Tell us about yourself and how many books you have written.
Jo Robertson, a former high school English teacher, lives in northern California, near the beautiful Sierra Nevada foothills. She enjoys reading, scrapbooking, and discussing the latest in books, movies, and television shows.
Her first completed manuscript, “The Watcher,” won the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award for romantic suspense in 2006. The second book in the loosely-connected trilogy is “The Avenger,” which won the 2007 Daphne du Maurier Overall Award for Excellence. “The Traitor” is the third book in the series.
She recently released her first young adult novel, “Storm of Crimson.”
She’s also written two historical romantic thrillers (“Frail Blood” and “Weak Flesh,” both inspired by real murder cases) and recently released “The Perfect Gift” and “The Hitman Series.”
Jo’s romantic and historical thrillers straddle the line between mainstream thriller-suspense and romance. She feels that a strong relationship in a book makes the danger more intense. Readers have commented that they especially enjoy her complex, three-dimensional villains.
What is the name of your latest book and what inspired it?
My latest book, “Without Malice” is the first in a romantic thriller-suspense series following the story of Santiago Cruz, a county parole officer, and prison doctor Frankie Jones. When Cruz discovers that homeless parolees in his county are being brutally murdered, he enlists Frankie’s help in solving the murders. But Frankie has past secrets connected to the cases and neither knows whom among the police and prison authorities they can trust.
Do you have any unusual writing habits?
I enjoy writing with lots of background or “white” noise, which is fortunate because I have seven children and seventeen grandchildren!
What authors, or books have influenced you?
My first romantic novel was “Gone With the Wind,” which appealed to my love for romance stories set in broad and exciting stories.
Writers of mainstream mystery-suspense are among my favorites: Lee Child, Robert Parker, J.D. Robb, and C.S. Harris.
What are you working on now?
Recovering from knee replacement surgery, I’m taking a short break from writing the second in the WITHOUT SERIES, “Without Fear,” which continues the story of Santiago Cruz and Frankie Jones.
What is your best method or website when it comes to promoting your books?
Follow me on Facebook or Twitter for announcement regarding my latest writings.
My website http://www.jorobertson.com gives details about all my books.
You can also find me on the Romance Bandits website: http://www.romancebandits.com.
Do you have any advice for new authors?
Persistent and daily writing. Once you break the rhythm of your writing schedule, getting back into the groove is very hard.
What is the best advice you have ever heard?
Writing is both an art and a craft. You can perfect your craft by persistence and hard work. You can improve your art by reading and analyzing what well-respected writers do in their works.
What are you reading now?
Always, always Diana Gabaldon and George R.R. Martin, who do not write fast enough for me!
What’s next for you as a writer?
Just trying to recover from this damned knee replacement surgery. No one warned me how difficult recovery would be. Afterward, I hope to complete the next two books in the WITHOUT series as quickly as possible, along with another Christmas novella in the vein of my “The Perfect Gift.”
If you were going to be stranded on a desert island and allowed to take 3 or 4 books with you what books would you bring?
The complete works of William Shakespeare. He covers all the great themes of human existence.
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Author Websites and Profiles
Jo Robertson Website
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