1--What is the title of your latest release?
THE SECOND CHANCE HOTEL
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
Amelia Lang's life is kind of a mess. She's stuck living at home with her narcissistic mother. Her tech bro ex-boyfriend deliberately sabotages her at work, and she gets fired after throwing a mug at his head (it's okay! She missed.) Then she has a major falling out with her best friend. So Amelia does what Amelia does best: She runs away.
After traveling around Europe for three months, she settles on a small Greek island to reset her life and figure out what's next. But after too much retsina, she gets tricked into marrying James, another guest at the hotel, who is perfectly nice—but perfectly boring. To top it off, they are gifted the very hotel they're staying in—a hotel they don't want that is in desperate need of some TLC. They agree to keep the hotel open through the busy summer season for the sake of the island's quirky but well-meaning residents, after which Amelia plans to return home to start rebuilding her disastrous life.
Amelia and James must work together to determine how to get out of their situation—easier said than done for Amelia, who's started to feel a strong spark of attraction for James. But Amelia is sure her real life is waiting for her back in San Francisco. Is it time for Amelia to return home or could this be the second chance at a new life she didn't know she wanted?
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I lived in Santorini, Greece, as a kid for a few years and I always knew I wanted to tell a story set there, or in Greece, using the impressions I had. Greece was a natural setting for this story because I needed a destination that was touristy and could handle a defunct hotel. And who doesn’t love a Greek island setting?
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
This is a great question because Amelia makes some questionable decisions early on. She hurts her best friend and is clearly dealing with some issues with her overbearing mother. When we meet her, she’s in a transitional phase where she’s ready to do something hugely different, but she doesn’t know what. But by the end of the novel? I think she’s probably a lot easier to know.
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Impulsive, messy, and ready.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
There’s a scene with Amelia and her mother that really made me rethink what it means to have empathy for people in your life who are difficult. It was pointed out to me in the editorial process and I really took it to heart to listen to the people who you think did you wrong—there may be something to learn about yourself there.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
Both. I do smaller edits as I go, usually the day after I write a scene, I’ll go back and read it first. But I always wait until I have a first draft done to tear it apart, because I can’t see the issues until I have a full draft. I write to a close outline as I draft. The first draft is a messy pile, just for me.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Milk chocolate, always. Always.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
I have two desks in an L shape: one where I do my day job as a technical writer and the other where I write fiction. It’s a wonderful space with a huge bookshelf with my favorite books. I have a little electric tea kettle in here too, which is great for when I don’t want to stop what I’m doing to go to the kitchen! I highly recommend it. I adore my office. It’s my space in a house full of boys (my sons and husband). Which is good, because I spend a LOT of time in here!
10--Who is an author you admire?
I’m going to be diplomatic here—but sincere—and say I’m in awe of every woman who writes amazing books while balancing a career, a family, and a life. I get asked a lot how I find the time to write. The answer is that I—and other women writers—make it work because we love it so much. It isn’t always easy, but I would rather do it than not. I really admire my agent siblings, the authors who share my agent with me, because I see all the ways they struggle with every aspect of publishing and yet produce phenomenal books.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
I think there are a few books along the way that I consider seminal in what they taught me about writing. Save the Cat by Blake Snyder was one, because before I read that, I didn’t know how to plot.
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 had a zoom with my agent and editor, and I knew she was offering. It was incredible to talk to her and hear her vision for the book and talk the amazing people I would producing two books with over almost two years. That was so validating to finally hear from someone that they loved the book enough to spend money and publish it.
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
I love contemporary romance, romcoms, and women’s fiction. I love a well-developed, slow burn romance that hits all the right notes.
14--What’s your favorite movie?
When Harry Met Sally is a perennial fav.
15--What is your favorite season?
Fall. It’s just chock full of good things each month.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
These days it’s pretty lowkey, but with cake.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I recently read and loved You, With A View by Jessica Joyce – a super fun, steamy contemporary romance. I also loved The Deja Glitch by Holly James and Someone Just Like You by Meredith Schorr, also really fun reads. I haven’t watched much tv in a few weeks because I’ve been working on a new novel.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Well, I certainly love Greek food! Anything Mediterranean is great.
19--What do you do when you have free time?
Read! Or write. Or play Animal Crossing. A lot of reading.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
I’m working on an incredibly fun and hot enemies-to-lovers romance!
A Novel
It's all fun and games until you accidentally marry a stranger in Greece and inherit a hotel.
Amelia Lang's life is kind of a mess. She's stuck living at home with her narcissistic mother. Her tech bro ex-boyfriend deliberately sabotages her at work, and she gets fired after throwing a mug at his head (it's okay! She missed.) Then she has a major falling out with her best friend. So Amelia does what Amelia does best: She runs away.
After traveling around Europe for three months, she settles on a small Greek island to reset her life and figure out what's next. But after too much retsina, she gets tricked into marrying James, another guest at the hotel, who is perfectly nice—but perfectly boring. To top it off, they are gifted the very hotel they're staying in—a hotel they don't want that is in desperate need of some TLC. They agree to keep the hotel open through the busy summer season for the sake of the island's quirky but well-meaning residents, after which Amelia plans to return home to start rebuilding her disastrous life.
Amelia and James must work together to determine how to get out of their situation—easier said than done for Amelia, who's started to feel a strong spark of attraction for James. But Amelia is sure her real life is waiting for her back in San Francisco. Is it time for Amelia to return home or could this be the second chance at a new life she didn't know she wanted?
Humor [Sourcebooks, On Sale: September 12, 2023, Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9781728284569 / eISBN: 9781728255255]
Sierra Godfrey is a technical writer, graphic designer, and a former credentialed sportswriter covering Spanish soccer. When she’s not writing about messy families, she’s taking long walks, reading, and being cozy. Originally from Santa Cruz, California, she has lived all over the world including Santorini, Greece, but now resides in the San Francisco Bay Area with her family, which includes a dog, two cats, and a turtle, all of which seemed like a good idea at the time.
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