Hey people of the world, welcome the heck back to my blog. I haven't been posting as much, since I've been on vacation and I've been real busy submitting my book to agents! *Fingers Crossed*. Today I have a real treat, I'll be interviewing New York Times Bestselling Author Joanne Wadsworth!
I actually first began as a traditional author in 2011 with a small New York press which was then bought out by a larger New York publisher in late 2013. I re-signed five novels with the new publisher and got to work with some incredible editors along the way. Although, all too soon, I learnt that if I wished to keep writing full-time and get paid a full-time wage, then I needed to switch to going indie. Publishers take the lion’s share of an author’s income and hold all the control. I wished for that income and control back.
I’ve never regretted my decision to switch to indie. Being able to organize my own release schedule, have the final say on my own cover art, choose which markets I wish to release my books within, has been the best move for my career. I even retained the same editor I’d had with my publisher, so I found the transition of moving from traditional to indie flowed so smoothly. Now, a few years on, I’m thrilled to be a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels, with a release schedule of five to six books per year, and a two-year forward list of books already plotted and waiting to be written. Being an author is my dream come true. Taking the indie route, even more so.
I love the whole concept of sending heroines or heroes back through time to another era, particularly into Scotland during the ancient or medieval period. There are so many wonderful Scottish legends, and the fighting between the clans of Scotland were brutal and intense. With all that history to immerse the reader in, along with a little faerie magic tossed in, I’m in my element, and the stories flow with ease.
First, I write the blurb for the book I’m about to write. I have my two lead characters sorted, the antagonist and secondary characters all in order, then with the basic crux of the story plotted within that blurb, I’m away. I jump straight in and right the first draft, keeping to a schedule of 3,000 words per day. My first drafts are incredibly tidy, and written within three weeks. My second and third drafts are complete within another two weeks, and then I begin edits and finish polishing the manuscript. Two months, sometimes a fraction less, and I have a complete novel ready to be published.
How and Why did you pick the romance genre?
I’d say the romance genre picked me. I quickly learnt I couldn’t write a book without romance playing a huge factor in it. I simply love a strong and feisty heroine, along with a hero with flaws he wishes to overcome, followed by a deeply moving plot line which keeps the reader turning those pages well into the night. A must-have for me is romance, with a happily ever after ending which satisfies the heart of the reader.
Like a dream come true. The Dark Humanity authors were an incredible team of authors to work with, many of them already New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors, so we had some major talent contributing to the boxed set. We planned this set several months out from the release day, and ensured every single book in the set was well written and edited to perfection. Then after a phenomenal release week with over 21,000 sales, we waited to see if the editors at the New York Times would place us on their list. Unfortunately, they don’t place based on sales alone, but they curate at their discretion, which means it’s incredibly hard to make that list, and even more so for a group of indie authors without the power of a huge publishing house behind us. It was the sweetest moment though to see that we’d not only hit the list, but made it into the top five. That moment surpassed even my wildest dreams.
I have another eight Scottish time travel novels already plotted and in my schedule to write over the next two years, along with two more YA/NA novels, and three Regency romances. All those characters are hounding me to share their stories, and I can’t wait to begin them.
Out of all the books you've written, which is your favorite and why?
Protector, Princesses of Myth, book one. I just wrote that title with a hugely nostalgic smile on my face. Protector is in fact the first book I penned back in 2009, a YA/NA epic fantasy romance, and the first book which received a contract with my New York publisher in 2011. Thankfully, I’ve since gotten the rights to that book back, as well as the rest of the series, and I’ve republished the entire series with gorgeous new covers. Protector is also the book which I included in the Dark Humanity boxed set, so a double reason why it’s my favorite and always will be. Thank you so much for inviting me to join you today.
BIO
Joanne Wadsworth is a NEW YORK TIMES and USA TODAY Bestselling Author who adores getting lost in the world of romance, no matter what era in time that might be. Hot alpha Highlanders hound her, demanding their stories are told and she’s devoted to ensuring they meet their match, whether that be with a feisty lass from the present or far in the past.
Living on a tiny island at the bottom of the world, she calls New Zealand home. Big-dreamer, hoarder of chocolate, and addicted to juicy watermelons since the age of five, she chases after her four energetic children and has her own hunky hubby on the side.
So come and join in all the fun, because this kiwi girl promises to give you her “Hot-Highlander” oath, to bring you a heart-pounding, sexy adventure from the moment you turn the first page. This is where romance meets fantasy and adventure…
- What prompted to you to start writing?
I’ve held the desire to write since my teenage years, but the absolute defining moment came in February 2009 when my youngest child began pre-school and I’d finished reading the first book in the Twilight series. That’s when I was bombarded by a group of characters who needed their story told, and the timing was perfect for me.
- Why indie and not traditional?
I actually first began as a traditional author in 2011 with a small New York press which was then bought out by a larger New York publisher in late 2013. I re-signed five novels with the new publisher and got to work with some incredible editors along the way. Although, all too soon, I learnt that if I wished to keep writing full-time and get paid a full-time wage, then I needed to switch to going indie. Publishers take the lion’s share of an author’s income and hold all the control. I wished for that income and control back.- Do you regret it?
