I meet so many wonderful
people in this life. One of them is
Rachael Johns. She has been warm and
loving, a wealth of funny stories and a shoulder to cry on; a cheerleader and
friend. I am so thrilled to have her at
Princess with a Pen today to tell you about her newest novel, Stand-In Star.
Okay, so in all transparency, I think we have to tell everyone
that you are my Aussie sister from another mother. Therefore, I will
attempt to refrain from making my questions slant towards inside joke
responses. I will probably fail epically. Some people might not
know that you and I were both teachers in a former life. Talk a little
about making the step to leave the classroom; how challenging was that for
you? What do you miss most?
Well, I’ve
always wanted to write even before I became a teacher, so although I enjoyed
teaching, the dream was always to one day write full time instead. Taking time
out of the classroom to have children, also gave me the chance to focus on my
writing. I think I miss my subject most – I LOVED inspiring kids with my
passion for books, movies, etc.!
That’s EXACTLY
how I feel about leaving the classroom too.
I miss their little faces and hugs.
Tell us a little
about your latest novel, Stand-In Star. Oh the upheaval that
happens when an unassuming Australian heads to Hollywood to accept her sister’s
posthumous academy award! It has fabulousness written all over it!
Why thank you
Jen. I had a lot of fun writing about it. The idea actually began a long time
ago, when I read an article in the paper about teenage paparazzi photographers.
It was fascinating to read about young boys who’d made squillions of dollars
stealing photos of stars and I decided I wanted to write about a hero who was
once in that position. Of course then I had to find a heroine.
I decided my
hero could live in Hollywood and about the time I was thinking about it, Heath
Ledger was nominated for a posthumous award and my heroine was born.
This is a fish
out of water tale but also one of opposites attract. There’s lots emotion, a
bit of glamour and of course and eventual happy ever after. Hey, I write
romance, no apologies!
And girl…you
keep writing that romance that you write so well! Who were the earliest influences on you as a reader? What were
your favorite stories as a child, teen, and as the young, carefree Rach who
didn’t have a mortgage to worry about?
My Mum ALWAYS
read to me, so I’d say she was a big player. I loved Enid Blyton’s Faraway Tree
series and in my pre-teens I devoured ALL the Babysitter’s Club series. I also
loved Judy Blume. I had a reading drought throughout high school – far more
interested in boys – but Bridget Jones’ Diary brought me back and also got me
writing. PS. I don’t have a mortgage at the moment – lol
I’m moving in
with you for the summer, *Jen crosses fingers hoping Rach thinks this is a marvelous idea* so tell me about the places in Australia that I MUST see. Not
just the favorite spots for tourists, but also the sites that are special in
your eyes. *Jen is packing a large duffle for kangaroo smuggling out of the country*
Haha, you ALWAYS
crack me up. Trust me, summer where I live is not very nice – we reach
sweltering temperatures. Or do you mean, you’ll come in YOUR summer. Our
winters can be quite nice.
Hmm… now… places
to see. Our beaches obviously! I’d take you up north to Broome because I’ve
never been there either. Fremantle markets. A sweet little lake near us. You’d
have to go on a farm stay (because aside from contemporary romance for Carina
Press, I also write rural romance for Harlequin Australia so I’d want to take
you Outback)! I’m actually coming up blank – I’m one of those people who’s seen
more of other countries than my own. We can travel together J
.png)
Give us a little
sneak peek at your book that will be released next. Do you have a date
for publication yet and will distribution reach the US? Am I still the
main character?
I’m sorry m’dear
you’re one of the secondary characters (heroine’s best friend) in Man Drought,
which has just been released too but is only available down under at the moment
L *Jen says RATS she cannot get the book! And YAY she’s in the book at
the same time!*
Here’s a short
extract from Stand-In Star when the heroine realizes exactly who the hero is and
tries to leave his hospitality:
Ignoring the jolt of lust that
slammed into him at the sight of her, he blocked the stairs and folded his arms
across his chest. “Where do you think you’re going?”
She spoke in a level tone, firm,
polite but cold. “Please step out of my way. There’s a taxi waiting for me.”
“Not anymore.”
Her eyes widened. “What do you
mean?”
He shrugged. “The cab came. I told the
driver we didn’t need it. He went away.”
“We didn’t need it?” She shoved the suitcase down, narrowly missing
his toes and not showing any indication of remorse. Her hands snapped to her
hips as he instinctively jumped back. “There is no we, Nate. Last time I checked I was a free agent. I stupidly
accepted your offer of a room of my own free will and now I’m changing my mind.
