Bitten by Books
BBB: Name 5 favorite movies and why you love them.
JRR: Oy. Tough one to nail down but I’ll go with: 1) Lord of the Rings (because that damn hobbit had me at hello), 2) Any Avenger movie (because Iron Man. And the rest of them too), 3) Inception (because I love a good mind fuck and this one was the ultimate), 4) P.S. I love you (because Gerard Butler and the way he broke my heart by loving her so much kills me every time) and 5) The Wizard of Oz makes my every list. I’ve loved this movie since I was very little. Maybe because it brings back fond memories of my mother and all of the traditions she used to do with us as kids. Maybe the scarecrow, too.
BBB: Tell us about a unique or quirky habit of yours.
JRR: Hmm. Well I do have to lock the front door every night even though someone in the house might tell me they already did it. I have to see for myself. Paranoia maybe. I don’t know. My husband looks at me sideways every time I do it.
BBB: If you were to write a book about yourself, what would you name it?
JRR: “Jocularity, and other various takes on life.”
BBB: As a child, what did you wish to become when you grew up?
JRR: An artist.
BBB: Please tell us more about Cookie Cutter and the storyline that drives it.
JRR: It’s about a single mother who’s dealing with: her brooding teenaged daughter, her very pompous ex-husband, a tight knit cookie-cutter neighborhood and the people there-in, being introduced to the wonderful world of work-force after her divorce, keeping up appearances, trying to remain the perfect mother and a house renovator, who’s about to flip everything in her world upside down. In a good way.
I like to think Iris represents a lot of people in today’s world, who tend to get caught up in their box of what’s expected of them, what their friends think (on whatever level you want to refer this to) and even what they expect from themselves. Once you start working, and then having kids (if you have them), a lot of the time, you forget to have a life of your own. And that’s not to say you should be selfish and ignore the kidlets or anything. But that in every relationship, there needs to be balance. You should have partnerships, not dictatorships. And you should never forget that you’re entitled to be happy. Iris has forgotten this. Carter helps her remember.
BBB: Is Cookie Cutter part of a series? If so, how many more books will there be?
JRR: I didn’t write it, originally, thinking it would be a series. But I will admit, I have been thinking about stories for some of the other characters in the book, since finishing Cookie Cutter. I may explore the possibilities of making this into a series that explores the very different lives of the people living within Spangler.
BBB: What sets Cookie Cutter apart from other books in the same genre?
JRR: It’s different in that, although it deals with the relationship between Iris and Carter, it also deals with the relationship between Iris and her daughter and how that affects everything else in Iris’s life. It deals with friendship, marriage, exes and Iris’s sense of self. I think it goes a bit deeper than your average Rom-Com.
BBB: What types of characters can readers expect in your world?
JRR: People with real issues. Some that use humor and sarcasm to help hide their hurt, some that are catty and petty, and some that are the best of humans we’ve ever met. Most of all, people who are not perfect and don’t aspire to be, but that try, every day, to do the best they can with what they’ve got.
BBB: If you could date any celebrity, who would it be and why?
JRR: Um . . . I would definitely have to go with Jimmy Fallon, here. He’s so my type. Doesn’t take life too seriously and doesn’t seem like he’d let me take myself too seriously. He likes to laugh and seems at ease with who he is as opposed to worrying about everyone else all the time. He just does his thang and has a blast while he’s doing it.
BBB: What cartoon character best represents your personal philosophy?
JRR: Oh man. Maybe Dipper from Gravity Falls. Like him, I find the paranormal fascinating and if I only had the time, I would totally investigate odd occurrences on a daily basis. I love that guy. Also I would absolutely have to clone myself with a clone making xerox machine if I got my hands on one, some day.
BBB: You are planning the most awesome dinner party of your life. Which three authors or historical figures (past or present) would you add to your guest list?
JRR: Robin Williams, J.K. Rowling, and Jim Butcher. I cannot even imagine what kind of conversations might erupt from this gathering, but oh my damn it would be so much fun.
