Please welcome Donna Alward!

Sometimes writers have the fun of being shelf buddies as well as online buddies. Donna Alward and I have had books out at the same time on more than one occasion and the month of March is one such occasion with Donna's 'The Soldier's Homecoming' and my 'To Love and To Cherish' out simultaneously. To celebrate this bit of fun, Donna and I are taking over each other's blogs for the day - and running a joint contest to give away a prize of a hardback from each of us with some little goodies added in. Please email either Donna via her website or me via the 'Contact Jennie' button on any of the pages of my website, to enter the contest.

Meanwhile, please welcome Donna Alward!

Donna, please tell us a little about 'The Soldier's Homecoming'. What made you decide to write a story about a member of the armed services? Was it difficult to write Jonas's story - a man struggling to come to terms with both internal and external wounds only to come home to try to heal, and walk right into another part of his life that's been held back from him?

Also, please tell us about Canada! You're the only Canadian author writing for the Harlequin Romance line. Will we be seeing lots of Canadian settings from you in the future? And is it true that Canada, like Australia, uses British spelling? Something else we have in common!

Jennie

Donna writes:

I admit it, I love stories and movies with military or law enforcement themes. My two favourite tv shows are Battlestar Galactica (is Australia getting season 3 now?) and The Unit. So it’s no surprise that the casting for THE SOLDIER’S HOMECOMING is Scott Foley of The Unit. When I envisioned Jonas, my hero, it was really Scott’s face I initially saw.

But I think what draws me to these sorts of heroes is their code of honour. They are certainly still flawed people, but they are also strong, dedicated, and want to do the right thing. They never shirk responsibility. On the flip side of that is perhaps Jonas’s tendency to see things in black and white, and we all know the world doesn’t quite work that way. When he finds out he has a five year-old daughter, he’s very sure Shannyn is in the wrong for keeping Emma’s existence from him. At the same time he’s dealing with an injury, some significant survivor’s guilt and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.

But this book is really about love and hope and healing. And it was incredibly difficult to write, because Jonas is such a strong character he threatened to take over! But most of all, the story is about his ability to trust Shannyn again, not only about their daughter, but with his past, so he can move on and they can find their life together. And Emma is just sweet, if I do say so myself. She was the easiest person to write. I have to admit that at times it was nearly channeling the precociousness of my youngest.

A really cool thing about this book is that I set it in the Fredericton, New Brunswick area of Canada, where I’m from. It’s on the East Coast and it was so much fun to visit “home” again. Out of my first five Romances, it’s the only one NOT set in western Canada, where I live now. And I anticipate lots of Canadian settings in my future – both west and east. Our family is actually about to uproot and head back to the east coast, which is fabulous! If you look at the picture from the back of THE SOLDIER’S HOMECOMING, this is the kind of area we’ll be close to. We will be much closer to family, and close to the ocean, and orchards, and…well, we’re very excited. Writing books set in places where I’ve lived is a great way to feel connected to them even when I’m not there. There is one other Canadian author within the Romance line, Cara Colter, who lives in British Columbia. I’m actually writing a book right now set not that far from where she calls home. It’s gorgeous country.


And yes, Jennie, we use British Spelling. Or as my friend Steve says, “The Queen’s English”. Or at least we’re supposed to. I think Canada is becoming a bit “Americanized” in many ways, and we do pick things up from our neighbors/neighbours!

Thanks for having me over to visit! And please, e-mail Jennie or me (donna@donnaalward.com) to enter our contest.

Donna

Footnote from Jennie: I don't watch a lot of TV. Maybe another Aussie will have the answer to Donna's question about Battlestar Galactica?