Janis Thomas is the author of What Remains True and All That's Left of Me (Lake Union, 2017, 2018). She has also written three critically-acclaimed humorous women's fiction novels, Something New, Sweet Nothings, and Say Never, which was chosen by Chick Lit Central as one of the best books of the year. Murder in A-Minor is the first in her musical murder mystery series.
Janis has written over fifty songs, and two children’s books which she wrote with her dad. When she isn’t writing or fulfilling her PTA duties, Janis likes to play tennis, sing with her sister, and throw lavish dinner parties with wild menus for friends and loved ones. She lives in Southern California with her husband, their two beautiful children and two crazy dogs. (Bio courtesy of Amazon.)
Synopsis:
A young girl is in terrible danger … but can they reach her in time?
Somebody’s coming for you...
California: Twelve-year-old Melanie has been in foster care her whole life, moving from home to home—unloved and unwanted. And although she has found relative contentment with her current foster parents, Melanie harbors a secret that, if discovered, would blow her world apart. Someone talks to Melanie, a presence no one else can see or hear, and this presence has a message for her: something bad is about to happen.
New York: After years of battling with her troubled, unpredictable mother, Louise has managed to find peace in her solitary existence. Until the day Grace crashes back into her life and entreats Louise to help her save a child from imminent danger. Unwilling to get caught up in her mother’s madness, Louise resists. But she realizes the only way to be rid of Grace once and for all is to play along.
Louise and Grace set off across America in search of Melanie, driven by Grace’s firm belief that they have to get there before the bad thing happens. To do that, Louise must first come to understand and trust her mother. But after a lifetime of pain and dysfunction, can the two finally heal old wounds in order to save one young girl? (Courtesy of Amazon.)
A young girl is in terrible danger … but can they reach her in time?
Somebody’s coming for you...
California: Twelve-year-old Melanie has been in foster care her whole life, moving from home to home—unloved and unwanted. And although she has found relative contentment with her current foster parents, Melanie harbors a secret that, if discovered, would blow her world apart. Someone talks to Melanie, a presence no one else can see or hear, and this presence has a message for her: something bad is about to happen.
New York: After years of battling with her troubled, unpredictable mother, Louise has managed to find peace in her solitary existence. Until the day Grace crashes back into her life and entreats Louise to help her save a child from imminent danger. Unwilling to get caught up in her mother’s madness, Louise resists. But she realizes the only way to be rid of Grace once and for all is to play along.
Louise and Grace set off across America in search of Melanie, driven by Grace’s firm belief that they have to get there before the bad thing happens. To do that, Louise must first come to understand and trust her mother. But after a lifetime of pain and dysfunction, can the two finally heal old wounds in order to save one young girl? (Courtesy of Amazon.)
"Finding Grace is a compelling psychological suspense drama about the ties that bind and the forgiveness that lives within us all. A truly unique and captivating read!"
~Wendy Walker, bestselling author of All Is Not Forgotten
"Compelling and redemptive, Finding Grace captured my heart from the first page and never let go."
~Suzanne Redfearn, #1 Amazon bestselling author
What were the biggest rewards and challenges with writing Finding Grace?
Finishing a book is always a major reward! Some people say it’s passé to type THE END when you finish a manuscript, but I always do—slowly—and I savor each of those six keystrokes. Then I close the document and pull out the champagne. As for challenges, FINDING GRACE is written in multiple POVs, dual times, and multiple locations, so keeping everything straight in my head required a lot of organization. I had to start each writing session with the following questions: Who am I? Where am I? What year is it?
During the editing process, was there anything you had to take out of the book that you wish you could have kept?
Writers tend to fall in love with their words, and I am no exception. So, yes, I’m sure I cut things that broke my heart a little bit. But I completely trusted my editor—the marvelous Sara O’Keeffe—and I know the book is better because of the insightful suggestions she made.
If Finding Grace were made into a movie, what songs would be on the soundtrack?
I LOVE this question, especially since music plays a part in the story. Grace is a huge fan of Pearl Jam and Eddie Vedder. “Even Flow” is mentioned on the very first page, so I would have to lead with that. “Better Man” comes in later. Louise is a Nirvana fan, and I think “Come as You Are” is a good fit, thematically.
Finishing a book is always a major reward! Some people say it’s passé to type THE END when you finish a manuscript, but I always do—slowly—and I savor each of those six keystrokes. Then I close the document and pull out the champagne. As for challenges, FINDING GRACE is written in multiple POVs, dual times, and multiple locations, so keeping everything straight in my head required a lot of organization. I had to start each writing session with the following questions: Who am I? Where am I? What year is it?
During the editing process, was there anything you had to take out of the book that you wish you could have kept?
Writers tend to fall in love with their words, and I am no exception. So, yes, I’m sure I cut things that broke my heart a little bit. But I completely trusted my editor—the marvelous Sara O’Keeffe—and I know the book is better because of the insightful suggestions she made.
If Finding Grace were made into a movie, what songs would be on the soundtrack?
I LOVE this question, especially since music plays a part in the story. Grace is a huge fan of Pearl Jam and Eddie Vedder. “Even Flow” is mentioned on the very first page, so I would have to lead with that. “Better Man” comes in later. Louise is a Nirvana fan, and I think “Come as You Are” is a good fit, thematically.
Louise also grew up listening to her grandmother’s faves: Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin and the like. “Come Fly with Me” is featured, as is “I’ve Got You Under My Skin.” Melanie mentions Billie Eilish, and “Everything I Wanted” would be perfect for the movie. Wow. This soundtrack is a little all over the place, isn’t it? Let’s call it eclectic….
What is the last movie you saw that you would recommend?
I wasn’t prepared to enjoy The Batman as much as I did. I was prepared to be bored. I was prepared to fidget in my seat the two-and-a-half-hour mark. But I wasn’t and I didn’t. I found the movie visually spectacular and completely engaging. And, since I’ve never seen any of the Twilight movies, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Robert Pattinson. Let’s just say, I approve.
What is something you learned about yourself during the pandemic?
I learned that as much as I bake, I’m terrible at making bread. (I am a sourdough starter killer.) Oh, yes, I also learned that I still like spending time with my husband, and since we’ve been married over twenty-two years, this was a very positive realization!
What is the most comfortable piece of clothing you own?
Oh, dear. My husband, the one I like to spend time with, despises my most comfortable item of clothing—an old, thin, cotton Massimo long-sleeved t-shirt that is softer than the downy coat of a baby duck. Unfortunately, the shirt also has holes. And the sleeve is torn. And the color had faded from black to a sort of green-grey-black. I never wear the shirt out of the house. Okay, I do, but only if it’s hidden under something else. I should get rid of it or throw it in the rag pile. My husband begs me to dump the shirt every time I put it on. But I intend to wear it until it’s nothing more than threads.
What is the last movie you saw that you would recommend?
I wasn’t prepared to enjoy The Batman as much as I did. I was prepared to be bored. I was prepared to fidget in my seat the two-and-a-half-hour mark. But I wasn’t and I didn’t. I found the movie visually spectacular and completely engaging. And, since I’ve never seen any of the Twilight movies, I wasn’t sure what to expect from Robert Pattinson. Let’s just say, I approve.
What is something you learned about yourself during the pandemic?
I learned that as much as I bake, I’m terrible at making bread. (I am a sourdough starter killer.) Oh, yes, I also learned that I still like spending time with my husband, and since we’ve been married over twenty-two years, this was a very positive realization!
What is the most comfortable piece of clothing you own?
Oh, dear. My husband, the one I like to spend time with, despises my most comfortable item of clothing—an old, thin, cotton Massimo long-sleeved t-shirt that is softer than the downy coat of a baby duck. Unfortunately, the shirt also has holes. And the sleeve is torn. And the color had faded from black to a sort of green-grey-black. I never wear the shirt out of the house. Okay, I do, but only if it’s hidden under something else. I should get rid of it or throw it in the rag pile. My husband begs me to dump the shirt every time I put it on. But I intend to wear it until it’s nothing more than threads.
Thanks to Janis for chatting with us and to Blackstone for sharing her book with our readers.
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18 comments:
I do like my cotton nightgowns. Best not to wear them shopping though.
My raggedy grey super soft sleep pants.
Cotton sleepshirt
Soft, loose jeans.
The most comfortable thing I own would have to be one of old soft cotton nightgowns.
Nancy
allibrary (at) aol (dot) com
Loose, oversized pajama bottoms and an old t-shirt.
The most comfortable thing I own would have to be my fleece pyjamas.
My pajamas
My super soft, fleece robe is the most comfortable thing I own.
dress
I have a dress that is so comfy...loose, soft, worn. It's beginning to shred, and I only ever wear it when at home, in the garden. But I dread throwing it out.
I love my yoga pants and a fleece top
My leggings are the most comfortable clothing I own.
An old gray Winnie the Pooh t-shirt.
A cotton nightgown that is ultra soft. It used to belong to my mom.
My pajamas
My pajamas
My pullover dress is the most comfortable!
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