Because I Can by Amarinda Jones - PG

Well, things are back on track! The writing is going pretty good. (I'll post numbers later tonight!) I'm happy with the way my characters are behaving... although a new one popped up out of the blue. He's a philosophical merman pirate named Greenbeard. I'll let you fill in the rest of that from your imagination.



Today my guest author is Janet Davies. She writes for Cerridwen Press under her own name and for Ellora's Cave under the penname of Amarinda Jones. Yes, you guessed it! She's one third of the Crazy Blog Serial Trio. She was gracious enough to reply to my questions in her own distinctive style. So let us begin at once.



1) If you could start over with your writing career, what if anything would you change?

I would like to be taller, slimmer, calmer and a tad more patient. To be honest, I really would not change anything because everything I have experienced has gotten me to this point in my life and my writing reflects that. I believe things happen as they are supposed to. And seriously just slimmer would be fine.



2) What was the best piece of advice you received regarding the life of a writer?

My editor said write sex as sex sells. I initially thought - what? I can’t write sex. I am too much of a good girl for that. But surprisingly I can write sex quite well and I am good but not in the going to church on Sunday sense.

3) If you could meet anyone, living or dead, who would it be?

I would like to meet Queen Elizabeth the first as she was an incredibly strong woman and I think she would have been an amazing pain in the arse when she was alive. This is a woman who ran a country in a precarious time when only men were supposed to rule. I think we could get into some excellent arguments.


4) If you could meet any fictional character, who would it be?

I would like to meet Scarlett O’Hara and ask her what possessed her to think she was in love with Ashley Wilkes when the dark and delicious Rhett Butler was right there wanting her. What were you thinking Scarlett?



5) What do you want to be when you grow up?

I want to be crazy old lady who dyes her hair flaming red, dresses in outrageous clothes and is gossiped about at the retirement village. I want to say and do things because I can. I want to carry on living life like I mean it.



6) In the next century, what do you hope people will remember you for?

As long as the reaction is strong – love or hate – that suits me.


Because I Can by Amarinda Jones from Ellora’s Cave

Have you ever started a book with some odd preconceived notion only to find yourself sucked into an Alice in the Looking Glass world? Amarinda/Janet has crafted a surreal romp through the business world Australian style. Never before have I read a book where the author's voice was so distinctive. Her heroine, Miranda is a staunch, take no prisoners advocate for her co-workers. Her hero, Justin is a staunch, take no prisoners CEO at the company that employs Miranda. Let the games begin!

The sex is hot and heavy in the most unlikely places, leading to a variety of stratagems that I can only describe as ingenious without giving away the goodies. The developing relationship between Miranda and Justin draws the attention of the “bad guy”, leading to several harrowing escapes. Will they identify him in time? Will Miranda believe that Justin wants more than a quick roll in the supply closet? Will Justin convince her he’s madly in love with her?

Oh, I heartily recommend this fast-moving snapshot of life in Australia with enough oddities (including a memorable scene with cane toads) to content the most avid arm-chair traveler and enough exciting sex to keep you busy groping for that cold drink and fan. For laugh out loud fun, run out and snap up your own copy of Because I Can.



Anny