BBB: What’s coming up for you for the rest of 2015 and into 2016?
JRR: In the short term, the writing group I’m a part of is hosting a Christmas Advent type of giveaway pretty soon, November/December time frame. Lots of authors participating in the days leading up to the holidays and lots of giveaways to look forward to. Check out my facebook page and or blog and or newsletter for details about that.
Then, I have an action / mystery / comedy that I’m working on right now and hoping to finish / publish within 2016. This guy drinks too much, swears too much and is highly cynical but he has a huge heart (whether he likes to admit it or not) and is the epitome of a hero in my humble opinion. Teasers and character intros will be coming soon. I hope people check it out.
Buy a print copy of Cookie Cutter from Amazon by clicking here.
Buy a Kindle copy of Cookie Cutter from Amazon by clicking here. – ONLY .99 cents!
About Jo Richardson
Author Bio:
A movie fanatic, a writer of stories, a lover of life.
Jo grew up in Maryland with four siblings, three parents and an endless number of cousins within the vicinity – but it was too cold up North for this thin blooded girl. So today, she lives in Florida with her two girls and a husband that shares her same sense of humor and basic take on life as we know it.
Life is too short to put dreams on the back burner.
Jo tells both contemporary and paranormal stories that include mystery, suspense, humor, action, romance, and anything else she can think up.
11 Quick Things About Jo
Favorite Food? Brick oven pizza
Favorite Color? Greens, blues, purples
Favorite Movie or TV Show of all Time? Supernatural
Favorite Drink? Margarita on the rocks, please.
Favorite Current Book? Skin Games (Jim Butcher)
Favorite Season? FALL
Favorite Online Hangout? Facebook is where most of my friends and family reside. Easy choice. 
Favorite Animal? kitties (and dogs, but mostly kitties)
Favorite Band or Musician? Loving some Ed Sheeran right now
Mode of Travel? (Trains, Planes or Automobiles) Automobiles unless it’s over 8 hours away, then planes.
Favorite Vacation Destination? Lakes & Beaches. Pretty much any.
Connect with Jo
| Website | Blog | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads | Books by Jo Richardson |
CONTEST INFO: Open to readers worldwide.
Prize: $25.00 Amazon Gift Card
Who are some of your favourite authors?
Hi Minna!
I love Jim Butcher so very much - he writes about a Wizard in Chicago that doesn’t have many good days - he’s sarcastic and action packed and yes, there’s some steamy scenes sprinkled in there every so often, too. LOL
I also adore everything Huntley Fitzpatrick and Rainbow Rowell.
How do you feel about ebooks vs. print books?
Hi Lisa!
I love both, and usually, these days, will buy the eBook over paperback just because of the pricing, but if I fall in love with someone / a story - THEN I have to have it in print - I like decorating my book shelves with pretty things.
hi Jo,
what author do you want to meet?
Hi Dina!
Oh my gosh, I would reeeeeaaaaaaaallly love to meet J.K. Rowling. I just want to hug the you know what out of her and say thank you.
What is your favorite genre to read?
I love a good mystery. If there’s some humor in there too, that a huge bonus for me. I’ll read just about anything but definitely mystery, that’s my favorite.
How about you?
Q) What is your favorite Romantic Comedy movie of all time? A) Can’t really think of one, but do like the older movies, like Bringing Up Baby. Not sure if this one is considered a romantic comedy, though.
Q) Are you a paperback or eBook kind of reader? A) Definitely, hardback book lover. The screens of e-readers are too hard on my eyes.
Q) Do you watch any good HGTV shows? Who is your favorite home renovator? A) I like Love It or List It; Fixer Upper is a great renovating show.
OH I LOVED Bringing up Baby! I think if it made you laugh, it counts.
And Fixer Upper - I want to move to TX just so they can do my house. LOL
If you found a genie, what would be your three wishes?
