Hallo, Hallo dear hearts!

I started to participate in the book blogosphere meme [The Sunday Post] in July – thinking I would be able to continue to participate on a weekly basis: journalling my bookish adventures, recapping my bookish (weekly) life for those who cannot always drop-in when new content alights on Jorie Loves A Story whilst finding a new method of communicating a bit of personal glimpse into my everyday world at the same time! I was having fun exercising my book photography skills as well – plus I liked the format of the meme and I liked the freedom of it’s flexibility – I even loved the bloggers I was starting to interact with and finding a common connection amongst as we shared more than just the obvious (ie. we were book bloggers!) – we had found a way to fuse our blogs with a piece of our world and hearts.

Then, of course, Summer’s fiery wrath raged its ugly head – the storms which swirl into insanity in my region began to fight with vengeance against my sanity (a yearly strife!) and there was one week where I blogged about how ‘lightning’ was a bane of my contention! What further disrupted my efforts was not just the frequency of lightning and having limited connectivity but of life ‘unexpectedly’ disrupting me and keeping me at odds online. I tried to circumvent a lot of it – until of course, I dropped out of existence this past fortnight (two weeks in September just ‘blinked’ out of sight) before returning this week — where I am celebrating the finale of The Clan Chronicles, whilst posting two interviews back-to-back which were meant to run apart.

The reason I am mentioning all of this – is because one of the bloggers I crossed paths with during participating in both The Sunday Post and Waiting on Wednesday bookish memes is Tressa of Wishful Endings. I’ve caught sight of her blog previously whilst hosting mutually liked stories from Cedar Fort Publishing and Media (as we both enjoy Clean Reads & INSPY Fiction) – I had spied her badge for Prism Book Tours off/on but wasn’t inclined to enquire about it until recently. This interview marks the start of my participation in Prism Book Tours – giving me a chance to read and review a variety of Contemporary and/or Romantic stories (although I am sure there are themed stories and Historicals in the mix, too!) whilst featuring authors through guest features like this interview!

As you know, I only interview the authors of stories I wish to read myself – this one popped up one day whilst I was checking my Inbox. I was smitten by the premise, intrigued with the author’s website and happily found myself composing seven questions which would give a well-balanced glimpse into both the story, the author and the characters within! At Prism they like to keep the conversations to a limited few questions and I extended this by one – rounding it out to seven (call me superstitious if you will; although has more to due with my walk of faith) and therefore, all my future conversations will be contained within the seven questions I compose for Prism authors.

I get excited about stories which have a happy heart inside them – where characters feel authentic and real against the page as much as they would be in real-life. I like reading inspiring fiction – not just INSPY related, but stories where your spirit has a pulse of joy after you put the book down. Stories where even if the endings aren’t entirely resolved in the way you think they might go, you get a satisfaction of following the characters’ lives and seeing where they end up by the end of the last chapter… these are the stories I love to seek out – and as you know, dear hearts, I have a fond penchant for Romance!

As you will see throughout this conversation, the author and I had a lot of fun conversing about mutual interests and the joys of discovery within her novel Happily Ever Afters! Now the wait is on – for I dearly hope this title gets released into a print version!

Lainey Stratton does not fall in love with strangers she meets on vacation. It simply doesn’t make logical sense. So when Lainey meets Carter Thompson on the first day of her Caribbean vacation, she knows it could never amount to anything more than a crush. At the end of the vacation she will return to Dallas and he will return to D.C., and that will be the end of it. Well, unless he wants to join her at a friend’s destination wedding, which would be considered vacation too, right?

But when an unexpected tragedy sends Lainey’s logical world spiraling out of control, she realizes her vacation crush might be the only one who can help her pick up the pieces of her shattered life. That is, as long as she can get out of the way of her own happiness. And as long as Carter’s past doesn’t catch up with him before she gets a chance.

Converse via: #CleanRomance + #Contemporary

Published by: Clean Reads (CleanReads_)

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What do you feel is the most timeless of of Jane Austen’s stories – the one you could still stay up all night reading without feeling as if you already knew the ending? Which character in particular do you think of most?

Magee responds: I love this question! I wish we were all together in a cozy living room with a glass of wine to discuss it.  My favorite Jane Austen story is Sense and Sensibility. There are so many things I love about it. I love the theme of overcoming difficulties to achieve a happily-ever -after. I love the way they refuse to let society dictate their futures. It’s a story of strong women and a love that withstands all challenges. Just look at this quote from chapter twelve: “Seven years would be insufficient to make some people acquainted with each other, and seven days are more than enough for others.” These are themes we still explore today.

