Friday, February 15, 2008

Interview With Jan Scarbrough

I’d like to welcome our guest today, Jan Scarbrough. It’s a pleasure having you come visit us at Much Cheaper Than Therapy, where chocolate is plentiful and advice is free. So grab some chocolate and a lounge chair. Your therapy session has begun.






I understand you have a new release out called The Reunion Game, a novella in the Ladies of Legend Anthology from Resplendence Publishing. Can you tell us a little bit about your fabulous new book?

The Ladies of Legend Anthology came about over several months during back and fourth e-mails with my “sisterwriters,” Maddie, Janet and Magdalena. We created a fictitious town in East Tennessee and began to populate it with characters. Then we decided we’d each write a story with the town as the setting. We wrote our novellas in May 2007. When we finished, we pitched the concept to Resplendence Publishing, and the rest, as they say, is history.

These are the novellas in the Ladies of Legend Anthology:

Claiming the Legend, by Janet Eaves... Lilly Peach, is running from something so frightening it finally takes a whole town to cover her back.

Midnight in Legend, TN, by Magdalena Scott... Lovely Midnight Shelby finds Legend on the Internet after becoming tired of being one of her now ex-husband's "beautiful things."

Bed, Breakfast and You, by Maddie James ... Suzie Schul finds home only when the "fling" she had many months earlier shows up with a plan on her B&B doorstep.

The Reunion Game, by Jan Scarbrough... Plain Jane Smith reunites with her long lost love by playing a game of "bait and switch" with her twin sister.

The Reunion Game is a very interesting title. How did you arrive at that name?

The title describes the plot of the book. I thought it sounded “catchy.”

Did you have to do a lot of research for the book?

Actually, I flipped through several Cosmo magazines to get ideas.

What character did you like writing about the most, and why?

Jane, the heroine, is a lot like me. I like the way she takes a chance to go for what she wants in life.

If your book was made into a movie, what actor would you like to fill your hero’s shoes?

Matthew McConaughey

Do you have any authors that inspired you?

Several members of my chapter, the Kentucky Romance Writers, inspire me because they have recreated their careers. They are J.R. Ward, Toni Blake and Renee Ryan. Persistence is the name of the game, and if you give you never reach your goal.

What do we have to look forward next?

I have another book coming out in March from Resplendence Press. It’s another contemporary set in Louisville, Kentucky, called A Man of Her Own. Resplendence is offering my medieval romance, My Lord Raven, in April.

Thanks, Jan!

To celebrate her book release, Jan Scarbrough is offering a free ebook of Ladies of Legend Anthology to one lucky commenter on today's blog. She will be around all day today. I'm sure some of you have questions or comments for her, so please ask away...

Bio: In ninth grade, I reported on freelance writing for a career project and dreamed of being a writer. After majoring in English at Western Kentucky University, I taught high school English for five years. In 1982 I began making my living as a writer - a technical writer. But I didn't have the nerve to make my real dream come true until a life-threatening illness in 1988.
I’m a member of Novelists, Inc., Romance Writers of America and the Kentucky Romance Writers, where I’ve served as president, secretary, newsletter editor. I’m currently the web mistress of the chapter’s award-winning web site.

I live in Louisville, Kentucky, along with two dogs and four cats. Dreams do come true! On January 2, 2000, I married Bill, my soul mate. When I’m not writing, I take riding lessons every week on my favorite horse, the American Saddlebred. I also volunteer at The Luci Center, a therapeutic riding center.

Check out author’s website at http://www.janscarbrough.com/


Blurb: Sarah Colby’s romantic heart believes there’s a man for her somewhere. She’s determined to find her “soul mate.” During a “girls’ night out” at a Louisville, Kentucky, bar, Sarah’s two former college roommates urge her to “kiss a lot of toads” if she wants to find Prince Charming. Hoping to make up for lost time, twenty-four-year-old Sarah practices on several guys. One of the unsuspecting “toads” is wealthy restaurateur and chef Lane Williams, a guy with a great aversion to settling down.

11 comments:

Devon Matthews said...

Hi Jan!

Congratulations with your contracts with Resplendence! You've written (and published)several contemporaries, and also have a Medieval soon to be released. What's up next for you? Will you continue to write both genres, or do you plan to concentrate on just one?

Renee Ryan said...

Wow, Jan, your story sounds fascinating. I'm so glad to see your success. You've worked hard and, like you said, persistence is the key. What an inspiration you are for others!!!

Primitive Cookie Hugs said...

Hi Jan!

I am so excited that Ladies of Legend is out! It sounds like Resplendence is a great match for you!

Congrats!!

Betty

Magdalena Scott said...

Jan,

I'm glad I got to read your interview. Congratulations to you on all your successes - you sure deserve them. Thank you again for letting me be one of your SisterWriters!

Jan Scarbrough said...

Thanks for your comments, ladies. My Lord Raven, my medieval is a labor of love, but I don't think I'll write another one anytime soon. I'm too busy coming up ideas for contemporaries about "home, hearth, and horses." I love writing with my Legend ladies too.

Ruth Wells said...

Hello Jan,

I'm so excited about your new releases. Presistence, as you have proven has several books for coming out now for readers to enjoy. They are on my must have list.

After reading one of your past books I craved more of your talent as a writer. You are a fantastic writer and have interesting characters that overcome obstacles that ensures each book goes on the keep shelf to enjoy time and time again.

You have informed us in this interview that together with several Kentucky Romance Writers you've got what sounds like a book that was written with some fantastic writers like yourself. I can't want to read.

Good luck. I'm excited for you and hope you the best. Your persistence is the way to make your dreams come true as you have proved once again. I look forward to curling up with a good beverage and reading each book.

All the best,

Ruth Wels
ruthwells.com

Taryn Raye said...

Hey Jan! Congrats on your contracts. I can't wait to read Ladies of Legend and A Man Of Her Own. I didn't know about the Medieval, but I'll be looking for it when it comes out, too!

Patricia Rice said...

Hi, Jan! I didn't see your earlier announcement about the blog, so sorry I'm a day late!
The book sounds great and I'm so glad you've found an outlet for your talent!
Hmmm, I think I've used up my quota of exclamation marks for the day. "G"

Deb's Book Nook said...

Hey Jan!

Nice interview and I love hearing more about your wonderful writing! Keep up the good work!
Best!
Deb

Jan Scarbrough said...

The support from my friends is wonderful. Thank all of you for making such nice comments!

Destiny Blaine said...

There's a reason that I like this woman. Yes, it goes beyond her great taste in men...Matthew McConaughey...it's because of the talent that lies beneath. Everyone who reads Jan's work will fall in love with the way she weaves her words!

Destiny