I’ll tell you mine if you tell me yours, Lisa
Here they are: 1) Take away my mortgage payment, 2) give my girls the best life they can have and 3) award me an endless supply of frequent flyer points so I can go see all my friends the live around the world.
1- that my family members stay healthy and happy
2- endless supply of good books
3- time to read them all
HA! PERFECT!
Hi Jo,
I just wanted to pop in and say how much I loved Cookie Cutter. It was so different from your first books, Cursed be the Wicked, but still told in that lovely way you have of unfolding your stories.
I love you, Sarah.
Thanks for stopping by and making me smile!
Hi Jo and Congratulations! Your book sounds great and true to life. I think that most of us end up living cookie cutter lives. But so much of it happens by default, so to speak, because you have to earn a living, usually you marry and have children. Then everything snowballs and you really dotend to lose yourself in the process. This reminds me of a few quotes/phrases I’ve read recently:
The judgment of others has played a terrible role in my life for much of my life, and I became frozen,” LOUISE PENNY
LOST MYSELF TRYING TO PLEASE EVERYONE ELSE. NOW I’M LOSING EVERYONE ELSE WHILE I’M FINDING MYSELF.
Quality Time Remaining, QTR how you spend the rest of your life.
Do you like music and snacks as you write? If so, what’s your favorite?
Wow, Betty, great quote! I love that. And you are so right. And have hit Iris right on the head (so to speak).
I love music while I’m reading. Usually I’m listening to a song I’ve found for a specific scene I’m trying to get written - my favorite for a while there was Mumford and Sons. They are so deep and thought provoking. A good friend of mine got me into them. Corie is great at helping me find the right song for just the right mood. And right now, I love Ed Sheeran right now, too. For most of the same reasons. I just love his voice -
Favorite stress snack while I’m writing: POPCORN. It’s so crunchy!
Thank you, Jo! I love popcorn, too~one of my favorite snacks. Those are new artists to me and I’ll have to make a point of listening to them.
My answers:
1. My favorite romcom is You’ve Got Mail.
2. I love and read books in any form. I use my Kindle while I use my treadmill and when I’m tired since I can change the font. Wonderful feature. But I really love print books, too because some of them are so pretty. I like to admire the covers flip through the pages and read snippets here and there. If there’s a book that’s a keeper for me, I want to have it in print form on a shelf waiting to be re-read. They’re like old friends!
3. I really don’t watch HGTV too much any more but there used to be a program called Trash to Treasure that I really liked it. Now, Pinterest has kinda taken its place. Some amazing pins and I really like the tutorials. It’s nice to have that reference to go back to when you’re stymied.
I get a little swept into pinterest when I get on there too. lol - love some of the things I find there!
You’ve got mail was so good! When she had to close the doors to the shop???? *cries* And that memory of her mom was so perfect and so sad.
I can’t get enough of Tom Hanks and Meg Ryan. How about Sleepless in Seattle????
I know! You can find everything on Pinterest! Sleepless in Seattle is another good one! They’re both very talented actors.
You know how much I love and respect how you write your male characters. Other than the pictures you find, who are your influences when you’re fleshing them out?
And don’t say Paul or John Bunyan.
HI SUE!
Thank you so much for stopping by today.
LMFAO at silly old John Bunyon.
I think “regular Joe” types really influence my leads. You know them, James MacAvoy, Harry Connick Jr. and most recently, (ahem), the Fassy. I’ve never really been into the muscle men in real life, so it’d be difficult for me to write them into a story - unless his name is Emmett.
XOXO!
What is your favorite Romantic Comedy movie of all time?
WHEN HARRY MET SALLY
Are you a paperback or eBook kind of reader?
though I do use a Kindle especially for ARcs, “despite all the “pluses”, I find I don’t get lost in the story like I do in a paperback so I prefer the printed form
Do you watch any good HGTV shows? Who is your favorite home renovator?
