Jo Ann & Her Books

About Jo Ann

JO ANN FAWCETT dramatically changed her life after seven marriages that included various types of abuse, divorce, death, and being a prison wife. In each marriage, Jo Ann felt that she was not enough. Husband #7 was a narcissist, and for over 20 years she didn’t know that was the problem. When the Covid-19 pandemic hit, she took the time to look at what she wanted vs. what she wasn’t getting. Thus began a three-year journey of untangling.

Published in 2021, Jo Ann’s first memoir, Midlife Magic (by Jo Ann Richards), shares the stories of her typical suburban childhood, the failing of the first six marriages and lessons learned, life with husband #7 as a prison wife, and the new path she embraced that includes UFO sightings, spirits, elementals, and magic.

Jo Ann’s second memoir, The Prince Was Wrong; Leaving the Narcissist Behind, was published in 2024. Jo Ann discovered the reality that husband #7 is a narcissist. Learn the red flags of this type of abuse. Experience the demise of their relationship with clear examples of his narcissistic behavior. Share Jo Ann’s joy now that she’s found a happy and fulfilling life after divorcing The Prince and is creating her best self.

Wisdom from My Grandmothers is the third in the set of Jo Ann’s “Toxic to Thriving” journey from seven toxic marriages to thriving in her best life.

Jo Ann is a native Californian now living in Portland OR. She’s been a successful bookkeeper for over forty years and is looking forward to retirement. She has also lived in Connecticut, Utah, and Ohio.

Jo Ann is the third of four children. She attended Brigham Young University for two years plus a few community colleges. She has associate degrees in film production and accounting.

She is the proud mother of a grown daughter and grandmother of three. She is owned by her male Tuxedo cat, Winston. She loves knitting, walking, and spending time in nature.

Midlife Magic

the journey of JO ANN RICHARDS

THE PRINCE WAS WRONG

leaving the NARCISSIST behind

Midlife Magic takes you on the transformative journey of Jo Ann Richards’ life, from her typical suburban childhood, through six marriages involving abuse, divorce, and death, to her current marriage to a military intelligence officer incarcerated for a crime he didn’t commit. Jo Ann had been an active member of the Mormon Church for nearly 30 years before leaving it behind to fully embrace the paranormal world of UFOs, elementals, and magic which had long spoken to her soul. Through her many struggles, she found her strengths, gifts, and inner power, and learned that dreams can, and do, come true. Today she is a warrior who proudly carries the title, Wise Woman-Crone.

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For twenty-plus years Jo Ann thought she was part of a solid marriage, but finally realized that she was in a one-sided relationship with a narcissist who wanted everything his way and according to his agenda. Jo Ann discovered that a narcissist does not see you as an equal partner. To ensure they are always right, they gaslight you and make you feel incorrect. The narcissist tries to isolate you from family and friends. They belittle your creative efforts, especially if you aren’t devoting yourself totally to theirs. They withhold compliments. While charming and wonderful to others, their behavior towards you changes when no one else is around. Threatening violence is something they might do. They might be physically abusive. They are often fiscally irresponsible.

The Prince Was Wrong defines narcissistic abuse and its red flags through Jo Ann’s personal examples. She shares her journey through the demise of the marriage, the divorce process, lessons learned, and how leaving her spouse set her on the path to creating her best life. This second edition has an added epilogue that ties up the loose ends of the first edition. You will want to celebrate the long-awaited happy ending.

2nd Edition Now Available!

Pathways to healing Journal

surviving and HEALING from narcissistic abuse

WISDOM FROM MY GRANDMOTHERS

how MESSAGES from the PAST shed light on your LIFE TODAY

Pathways to Healing Journal
Writing The Prince Was Wrong: Leaving the Narcissist Behind became an integral part of Jo Ann’s healing journey to survive the narcissistic abuse of husband #7. Journaling can help in one’s journey to wholeness. It provides a safe space to record innermost thoughts, experiences, and feelings. Included are writing prompts to get you started if needed. You will also find a poster about the red flags of narcissistic abuse. Finally, you’ll find tips to avoid and heal from toxic relationships.

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Wisdom From My Grandmothers

Wisdom from My Grandmothers is filled with inherited wisdom from Jo Ann’s conversations with her female ancestors long passed about their lives as women. Their ordinary lives and dreams were shaped by the patriarchal world they lived in, yet they shared good advice and keys to resilience for future generations.

We can all be empowered to see ourselves as worthy, loveable, and strong – always enough – and to use our voices as leaders.

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what people say about Jo Ann

her interviews, her BOOKS and more

Wisdom from My Grandmothers is not a conventional memoir. It’s a personal reckoning. I’d recommend it to anyone navigating the aftermath of difficult relationships, anyone curious about ancestral healing frameworks, or anyone who has looked at their own patterns and suspected they didn’t start with them. — Literary Titan

review of WISDOM FROM MY GRANDMOTHERS

Inquisitive in nature and forthright in its delivery, Wisdom from My Grandmothers is a passionate exploration of the bonds of kin and what simultaneously distinguishes and connects us with our ancestors. — Chanticleer Book Reviews

review of WISDOM FROM MY GRANDMOTHERS

Fawcett’s appreciation for her ancestors is evident throughout, resulting in a memoir that provides practical, time-tested advice from women through the ages. — BookLife

review of WISDOM FROM MY GRANDMOTHERS

I liked the way it was written. Down to Earth and makes you feel like you are taking the journey with the author.

review of MIDLIFE MAGIC

I learned many valuable life lessons, gained strength from the way the author presented her life, her attitude devoid of self-pity, her pride in herself for moving forward and free…Great economy of words used throughout kept my interest keen and helped me divine the subtext…Whether it was Raptors, Elementals, or husbands past and present, it was a rare and unique glimpse into the life of a mystical magic accountant grandmother who finally found her own voice and has the courage to share it with the world.

review of MIDLIFE MAGIC

I am a bit of a voyeur, like most people. So, it was nice to have a look into your life, how you developed as a person. You write from your heart, with your mind in the right place. Also the way you show yourself to the larger public matches with the picture you paint in the book.

review of MIDLIFE MAGIC

The devotion Jo Ann had for her husband, and her willingness to support him, was so beautifully outlined. Her selflessness and faithfulness in carrying out his vision, and then the lack of support she felt when he failed to support her was heartbreaking.

review of THE PRINCE WAS WRONG