As for which character is my favorite? It’s hard to decide between the two sisters. I love Marianne’s big personality and inclination to take big risks, but I also adore Elinor’s wisdom and strength. How about you? Which is your favorite?

Ooh my. Wouldn’t that be a delightful scene!? Wine, Austen and a fireside chat! I do as well – ‘overcoming difficulties to a happily ever after’ – as fiction like life tends to ebb and flow through our afflictions and our tribulations. I think this is why we strive to find characters we can relate too and characters who give us a grounding of hope for our futures. Sometimes it’s finding like-minded characters and other times, it’s finding those of whom take us on a journey into an unknown passageway which leaves us moved evermore for the time spent in their shoes.

Isn’t that the truth! How Austen’s heroines and heroes strove against the tides – they walked outside of the confines of society and tried to write their own endings – to seek a path which suited them rather then what suited the age of their lives. A lot can be said for the eternal truth etched in that takeaway!

Ooh dear. I recently discussed Jane Austen – both on my blog (see my Austen in August revelation) and on a Guest Post for Roof Beam Reader during the event as well. Sadly – due to lightning storms and different personal situations which arose throughout August – I was unable to participate past these two posts – however, within them, you can gain more insight into who I am as a Janeite and where my inclinations in Austen’s worlds lie.

For the first time, I revealled who my ‘book boyfriend’ is and why I am ‘Pride and Prejudice’ still hold’s a strong part of my heart. I seriously need to read more Austen — which I was attempting to do this Summer; I’ve pushed forward the stories I was going to read in August into late Autumn / early Winter as this is another time I like to curl up into an Austenesque story even though sadly, I had wanted to spend September reading ‘Jane Eyre’. The best answer I can give is that I am still discovering her characters but for now – my favourites are Mr Darcy and Lizzie; equally and with a deep fondness of appreciation for who they were and how much better they became once they were a united front. They are truly a remarkable couple in fiction – their angst is legendary but it’s the walk of truth and earnest personal growth which remained me with most.

Reading your spin on ‘Sense’ — I fear I should not hesitate to read this one for much longer, even if two others are itching for my hands and heart to consume their stories! I did read a re-telling though a few years ago called: ‘Sense and Sensibility: A Latter Day Tale’ which I enjoyed quite a heap! (see also Review)

When you were pitching Happily Ever Afters – how did you decide to focus on an Indie Publisher and what motivated you to seek out Clean Reads? What gives them the advantage over other Indies?

Magee responds: I liked the idea of a small publisher because it allowed me to be more involved in all the decisions while still having the expertise and advice of people who had done this many times. Clean Reads was actually recommended to me by a good friend who thought it would be a perfect fit for this book. I’m so happy she did! They publish clean fiction in a variety of genres, so it was a great match for my love of writing sweet romances. It allows my story to shine in the specific market where it belongs. But more than the books they publish, they are an amazing group of people who inspire and encourage me. It’s a joy to be part of the Clean Reads team.

I have crossed paths with this publisher a few times in the past – either as a blogger or as a reader of fellow book bloggers’ blogs’ finding their selections to be quite intriguing and of interest! However, I noticed a lot of the editions are strictly Digital First and I am hoping at some point they might either go into POD or traditional print editions – even audiobook releases would be lovely for those of us who cannot read digital books. However, having said that – even if my dream of reading the stories isn’t realised, I wanted to at least continue to highlight the authors I am finding whose writing the stories which interest me to read. Perhaps, by doing so – others will find them and in effect, help pave the road towards different mediums of release.

I liked how your style of writing and their outlook as a publisher was such a strong kinetic fit! This is always good news for a writer – as finding the right niche in which your story can be housed is one thing but to find a publisher who understands your vision for your stories is the best blessing to be bestowed. I am so very happy for you!

Opposites in love is one of the purist foundations of how a Rom can be centred on drama and a great lead-in for how plausible it is for a Romance to develop – if two people find themselves on common ground even if their lives are radically different. How did you approach giving Lainey and Carter the free rein they needed to choose either to merge their lives together or to walk away? What was the tipping point you wanted readers to find heart-warming about these two leads?