I don’t
I cry so bad at the end of When Harry Met Sally, every damn time. I loved those two crazy kids, so much.
1. I agree with Lisa. When Harry Met Sally is just too funny. I honorable mention would be Die Hard. I know, I know, but it is funny and he gets his wife back in the end ;).
2. I read both but I LOVE real books :).
3. I don’t watch HGTV.
Do you like books that are made into movies? I won’t read the book if I plan to see the movie.
HA! Viki! Die Hard is definitely funny. Bruce Willis rocked that role.
I do love books that are made into movies - if I loved the book that is. And when a movie comes out that someone tells me was a book once, I usually don’t have to read the book before I see the movie. Because the books are always better, right? HOWEVER, I do, a lot of times, like to read the book AFTER I see the movie. So I can get all the details they left out.
Hi, Jo!
Welcome to Bitten by Books. Congratulations on your new release.
It is fantastic to have you with us today.
My question for you is; do you have a favorite book or series that you have written so far????
If so, which is it and why???
Thanks so much Brandy! I love it here.
I have 1 short story and 2 novels out, - sadly, not much to choose from but I would say my favorite by far, is Cookie Cutter - only because I truly enjoy writing humor. The story can be serious and the issues a little scary, but to add a little bit of humor into that, is perfection to me. It’s basically how my family works. Or, how I remember it working when I was growing up. So I enjoy being able to pull that sarcasm into stories.
Congratulations on the release of Cookie Cutter! Were your daughters the inspiration for Allison in your new book?
Thank you Bonnie!
Loosely, yes. And I use that term, loosely.
Loved your Cookie Cutter <3 What´s your favorite dessert? =D
Happy Thursday!
//Linda
Thank you Linda!
And thanks for stopping by today -
Anything with chocolate in it but I also love me a good Creme Brulee too
Author questions
My favorite romantic comedy is Sleepless in Seattle.
Even though I read ebooks, I still prefer paper copies.
Love It or List It is my favorite HGTV show.
I love the old Love it or List it though, the new one seems like it’s just them trying to find 2 people who look and act like the other two. LOL
Hello! I love Supernatural too. Who is your favorite character?
OH! Susan! Tough question - I think it’s a tie between Dean (of course), Cass, Crowley, Charlie (may she RIP), Kevin
Bobby (I MISS HIM!) and several good (and bad) angels.
Gimmee yours!
OY! And JO! <3 <3 <3 <3 <3
And Benny. . . omg. I’ll stop now. (maybe.) LOL
If you decided to change your name, what would you call yourself?
Confused.
That’s a great question Mary but I honestly cannot think of a better name for me.
Do you have a favorite stand-alone novel?
HEY, Fox!
If I had to choose one right now, I think I’d go with The Great Gatsby. I’m not even really sure why. Something about the tragedy of him just makes me sad. And the simplicity of how the book was written just goes to show, you don’t need big words or flowery phrases to evoke emotion in a reader. I like that.
If you could only give ONE piece of advice to newbie authors and writers, what advice do you think is the most important one to give? One PRO to becoming an author? One CON to becoming an author?
Hey, Raonaid. Great question, and easy for me to answer because I still use this advice today - write what makes YOU happy, and it will make OTHERS happy too.
PRO: There’s nothing like getting your words out to people and then, people READING them.
CON: Something most writers do because it’s fun (ie: to create new worlds and characters), becomes and awful lot of hard work. So much to be done once the book is written…. so much (marketing, social networking, marketing, editing, marketing . . . you get my drift).
What is your favorite Romantic Comedy movie of all time?
—- That is a tough question… right now, LEAP YEAR with Amy Adams and Matthew Goode (goddess I LOVED his accent) and THE DECOY BRIDE with David Tennant… again love the accents
Are you a paperback or eBook kind of reader?
—- Paperback – there is just too much drama attached with ebooks. Plus, I want the right to share any of my books when the move takes me. You cannot share with ebooks.
