Meet Joanna Cates and her debut novel: Love is Crystal Clear

Hi everyone. Today, it gives me enormous pleasure to introduce a brand new author with her debut novel … Joanna Cates. She’s a lovely lady, and I’d be so happy if you could all offer her a warm welcome. I’ll let Jo introduce herself >>>

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Hi Everyone

I am so thrilled to be given the opportunity to share the details of my debut romance novel with you all.

I expect you are all slightly fed up with hearing stories about COVID-19, and what a challenging year 2020 was. { We sure are, Jo! }

My heart goes out to anybody who has suffered in any way, but sometimes I experience a sense of guilt for the excitement I feel when I discuss the positive things that have happened to me in 2020. { No guilt necessary. It’s great that you’ve got some positives out of the year. }

One of my proudest moments was when I first held a printed copy of my novel, Love is Crystal Clear, just before Christmas.

When I first started to write the story, at every opportune moment, I regaled my family and friends with details of Henrietta and Danny and introduced them to other characters from the book.

Before the book was even published, we would often talk about them as if they were living people.

Questions that were frequently asked included ‘Who are you in the book?’ ‘Am I in the book?’

‘Are the sexy scenes based on you and your hubby?’

The truthful answer is there is a little bit of me in every character.

Like Henrietta, I dote on my children, and love to learn about hobbies, such as photography and crystals. My golf loving husband didn’t bat an eyelid when I told him that I was going to set up a youth club or study psychology.

I am an accountant by trade and mere numbers are not enough for me.

In the story, both Henrietta and Maggie are going through challenges that women may face when they are in Menopause. This subject is mentioned throughout, and will resonate with many women who are also at this stage of their life, as am I.

I wanted to mention Maggie, as although the book is predominantly a love story between Henri and Danny, it tells the story of two friends reaching out to each other for support.

Initially, Maggie was going to leave John and I felt that he didn’t deserve her love. But when his own story emerged …

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Excerpt:

‘Thanks for welcoming me in. I need to spend some time away from my family, including my brother.’ Maggie glanced up, apologetically, and sipped at her drink. ‘I feel a bit overwhelmed with everything that’s gone on over the last couple of years.’ She lifted her shoulders a little. ‘Honestly, I feel like I have no energy left. Along with running a busy bakery, I’m raising two teenage sons and chasing around after my husband, who expects me to do everything around the house as well as put a hot meal on the table for everyone.’ She held Henri’s gaze. ‘And I’ve helped my brother rebuild his life after a traumatic marriage breakup.’

Henri’s ears pricked up at this point, but before she could join in the conversation, Maggie burst into tears. ‘I think I’ve started the menopause and am trying to deal with that too.’ She sniffled and hiccupped. ‘I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to break down like this. It’s just that … nobody at home supports me. I could do with a daughter around the house.’ Maggie wiped at her cheeks and eyes. ‘Apart from you, I don’t have anyone to talk to.’

Henri recognised a lot of herself in Maggie. She, too, was a robust, reliable person upon whom everyone depended. But she often got overlooked when it came to her own personal matters. It almost seemed as though people couldn’t cope with women like Henri and Maggie showing any vulnerabilities. They were the Fixers, not the ones who needed support. Henri reached across the table and took hold of Maggie’s trembling hand. She passed her a tissue and waited for Maggie to dry her tears and compose herself. Her heart went out to the woman.

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About the Book:

Henrietta Green, a 50-year-old single woman, and a divorcee of fifteen years, is always looking for a new hobby, but never love. She finished with all that nonsense years ago.

Danny Brown has just moved back from Portugal with his life in pieces after discovering his marriage was a sham. Can this fresh start help put his life back together?

When Henri and Danny bump into each other on a night out, sparks fly, but can they risk getting their hearts broken again?

Cupid’s Helpers think they can!

Join Henri, Danny, and friends on a journey of self-discovery, facing emotional challenges, discovering hidden pleasure, and falling in love … possibly.

 

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Here are some of the reviews  

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‘Really enjoyed this book. Being a lady of a certain age, so much was relatable.
Great character descriptions, you can picture the characters and the places, they inhabit in your mind.
Looking forward to following this author if this first book is anything to go by.
Now off to search Google about Crystals…’

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‘Thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. A romantic, cheeky and a bit of a sexy read. It’s light-hearted and relevant. I found it quite hard to put down. I want to know more about the characters and hope there is another book.’

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About the Author:

Joanna Cates is married to a patient and kind man and is a mum to four children. She has a vivid imagination and is a born romantic. Although Joanna spent her working life as an accountant, she’s always felt far too creative for mere numbers—for which she blames her beloved mother, who introduced Joanna to Catherine Cookson and Stephen King at an early age.

Joanna loves photography, travelling, reading, health & fitness, and socialising with her friends & vodka. Easily distracted, Joanna writes many of her tall tales while doing the housework.

Two years ago, Joanna decided that she wanted to write a book, oh and also to have a new wardrobe. She’s still waiting for the wardrobe.

 

Love is Crystal Clear is Joanna’s debut romance novel.

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Thank you, Harmony, for your support throughout my journey.

{ It was an absolute pleasure, Jo, and I look forward to seeing what you write next! Best of luck with everything 🙂 }

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Purchase Links:

Amazon UK

https://amzn.to/3p2KOSF

Amazon USA

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B08QDQHM3F

Find Jo at:

Website: https://www.joannacates.com

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/joannacatesauthor

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/joannacates_author

Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Joanna-Cates/e/B08QF9GTFL