Dawn's Reading Nook: Talking with Jo March and a Giveaway from Breathless Press

Please give a warm welcome to author Jo March as we celebrate with Breathless Press on their FIFTH Birthday and don't forget to enter their big giveaway at the end of the post.

Now let's see what Jo had to say to my questions....

Can you please tell us about your latest/upcoming book(s)?

My latest book is a sweet short based on characters from Alice in Wonderland. Alice is far from the sweet young heroine of the original, in fact she's got a bit of a reputation. As for what happens to her... well, you'll have to read it to find out!

How did you come with the idea for this story?

I wanted to write a story for the Breathless Press birthday collection and I spent a bit of time trying to decide which characters I thought might work best. I really love to see roles turned on their heads, so the idea of messing with preconceived ideas of who is who in the story really appealed to me.

Who is your ultimate "book boy/girlfriend"? You know, that hottie you read about and drool over.

Oh lordy, this is a tough question, but mostly because I tend to fall for the hero of whichever book I'm reading at the moment. Some are people I love to revisit, but on the whole, I try not to limit myself to just one *grin* After all, where's the fun in that?

Who is your Celebrity crush? And what would you do if you ever meet them?

I have always loved actors like Clint Eastwood or Harrison Ford and singers like Frank Sinatra. My list of "ideal dinner guests" often includes actors and singers from decades past. However, that being said, I wouldn't say no to Chris Hemsworth or Hugh Jackman or Henry Cavill... well, you get the idea. Actually, I suspect that I'd be completely normal with them if I was ever to have the chance to talk to them. After all, they're just normal people working hard at their job.

If you could collaborate with another author on a secret project, who would you pick to work with and why?

I would love to work with Jodi Picoult or Philippa Gregory. I love Jodi's books for the emotional depth they have and Philippa has captured my loyalty and imagination thanks to her knowledge of Tudor England... I reckon if I could somehow capture some of their essence, I'd be able to make some writing magic!

The Queen's Heart

Breathless Press

Fantasy Short Story

Release date: August 1st, 2014

Available in e-format at Publisher

Buy the Limited Edition Hardcover Book (includes this story) HERE

Clarissa could never have foreseen the magic a simple hatter could bring to her life.

As queen of Wonderland, Clarissa should have been secure in her position, but Alice sought to change all that. A clause in the dead king's will only serves to spur on their childhood rivalry. Alice will stop at nothing to take the throne for herself. The best laid plans can go awry though and it's only a matter of time until the true queen of Wonderland will be crowned for good.

Teaser Excerpt:

"Who are you?"

"I'm just a simple hatter, miss. Newly arrived here to ply my trade at court."

"Interesting. Well, don't let me keep you..."

At her dismissive tone, the hatter raised his eyes and stared at her for a moment. "Did anyone ever tell you that you're awfully bossy? I'm sure the queen herself isn't as bossy as you!"

"Not lately, no, and since you are new here, you may want to wait until you meet the queen to decide what she's like." Stepping to one side on the path, she cocked her head at the exit. "I believe you were just leaving?"

Slowly he walked toward her, closing the distance between them until he towered over her. Realizing that it might not be safe to be alone with this stranger, she was tempted to take a step backward, but one look at the expression on his face showed that he was expecting her to be intimidated. Resolutely she stood her ground. Staring defiantly up at him, she crossed her arms defensively across her chest.

"Am I in your way?"

"Not at all." And with that he dropped his lips to hers. The kiss was gentle at first—their mouths the only point of contact between them—but within moments, his tongue had teased her lips apart and his hands were buried in her hair, drawing her nearer. Of their own volition, her hands explored the planes of his chest through the cotton shirt he wore, and her fingers memorized every detail.

Without warning he pulled away, his breathing ragged. His gaze bore into hers and she felt as if he were reading every thought that flashed across her mind. Her heart fluttered like a trapped butterfly in her chest—the sound so loud that she felt sure he must be able to hear it. With extraordinary gentleness, he ran the back of his hand slowly down her cheek before stepping quietly past her and leaving the garden.

Author Bio

Jo March lives in her own Wonderland—a place filled with books, animals and plenty of ways to exercise her imagination and creativity. She cannot remember not wanting to be a writer and indulges whenever she can. She lives in Cape Town and considers it the most beautiful place in the world to live.