Sunday, November 24, 2019

Joanie MacNeil talks about Mandraki Magic and Loving Nick...Again


Welcome author Joanie MacNeil!


Who is Joanie MacNeil?
I am an Australian romance author living in Canberra, Australia's National Capital.  I write short contemporary romance novels, ranging from sweet to sexy stories of secrets and forever love. While most of my novels are set in Australia, I could not resist setting two of them in Scotland.
I love to travel with my own romantic hero and have visited parts of the world I never dreamed I’d see.

Home, family and friends are important to me. I have blended these elements into some of my stories.

When I'm not travelling, or working on my latest novel, I enjoy reading romance as well as Icelandic Noir. Though I like watching movies, I never find the time to go to the cinema. I enjoy meeting friends for coffee, and am a regular participant in aqua aerobics. My special moments are those spent with my four young grandsons who keep me on my toes.

Tell us about your life outside of writing.
I don’t write every day though my goal is to achieve something each day, whether it be a writing related activity or something else. Two or three days a week I attend aqua classes which get me away from my computer. I especially enjoy the stretching exercises, and having a laugh and a chat with the other ladies. I sometimes look after my two and a half year old grandson. Our special outing is taking a ride on the bus which he loves. I’m a carer for my husband; a daughter, mother, grandmother, aunt, sister and friend. I catch up with my girlfriends for lunch weekly; I sometimes accompany my husband to have coffee with his friends and their wives. I need to manage my time better most weeks.

Do you have a work in progress?
Yes, I have a contemporary novel which I’ve been working on for ages.  The first draft is done. I’ve let it sit for a while. The story is about a returned veteran who is reunited with a woman he knew from his childhood. The tagline is: When past and present collide, forgiveness is the key.
Finishing this novel is my next major writing task, though I may not get to it until the new year. I have a busy few weeks in the lead-up to Christmas.

Was there a person who encouraged you to write?
No, not really. When I was in primary school and an avid reader of adventure stories, I wanted to write one, talked about it, but never did write anything. I didn’t begin to read romance until my forties. I was on holidays at the beach with my family, and needing some escapism and relaxation, picked up a couple of romance novels. I was hooked. I loved reading historical romance in those days. I decided I wanted to write, had no idea where to begin, and discovered a six week freelance writing course at evening college. I decided freelance writing wasn’t for me, though the session on romance writing really resonated with me. And that began my journey to becoming a romance author.

Five years from now, where do you see yourself as a writer?
I hope I’m still writing and selling my stories. I have a few works in various stages of progress, and it will probably take me five years to finish them all! I would like to have at least three more completed and published in 2020.

What are you working on now?
My focus for the remainder of this year is on marketing, updating my web site, creating a work plan for next year, and a long list of writing related organisational tasks. I also have an idea for another novella, and hope to do some preliminary work on that.

My novella Mandraki Magic, a sweet romance set on the Greek Island of Rhodes, was released in November.

Is Jazzy’s first love the right man for her?
Settled in her new life on the Greek Island of Rhodes, Jazzy is happier than she’s ever been.
When her first love arrives in the Old Town, her peaceful existence is shattered. What is Finn's real reason for being on Rhodes?
Jazzy must sort through her confused emotions and make her own decisions. Can she trust him with her heart a second time?







Another one of my romances is Loving Nick…Again.

Claire Vincent’s unexpected encounter with old flame, Nick Sheridan, threatens the new beginning she’s made for herself and her twin sons. Can Claire trust him enough to risk losing her heart to him again?

Though Nick’s long buried desire for Claire is rekindled, Nick isn’t sure he’s ready for a new relationship, or an instant family.




Website and other links:


2 comments:

  1. Wonderful ! Never too late to fall in love...with writing. LOL☺

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Sonja, it certainly isn't ever too late to fall in love. :)

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