IT’S ONLYMONDAYBUTITFEELSLIKEEIGHTY-THREEYEARSHAVEPASSEDSINCELASTMONDAY. Just when you thought 2019 couldn’t possibly get any crazier, the Romance Writers of America pulled a “hold my beer” moment. If you haven’t caught up with all that’s transpired, might I suggest starting here? BEFOREWARNEDISSALOT. In any case, Joanna has a book out today, so let’s focus on her, shall we? What we need right is a whole lot of love, and she’s got the perfect remedy if you’re feeling out of sorts. She’s truly a fabulous woman who deserves all your coins!
Take it away, Joanna…
I always find author interviews kind of boring. We only get to see one side of an author, the polite side. If you had an evil doppelganger, what detail about you would they enjoy revealing to the public that people would find surprising and possibly questionable?
I am ridiculously lazy. Like, ridiculous. My entire family teases me about everything being “just good enough.” I am by no means a perfectionist. I’ve always wished I could have a little more attention to detail, but I was perfectly content to get B’s in school.
Finish this sequence:
I’m good at sports.
I’d like to learn the piano.
I’d like to meet Michelle Obama.
When was the first time you felt sexy?
Not until my mid-twenties, probably, when I matured enough to realize that no one cared about the size of my thighs or butt.
How do you prioritize when you have an overwhelming amount to do?
I’m a list maker. It has to be on paper, not electronic. And written in all caps.
What’s the best book you read this year?
I think the book that has stayed with me the longest this year, the one I could just cry even thinking about, is Kennedy Ryan’s LONGSHOT. I rarely write fan letters to authors, but I had to write to her as soon as I finished it. What bravery and poetry Kennedy has in her soul. She just pours it onto the page, and I am in awe.
Share a quote that you love, and that gives you strength and peace.
“Comparison is the thief of joy.” Be happy for others. Their success does not make you a failure.
What should it cost to rent Central Park for commercial purposes?
One hundred billion dollars. It was designed as a public space and should never be used by corporations or developed in any way.
What are your top three albums of the 90s? **Btw I love how Joanna was like, “Screw your rules. Nobody puts me in a corner! I SAIDWHAT I SAID, HARPER! FIVEITIS.”**
I narrowed it down to 5: Fiona Apple, Tidal; Pearl Jam, Ten; Soundgarden, Superunknown; Liz Phair, Exile in Guyville; Beastie Boys, Ill Communication.
How old were you when you learned about the birds and the bees?
Probably 5th grade, and it wasn’t from my parents!
Which do you think should have the final say in decisions - logic or emotions, and why?
Logic. That’s why some people struggle to believe facts…because they don’t WANT to believe them. Or believing a fact makes them feel bad. If you rely on only emotion, you can be easily manipulated, lied to. Tricked. Vaccines are a perfect example, how the link to autism has been disproven many times over. Yet many people still choose to believe it. Science and reason aren’t always perfect, but it is the best information available at the time.
**Bonus Question**
Ever tried BDSM? If not, would you?
I am always up for anything, as long as all parties consent. When I met my husband, he didn’t have a goody drawer; he had a goody closet. That was when I knew he was a keeper! Me after reading this response: 👀😏😂 That’s a good man.
Bio:
Award-winning author JOANNASHUPE has always loved history, ever since she saw her first Schoolhouse Rock cartoon. In 2013, Joanna won Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart® Award for Best Historical. Since then, her books have appeared on numerous yearly “best of” lists, including Publishers Weekly, The Washington Post, Kirkus Reviews, Kobo, and BookPage.
She currently lives in New Jersey with her two spirited daughters and dashing husband.
Happy #GivingTuesday! Its been a while since I’ve done one of these posts, but it made sense to compile one with the Christmas holiday quickly approaching. Many of you will undoubtedly have lots of free time to binge-watch new shows in addition to clearing out your TBR pile. Allow me to share a couple of things I’ve enjoyed the hell out of as of late; they just might become your next obsession too! Get ready for some pop culture deliciousness…
Watchmen
I abruptly canceled my HBO Go subscription after Game of Thrones concluded, and I had no guilt over doing so. Eight fucking years of my life wasted. If you can’t tell, I’m still very bitter about the final season, LOL. #shadefordays #Benihoff&Weisscansuckit
Maybe they’ll win me back someday (I doubt it), but crazier things have happened. I’m giving Damon Lindelof a second chance after the fiasco that was Lost. Watchmen is his redemption.