Do you watch any good HGTV shows? Who is your favorite home renovator?
— Sorry, I am not into those types of tv shows.
OMG. Leap Year made me so happy at the end! I laughed and laughed and loved that Irishman so damn much. What a great pick!
Squee!! I had to watch it again when I discovered it was on Netflix..
I think it still is.
Then you may want to try The Decoy Bride. I absolutely love David Tennant. Something about that man… RAWR… It’s actually cute, takes place in an island near Scotland.
http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1657299/
I’ve never heard of the decoy bride I’m going to have to look that one up!!
Definitely do!
Who is your favorite Muppet and why?
Hi trick! LOL but seriously, it’s animal - I just love how free and crazy he is - and I’ve always had a thing for drummers.
I’ve always loved THE GIRL ON THE BRIDGE, an appealingly warped yet very sweet French romcom starring Vanessa Paradis as a suicidal girl and Daniel Auteuil as the knife-thrower who rescues her. Wong Kar-Wai’s CHUNGKING EXPRESS is kind of fun, too (Tony Leung, swoon)!
I like both…e-readers are good for text-heavy fic and nonfic, but I prefer print for photo books and cookbooks (I’ve tried to cook from a Kindle a few times, and don’t like it).
I’ve fallen out of the HGTV habit, but used to enjoy Candice Olson’s DIVINE DESIGN back in the day…
I remember her! Agreed on the cookbooks - been there done that - it’s really not the same is it?
I’m writing these movies down and looking them up too - sounds fun!
Hey, Jo! Love Bitten By Books events. Great to see you here. Congrats on your release! So here’s my very serious question. You may need some time to contemplate.
If your hero were a flavor of ice cream, what would he be?
Thanks Juliette!
Hard one (snicker) - Rocky Road.
Sweeeeeet.
Have favourite books who you already read ?
Many Alexandru - Jim Butcher, JK Rowling, Michhael Connelly, John Grisham and - more than I can think of right now. LOL
This does look good…at this time not able to ask author questions but congrats to her!
Thank you Glenda! Thanks for stopping by!
So I have to ask- favorite kind of cookie?
MMMMMM!!! Chocolate Chip! Home made. I like pecans in mine, too!
What about you?
Probably girl scout samoas. But it’s hard to argue with a warm chocolate chip cookie with just the right amount of gooeyness straight out of the oven.
Girlscout cookies are the best aren’t they?? I love the thin mints.
If you could travel back into time where and when would you go and why
HMMMMMMMMM.
I always thought I missed my decade. I love the 50′s. Big fan of Happy Days and Grease back in the day. That’s probably why I’d love to go back there. Things were “simpler” I think.
1. How to lose a guy in 10 days
2. ebooks mainly anymore
3. Carter Oosterhouse
How to lose a guy - LOVED IT. Matthew M. was pretty great in that one.
And Carter Oosterhouse…. YEAH!
If you weren’t writing, what would you do?
More of my day job. (not acceptable) .
Do you have any current favorite shows or books?
LOTS of current favorite shows: Supernatural of course, but also Gotham, Outlander, Orange is the New Black, Rectified, um…… Big Bang Theory….. I’m having a hard time thinking of more at this hour (lol) but definitely those -
And favorite books: The Fault in Our Stars, Rainbow Rowell words, Huntley Fitzpatrick, I love everything Jim Butcher and Michael Connelly.
So many stories, so little time. <3
Love Supernatural, can’t wait for it to come back next month, Big Bang is one of my favorite shows lol i can watch it over and over again and can’t wait for this weeks ep and yes i wholeheartedly agree there’s not enough time to read in a day.
What is your favorite Romantic Comedy movie of all time?
You’ve Got Mail, Serendipity, or Pretty Woman
Are you a paperback or eBook kind of reader?
paperbacks, one of my dreams is to have enough books to fill my own personal library…whenever i buy a house with room for one that is lol
Do you watch any good HGTV shows? Who is your favorite home renovator?
