Interview with Mary-Jo Holmes

by Pamela James

My first question is … have you ever been to Tuscany?

I’ve never traveled to Tuscany, but through family stories, snapshots, and research, I’ve been there many times.  A few readers from Italy and many more who have traveled there have written to tell me how well I captured the essence of Tuscany and the surrounding area not only through description of the luscious landscape but also in the mannerisms and dialogue of Vincenzo, his friends, and Gianna’s family. We’re planning a trip next year to coincide with my youngest daughter’s 16^th birthday.

Okay, where did you get the idea for GIANNA, and tell us about the title.

I had carried the storyline for Gianna in my heart and head for several years before putting pen to paper.  Because I'm Italian-American, I wanted to write a story that would favorably capture my heritage in an inspiring romance rich with Italian traditions, language, and passion for life and love.  I titled the novel after the heroine because it seems to best capture the Italian flavor of the story.

How long did it take you to pen GIANNA?

While away on vacation, not liking any of the paperbacks in the resort store, I bought a notebook and began writing Gianna.  Two months later I finished the book, then spent another two months editing my work. 

Tell us about your characters Gianna and Vincenzo.

Gianna is a successful New York City architect who is committed to her career but longs for love and marriage as she approaches her 30^th birthday.  Having grown up in a traditional Italian-American home, Gianna resists the daily pressure of her mother to find a husband, believing that love will present itself when the timing is right.  At her best friend’s wedding, Gianna gives a long, heartfelt toast to the bride and groom whereby she talks about love, commitment, and the promise of forever: “It’s hearing his voice in every ocean wave and seeing the brightness of his eyes in every ray of sun. It’s music that begins with a soft caress and crescendos into your soul with each smile, each word, each embrace—a symphony written by angels and conducted by the hand of God Himself.”  Gianna’s soulful speech attracts the attention of Vincenzo, a passionate Italian, who yearns for a similar love although he never really believed such a relationship could exist for him.  They soon discover that the very things that attract them to each other—their Italian heritage and commitment to family—are the ultimate things that curse Gianna and Vincenzo from ever being together.  Some loves are timeless; others must endure the test of time.

Let's talk about Italian heritage and the love you must have for that country.

My love for Italy was passed down through generations of immigrants on my maternal side, with most of the recounting of our family history coming from my grandmother and mother.  When they died, the language was lost, but I tried to keep our heritage alive for my children by continuing with the Italian traditions and storytelling.  When my youngest daughter, Capri, who is named after Italy’s Isle of Capri, chose Italian as her foreign language in school, she brought back the familiar speech I so warmly remembered.  Certain words and phrases will jog a memory and prompt a story my grandmother had told me.  Gianna, though a fictional romance, preserves this Italian legacy that I pass down to my children.

When writing a romance what are th topic three elements you must concentrate on?

When writing a pure romance, without any subplots of mystery or intrigue, I focus on the passionate relationship between the heroine and hero and the underlying elements that present the conflict.  Sculpting believable, likable, three-dimensional characters who find themselves questioning their values remains central to the storyline.  Unusual settings, plot twists, realistic dialogue, sensual love scenes, and a plausible resolution impact the development of the novel and ultimately its marketability and reader response.  The common thread through all my books remains a clear and convincing plot, authentic characters, and a powerful, thought-provoking ending.

Tell us a little about your past, present and future both personally and professionally.

I’ve written romantic fiction for over 20 years. As a freelance writer, I’ve penned dozens of fiction and non-fiction articles for local publication as well as interviewed the New York Yankees.  I’m the NY/NJ Regional Representative for the National Association of Women Writers, and I’ve founded and host a monthly writers group for women.  Musings, the newsletter that I write for the group, now has a national distribution of over 1,000 women writers and readers.  I’m also a member of Romance Writers of America and an active volunteer for the National Center for Family Literacy.  My other credits include scriptwriting where I’ve collaborated on a police drama series pitched to cable television as well as ones for episodic television and The Romance Channel.  Outside of writing, I devote my time to my family, enjoying good books, movies, music, theater, and sports.  I'm involved in various community service organizations such as D.A.R.E., Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the American Cancer Society, the Lance Armstrong Foundation, and Ramapo's Italian Twinning Committee.  I've also coached little league and cheerleading. 

Can you give us some examples of romance that have 'stole your heart'?

Some classic romantic fiction to have touched my soul are Gone With the Wind, Bridges of Madison County, Wuthering Heights, and Rebecca.   

What book will you be releasing in 2004?

I hope to release Brown Eyes this year.  It’s a contemporary romance that revolves around the life of a Massachusetts artist who finds herself caught at a crossroads when a former high school love revisits their hometown and paints himself into her picture-perfect life—a life colored bright with friends, family, work, and love for another man.

How might readers contact you?

Readers can contact me through my website, www.Mary-Jo-Holmes.com, or via email at LoveMyFiction@aol.com.  I try to reply to all email received.

Review of Gianna

by Pamela James

Gianna loves Vincenzo and he loves Gianna. They share tradition and honor; and while this romance starts in New York, it ends in Tuscany, and what brought them together: their love, life, and loyalty; soon brings them heartache and separation.

This is the story of two people, who are soulmates, but does their life and love have the same purpose and will heritage and passions drive a wedge too deep to end?

Gianna is above all things a love story but this romance of heart goes deeper, drives us to question what is really our true passion and does love really conquer all?

Mary-Jo Holmes is an author who writes with heart. Gianna sizzles with passion, but like a fine wine this story is meant to unfold at it's own pace pleasing the readers palette and painting a picture with each word, each stroking us with a sampling of emotions that will last in our hearts like the tried and true artist Mary-Jo Holmes is. Don't miss reading the romance of the century.

Reviewed by Pamela James, Senior review editor, The Writers Room Magazine

*****