Anywho, my internet provider had free previews for HBO over Thanksgiving weekend, and I decided to stream Watchmen. I read the series some years ago, so of course, it made absolute sense to plow through all six episodes. I finished just in time to catch episode seven on Sunday night. The Dr. Manhattan twist at the end was everything. REGINAKING, y’all. 🗣️I SAIDREGINAKING! I will watch anything with that woman at the helm. Even if you’re not a fan of graphic novels, you want to tune in to this show. It’s incredibly relevant to our current political climate. Watch the trailer below for a great summary of what you’re in for. Did I mention the badass casting? If Jeremy Irons is included, you already know it’s going to be off the charts.
Books
Being Neighborly by Meka James
If you follow me on Goodreads, you know I’ve been on a reading streak as of late. I’m primarily a non-fiction reader, but I’ve been trying to work my way through my romance backlist and keep up with what’s current. Back in July at the RWA National conference, I acquired a USB stick from Carina Press with upcoming releases. Meka James’ Being Neighborly was one of the books on the stick. I love a good novella. I love a dirty novella even more, and Meka hits my sweet spot. Peeps, this novella was so lovely! It’s published under Carina’s Dirty Bits line, and it lives up to the category. Jesslyn catches her neighbor Ryan masturbating, and hijinx ensue. Looooooved this so much. Mutual masturbation romances are my jam. *bow chica wow wow*😏
Pumpkin Pounder by Laura Lovely
If you haven’t read Laura’s work, you’re missing out. If you haven’t had the opportunity to meet this lady, you’re also missing out. SHEISFANTASTIC. If pure and wholesome fun were to ever manifest in human form, it would take the shape of Laura. Pumpkin Pounder is the second book I’ve read of hers, and it was just as enjoyable as the first. Daisy is a gal who loves her some red-headed men. When she encounters Jack on Halloween night, things get very interesting. Also, I haven’t come across many novellas where the MC is in therapy. Laura wrote the scene with a lot of care, and I’m here for it. Give this woman all the stars, folks.
California Secrets by Jules Bennett
I am not one for category romance, but lately, I’ve been devouring books from the Harlequin Desire line. Rarely do I come across a book written by a white author who writes her black heroine with a sense of purpose. Jules made Harper (yes, the heroine’s name is Harper 😁) three-dimensional. The lady has layers, and I adored her. Of course, being that it’s a Harlequin book, tropey goodness abounds.
✔Evil relative
✔Accidental pregnancy
✔Revenge by any means necessary
Dive in! I promise it’s worth every moment of your time. Also, THATCOVER.YAAASSS!
These Engaging Articles
Now that I’ve discovered Flipster, I am alllllll over catching up on my favorite magazines. My wallet is also happy since I no longer have to renew my subscriptions. Here are a couple of interesting articles I’ve read the past couple of weeks:
*Couldn’t list the last article without the visual accompaniment of Bad Romance. You need to see the video to really understand the beginning of the article in context*
Jack Ryan
I’m a person who bitterly subscribes to Amazon Prime. Not for the quick shipping but for the vast amount of TV shows and movies the Zon has on tap. I’m not particularly into many of the original series, but Jack Ryan has sold me on the power of Tom Clancy. I mean, technically, Harrison Ford did this years ago when he starred in the role, but John Krasinski reinvigorated my interest. If you’re a fan of espionage, government conspiracies, and lots and lots of action, you’ll want to dive in. The plot for both Season One and Season Two is outstanding. Check out the trailer for Season Two below!
Showing Support
Lastly, as I mentioned above, it’s Giving Tuesday! Who doesn’t love giving? (Aside from the political demons who tirelessly work at trying to take healthcare away and think locking children up in cages is appropriate, but I digress). I donate not for tax purposes, although the write off is nice, but because it feels good to do good deeds for people and organizations in need. Organizations that try their damnedest to honor and uphold the truth. In case you’re looking for suggestions on where to lend your support, might I recommend:
It’s Thanksgiving week, and we’re nearing the end of NaNoWriMo!🦃 Sweet baby, Jeebus, I’m trying my damnedest to type The End on my WIP. Sending tons of good wishes to those of you in the same boat. BESTOFLUCK!!!🍀 After you stuff your face with deliciousness on Thursday, perhaps you want to snuggle with a book while waiting for your food to settle? Good thing Lucy has a book out today to fulfill your post-feast needs. Get to know a little more about Lucy, a FABULOUS baker, and off the cuff blurb creator. Really, folks, she can create a blurb at the snap of a finger. That’s serious talent. Take it away, Lucy…
I always find author interviews kind of boring. We only get to see one side of an author, the polite side. If you had an evil doppelganger, what detail about you would they enjoy revealing to the public that people would find surprising and possibly questionable?
Hmmm… I think most people would be surprised but the amount of varying jobs I’ve had.
