1--What is the title of your latest release?
SMOOTH AS SILK
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
attract story, haphazard, pro hockey player Robbie MacTavish, in his tattered kilt and mismatched socks, is the last person ambitious, prim Hyacinth Dawson wants in her life—no matter how charming he is. But she needs his help in order to get her bridal shop on the reality show, All Dressed in White. Is surviving with her heart intact possible?
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
All of my books are set in the South, so that was a given. I wanted a larger city for the setting for a new professional hockey franchise, but the story needed a small town feel. Since Birmingham, Alabama doesn’t have an NHL team, but has several upscale suburbs, it seemed a natural. The team could play their games in downtown Birmingham, with offices and the practice rink twenty minutes away in the fictional village, Laurel Springs.
4--Would you hang out with Hyacinth in real life?
Yes, though I would probably enjoy it more toward the end of the book after she has loosened up a bit!
5--What are three words that describe Robbie?
Charismatic, disorganized, funny.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
Hyacinth is trying and eventually succeeds—to get her bridal shop on a reality show called All Dressed in White, so I learned a lot about how reality shows work.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
Definitely, as I go. Though I do a read though and proofread before turning a book in, when I am finished, I am pretty well done.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Crab, any way it can be prepared—cakes, West Indies salad, sushi, fried soft shell, or plain old boiled crab legs.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
I have a wonderful mission style desk that goes with my circa 1908 house with two large monitors and a docking station for my laptop. When my husband began working at home during the pandemic, we bought him a matching desk and we now share the office—which has actually been a plus for me. The cats want to lay on his keyboard instead of mine!
10--Who is an author you admire?
Susan Elizabeth Phillips—since I have to choose just one.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
I have certainly read many books that have impacted me, but the one that truly changed my life was the first one I sold—Sweet Gone South.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)
It was actually an email, three weeks after I had submitted Sweet Gone South to Crimson Romance. The letter began, “I’m sorry—” and I thought, “Here we go again.” But I finished reading and it actually said, “I’m sorry it took me so long to get back to you, but I would love to have Sweet Gone South for Crimson.” I screamed, so I’m glad it wasn’t a call! That was the beginning of a four book/one short story/one novella series that led to four other multi-work series, all set in the same world.
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
Romance, of course!
14--What’s your favorite movie?
This is a hard one, but it’s a particular pet peeve of mine when people are asked to name one thing and they deliver a laundry list, so I’ll pick one. I’m going to go with Guardians of the Galaxy. This is a strange choice for me because I am not a comic book person. I don’t even know who is Marvel and who is DC and I certainly haven’t seen all those movies. But this one makes me laugh every time and I love to watch it with people who have not seen it before.
15--What is your favorite season?
Fall, by far! I live in the South, so cooler weather and college football are two things I live for.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
Quietly, with dinner out with my husband and maybe a few friends.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
Ted Lasso. I’ve watched both seasons three times. It makes me laugh. It makes me cry. I love the repeating theme of forgiveness. People make mistakes—as we all do. When they are truly sorry and apologize, they are forgiven. It’s over. Everyone has learned and relationships are intact—stronger, even. I wish we could see more that in real life.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Hands down, Middle Eastern. I could eat it every day.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
Read, watch television, and play games on my phone.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
SHINE LIKE SILVER, the third book in the Good Southern Women series. I am in revisions right now, which is my very favorite part of the process. Writing and editing are two very different skill sets and I know that it takes both parts to make the best book possible. A good editor is the very best tool a writer can have.
Good Southern Women #2
Hyacinth Dawson’s life runs like clockwork—and she likes it that way. Spreadsheets, lists and plans have never failed her, and now they’re going to help her get her bridal shop on the popular reality TV show All Dressed in White. But it won’t happen unless she can land a celebrity client…maybe one of those new NHL players in town.
Enter Robbie McTavish, a fly-by-the-seat-of-his-pants Scottish defenseman who can’t help but meddle when he spies a bride in Hyacinth’s shop wearing a completely wrong dress for her figure. Robbie’s family just happens to own the Scottish Highlands’ premier wedding venue, and he knows his way around bustled trains and buttercream frosting—even if his help seems to be less than welcome.
When a video of his infuriating interference goes viral, the TV producers decide to film at Hyacinth’s shop—as long as her “associate” Robbie is part of the package. Opposites might attract, but as far as Hyacinth’s concerned, no amount of chemistry is worth the way this particular plus-one threatens to blow up her carefully laid plans…
Romance Contemporary | Small Town [Carina Press, On Sale: February 22, 2022, Mass Market Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781335424853 / eISBN: 9780369717504]
Southern Sassy Romance
As Alicia Hunter Pace, Stephanie Jones and Jean Hovey write contemporary romantic comedy and light fantasy with a distinct southern voice. Stephanie lives in Jasper, AL, where she teaches third grade and wishes for a bigger bookstore. She is a native Alabamian who likes football, civil war history, and people who follow the rules. She is happy to provide a list of said rules to anyone who needs them. Jean, a former public librarian, lives in Decatur, AL, with her husband in a hundred-year-old house that always wants something from her. She likes to cook but has discovered the joy of Mrs. Paul's fish fillets since becoming a writer.
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