Joyce
Lavene writes bestselling mystery with her husband/partner Jim. They have
written and published more than 60 novels for Harlequin, Berkley and Charter Books along with hundreds
of non-fiction articles for national and regional publications. She lives in
rural North Carolina with her family, her cat, Quincy, and her rescue dog,
Rudi.
I
had the privilege of interviewing Joyce Lavene and I hope you enjoy the
interview as much as I did.
Q. What did you want to be
when you grew up?
A.
A writer. I wrote my first poem when I was nine and my first novel when I was
14. That was the only thing I wanted to do, much to my mother’s disappointment.
She wanted me to be a nurse.
Q. At what point in your
life did you decide you wanted to become a published author?
A.
I didn’t think about being published until I got married and my husband (now my
writing partner) told me I was a great writer. Then he said we should write
together and get novels published. I told him he was crazy! After 13 years as a
published writer with more than 60 books in print, I guess I was the crazy one!
Q. In what genre do you
write? If you were to choose another genre, what would it be and why?
A.
I primarily write mystery though I have written about 18 romance novels and was
first published in romance. I really like both genres and would like to write
romantic suspense when I grow up.
Q. What made you choose to
write the particular novel(s) you have written?
A.
Because they were something I (and my partner) were interested in. we have
written NASCAR mysteries, Renaissance Faire, coastal, mountains, sheriffs,
little old ladies.
Q. What is something you
wish you could do better?
A.
I wish I was a better writer.
Q. Who is one of your
favorite authors?
A.
Barbara Hambly.
Can you give us a taste of
your novel, A Haunting Dream?
The mayor of Duck, North Carolina , Dae O’Donnell, is a woman
with a gift for finding lost things. When her boyfriend Kevin’s ex-fiancĂ©e
Ann arrives in Duck looking for a second chance, Dae suddenly finds herself
facing certain heartache. And while her romantic life is in shambles, she’s
even more concerned by the sudden change in her gift. After touching a
medallion owned by a local named Chuck Sparks, Dae is shocked when her vision
reveals his murder—and a cry for help. Dae doesn’t know what to make of the
dead man’s plea to “Help her,” until she has another vision about a kidnapped
girl—Chuck’s daughter, Betsy. With a child missing, the FBI steps in to take
over the case. But Dae can’t ignore her visions of Betsy, or the fact that
Kevin’s psychic ex-fiancĂ© might be the only person who can help find her.
Where can we
find out more about you and your books?
Visit us at www.joyceandjimlavene.com
Facebook: www.Facebook/JoyceandJimLavene.com
Twitter: @authorjlavene
Where can readers purchase A Haunting Dream?
GIVEAWAY
Win a copy of A Haunting
Dream, the fourth book in the Missing Pieces Mysteries, by leaving your name at
my blog: http://romanceofmystery.blogspot.com
Joyce, I loved this post. You are one of the few who didn't want to be a writer as a child. Maybe that's the key to success. So fun learning about a writer i don't know but plan to get better acquainted with.
ReplyDeleteThat's an impressive number of books to have written! Congrats!
ReplyDeleteI agree with Collin, 60 books! You and your husband should be very proud.
ReplyDeleteMadeline
Thanks, Marilyn!
ReplyDeleteThanks Collin and Madeline! It's been a lot of hard work but it's been fun too!
ReplyDeleteI'm late in commenting because we're on the road home, but wanted to say that I can't wait to get my hands on your books.
ReplyDeleteInteresting post. I am so glad your husband convinced you to write!
ReplyDeleteWendy
W.S. Gager on Writing