Welcome to author, Karen Stivali who is promoting her book, Then, Again. Enjoy her interview with us after my thoughts on the book. Be sure to check out her giveaway at the end of this post!
Publisher: May, 2013
Date of publication: Samhain
Sometimes you have to lose it all to find what you really need.
Photographer Kay Turner is dealt a double whammy when she flies home for her grandmother’s funeral to find her boyfriend with another woman. Now with two losses to mourn, she retreats to her newly inherited beach house to clear her head.
Everything at the beach is familiar: the sounds of the ocean, the scent of her grandmother’s perfume—and the irresistible smile of James Margolis. The man Kay spent her adolescence pining for is every bit as charming as she remembers.
My take:
This is the first book by Ms. Stivali and after reading Then, Again, I know it won't be my last. I really enjoyed this book! After reading a few disappointing books, it was a breath of fresh air. I loved Kay and James. They were just so cute together. James was so swoon worthy. Imagine finally having your secret crush notice you? When Kay and James meet each other in his father's fish shop, it is instant sparks. Their love scenes were steamy and just right!
Kay comes back to clear out her grandmother's home and get it ready to sell. The book isn't just a romance, it's about finding yourself and getting perspective on life. Kay uses her time at the beach to do just that. I was so happy with Kay's decision in the end. Their HEA was just perfect. I look forward to more from this author!
Kari & Autumn: What inspired you to become a writer?
Karen: My first memory of wanting to be a writer is from first grade. The teacher handed out one of those dittos where there’s a picture and you’re supposed to write a paragraph about what’s going on. Instead of a paragraph I wrote a seven page story. That probably should have been a pretty strong clue to me that I was eventually going to be a writer, but it took quite a while before I decided to pursue the dream professionally.
Other than that, every author of every book I’ve ever read and enjoyed inspired me. I love books that immerse you in a story and give you characters who you get to know so well it feels like they’re your friends by the time you’re done with the book. Those are the books I enjoy reading and will remember for years, so those are the type of stories I try to write.
Kari & Autumn: Where do you come up with the ideas for your books?
Karen: The shower. Sounds silly, I know, but it’s true. There’s something about the routine of being in the shower….shampoo, rinse, condition, shave legs….you’re sort of on auto-pilot and the warm water is relaxing…that’s when my brain is most likely to come up with a story. Once I see the initial idea I let it simmer until I can see the entire book play out in my mind, like a movie. Then I write down what I saw.
Kari & Autumn: What exciting projects are waiting in the wings?
Karen: I have a few new projects I’m working on (several contemporary romances) but, more immediately, I have several upcoming releases. In June I have a short story, WHITE WEDDING, that will be in the Wedding Day Anthology coming out from Turquoise Morning Press. The characters in that short story are the same couple in my novels MEANT TO BE and HOLDING ON (White Wedding takes place in the time between those two novels).
In July, I’ll have my 4th release from Ellora’s Cave. DECADENCE is a very steamy erotic romance about a married couple trying to put some spice back into their marriage. DECADENCE is the first book in a new multi-authored series I pitched to Ellora’s Cave. All the stories in the Spice Rack series will involve couples who have purchased the fictional hot new item that’s sweeping the nation---it’s a spice rack but instead of herbs each jar contains a suggestion on how to spice up your love life.
My second Samhain release is due out on November 5. LEAVE THE LIGHTS ON is a friends-to-lovers story with a few surprises. Keep your eyes on my blog for more info! Karenstivali.com
Kari & Autumn: Who is your favorite literary character and why?
Karen: There are so many books I’ve loved it’s very hard for me to pick a single literary character who’s my favorite. If I had to choose one, however, I’d choose George Verdon from my favorite novel THE LAST CONVERTIBLE. Part of what makes that book so amazing to me is the fact that although it has a huge cast of characters, and you get to know them all so well you’ll swear you’ve spent decades with them, the entire book is actually told through George’s point of view. He’s the glue that binds them all to one another. He’s their record keeper, they’re secret keeper, their confident. No matter how many times I read the book (and I’ve read it a lot of times) I’m always floored that a first person account can allow you the depth of knowledge you get about every single character in the book. It’s just an awesome story and George tells it beautifully.
Kari & Autumn: Just for fun, if you could be any animal what would it be and why?
Karen: Definitely a cat, because I have two super spoiled ones and I think it would be pretty nice to just sprawl all around the house, nap whenever you want, and get your back scratched whenever the mood strikes you.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
About the author:
I write erotic romance (published by Ellora’s Cave) sexy women’s fiction (published by Turquoise Morning Press) and sensual contemporary romances (published by Samhain Publishing). I can also be found on twitter attempting witty banter.
Twitter: karenstivali
Website: http://karenstivali.com/
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