1--What is the title of your latest release?
THE ROARING DAYS OF ZORA LILY
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
The discovery of a hidden label on a famous gown unearths the story of a talented young seamstress in this glittering novel of family, love, ambition, and self-discovery.
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
The name Zora Lily was actually the name of my great-great-grandmother. Because we have roots in Seattle from the time period the book is set in, there was no question in my mind where the story would take place.
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Absolutely. I adore who Zora is.
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Determined, loyal, and visionary.
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
Ooh… so many facts about Seattle. One of my favorites was about Elise Olmstead, the wife of a Seattle policeman, and one of the city’s most successful bootleggers. She did an evening radio show for children, telling bedtime stories. It was rumored she slipped in information for bootleggers, letting them know where police officers were so they wouldn’t get caught.
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I usually edit a little as I go. It’s hard not to. But I do try to hold off as much as possible until I’m done.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Cake.
9--Describe your writing space/office!
It changes. Sometimes I work in my office, but then the scenery gets stale, so I move to the couch in the family room. And then that scenery gets stale, so I move to the couch in the living room. Or the dining table. Or my bed… etc.
10--Who is an author you admire?
So many. But I’ll say Kate Quinn. She is a generous friend and brilliant storyteller.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
This may sound like a strange answer but the Twilight series changed my life in that, I didn’t love it. I liked it okay – but it wasn’t the vampire story for me. And so, I started writing my own vampire story. I tried to get an agent for it for two years, and meanwhile, wrote another book. It was called War Bird. Later changed to The Flight Girls. It did pretty well.
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 home. Being mom. And my agent called to tell me we had an offer. I couldn’t believe it. It had taken three years to get my agent. Two more to finally get an editor interested enough to want to buy my book. I was thrilled and had no idea what to expect next, but excited to find out!
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
I love a good romcom. I love to laugh and feel all the good feels.
14--What’s your favorite movie?
This is a hard one. Pride and Prejudice is definitely at the top of the list. But I love all kinds of movies for different reasons. Aliens, Moneyball, The Martian, The Matrix…
15--What is your favorite season?
It used to be summer, but more and more it’s fall. Sweaters and boots and warm coffee drinks. Leaves changing colors, crisp air, and cozy evenings snuggled on my couch.
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
I love to be out of town. This year I was in Italy. Last year, Scotland.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
Bad Sisters on Appletv
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Dessert. Ok ok.. that’s not a type of cuisine. Or is it….?
19--What do you do when you have free time?
Create art in many different forms. Go for long walks and listen to audiobooks. Hang with my kids.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
Well, after Zora Lily I’m headed back to WWII for a story, I feel is almost a combination of the first three. Action, mystery, friendship, and love. It’s a dual timeline of present day and the 1940s and is about a flight nurse and the man who loves her.
The discovery of a hidden label on a famous gown unearths the story of a talented young seamstress in this glittering novel of family, love, ambition, and self discovery by the USA Today bestselling author of The Flight Girls.
2023, The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History: A costume conservator is preparing an exhibition featuring movie costumes from the 1920s to present day. As she gingerly places a gown once worn by Greta Garbo on a mannequin, she discovers another name hidden beneath the designer's label, leaving her to wonder—who is Zora Lily?
1924, Seattle: Poverty-stricken Zora Hough spends her days looking after her younger siblings while sewing up holes and fixing hems for clients to bring in extra money, working her fingers to the bone just to survive. But at night, as she lies in the bed she shares with one of her three sisters, she secretly dreams of becoming a designer like Coco Chanel and Jeanne Lanvin.
When her best friend gets a job dancing in a club downtown, Zora is lured in by her stories of music, glittering dresses and boys. She follows her friend to the underground speakeasies that are at once exciting and frightening—with smoke hanging in the air, alcohol flowing despite Prohibition, couples dancing in a way that makes Zora blush and a handsome businessman named Harley. It’s a world she has only ever imagined, and one with connections that could lead her to the life she's always dreamed of. But as Zora's ambition is challenged by tragedy and duty to her family, she'll learn that dreams come with a cost.
Women's Fiction Historical [MIRA, On Sale: October 3, 2023, Trade Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780778305200 / eISBN: 9780369746955]
Noelle Salazar was born and raised in the Pacific Northwest where she's been a Navy recruit, a medical assistant, an NFL cheerleader, and always a storyteller. When she’s not writing, she can be found dodging raindrops and daydreaming of her next book. Noelle lives in Bothell, Washington, with her husband and two children.
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