Author Interview - Jean M. Grant

Today, I am very pleased to welcome to The Author's Den, Jean M. Grant.

Jean, tell us a little about yourself.

I’m a former-scientist, current-busy-mom, and now full-time author. I draw from my interests in history, nature, and family for inspiration. I write historical and contemporary romances and women’s fiction. I also write articles for family-oriented travel magazines. When I’m not writing or chasing children, I enjoy tending to my flower gardens, hiking, and doing just about anything in the outdoors.

Please share an enticing tag line of your current work with us. 
Will love help her summit one last peak?

Your novel is being made into a TV series/movie. Who’s in your dream cast?
This is a tough one! With some books I can envision famous actors/actresses for the roles but I didn’t picture any for this story. I dug around and was looking for a famous New Zealander actor for Matiu to no avail, and same goes for Charlotte. I’ll guess I’d leave that one to the directors and the reader’s imagination!

How do you come up with the titles of your books? 
Titles do not come easily to me. I usually have a working title but for one of my
books, my editor suggested a change and for the better (naturally!). For the others, if I’m stuck, I toss the ideas out to a few close friends and with a bit of back and forth and feedback, I settle on a compelling title. I like the title to play into some emotional element, key plot point, or symbolic meaning of the story. I had a list of about twenty potential titles for this story, but between myself, my editor, and my beta readers/feedback crew, Soul of the Storm outshined them all. 

What does your writing space look like? 
Neat, with a blanket for my lap (I’m always cold), a box of promo material at my feet, a stack of books to my side (on the floor), and usually several Post-its across the surface, notes taped to my monitor, and a clipboard with a calendar. Lots of to-do lists that I enjoy crossing off and then re-writing. Behind me? My children’s toys. My desk is in a lovely corner of their playroom. But I keep my back to the dishes in the kitchen and my view to the window beside my desk. It works. I can usually write amidst energy and activity.

What do you like to do after meeting a word count/finishing a manuscript to relax and reward yourself? 
Ahh…rest? Watch some TV or hang out with the kids/husband. Celebrate a little. Do some other tasks (non-writing) that may have been piling up. Then I move on to the next writing project or task.

What are your hobbies away from writing/the computer? 
Hiking, gardening (flowers…I’ve not figured out much in the way of produce, but I do have some amazing raspberry bushes I take good care of), traveling, reading (when my eyes are not tired from work), hanging out with my family, and baking (eating!).

Where are your favourite places to read and to write? 
Desk, couch, bed, counter, coffee shop. I am versatile and don’t mind busyness, though I thoroughly enjoy quietude. If I do feel too distracted, I love to listen to music/earbuds to find my muse and tune out the world.

What are two things people might be surprised to know about you? 
I love sharks and would love to go down in a shark cage (even though it would equally terrify me)! I won the lottery in college and used the cash (about $7,200 after taxes) to help pay for college stuff (books, rent…). Oh I was responsible even back then. These days I’d be tempted ot use that for some tickets for a trip back to New Zealand.

What books might we find on your bedside table? 
Other romances, women’s fiction, and my buddy’s new YA fantasy novel that releases soon, as well as travel magazines. What am I reading now? Romance: The Accidental Wife (CJ Fosdick), women’s fiction: The Girl in the Letter (by Emily Gunnis, for a book club), and YA fantasy: A Thousand Years to Wait (by L.Ryan Storms).

What can we expect from you next? Are you working on anything new? 
My next book releases April 17th, and it’s women’s fiction (Will Rise from Ashes). I’m so excited to see this manuscript come to life. It was probably my hardest story to write, but the most rewarding. I love them all though. I’m also writing the final book in my “hundred” historical romance trilogy.

Let's take a peek at Jean's new release, Soul of the Storm

available March 20, 2019

Charlotte MacGregor lost the thrill of conquering mountains five years ago when her sister disappeared on a hiking adventure without her. Still guilt-ridden, Charlotte heads for a vacation to rustic Vermont with a friend—where she's surrounded by reminders of her devastating loss and plagued with unanswered questions. 

Matiu Christiansen is an outdoors buff. He works multiple jobs to save for his dream of owning an outfitter in New Zealand. He's never quite felt at home in the United States and he yearns for his Maori roots, but his attraction to Charlotte puts a kink in his plans to move home later this year. 

Thrown together by coincidence, Charlotte and Matiu form a kindred bond through their shared love of the outdoors. Can Charlotte surmount her demons to assist Matiu on a rescue when a late-season snowstorm hits? And can Matiu help Charlotte heal from the pain of the past? 

Learn more about Jean and her books:
http://www.jeanmgrant.com/https://twitter.com/JeanGrant05 https://www.facebook.com/jeanmgrantauthor/ https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/16582543.Jean_M_Grant https://www.amazon.com/Jean-M.-Grant/e/B0728KFXP9/ https://www.thewildrosepress.com/authors/jean-m-grant https://www.amazon.com/Soul-Storm-Deerbourne-Jean-Grant-ebook/dp/B07NPZGNM9 https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/books/1130609229?ean=2940161389621