As well as a medical degree and pathology training, Welsh-born Kiwi author, JC Harroway, writes novels that’ll quickly warm up your winter. A dedicated bookworm, Jo ensures she reads every day, and her Instagram account is always overflowing with creative projects that make me want to pick up an embroidery hoop, buy a set of crochet hooks and dust off my rolling pin (though the latter never needs much encouragement). Jo also works part time for the Breast Cancer Foundation, is an Autism mum of an eighteen-year-old son, and has a soft spot for reality TV dating shows.
Her new release with Mills and Boon’s DARE line – Bad Business - begins with by-the-book anesthetist Grace Metcalf and her girlfriends enjoying a night out. Intent on drowning her sorrows about her cancelled wedding, she somehow finds herself roped into a pact to make the most of her would-be-honeymoon. So it’s off to Fiji for Grace, where she meets billionaire businessman and resort owner, Ryan Dempsey. Ryan has his own set of complications, both professional and personal, but the island honeymoon for one quickly becomes a racy fling for two. As well as easy reading and an appealing tropical setting, this sexy love story offered the perfect amount of heat on a chilly autumn weekend. Bad Business was released by Mills & Boon on April 20. Big thanks to JC Harroway for sending a review copy all the way from NZ!
Short and sweet questions
Current book on your bedside table: I have a stack including The Woman Who Fell in Love for a Week by Fiona Walker, One Day in December by Josie Silver, Hotter on Ice by Rebecca Hunter and Wicked Beyond Belief by Michael Bilton.
Where do you do most of your writing? I write at home. I have a small writing nook, but I sometimes move around the house depending on my mood.
Favourite Australian holiday destination: I live in NZ so I’ve only been to Australia a few times—Brisbane, Melbourne, Sydney and Gold Coast. There’s so much more I’d like to explore.
What’s your preferred drop? Depends on the season. Summer -definitely a G&T or Pimms. Winter – a nice glass of Pinot Noir
Guilty pleasure? Chocolate, anything chocolate…
Pet peeve: Injustice in any form.
Favourite fictional couple and why? Bridget Jones and Mark Darcy… Come on, they are classic opposites attract, delightfully flawed in their own ways and who doesn’t love Colin Firth…?
If you could pack two non-essential items for a deserted tropical island, what would they be? My kindle and my hubby!
Name an emerging author to keep an eye out for: NZ writer, Stephanie Ruth @ruth_writes_nz
Established authors who inspire you? Nalini Singh, Clare Connelly, Natalie Anderson, Soraya Lane…
Best thing about being a writer? Meeting so many cool, awesome people—authors, editors, agents, readers… There is so much talent, inspiring work ethic and passion for story out there.
Worst thing about being a writer? Working alone. Sometimes it’s easy to wallow in self-doubt when you’re alone with only your words.
Do you prefer music, podcasts or silence when writing? Definitely silence. My brain can’t write and listen at the same time.
Favourite perfume/cologne: Sensualite, Valeur Absolue
TV crush: Currently crushing BIG TIME on Alexander Skarsgard… SWOON
The best non-writing related prize I won was… A DVD player!
Top three tips for aspiring authors?
Read, read, read (in the genre you want to write)
Write everyday.
Never give up.
What theme do you hope shines through in your writing? Female strength. I write about strong heroines and the men worthy of them.
Proudest author moment? Winning a Romance Writers of New Zealand Koru Award in 2018 for my book Devoted.
If anyone gives me flack for writing in the romance genre, I tell them… “Romance Rocks!” I’m not bothered if they have another view…
My favourite thing about writing romance is… Creating happy endings and delivering that endorphin rush they evoke.