Sarah Johnson

Hello dear readers! Sarah Johnson and I had a lovely chat last night about her new release Just to Hear I Love You. Here’s her blurb:

Mary Bennet’s life changes forever when a childhood accident leaves her isolated in a silent world. Her sister Elizabeth emerges as her fiercest champion and unstinting protector. When further tragedy befalls Longbourn, Aunt and Uncle Gardiner embrace their orphaned nieces into their London household. Mary and Elizabeth must face the disapprobation of London society as they endure a Season of intense scrutiny. Will Mary’s own dearest wish— just to hear ‘I love you’ —ever come to be, or will her deafness forever consign her to life apart? The sisters must face their past and Mary’s worst critic when another family’s tragedy lands directly on their doorstep. Will they both have the strength to return love from unexpected suitors?

Sounds awesome, doesn’t it? Let’s see what all Sarah had to say.

Pamela Lynne:  Hi Sarah!!!

Sarah Johnson:  Hi Pam!

Pamela Lynne:  How are you?

Sarah Johnson:  LOL - a household of sickies (allergies), so worn out.

Pamela Lynne:  Oh no! Well, on the upside, you have a new book out! Yay!

Sarah Johnson:  I am definitely ready to escape the whine all around and dive into something that will block it all from my memory. Yes! Just to Hear I Love You was just released on the 29th of September.

Pamela Lynne:  This makes your fourth?

Sarah Johnson:  Yes, fourth published book - two are novellas, and two are full length. This one is a full length story.

Pamela Lynne:  For those of you who may not know, Sarah and I go way back to my JAFF beginning; a whole two years ago.

Sarah Johnson:  LOL. I have been lurking around the JAFF forums since way back when Hyacinth Gardens was here.

Pamela Lynne:  I bet I know something about you most readers don't.

Sarah Johnson:  What's that Pam?

Pamela Lynne:  Oh you know. I'm talking about your love of Burt Reynolds.

Sarah Johnson:  ROFL

Pamela Lynne:  A hairy Burt Reynolds at that! No manscaping!

Sarah Johnson:  GGGAAAAHHHHHH!!!!! **sticks fingers in ears and begins to hum my happy song**

Pamela Lynne:  I'm just kidding. I like to tease/threaten Sarah with Burt every so often.

Sarah Johnson:  LOL, it's cause you love me!

Pamela Lynne:  True! We do have something in common though, other than the wife/mother/writer thing. We both have a more prominent Mary.

Sarah Johnson:  Oh yes! I love Mary! (I think I love her nearly as much as Elizabeth, but let's keep that our little secret!)

Pamela Lynne: Did you set out to write about Mary, or did it happen by accident?

Sarah Johnson:  For this book, it kind of just came to be as it formed in my mind.  By the time I began writing I knew she would feature prominently.

Pamela Lynne:  Do we see many original characters?

Sarah Johnson:  There are a few original characters, but the four main characters are Mary, Elizabeth, and their two beaus.

Pamela Lynne:  So, is it safe to say Mary is deaf?

Sarah Johnson:  Yes, Mary is deaf. She loses her hearing in a childhood accident - the result of a fever.

Pamela Lynne:  What did you learn about people with hearing impairments or other disabilities during Austen's time?

Sarah Johnson:  Their society was all about appearance - physical and perceived from others. So there was a large portion that did not accept people who were different, whether that be deaf or just other disabilities. Many were sent away to live from their families - one being Jane Austen's own brother, George.

Pamela Lynne:  What was her relationship with her brother like?

Sarah Johnson:  Well, as I said, he lived away from the family. It is not known what level of relationship they had - certainly not as much as is portrayed in Becoming Jane - but she did know sign language and talked in one letter of using it to talk with him.

Pamela Lynne:  Do Mary and Elizabeth sign?

Sarah Johnson:  Yes. Sign is important to their communication. Elizabeth was the only family member who went out of her way to connect that with Mary. It explains their deep devotion to each other.

Pamela Lynne:  Elizabeth's affection for her sister is certainly canon. It is one of her better traits, I believe.

Sarah Johnson:  Yes, definitely.

Pamela Lynne:  So, what's next little miss prolific?  I'm sure you have another treat for us coming up.

Sarah Johnson:  LOL. Next is turning the longer story, Leaving Bennet Behind, into the book series for publication.  I hate that it means I won't be posting something online for a long time, but I need to get it finished.

Pamela Lynne:  But you do have bunnies waiting for attention?

Sarah Johnson:  Oh yes, a few free range bunnies are in there hopping around. I am trying not to cage them yet!

Pamela Lynne:  LOL. Good luck with that. Before we go, I have to compliment your book covers.

Sarah Johnson:  Thank you! I have fun creating them.

Pamela Lynne:  So, you have done all your own?

Sarah Johnson:  Yes, as well as a few for some other people. I am currently trying to get my web site established, and will have some of them up there - hopefully soon.

Pamela Lynne: A woman of many talents. Thank you, Sarah, for being our virgin sacrifice here at The Happy Jaffer Author Interviews!

Sarah Johnson: Thanks Pam! This was fun!

**edited for format and punctuation

 

 

You can find Just to Hear I Love you on Amazon by following this link and be sure to visit Sarah’s webpage. You can sign up for her newsletter that features a few other JAFF authors as well as watch a great video excerpt by Sophie Andrews. Have a great week everybody!