Bridal shop manager Chloe Rogers will soon marry Richard Foster—so she thinks—until suddenly, she bumps into her childhood sweetheart, Josh Goldman, whom she hasn’t seen in thirteen years. The sparks between Chloe and Josh fly, but Richard provides safety, financial security. Should she follow her heart or her head? The answer comes in a surprise twist. While cleaning her attic, she stumbles upon love letters written to her estranged mother forty years ago from a man she loved. When Chloe secretly brings them together again and sees how much time they’ve lost, she is challenged not to make the same mistake her mother made. Will Chloe opt for security or will she risk her heart and marry her true love?
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Interview Questions:
- Tell us a little about Love Letters, what inspired you to write Love Letters?
Love Letters is a story about second chances. Love Letters is based on the premise that one must be willing to risk one’s heart for a second chance at true love.
I wrote this book because most of us know what it feels like to fall in love, yet not everyone is fortunate enough to marry their true love. What if you were given that second chance to be with the one person you truly loved? Would you accept that gift? I wanted to convey the following messages in the book:
- Love between childhood sweethearts, Josh and Chloe, who made a promise by the beach in Half Moon Bay, CA, to love each other forever.
- Motherly Love between Chloe and Suzanne, who were at odds with each other until they finally realized that, despite their differences, their shared experiences and their love for each other are what binds them together.
- True Friendship between Chloe and Nicole Williams, who have been best friends since grade school and have stuck together through ups and downs in each of their lives.
- Hope was all Suzanne had when she sacrificed her life by marrying the wrong man.
- Destiny is the magic that brings two people together again.
2. What are you currently working on?
I just finished writing a Women’s fiction novel, Chocolicious. The story is about love, loss, hope and redemption.
Here’s a brief summary:
A week after Blair Nightingale’s husband, Larry, dies, she learns she’s about to lose everything she owns due to a mistake Larry made. In an instant, Blair’s life is transformed from rich, Silicon Valley trophy wife to poor, widowed single mom. Her only goal now is to provide for her daughter. As Blair begins to pick up the pieces, George—Larry’s best friend and the man she truly resents—seems to always be around. When Blair is overwhelmed by all the challenges she faces, she seeks comfort in baking rich, filled, three-layered cupcakes that her grandmother once taught her, and Blair’s life is changed forever.
3. How long have you been writing? What influenced you to start?
I’ve been writing since I was eight years old. I started writing poems and essays but never knew I was capable of writing a book. I wrote my first non-fiction book, “Odes, Insights and Stories for all Seasons” in 2003. I then ventured into children’s books but felt that something was missing. I knew I had a higher calling when the ideas of writing love stories came natural to me. That’s when I knew that Romance and Women’s fiction were the genres for me. My goal is to write realistic stories that people can relate to.
4. How do your family/friends feel about your writing?
They always knew me as a storyteller with a wild imagination. J
5. Where do you hope to be in 5 years?
To have more books published. I hope to be in the New York Times bestseller list and have my book in people’s shelves or electronic device. I also dream of having my own Bed & Breakfast or Retreat house for writers and artists searching for inspiration to write their masterpiece.
6. Do you have any advice for new or aspiring author?
- · Keep Reading – Reading adds to your vocabulary and helps you identify your own style and voice as a writer. It also broadens your mind and gives you ideas. A good writer has to be an avid reader.
- · Write as much as you can – I believe in the saying “Practice makes perfect.” The more you write, the better you become. Writing is like a garden that needs to be nurtured for it to grow beautifully.
- · Network with other writers – Writing can be a solitary experience and it’s vital to meet people who share the same passion as you do. Joining writer’s groups and attending events like Writer’s Conferences, retreats and workshops is a learning experience and good investment to your writing.
- · Build a brand – At this day and age, it’s essential to build an online presence even before you’ve completed your book. Joining social networks like Facebook, Twitter and Red Room are good avenues to promote yourself to the public. Maintaining a website and blog will allow you to interact with lots of people.
- · Never give up – There will be rejections but you have to keep moving forward. Before I got published, I started each day researching, learning and getting involved with other writers—anything that could bring me closer to getting published was my goal. Even best sellers, like Stephen King have faced similar rejections but they chose to keep going. Hard work, inspiration and perseverance are the keys to success.
7. What is your favorite book? (one that you have read) and why?
I have lots of favorite books and authors. A few of them would be books by Nicholas Sparks. Eileen Goudge, Dan Brown, Kristin Hannah and Stephen King.
8. On the fun side, what is your favorite television show and why?
Law & Order. When it comes to TV shows, I love anything that deals with crime, law and investigation because it’s very exciting and you learn a lot.
9. Where can readers find you?
My readers can find me at the following websites:
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Geraldine-Solon/181823348524179
twitter.com/geraldinesolon
Nice interview. Thanks for sharing! I wish you good luck.