Interview with Joelle Anthony and win a copy of Restoring Harmony

Today I am delighted to welcome Joelle Anthony to the blog. Joelle's debut Restoring Harmony is wonderful and you should all rush out and buy a copy when it hits stores on May 13th. Joelle was kind enough to answer some questions for me.



Tell us about Restoring Harmony in one sentence or less.

It’s an adventure story about music, family, and food.

When things are going wrong for her, Molly always turns to her fiddle, Jewels, and makes some music. What song always makes you smile?

A friend of mine, the teen fiddler, Sarah Tradewell, actually turned the fictional tune, Brianna’s Reel, from my book into a real tune. Then she and my husband recorded it (she plays fiddle, he backs her up on guitar). Listening to that always makes me smile. And oddly enough, the blues always make me smile too! And while I’m at it, I might just add that my husband is a singer/songwriter and ALL of his music makes me smile.

Where do you write and what do you like to have round you?

I mostly write in my office, although sometimes in the summer I take the laptop out onto the porch. I actually walk on my treadmill 1.5 mph while I write. My friend built a desk over the handles of my treadmill so I can do this, and I generally walk about 3-4 miles a day while I write and answer email. I like to have tea and a cat or two around me.

You have section called Need to Read on your web page. Which five YA novels would you recommend to someone new to the genre?

This is way too hard a question! Can I just refer everyone to my Fave 15 lists that I do each year? And of course, you can never go wrong with the Betsy-Tacy books by Maud Hart Lovelace. But you knew I was going to say that, didn’t you?

Molly goes on quite a journey in Restoring Harmony, from Canada, all the way to Portland. If you could go anywhere, where would you go and how would you travel?

I used to really love to travel, but I’ve become a real homebody since moving to Canada because it’s so lovely here. I’ve never been to continental Europe (except Denmark) and I have to say that I wouldn’t mind a big trip like that…Italy, Spain, France, Switzerland, Greece…but I would mind leaving the island, so it’s hard to say if that will ever happen! I’m probably more likely to explore the Canadian Rockies, which also calls my name.

When you have had a rough day what restores your harmony?
Knitting, cooking, walking, and just sitting and listening to my husband play his guitar (or banjo, mandolin, or even the ukulele).

Thanks for having me, Alexa! It’s been fun.


Thanks for visiting Joelle! I love this book so much I'm giving away a copy. Joelle has very kindly agreed to send me a signed book plate for the winner. So if you would like to win Restoring Harmony, with a signed bookplate, just leave a comment below.


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Edit: The Contest is INTERNATIONAL and I'll pick the winner of May 13th.


CONTEST CLOSED