I’ve never regretted my decision to switch to indie. Being able to organize my own release schedule, have the final say on my own cover art, choose which markets I wish to release my books within, has been the best move for my career. I even retained the same editor I’d had with my publisher, so I found the transition of moving from traditional to indie flowed so smoothly. Now, a few years on, I’m thrilled to be a New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of over thirty novels, with a release schedule of five to six books per year, and a two-year forward list of books already plotted and waiting to be written. Being an author is my dream come true. Taking the indie route, even more so.
- I loved 'Highlander's Claim', I haven't read many books with time travel. How did this idea come to you?
I love the whole concept of sending heroines or heroes back through time to another era, particularly into Scotland during the ancient or medieval period. There are so many wonderful Scottish legends, and the fighting between the clans of Scotland were brutal and intense. With all that history to immerse the reader in, along with a little faerie magic tossed in, I’m in my element, and the stories flow with ease.
- What is your writing process?
First, I write the blurb for the book I’m about to write. I have my two lead characters sorted, the antagonist and secondary characters all in order, then with the basic crux of the story plotted within that blurb, I’m away. I jump straight in and right the first draft, keeping to a schedule of 3,000 words per day. My first drafts are incredibly tidy, and written within three weeks. My second and third drafts are complete within another two weeks, and then I begin edits and finish polishing the manuscript. Two months, sometimes a fraction less, and I have a complete novel ready to be published.
How and Why did you pick the romance genre?
I’d say the romance genre picked me. I quickly learnt I couldn’t write a book without romance playing a huge factor in it. I simply love a strong and feisty heroine, along with a hero with flaws he wishes to overcome, followed by a deeply moving plot line which keeps the reader turning those pages well into the night. A must-have for me is romance, with a happily ever after ending which satisfies the heart of the reader.- You hit the New York Times Bestseller List as part of the 'Dark Humanity' box-set, how did it feel like?
Like a dream come true. The Dark Humanity authors were an incredible team of authors to work with, many of them already New York Times and USA Today bestselling authors, so we had some major talent contributing to the boxed set. We planned this set several months out from the release day, and ensured every single book in the set was well written and edited to perfection. Then after a phenomenal release week with over 21,000 sales, we waited to see if the editors at the New York Times would place us on their list. Unfortunately, they don’t place based on sales alone, but they curate at their discretion, which means it’s incredibly hard to make that list, and even more so for a group of indie authors without the power of a huge publishing house behind us. It was the sweetest moment though to see that we’d not only hit the list, but made it into the top five. That moment surpassed even my wildest dreams.- What's next for you?
Out of all the books you've written, which is your favorite and why?
Protector, Princesses of Myth, book one. I just wrote that title with a hugely nostalgic smile on my face. Protector is in fact the first book I penned back in 2009, a YA/NA epic fantasy romance, and the first book which received a contract with my New York publisher in 2011. Thankfully, I’ve since gotten the rights to that book back, as well as the rest of the series, and I’ve republished the entire series with gorgeous new covers. Protector is also the book which I included in the Dark Humanity boxed set, so a double reason why it’s my favorite and always will be. Thank you so much for inviting me to join you today.
Review
Today, I'll be reviewing The Highlander's Claim, the second book in the Matheson Warriors series. I first read the first book a few weeks ago, and planned on reading book 2. I had never read a romance book with time travel, so this was a first for me.
Joanne manages to bring both the historical events and the present together perfectly. Cherub waits to see who will be next to find their soul mate and learns that her niece will be the next one.
Ailith (Who is Cherub's niece.) Has waited thousands of years to find her soul-mate. I felt so bad for the girl, (I was so invested in the read).
And we are brought to Fae who has the ability to see visions. She must travel from her time to the present day time to save a warrior, but who is also her soul mate.
Hunter and bear shifter wants Ailith because she's unmated. I love how people think they can automatically get something just because no one else has it. Alith proved to be a strong heroine for me.
She then discovers Hunter is the warrior, so she tries to take his memories away, but Hunter's bear is strong. I won't go into details as I hate giving away spoilers.
You can feel the sexual tension, the tender passion and the fun adventure with each page of this novel. Ailith and Hunter are so cute, and don't think people 'back in that time' weren't as well in the sexual field.
According to Wadsworth, they aren't. I have nothing bad to say about this novel. The world building felt realistic. The author was smart to use third-person in this story, and I have to congratulate her on delivering such a well-written novel.
5/5!!!
Giveaway
I'll be giving away the first two books (ebook) of the The Matheson Warriors Book 2 to one lucky person.
(NOTE: ALL EBOOKS WERE REPURCHASED JUST FOR THIS GIVEAWAY)
All you have to do is follow me on Twitter at @TheEliBauer click right here or follow this link https://twitter.com/TheEliBauer
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