1--What is the title of your latest release?
My newest book is SECOND CHANCE AT THE WATER JUMP
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
Second Chance at the Water Jump is a contemporary, sweet with heat romance featuring an equestrian theme. It is equal parts romance and horse story.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I created Pine Mountain Horse Park based off of several horse show venues I have been to, pulling the best parts from each one and setting it in southern New Hampshire so that as the anthology series progresses, I can take full advantage of the beautiful New England season and the horse community I am familiar with.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Yes, with both of them! Savannah is cool and dedicated to her sport and her horse Tucker. I would love to go riding with them and gallop across the hills between jumps. I also love photography so even if I couldn’t be riding with Savannah, I’d love to hang out on the sidelines behind the camera with Evan snapping away all the action shots.
5--What are three words that describe your protagonists?
For Savannah - Dedicated, competent, fun
And for Evan - all-in, driven, and sweet.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
Even though I am an equestrian and have shown at many types of shows on many types of horses I did have to look up some rules and scoring for eventing so that readers who know the sport wouldn’t be put off by a jarring mistake. I hope that my fellow riders can feel like they are on course with Savannah when she’s riding so I worked to put in as many specific touches as possible, both new to me information and things I have learned while in the saddle over the years.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I will do a quick edit as I go, mostly just picking up obvious typos because I can’t stand to see that little red squiggle on my work, and sometimes I get typing so fast I end up with a lot of them. But I don’t do any major edits until I’ve hit ‘the end’ on the draft.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Hmm, I'm not much of a foodie, but being a New England girl, I have to have my real maple syrup, none of that fake pancake syrup stuff!
9--Describe your writing space/office!
I do most of my writing at my desktop computer at my messy desk in my dining room. I work well surrounded by chaos, if it is relatively quiet. Which is not always the case so I splurged at Christmas and picked up a chrome book so I can shut myself in my room and write in bed. I am picky about keyboards, so I strongly prefer the desktop, but my Chromebook has been a huge help in getting drafts finished.
10--Who is an author you admire?
I tend to jump from one favorite to another very quickly, but I really admire anyone doing all the work to publish as an indie and am always trying to find new favorites to enjoy and add them to my ever-growing TBR.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
As a child (and still) I was a huge Misty of Chincoteague fan. I loved being engrossed in a horse story about the special ponies of the island. So much so that my vacation last year was to the island where I toured to see the ponies in their marshy habitat, visit places described in the book and even the motel Marguerite Henry wrote the story in.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
I was always 90% sure I would self-publish this book, and its forthcoming series. I have self-published a series of cowboy romance already, so I feel like I am getting the process down. After seeing an equestrian publisher at a horse show I did query them despite them publishing 95% non-fiction. Their reply, a pass, but very complimentary of my story really helped me feel as though self-publishing is the right choice. I have the right content for my audience, and I am more and more excited each day closer to publication.
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
It's not surprising that a romance author loves to read romance books. I tend to stay in the sweet-with-heat spice level. I like a lot of story, and a slow burn so I really can feel for the characters. I do also like to grab the occasional thriller or horror book though. Changing up genres keeps me motivated to both read more and to write.
14--What’s your favorite movie?
I’m not sure I can pick just one, but Hidalgo is high up there. I love the relationship the main character has with his horse and how real the whole movie feels quite authentic while still bringing edge of your seat action. It has everything: gorgeous horses, big action sequences, a loveable underdog, and it’s all based on a true story.
15--What is your favorite season?
I love autumn, it’s the perfect riding weather and the foliage is beautiful. A nice trail ride through the woods is the perfect afternoon off from writing and the quiet is a great way to recharge.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
I like to keep it simple for my birthday. Dinner or lunch out with my family, and then a trip to my local ice cream shop that does an amazing free birthday sundae. In a pinch for time, I’ll even skip dinner to go get the sundae!
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
This may be a very Basic answer, but for something light and sweet I love Emily is Paris. It's a nice little feel-good show that's great for breaks in writing romance to get some warm-fuzzy feelings.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
I’m a super simple person, give me a nice cheesy slice of pizza and I’ll be happy.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
I like to get to the barn as much as I can. Riding, and just spending time with horses is a great way to chill out. I also attend lots of horse shows where I sell riding journals and kids activity books I design. Getting to watch all the horses compete in many different events is also great for adding to my idea box!
20--What can readers expect from you next?
With Second Chance at the Water Jump kicking off the Pine Mountain Horse Park series I plan to release a second and third book this year as well. Hassling the Show Manager is nearly ready for its release day in June.
A Pine Mountain Horse Park Romance
All Savannah wants is to qualify for the Eventing championships with her horse Tucker. They’ve been working hard and staying focused, but an early season fall really starts the year off wrong. Worse yet, it’s caught in all its water-soaked glory by the photographer Evan—who also happens to be the guy she ditched before their blind date even started.
Evan is tired of working in a studio and is taking his photography business into the horse world. There’s a lot to learn, but the daunting task is certainly more fun when Savannah ends up in front of his lens. That blind date of theirs wasn’t as blind as she thinks: he might have begged for the set-up.
Can she make it to the championships and through that dreaded water jump?
Can he get her to put aside her old relationship woes and give him a shot?
Romance Contemporary [Author Self-Published, On Sale: March 21, 2023, e-Book, / ]
Isla grew up around horses but never owned one of her own, instead settling for riding lessons, 4H, and every horse book she could get her hands on. When those books stopped being enough, she began writing her own. Throughout school, she loved creative writing classes and earned a BDIC degree in Equine Business from UMass Amherst in 2011. Now she uses her equine expertise to bring realism to her writing, with sweet equestrian romance series written for horse lovers by a horse lover.
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