Of my own free will.”
“And where do you plan on going?”
“As amusing as you may find it,”
she snapped, “I’ve called the hostel and am heading back there. Not that it’s
any of your business but I’d rather be rooming with ten jovial backpackers than
tip-toeing around in paradise with a two-faced traitor.”
“Whoa.” Holding up his hands, he
stepped back at her harsh words. “If this is about the pool incident, I apologized.”
“Hah,” she snorted. “Your sorry was
more of a grunt. But as it happens, your blunt and totally inhospitable
treatment of me since I arrived is only part of the issue. I’ve just seen
myself on the nightly news.”
“Congratulations.” Surprisingly,
she didn’t look all that pleased about the fact. He was having immense
difficulty following the direction of the conversation.
“Congratulations? Is that all you
have to say?”
“What exactly do you want me to
say?”
“Well, the truth would be a nice
start.” She stepped down and—his reflexes a little bamboozled—managed to yank
her suitcase past him. “But since you’ve been lying since the airport, I’m not
expecting nice.”
Right, that was it. He’d had enough
of being yelled at by a lunatic female in his own house. Before she could reach
the front door, he turned and clamped his hand around her arm. “I’m not the one
living a lie.”
You and I are
going on a walkabout (yes, I am throwing in a little Crocodile Dundee
movie quote). You know that I am all about the snacks that would be
packed away for this excursion. So, tell me what’s in the bag?
Ooh now THAT is
easy. Since it’s your first Aussie walkabout, we’ll pack Tim Tams (regular
flavor and caramel ones), Clinkers (Aussie lollies covered in chocolate), Diet
Coke (cos I need it), flour to make damper, Cherry Ripes and Boost chocolate
bars (two more Aussie chocs you don’t wanna be without)!
I think Tim Tams
is my new favorite word combo, yet I have no clue what I’m saying! For instance, LMT (hubs) makes me mad, so I’ll
say, “You big Tim Tam!”
When you think
about the greatest influences on you, past and present, tell us who made a
difference in your life and why?
My Mum, my gran
and my granddad. My dad was never around and these three awesome people
sacrificed a lot to give me the best life possible. I learnt so much from them
and had so many opportunities because of them. I may not have had any dad at
all, but I never missed out!
There’s also been
a few awesome teachers in my life. One of whom I’m now friends on Facebook with
J
Rach… Aww… I love girls who love their grannies! I miss mine desperately. I truly do.
Vegemite.
Explain.
A weird taste
maybe the best thing ever on Toast or crackers!! And also really good food when
you’re not feeling very well. Comfort food indeed!
What would
readers be surprised to know about you?
I love mice and
would have them as pets if my hubby would let me!
It’s girl’s
night in! What are you making me for dinner, then what movie are we
watching on your couch that you want to throw in the dumpster?
Making?
Girlfirend, you’d be MUCH safer if we ordered takeaway. I’d go a nice curry or
some Mexican! As for movies, it’d have to be Love Actually or How To Lose a Guy
in Ten Days!
Big HUGE thank you to Rach for stopping by my blog! I haven't even told her that I'm doing this... I'm giving away one e-copy of her new book to one lucky reader! That's right pumpkins! You can win a copy of her delish new tale, STAND-IN STAR for your Kindle or Nook!
THE RULES:
1. Contest is open Feb 3- Feb 11 at Noon EST here in the states. That's way past Rach's bed time in Australia!
2. Leave a comment telling Rach and I about your thoughts on Vegemite. Tasty snack or better left in a Men at Work song?
3. Please leave your email to be included in the giveaway. Comments without emails will not be counted.
4. Good luck!
Website – www.rachaeljohns.com
Twitter - https://twitter.com/RachaelJohns
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Rachael-Johns/260103224001776
STAND IN STAR – January 1st 2013, Carina Press
As an anthropologist, Holly
McCartney is more comfortable in a museum than shopping on Rodeo Drive. She
isn’t prepared for the media frenzy on her arrival in L.A. to accept a
posthumous acting award for her late sister….or for her sister’s gorgeous
friend Nate Devlin to come to her rescue. Though he resents her for some
reason, she can’t fight their irresistible chemistry—especially when the paparazzi
force her to stay at his mansion.
Photographer Nate only agrees to
help Holly survive Hollywood for her sister’s sake, but she soon gets under his
skin in a way no other woman has. The more time he spends with her, the more
his attraction grows and he finds himself opening up to her in ways he never
expected. But will ghosts of the past stand in the way of their perfect
Hollywood ending?
To-buy links:
