It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, it is because we do not dare that they are difficult. - Seneca

Monday, November 22, 2010

Get Up Close & Personal with Author Angela Johnson ...


As long as I can remember I have loved to read books. I have my mother to thank for my interest. The earliest books I can remember reading were Little Red Riding Hood and The Little Engine That Could. The Little Engine That Could is a book that teaches children you can achieve anything if you put your mind to it.

In my adolescence, books like Little House on the Prairie, Nancy Drew and the Hardy Boys Mysteries, and Treasure Island colored my world, when I was not outside playing with the neighbors, or participating in fast-pitch softball. In my late teens I ransacked my mother’s stash of novels, always on the prowl for a good read. Then when I was 18, or perhaps 19, I borrowed the Captive Bride, by Johanna Lindsey, from a friend. From that moment on, I was hooked on romance.

Later I went to college to study my other passion; history. And in 1999, I graduated summa cum laude from Washburn University with a B. A. degree in History.

After graduation, Joe, my very own hero and significant other suggested, “Why don’t you write a romance novel? You love history and reading romance. Why not combine your two passions into a career?” I admit I was skeptical at first. But before long The Little Engine That Could began to pull me in that direction. I gave it a try, and soon, story ideas started to flow. Words on my computer screen eventually followed.

After several years, and more rewrites than I care to admit, I pitched Vow of Seduction to a New York editor in the summer of 2007. She liked it well enough to ask for a partial submission. But I also entered my manuscript in several RWA sponsored writing contests that had New York editors as final round editor judges. Happily, I placed, or won in three of the contests, and as a result, each judge requested a full submission of the manuscript.

In September of 2008, I received and accepted an offer from Kensington Books for a two-book contract. I was thrilled. The Little Engine That Could ...just did.

VOW OF SEDUCTION was an October 2009 release. It won 2nd place, historical category, in the 2010 Volusia County Romance Writers Laurel Wreath contest. VOW OF DECEPTION arrived in bookstore in November 2010, and received 4 stars at RT Book Reviews.


Angela is currently working on her 3rd book in the Vow series. Tentatively titled VOW OF REDEMPTION, this book is not yet contracted.


Visit Angela on the web- http://angelajohnsonauthor.com/


To sign up for a chance to win a $50 Susan G. Komen for the Cure Visa gift card, go to http://angelajohnsonauthor.com/contest.html




Purchase VOW OF DECEPTION~


*CONEST*
Angela will be giving away TWO signed copies of VOW OF DECEPTION to TWO lucky commenters!!! So don't miss out on your chance to win- leave your comment today!!!! I mean, look at that cover, who wouldn't want to win that?????? :O)


10 comments:

Alexa said...

Great to get to know you, Angela. Congrats on the new book!

Patricia K said...

I love that you take history that you csn use to hvave background for your books.

Brandy B aka Brandlwyne said...

Hi. I love books to especially history/romance and paranormal books. I love reading series and I plan on checking them out, how many are you planning for the series??? Thank you for doing the contest and talking with us!!!

-Brandy
brandyzbooks@yahoo.com

Nicole North said...

It's great to learn all about you! I love hearing stories of how sales happened too. Way to go on writing the new story!

Angela Johnson said...

Hello, Alexa. Thanks for your congrats. So glad you liked my journey to publication.

Angela Johnson said...

Thanks, Pat. As you can tell from my Bio, I love history. It's so cool that I can use it everyday. Vasts amounts of research never makes it into a story. It's fun and challenging at the same time.

Angela Johnson said...

AKA Brandy, thanks for your interest. I actually have a 3rd story in this series I'm working on now, with a potential for a 4th that is the subplot in Book #3. I have yet to find out if my publisher will pick up Book #3. Crossing my fingers.

Angela Johnson said...

Thanks, Nicole. It iS fascinating to hear others paths to getting their first book sold. It's been a fun ride for me.

Gossip Cowgirl said...

I read Angela's first book and loved it. Can't wait to read the new one!! :-)

~ Rebecca
rlcameron(at)yahoo(dot)com

Angela Johnson said...

Ah, thank you Rebecca. I really appreciate the endorsement. I remember you were one of the first ones to rate it at Goodreads

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