Magee responds: I love these two main characters. Lainey is kind, compassionate and funny. At times, she’s a bit of a mess, but I think that makes her relatable. She’s the kind of character you want to like and can’t help but cheer for. Carter is perfect for her. He’s the ying to her yang. He’s calm and confident when she’s nervous. He’s strong and steady when she can’t seem to find her way. And, as is any great hero, he’s irresistibly charming. I think it’s obvious from the very first chapter that they belong together. You know the quote from Sense and Sensibility? Carter and Lainey would fall into the seven day category. Except in this case they only have three days before their vacation ends.

I love you put that ‘ying to yang’ as that is such a true statement! Inveribly this is even true in IRL – and it’s smashing you’ve felt this connection with Lainey and Carter! I think they are the best pair to not only compliment each other well but to seek the balance all couples need – they are different enough to not find conflict but they also have just enough between them where they can help each other grow and develop more as their relationship blossoms. Ohh, my! I love how there are moments of a select time period where people can find themselves drawn together – where the potboiler of the expiration of their togetherness either makes or breaks the romance – where they have to decide if they are ‘meant for each other’ or it’s just a passing fancy! Those are some of my favourites – again! I seriously need to sort out how to read ‘Sense’ next year!!

The artwork for Happily Ever Afters charming and fitting of a Sweet Romance – however, I initially thought this was taking place on a ranch and/or had a Western thematic. What was the first reaction you were hoping readers would feel seeing the bouquet one the fence line?

Magee responds: Happily Ever Afters revolves around travel. It is set in five very different cities, which made it hard to decide which one to choose for the cover. Although it starts out on the beach, most of the book has a small town feel, which is what we wanted to portray. The fence came from a combination of scenes. The first is from this line when she sees him for the first time after their initial meeting on vacation: “I was still trying to take it in when I stepped out of the limo, and I was distracted by another delicious sight. Carter sat on the split rail fence that was on the outskirts of the designated parking area.”

It’s also a bit of symbolism of Lainey’s struggle with fully committing. Later in the book, her best friend says this to her: “At some point, you’re going to have to get off that fence post with your lists of pros and cons and decide you’re all-in.”

The bouquet is a nod to the happily ever after theme. Oh, and I wanted it to be pretty. I think the cover artist did a great job combining all those things!

This is the question I was quite eager to know the answer – especially as the cover art was such a special accompaniment to the synopsis! I never judge stories by the covers – as it’s the heart of the story which swoons me in the end but this doesn’t mean I don’t fancy a well conceived concept for a cover which entices you to ‘visualise’ a setting or character or element of the story you’re looking forward to reading; such as the case here.

I love how you had the leeway to converse with the publisher about cover art design – to personalise the cover to reflect the characters but also, the heart of the novel itself – of digging into what motivated Lainey’s fears and what could be used as symbolism for the concept you had for her story with Carter! What blissitude for an author! Now, I’m itching even more to know their story! lol Thank you for giving me such a wonderful presentation and ‘glimpse’ of the story in this response! I loved having the ‘behind-the-scene’ disclosures – as your quite right, if a girl isn’t willing to take a leap of faith in a relationship, the connection will sever somewhere because you have to trust your heart at some point. Love is daring and love is blind but love has to be trusted in order to form a strong bond of longevity. Love how your mind knits continuity into every facet of your stories – I’ll definitely be keeping my eye on your future releases!

The takeaway on the cover is quite fitting: how much is anyone willing to risk if it meant finding true love? Life doesn’t always yield to the plans we set for ourselves, how did you want to show Lainey embracing the transitions of her life whilst giving her the growth in character to accept ‘letting go’ of what she cannot change in order to greet the unexpected blessings she had yet to experience?

Magee responds: Lainey loves lists and plans and fears changes. I think many of us can relate to that on some level. This story picks up with Lainey’s life plodding along at a steady status quo. It wasn’t perfect, but it was good enough. Have you ever had that same conversation with yourself in the mirror? But then she gets slammed by some really hard situations which change every aspect of her life. Her journey from that point forward is about figuring out how to change with it. Along the way, she has to reevaluate her safe life and decide which risks are worth taking, like embarking on a long distance relationship. Luckily, she has a best friend who helps her figure it out along the way.

Ooh dear – Lainey would have trouble settling into my life where adaptation and change are equally necessary to find the everyday joys which alight along the way! My life is ever evolving and changing – I might make plans but I never fully list them out, as life has a way of carting me off unexpectedly – either with a medical crisis (ie. my Dad’s stroke last November) or with lightning storms (every Summer before and after I started blogging) and of course, the past fortnight where I blinked offline without being able to explain my absence!

