizabethjohnauthor

Twitter: @elizabethjohn34

 

 

 

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Elizabeth is looking forward to answering your comments.