I love house hunters and house hunters international
Gah. Amy, Serendipity was so great, right?
I don’t think John Cusack got enough good rolls in his time - but that one of his was one of my favorites (behind Say Anything that is)
Do you watch the Bargain Hunt shows too? House Hunters is too fun. And then they have that one where it’s “House Hunter Renovations” - too many of them, these days, no such thing!
I sometimes watch the bargain hunt shows on HGTV but ususally i’m dreaming about moving to Europe and living out the house hunters international dream.
Oh Jo… My question is this, Why are you so awesome? Hehe. If you require a more serious question then, what are we getting from you next? I always have a need for more Jo words in my life.
xoxo
LOL! Amanda - thanks for stopping by!
Awesome is relative, and you are exactly that! <3
I'm working on an action mystery somebody right now - almost there - hoping for 2016 on this one.
Love you!
xoxo
Favorite Rom Com
Man I don’t even know, I love The Holiday. That’s the only one I can think of right now.
Ebook or Paperback
Ebook mostly, if I love it I buy the hard copy.
Do you watch any good HGTV shows? Who is your favorite home renovator?
I could watch HGTV allllll day, and most days it’s on in the back ground. I love Income Properties, Scott McGillivray is a cutie lol.
Yeah he is!
Do you remember he used to be on where the neighbors swapped houses for the weekend and re-did each others houses after Ty Pennington left? I cannot for the life of me remember the name but anyway - I dug him even then. LOL
I’m the same way on paperbacks and THE HOLIDAY! Jack Black’s best IMHO.
Yes!! I remember that! Trading Places or Spaces? A sense of humor is attractive and its a thing that never fades.
That’s it! Trading Spaces! I feel so much better now.
Who is your favorite author?
Definitely Jim Butcher by far.
You?
Have you ever written a Mary Sue character?
I would say no, Dovile. Most of my characters are very flawed.
1) Pretty Woman
2) I prefer paperbacks, but recently I’ve been reading more and more ebooks.
3) No, I don’t watch any regularly, unless I stumble onto one and only if it looks interesting.
Ptretty woman was so cool - I loved it when she went back into the clothing shop to tell the sales lady “big mistake … HUGE”
wheres your favorite place to write?
My favorite place is curled up on the couch, home alone. Best spot in the world.
From any of your books, what has been one of your favorite scenes, or types of scenes, to write?
I like to write scenes with banter - and the lead begins to realize, there’s something there. ❤️
Toanswer your giveaway questions:
The Proposal, with Sandra Bullock and Ryan Reynolds
I read both, but print copies are my favorite.
I don’t typically watch HGTV shows.
Lindsey the proposal was the first romcom (at the time) that made me laugh that hard. Loved it to death!
if you could go anywhere in the world on a Vacation Where would you go?
Any beach or any lake - maybe in Ireland somewhere.
IF I could go *anywhere* 
my question is where is your favorite vacation destination? I am always looking for someplace new to go.
We love Napa Valley out in California, Pamk. But aside from that, the beaches of Florida’s west coast are so beautiful and relaxing - try Clearwater, or further south, by Siesta Key, too.
XOXO
answers
1. Pretty Woman, Die Hard cause to me It was a comedy. Loved the sarcasm. also liked you got mail
2 love ebooks because they are easy to buy and store but not so fun to share. Paperbacks are wonderful cause they are a book and I can share or resale if I wish.
3. House Hunter is one of my favorite shows and I also like Make it right mike.
Sarcasm works for me too
I’ll have to be looking up Make it Right, Mike - is that Mike Holmes? Cause I love that guy.
What is your favorite season and why?
FALL. Because of everything.
The leaves, (up north, anyway) - pumpkins, apples, corn, Halloween, hay rides, corn mazes, and just the feel of the season. I would say the weather too, because when we lived up north it was perfection. But down here in Florida it doesn’t start really cooling down until November, December.