Interview & Giveaway! Sharla Lovelace Talks Before and Ever Since
Today we are excited to have Sharla Lovelace with us, the best-selling author of three novels—The Reason is You, Just One Day, and her newest release, Before and Ever Since.
We are also giving away, to one random commenter, one of Sharla’s customized tote bags, some bookmarks and swag, and a random bestselling author’s book from Sharla’s collection she accumulated at the RWA Writer’s Conference in Anaheim! (Authors include Larissa Ione, Terry Spear, Tessa Dare, Elizabeth Hoyt, Stephanie Laurens, Barbara Freethy, and Robyn Carr.)
Who is Sharla Lovelace? Give us the deets on the woman behind the words.
I’m the National Bestselling Author of THE REASON IS YOU, JUST ONE DAY, and BEFORE AND EVER SINCE. Besides all that, I’m a Texas girl. I live in Southeast Texas with my family, an old lady dog, and an aviary full of cockatiels. Why the aviary? Because my husband raises them for breeding and showing. I still work full time, so my writing is done after the day job, and around dinner, laundry, cleaning, and talking on Twitter.
This is Ruby. She’s one in a million, and Queen at our house.
This is Ghetto. He’s a cockatiel that thinks he’s a dog, walks like a chicken, and sleeps like a bat. He’s my baby.
And this is my red wall that I waited my whole life for. *cue music*
Other random facts:
- Once owned a bookstore — awesome
- Used to scuba dive — awesome
- Have a thing for “red”…if you couldn’t tell — awesome
- Have a freakish fear of tall bridges — not so awesome…
Before and Ever Since hit shelves November 6th. Tell us a little about it.
Well, it’s about secrets. The main character Emily has to deal with many things in this story. She has a headstrong daughter, a mother who marches to her own drummer, and an ex-husband who needs sex therapy. Enter into this picture a house with an agenda, and the return of her first love, rocking a tool belt and a paintbrush and dark eyes full of secrets, and Emily just flat out has things to get through and get over.
What was the hardest part of writing Before and Ever Since?
The time schedule. It was my first book written under contract, and the “Big Brother is watching and waiting” thing messed with me.
Why do you believe readers would enjoy a romantic book affair with Ben Landry?
Because Ben’s a real man. He’s hot, yes, but he’s damaged and has a past and everything that made him who he is made him a better man. His flaws make him endearing.
Family plays a big part in Before and Ever Since, as well as in The Reason is You. Why is it important to you for your characters to have such strong connections to their family?
I come from a small town, and family is big here. I moved away and lived in big cities all through my twenties and mid-thirties, and coming back home was always like curling up with a blanket. Family is stronger here, and life revolves around those relationships. Life blooms from those conversations. So to me, when I write, those elements are just naturally a part of what comes out of my head.
If you could cast the movie version of Before and Ever Since, who would play Emily and Ben?
Oh my. Well, I know Katherine Heigl and Gerard Butler have already done a movie together, but I love their chemistry. They aren’t perfect for the parts, physically, but something about them would work.
What is the most unusual resource you have ever used while writing?
Hmmm, I’m afraid I have nothing unusual. I’m pretty boring when I write. I write on the couch with my laptop and old lady dog, and for the character of Ben, I hit my husband up for carpenter tips. He’s the classic tool guy. J
What are some of your favorite books or authors that you’ve read?
So many! I love anything by Karen White and Sarah Addison Allen. Jennifer Weiner, Pam Morsi, Kathryn Magendie, Sophie Kinsella, Roni Loren…my tastes are all over the place!
Thanks for having me over! I enjoyed it!
 | About the Author Sharla Lovelace is the author of THE REASON IS YOU, JUST ONE DAY, and BEFORE AND EVER SINCE. Being a Texas girl through and through, she’s proud to say she lives in Southeast Texas with her family, an old lady dog, and an aviary full of cockatiels. Sharla is available by Skype for book club meetings and chats, and loves connecting with her readers! See her website www.sharlalovelace.com for book discussion questions, events, and to sign up for her monthly newsletter. |
| Find Sharla Online: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Goodreads |
I want to thank Miz Lovelace for stopping by and answering a few of our questions! I loved the pictures of Ruby and Ghetto! Such silly cuties! And it makes me want to share a silly habit of Dozer’s, my furry child—sitting on top of the couch like a cat.
Do your furry family members have a cute and quirky habit? Feel free to share in the comments!
Giveaway!
One random commenter will receive one of Sharla’s customized tote bags, some bookmarks and swag, and a random bestselling author’s book from her collection she accumulated at the RWA Writer’s Conference in Anaheim! (Authors include Larissa Ione, Terry Spear, Tessa Dare, Elizabeth Hoyt, Stephanie Laurens, Barbara Freethy, and Robyn Carr.)
You must leave your broken-up email address in your comment in order to be entered into the drawing (ie. nickname AT gmail DOT com, etc).
Tour Wide Grand Prize: A random commenter chosen from the entire tour will receive an
e-basket: E-book of THE REASON IS YOU, E-book of JUST ONE DAY, $25 e-gift card from Amazon or B&N, $10 Starbucks e-gift card.
I love the pic of Dozer!! So cute! I'm such a sucker for animals. :)
ReplyDeleteThanks, Sharla! Me too! I laughed when I saw the pic of Ghetto upside down, that is hilarious. And Ruby looks like such a little doll face.
DeleteWonderful interview! My furry dude dances on his back legs when it's time for dinner. LOL Thank you for the giveaway. :)
ReplyDeletepaulagrooves AT comcast DOT net
Thanks for hosting Sharla today, Letitia! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat interview! Can't wait to read these books
ReplyDeletezajae AT att DOT net
Thanks for all your comments! Yes, my Ruby is quite the lovebug. I'm out of town at events this weekend, and she hates when I pull out my suitcase. This time, when I was packing, I turned around and she climbed on top of the clothes in the suitcase and layed down and just looked at me like... "You're not leaving without me."
ReplyDeleteI like this post and it really shows your personality. I like the random facts about you - would like to try scuba diving one day. Then again I'm sort of afraid of the water ;)
ReplyDeleteCambonified[at]yahoo[dot]com
My newest member of my family is a little kitten. He is only seven weeks and he doesn't have habits yet. He is sleeping all day. I already adore him.
ReplyDeleteRuby is amazing, thank you for the giveaway!
artgiote at gmail dot com