Who’s excited for another wonderful Jaime Jo Wright release??? Don’t hate me, but I am spoiled and was able to read an early copy of this one. No surprise, I absolutely LOVED it! As I read this one, I developed a list of few questions I simply had to ask, and because she’s so amazing, Jaime Jo Wright took the time to answer them… so I’m sharing them with you too 🙂
The Haunting at Bonaventure Circus officially releases very very soon this Tuesday, September 1 so make sure you get your hands on your copy too!
About the Book:
1928
The Bonaventure Circus is a refuge for many, but Pippa Ripley was rejected from its inner circle as a baby. When she receives mysterious messages from someone called the “Watchman,” she is determined to find him and the connection to her birth. As Pippa’s search leads her to a man seeking justice for his murdered sister and evidence that a serial killer has been haunting the circus train, she must decide if uncovering her roots is worth putting herself directly in the path of the killer.
Present Day
The old circus train depot will either be torn down or preserved for historical importance, and its future rests on real estate project manager Chandler Faulk’s shoulders. As she dives deep into the depot’s history, she’s also balancing a newly diagnosed autoimmune disease and the pressures of single motherhood. When she discovers clues to the unsolved murders of the past, Chandler is pulled into a story far darker and more haunting than even an abandoned train depot could portend.
About the Author:
Jaime Jo Wright loves to read—and write—fiction with elements of mystery, faith, and romance from her home in Wisconsin. She’s a coffee drinker by day and night, lives in dreamland, and exists in reality.
Thanks so much for being willing to answer a few questions about Bonaventure!
Let’s start with a few fun ones:
We all know you love coffee, but what’s your favorite way to have it?
Typically, I use whipping cream to make it just creamy enough to be creamy but not overwhelm the coffee. Cause really, who wants coffee with their milk?
Not me actually 🤣
If you could travel to any other time period 1) would you and 2) when/where would you go?
Oh I totally would. I would probably go back to World War II era and be with my Gramma to help her out while my Grampa fights overseas.
Aww that’s so sweet!
What’s something you enjoy doing that’s not book related?
There’s stuff to enjoy that’s not book related? 😉 Probably petting my cats. I love cats. I am a soul-cat.
I love my Cat too! Cats are amazing especially when they’re actually snuggly 🥰
Where is your favorite place to write?
Usually at home in my chair wearing pajamas and snuggled in on a cold winter’s day.
I could go for this minus the cold winter’s day haha.
Okay, down to some more specifics:
How was the idea of Bonaventure born in your mind?
I grew up in circus city. So the circus has always been a backdrop for my life. It was a natural setting to use and I created Bonaventure so I could have some creative license versus basing it off of the Ringling Bros.
Wow, how fun!
The moment I read “Peter Pan” I knew Peter’s character was inspired by your son who you refer to as Peter Pan on social media. How similar is your son to the character you created? Did he actively help you with that creation?
My son is very similar to Peter in the story. In fact, my son actually created the Nitro Steel and Rustman characters for my book. He was pivotal in making Peter a character.
I bet he really liked being included like that!
Chandler’s character deals with Lyme disease which I know you have yourself. Can you share a little bit of your experience what it was like writing a character with similar struggles to your own? Did you find it easier or more challenging?
Well, honestly, I found it easy to write because I didn’t have to do any research. Chandler’s medical experiences in the story were pulled from my own. So, if you read hers, you’ll pretty much know what it’s like for me on a daily basis.
My heart goes out to you, because that certainly can’t be easy.
It appeared that Chandler was more afraid of people’s reaction to her disease than she was the Lyme itself. Is this something that you relate to or was that more for her character?
Totally something I relate to. A fear is being patronized and losing credibility as a valuable and effective part of society, but also, of not being taken seriously, either. Because, after all, Lyme isn’t a visual disease that people can see its effects. Often it feels like people think I’m pretending.
I’m so sorry that you feel that way! Hopefully the more awareness for Lyme Disease that gets out there the less you will feel like that.
Chandler’s mom-heart… oh how it read like you bled your own heart onto the pages through Chandler’s. Was it challenging to be that vulnerable or did it feel more freeing that you were able to get your feelings out onto the paper?
It wasn’t challenging for me. It was freedom to write my own emotion toward my own son. I have a fierce instinct when it comes to him and Chandler’s reactions during the book are precisely how I would envision myself responding. (good or bad, lol)
I can picture this.
The bond between Pippa and Lily was truly heartwarming. Where did the idea for this come from? What do you hope readers would take away from this relationship?
Well, I’ve always loved elephants. I mean, growing up with them practically in my backyard, helped. I wanted people to see the correlation between human and animal. That both are precious and deserve to be treasured and cared for.
So very true <3
Overall what do you hope readers will take away from this novel?
Really that they are seen. First and foremost. This is a world that tends to cancel people out instead of hold them within our grasp and show grace. But that grace—that hope—is there, and our Creator never lost sight of us.
There aren’t even words for how much I love this response <3 <3 <3
Are you able to tease anything about what’s coming up next for you?
A good long nap! 😉 How’s that for a tease?
Well, I’d say that’s certainly a tease! haha. Thanks so much again for sharing with us! <3
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