Welcome, Janet Quinn

Welcome to From the Pages, Janet! I'm so jazzed to have you here visiting with us today! If you don't mind, I'd like to begin asking you questions straight away...

Where do you write?

I used to sit at my desk and write. Ever since I got my laptop, I haven’t moved off the couch. I balance my laptop on one leg and a pillow and write with the TV on. I have found my dog leaves me to my writing more now that I am on the couch. When I move to my desk, he feels we must play catch.

Did you always know you wanted to be an author?

When I was in high school, I wanted to be doctor, until the end of my senior year. My English teacher told me I could write and I got my first A ever in English. I always got A’s in math and science. That’s when I decided I wanted to be an author. My mother wasn’t thrilled and it took me many years to actually become an author, but I did finally realize my dream.

Can you tell us anything about what you’re working on now?

At the moment I am writing a sequel to The River’s Treasure, which is a historical romance. Sam, who was a slave bought by the hero in The River’s Treasure, was a favorite character of everyone, so I decided to write his story. It is called Freedom’s Treasure and is an underground railroad story. Sam, a giant of a man, is content with his life until Jubilee crosses his land as she is being chased by slave hunters. He falls in love with her and finds himself being led into all types of trouble while he tries to keep her safe.

How many books have you written? Do you have a favorite?

I have sold twelve books and six short stories. I have several manuscripts in the file cabinet and that is probably where they will stay. Whatever book I am working on is my favorite at the time until I get to the galley stage where I hate the book, the characters and everything else about it and never want to see it again. Once I hold it in my hands, that all changes. My favorite character is Cassidy in Arrow of the Heart, which is a time travel romance. She is a gunslinger who comes forward in time, and even though she doesn’t understand her new world, she isn’t going to let anyone take advantage of her.

Where do you see yourself in the future? Will you still be writing, or do you have a new adventure on the horizon?

I plan to be writing until they bury me. I have had plenty of new adventures in my life and I am happy sitting on my couch writing, when I am not teaching.

The question most readers want to know but never get the chance to ask, do you ever write in your pajamas?

Since my three grown sons live with me, I sleep in sweats and a T-shirt. I also write in sweats and a T-shirt except in the summer when the sweats are traded for shorts.

Do you have a pet?

I have two cats and a dog. Chewbaca, the dog, is a spoiled, fat, lazy dog. He likes to sit in the recliner when he’s not playing ball. He also likes to chase the cats. The smaller one lets him know that she is Queen of the house and he’d best knock it off. He discovered his Christmas presents on top of the fish tank and tried for half an hour to climb up and get them. He is my baby and gets Christmas and birthday presents and even gets his picture taken with Santa. The cats, on the other hand, want to part of any of that.

If you had the choice of being stranded on a desert island or lost in a huge city, which would you prefer and why?

I would definitely choose to be lost in a huge city. I don’t go anywhere that doesn’t have ice, beds, or flush toilets. I am rather into air conditioning as well.

When you’re not writing, what do you like to do?

When I am not writing or teaching – I have two day jobs that involve teaching – I like to lay on the couch and watch TV. I used to read, but by the time I am through with everything else I do, I’m too tired to concentrate, so I watch dramas. I almost never watch movies.

Do you have a recipe you would care to share with us today?

Chicken Mozzarella
Easy and Elegant

8 skinless, boneless chicken breasts
2 cups grated Mozzarella cheese
16 ounce jar of spaghetti sauce
4 ounces Italian bread crumbs

Preheat oven to 350°.

Pour bread crumbs into small flat bowl.

Dip chicken breasts into bowl, coating inside of chicken.

Put cheese in middle of chicken breasts and fold in half.

Place in 8 inch square baking pan.

Pour spaghetti sauce over chicken breasts.

Bake in 350° oven for 45 minutes.

Sprinkle remaining cheese over chicken.

Bake for an additional 10 minutes.

Is there anything else you would like to share with us today?

Writing is a passion and something I can’t imagine not doing. It is also a job that takes discipline and dedication. It is some of the hardest work I have ever done, but finishing a story and seeing my published book, makes all the work worthwhile.

Janet, thanks so much for talking with us today. I've enjoyed getting to know you, and I know my readers have, too. I hope you'll come back and visit again.

Readers, Janet has graciously offered to give one lucky commenter a copy of her Whiskey Shots, Volume 7. All you've got to do is make a comment; one name will be chosen at random to receive this collection. Check back to see if your name has been picked!

http://www.janet-quinn.com/
www.amberquill.com/Betrayals.html
www.whiskeycreekpress.com/authors/Janet_Quinn.shtml the link for the prize I am giving away which will be Whiskey Shots Vol. 7

From Betrayals:

Logan Lambert's world shatters when an earthquake destroys his newly constructed building. In the aftermath of the quake, he soon realizes that his reputation as a builder has also been damaged, and possibly beyond repair. But to make matters even worse, his also learns of the betrayal of his most-trusted friends, which shakes him to the very core of his being.

Kayla Hampton, a blind CPA, is drawn into Logan's chaotic new world when her father asks her to investigate Lambert for signs of fraud. Not only does she find herself falling in love with the discredited yet determined builder, taking risks to help him repair his reputation, but chancing to step outside her safe and orderly existence. Together, Logan and Kayla are plunged into a dangerous world of shoddy construction, gambling, murder and betrayal. And to clear Logan's good name, they must locate the man responsible for the mayhem. But will they expose the real culprit in time to save themselves? And if they do, will their love be strong enough to put their worlds back together?

Carrying her briefcase, she walked across the lawn that
separated her building from the street, her cane skimming the
top of the blades. When her feet hit the solidness of the
sidewalk, she sighed. Calm filled her as the night breeze blew
across her face. Everything was in order. Here, her world was
normal. She had twenty steps to walk to the front door. Then
she would open the security latch, go in and walk ten steps to
the stairway. There were twelve steps to the landing, two steps
to the right, then twelve more steps to the second floor. From
the stairs, it took her fifteen steps to her front door.

She had covered ten steps when the quietness of the night
ended. Hurried footsteps sounded on the sidewalk from about
half a block behind her. Her heart pounded. She paused,
holding her breath and listening. Taking in a deep breath, she
tapped her cane on the sidewalk. Why would anyone be after
her? She was being silly. Anyone could be coming down the
sidewalk.

Still… Squaring her shoulders, she hurried toward the
door, fumbling in her bag for her keys. Once inside she’d feel
safe again. She knew all of this was a reaction to the earlier
break-in, but she couldn’t stop her trembling. The footsteps
disappeared and breathed again. Then the footsteps hit the
sidewalk and her breath caught in her chest. Heavy footsteps.

Made by work boots like Logan wore. Logan making sure she
had arrived home safely? She hesitated, listening to the
footsteps, sniffing the air for a whiff of his cologne. It wasn’t
Logan. She ran the last few feet to the doorway. Jamming her
key into the lock, she tried to turn it. It stuck. The footsteps
bore down on her. They were behind her. She turned,
swinging her briefcase.

“Ooof,” a deep voice breathed.

Kayla tightened her grip on the handle, yanking it toward
her. A hand gripped her shoulder and shoved her. She crashed
backward, her head hitting the door as the doorknob bit into
her spine. The attacker wrested the briefcase from her hand.
Pain shot through her fingers and up her arm, causing her to
scream.

A second set of heavy-booted footsteps sounded against
the pavement. She pulled herself up the door and groped for
the keys in the lock. A body thudded behind her. A rush of
breath broke through the night.

“Kayla, get inside.”