I do know people like Lainey though – they are sometimes trepideriously cautious to take a risk as they’re not used to taking them but sometimes I find when life gives you an unexpected turn – a chance to upset the status quo those are the moments which might define you. They can change your life or they can redefine why you like the life your currently living; it can go either way. I like how you’ve written Lainey’s path – how she kept open to the journey and she followed the path which was being placed in front of her to walk. I can seriously see I’d like to see her reactions and how she grew through the moments which changed her forever.

In motion pictures, Lainey and Carter might have been considered a ‘meet-cute’ couple – on how they were not expecting to meet but their paths crossed in a way which gave them a bit of random joy. Why was it important to show their lives crossing at a point in time where neither of them was ready to embrace a relationship?

Magee responds: I love the scene where they meet on the boat! Serendipitous meetings are among my favorite. But for this story in particular, this moment is the first in a long line of things that are not going to live up to Lainey’s plan. Sure, Lainey had imagined meeting the man of her dreams before, but is was much less complicated than falling for someone who lives half way across the country. Although she doesn’t see it at first, the timing of their relationship is perfect because she’s going to need Carter’s love to help get her through some hard situations. Sometimes we find love in the most unexpected places at the most unexpected times. Like on a boat in the middle of the Caribbean during vacation.

Ooh — I am loving this story more and more by how your infusing the essence of it’s heart throughout this conversation! You’ve given me a lot of joy finding out more about the characters’ and their conjoined journey but moreso, I have appreciated finding out more about how you’ve styled the narrative and curated the characters’ personalities. You have a lot of depth in the scope of the drama revolving around their relationship – it’s slowly blossoming as they start to come together and find something they weren’t planning to find – which of course, makes the best Romances! Reminds me of the remake I love starring Warren Beatty and Annette Bening (‘Love Affair’) as it is a similar premise – if you haven’t seen this film from 1994, you should! You’d love it! I know now I will appreciate Lainey and Carter’s story when / if I get to read it!

The title eludes to a particular conclusion, but I was curious: is it perhaps a riddle of a spin on it’s meaning? A bit like how in “Under the Tuscan Sun” she realised her dreams, but not in the order or sequence she was hoping they would alight in her life? Perhaps in order for Lainey and Carter to live ‘happily ever after’ they have to let go of their ideal dream of what their futures involve? Can you share a bit about the undertone and guiding theme of your novel?

The title came from this conversation between Carter and Lainey at the beginning of the book:

“Does everyone get one of these happily-ever-after lives?”

“No. Not everyone. But they exist,” I answered. “It’s what makes us hope when it feels like all hope is gone.”

This is really a story about hope. There are times in the story when Lainey thinks a happily-ever-after ending is not in the cards for her. But even when she’s at her lowest, she has great friends who stand next to her and refuse to let her loose hope. My wish is for you to be filled with a renewed spirit of hope as you read it.

Thank you, Ms Magee for giving me such a wicked sweet conversation where I felt fully immersed into your world where Lainey and Carter reside! It was such a beautiful gift since I have to await an edition I can read and feel as absorbed as I am now during this conversation into the world you’ve brought to life within ‘Happily Ever Afters’!

I do apologise this interview was slightly delayed in posting – I’ve had a lot on my plate recently and I erred on when it was meant to go live. Today, I am celebrating the joy of having it featured as the tour concludes – sharing our joyful conversation and celebrating crossing paths with an author I am thankful to have ‘met’ virtually! I look forward to following your writerly career and don’t be surprised if I ‘wink’ on Twitter to update you about my Austen readings and which characters start to envelope themselves into my heart! I look forward to future conversations – thank you for giving me & my readers a lot of joy by sharing our love of Austen and Romance stories! Rock on!

This author interview is courtesy of: Prism Book Tours

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Similar to blog tours where I feature book reviews, as I choose to highlight an author via a Guest Post, Q&A, Interview, etc., I do not receive compensation for featuring supplemental content on my blog. I provide the questions for interviews and topics for the guest posts; wherein I receive the responses back from publicists and authors directly. I am naturally curious about the ‘behind-the-scenes’ of stories and the writers who pen them; I have a heap of joy bringing this content to my readers.

{SOURCES: Cover art of “Happily Ever Afters”, book synopsis, author biography, author photograph of Rachel Magee, Teaser for “Happily Ever Afters” and the Prism Book Tours badge were all provided by Prism Book Tours and used with permission. Post dividers by Fun Stuff for Your Blog via Pure Imagination. Tweets embedded by codes provided by Twitter. Blog graphics created by Jorie via Canva: Conversations with the Bookish and the Comment Box Banner.}

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