I’ve been an actor, singer, blogger, bartender, short order cook, nanny, maitre’d, phone sex operator, personal assistant, Sunday school teacher, poet, candle designer, restaurant server, event coordinator, fashion stylist, interior decorative painter, personal organizer, Fashion Week dresser, restaurant manager, cashier, restaurant hostess, bus girl, telemarketer, diner waitress, cake designer…I’m sure I’m forgetting something.
But, if you were looking for something more salacious, I do read a lot of dark romances and no, I will not give recs. You have to put on your giant sunglasses and trench coat and find your own. 😎
How do you move forward after a friendship has broken down?
I’m a very non-confrontational person and the older I get, the more I realize how valuable my time is. If I’ve made a mistake, I’m pretty good about owning up to it and making every attempt to rectify the situation and I love my friends, but if a relationship can’t be saved I move on pretty easily.
Sorry to this man.
Finish this sentence: Creativity is ________.
Creativity is my definition of freedom. I have ADHD - among other things- and I’ve spent a great portion of my life frustrated because I was trying to fit myself into societal parameters. Creativity and a penchant for hustling has allowed me to create a life where I can support myself on my own terms without feeling trapped or stifled. I learned pretty early that I can’t work for other people and clocks are not my friends.
When you’re writing an emotionally draining (or sexy, or sad etc) scene, how do you get in the mood?
I don’t do anything specific. When I need to get writing done, my mood will dictate what the situation calls for. I do tend to write wearing a tiara and listening to music. Large quantities of bulletproof coffee help, too.
How’d you come up with your pen name?
I know I wanted my pen name to be short, sexy & easy to remember. Short to make it easily visible on a book cover in large fonts. Sexy, because I write romance novels, duh. Easy to remember because there is such an abundance of romance novelists - contemporary, especially — anything you can do to stand out is helpful.
Lucy has a lot of meaning for me. The oldest human skeleton found in Ethiopia is called Lucy - after the Beatles song (another fave), St. Lucy is the most northern parish in Barbados and is my favorite place on the island, also, if I had a second daughter, I would name her Lucy and since the shop is closed, it became my pen name.
Eden is another name for paradise and I hope to provide my readers with a momentary escape from the trash fire of a world we live in.
Would you rather be uncontrollably laughing for the rest of your life or uncontrollably crying?
Definitely laughing. I love to laugh. I can make anything funny… ANYTHING — this is not always a gift. I wish I knew how to stop laughing at inappropriate times.
What are your thoughts on “sexting?”
Sexting is great as long as there’s consent. Be warned: send me an unsolicited dick pic and you will get dragged. I wrote great sexting scenes in Cherishing the Goddess and Everything’s Better with Lisa.
If you were the opposite sex for one hour, what would you do?
If I could be a man for an hour? Definitely sex —for research purposes. I’m sure my husband would love a stop to the incessant, “but what does _______ feel like?” questions.
What does being a successful author look like to you?
Freedom would be the ultimate goal. I’d love to publish 2-3 full length novels a year and spend the rest of my time traveling, hanging out with my family/ friends, paying my bills and buying expensive stuff I don’t need.
If you were casting the next James Bond movie, who would be your Bond?
Idris. I’m still not letting that one go.
**Bonus Question**
Ever tried BDSM? If not, would you?
I haven’t tried BDSM, but I never say never. I’ve often thought about whether I’d be a dom or a sub. Being in charge sounds likes fun, but a lot of work. I also don’t like being told what to do. I could also be a switch, but that’s double the training. Thanks, I hate it.
So that’s a head scratcher. The closest I could come (I’ll see myself out.) would be Embry from American Prince, by Sierra Simone. No responsibility, no training & all the fun.
Bio:
Lucy Eden is the nom de plume of a romance-obsessed author who writes the kind of romance she loves to read. She’s a sucker for alphas with a soft gooey center, over the top romantic gestures, strong & smart MCs, humor, love at first sight (or pretty damn close), happily ever afters & of course, dirty & steamy love scenes. When Lucy isn’t writing, she’s busy reading—or listening to—every book she can get her hands on— romance or otherwise. She lives & loves in New York with her husband, two children, a turtle & a Yorkshire Terrier.
Get your one-click on and purchase Lucy’s latest release, Everything’s Better with Lisa for all your post-Thanksgiving veggin’ out needs!
Giveaway:
Want to win this awesome swag box with a signed paperback, bath bomb, body butter, coffee mug, cookies, postcards, and stickers? Enter Lucy’s Rafflecopter! Loooook at alllll the goooodddiesssss! 👀
*Swag box available for shipping in the US only. International entrants can win an eBook and a $25 gift card*
