Wala'au with Jill Marie Landis

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ABOUT JILL MARIE

I was born in Clinton, Indiana, a small town on the Wabash River that’s now known for its Little Italy Festival held every Labor Day Weekend. The festival features a spaghetti eating contest along with grape stomping and pizza throwing. I would love to know what my grandparents, Anton and Maria Baima, who immigrated to Clinton from a small mountain town, Corio, Italy, would have to say about the event. When my grandfather stomped grapes every year, it was to make wine, not for a festival experience.

My family moved to California when I was ten years old and that’s when my love affair with the Pacific Ocean began. By middle school (we used to call it Junior High back then), I decided I was going to live in Hawaii when I grew up, even though I’d never set foot on any of the islands! My mom claims she’s responsible for that dream because it started when she was pregnant with me. Every day she’d listen to broadcasts of “Hawaii Calls” on the radio. I guess Arthur Godfrey plunking on his ukulele got through to me somehow.

I graduated from California State University at Long Beach with a degree in History and an Elementary Teaching Credential. That same year I married my college sweetheart. That was over four decades ago, which seems impossible since I’m only 39! For thirteen years I taught kindergarten and English Second Language in Southern California. My husband coached high school football and taught English in Long Beach--which is why we have no children.

Since both Steve and I each lost a parent while they were only in their early fifties, we decided to retire early, live it up while we are young, and work later in life if we have to. (I’ve always admired the Walmart Greeter vests.) In the early ‘80’s we turned our vision to the arts. I began writing, Steve took up acting. I learned to plunk away on the ukulele, and Steve has become proficient enough at Hawaiian slack key guitar to play at various celebrations and at restaurants.

My writing career began in 1988 with the publication of SUNFLOWER, my first book. (BOOKLIST, AWARDS, and BESTSELLER LIST) Since then, I’ve been lucky enough to establish a career in writing, which has allowed us to live our dreams. The book market, like any other, has its ups and downs. My friend and fellow writer, Linda Lael Miller, gave me a great piece of advice years ago when I asked what she considered the secret to a long and fruitful career. Linda said, “Just keep showing up!”

And so I have. In recent years, as market demands turned to tales of vampires, erotica, and hotter, sexier historical romances, I turned to writing Inspirational Western Romances for Steeple Hill Books. I truly feel like I’m back in the saddle again, working on stories that are a joy to write.

The two books I’ve just completed, HOMECOMING, and another (as yet untitled) novel, are very much like my early Western, Americana historical romances. These new books are chock full of memorable characters, the emotion my readers have come to expect, page turning plots, and the requisite happy ending. They are also books that can be savored and shared by mothers, grandmothers and teens alike.

Now here I am, living the dream on an outer island, toes in the sand and head in the clouds. This past summer Steve worked as Nick Nolte’s stand-in on a Ben Stiller movie filmed here on Kauai. “Tropic Thunder” will hit theatres this summer, ’08. He’s still playing slack key guitar. Dancing hula is one of my passions. I’ve been dancing for around fifteen years and loving every minute of it.

For updates on life in paradise and a bit of book chit chat, stop by and check out my Blog. Also, be sure to sign my Guest book before you move on. Every few months I give away autographed books to readers who have signed in. I’ll also be sending out newsletters with publication announcements.

So thanks for stopping by my website. I love hearing from readers. Even though I don’t have time to answer every email, I do read them all.

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