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Q&A With Author Elle Cosimano

Happy Thursday friends! Hope you’ve had a great week! I’m so excited to have Elle Cosimano with us on the blog today. I’m a huge fan! Check out our chat below 🤩.

Elle! I can’t tell you how thrilled I am to have you on my blog! Tell us a little bit about your background and how you got into writing.

Thank you! I guess you could say I took a circuitous route into writing. After earning a BA in psychology, somehow I ended up in selling real estate in Northern Virginia. I had a long, successful run at it but I also had two young children, and I was struggling to find balance between motherhood and my career. I was also miserable. I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life, only that I wasn’t doing it. As I was approaching my fortieth birthday (and likely a midlife crisis), my mother suggested I take some time off work and try writing a novel. That suggestion took me down a path I never would have envisioned for myself.

The Finlay Donovan series is one of my absolute favorites! I’m a huge Janet Evanovich fan, so when I first read Finlay Donovan is Killing It, I knew it would be a hit! What was your inspiration for this series?

I’m also a huge fan of Janet Evanovich—I adore Stephanie Plum! I never imagined I’d write a series in a similar vein (everything I’d written previously had been YA). The idea for Finlay struck me by surprise. About four years ago, I was having a working lunch with two of my beloved critique partners (Ashley Elston and Megan Miranda), brainstorming the plot of a thriller over lunch in a crowded Panera Bread, when a woman at the table beside us appeared to have misunderstood the context of our conversation. It was clear that she thought we were discussing actual murder instead of a fictional one. Someone posed the question, “wouldn’t it have been funny if she assumed you were contract killers?” That question became the inspiration for the story of a struggling romantic suspense novelist who accidentally becomes mistaken for a killer for hire.

Speaking of your YA books, tell us more about those and what made you make the jump from YA to adult fiction.

I never actually managed to get a YA series off the ground. I wrote two amateur sleuth mysteries, two paranormal mystery standalones, and a fantasy duology, but though I received plenty of acclaim and was nominated for several awards, the sales for those books were lackluster. Sales are critical to the lifeblood of a series (and an author’s career). I was at a crossroads when I came up with the idea for Finlay Donovan, uncertain if I could afford to continue writing. My critique partners encouraged me to take a chance, experimenting with something new, and I’m thrilled that the Finlay books have found such a passionate audience.

What does your day look like when you are in the middle of writing a book?

I’m homeschooling my youngest son who’s wrapping up his sophomore year of high school. (My oldest is away at college—Go Hokies!) I wear my teacher hat in the morning. My afternoons are split between making dinner, household chores, running errands, and managing the administrative side of my work as an author (coordinating events, marketing and publicity, engaging with readers, communicating with my agent and publishers, etc…) I typically write (and read) at night, generally between 7pm to 3am if I’m under deadline. I’m a silent writer (I can’t concentrate through interruptions), so I prefer writing at night when my inbox, phone, and house are quiet.

What type of research is involved when crafting a character like Finlay’s?

Most of my research for the Finlay books involves topics related to crime and law enforcement. Since I have loads of experience with parenting and publishing, I don’t have to research Finlay’s character as much as the mysteries she’s forced to solve. I’ve attended police academies for writers, done a ride-along with a deputy sheriff, toured a forensics lab, attended seminars taught by retired undercover cops, taken basic handgun classes, and interviewed attorneys . . . the list goes on. Hands on research inspires great story ideas and it breaks up the monotony of being behind a keyboard for hours.

What do you enjoy doing when you aren’t writing and on a deadline?

My hobbies are pretty quiet. I enjoy reading, cooking, and spending time with my family. I would go fishing every day if I could, and I daydream about one day having a home on the water. My husband and I love doing home improvement projects and traveling together. My life isn’t nearly as exciting as Finlay’s.

Do you have a favorite moment that stands out since becoming a well-known author?

I was in the grocery store a few months ago when an email popped up on my phone. It was from a young woman I had heard from about eight years ago, shortly after my first YA novels were published. She had been in high school back then, and my Nearly Boswell mysteries had piqued her interest in forensics. Fast forward to that letter I received while I was in the grocery store. She had written to tell me that she’s working as a scientist in a DC forensics lab, after my books had inspired the trajectory of her college studies and her career. It was a powerful moment, to realize my characters and stories had made that kind of impact.

Who is your biggest cheerleader?

My husband is my best friend and my biggest cheerleader. I couldn’t imagine doing this job without his support and encouragement. But professionally, I’d say my critique partners, Ashley and Megan, are my biggest support system. We’ve been brainstorming and sharing the ups and downs of our careers since the very beginning, before any of us had any books in print. Collectively, we now have 29 books published over a period of ten years. I’m so damn proud of us for that.

What are you currently reading/watching?

On TV, I’m loving All The Murders In the Building. As far as books, I just finished a fantastic historical thriller called The Half-Life of Ruby Fielding by Lydia Kang. I had the privilege of reading an early copy of Malice House, a delicious upcoming horror by Megan Shepherd. (And if you love atmospheric scary reads as much as I do, be sure to check out Lute by Jennifer Marie Thorne, which has been one of my favorite reads of 2022!) And I’m getting ready to dive into the upcoming dark thriller The Widowmaker by Hannah Morrissey, which I have been itching to get my hands on! SO many wonderful books coming out this year.

Your a wife, mom, and author, as well as many other things I’m sure. How do you balance it all?

Do any of us, really? I’m just like most moms, struggling, trying to keep too many balls in the air. I think that’s the spirit of Finlay Donovan, acknowledging the truth that is the messiness of motherhood. We’re all just doing the best we can.

Okay, last one! Please give us ALL THE SCOOP on the next book in the series, Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun! I cannot wait!👏🏻

The third book in the series picks up right where book 2 left off, with Finlay and Vero’s latest entanglements with a hot cop, a fast car, and the Russian mob. Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun will release on January 31, 2023, and I can’t wait! The research for this book was so much fun, drawing on all those hands-on research experiences I just finished telling you about. The cover and summary are now available online, and preorder links are live everywhere books are sold.

Thank you so much for your time Elle, and for giving us a glimpse into your world! I know you have so many fans looking forward to your new release and we can’t wait to celebrate with you!

To follow Elle and the Finlay Donovan series check out her Instagram!

To pre order Finlay Donovan Jumps the Gun (like me) click here.

Q&A With Author Kassandra Garrison

I’m back with another fun author Q&A! I’m so happy to have Kassandra on the blog today! I recently read her YA novel, The Walls We Built, and loved it ❤️.

Hi Kassandra! I’m so excited to have you on my blog and to get to know more about you! Tell us a little bit about yourself and how you got into writing.

Currently, I live with my husband, one-year-old daughter, and two rescue dogs.  To say they keep me busy is an understatement!  I grew up in the country as the youngest of three daughters.  I’ve always loved books, even intentionally misspelling words during the classroom game of Sparkle so I could sit and read.  Writing has always been a part of me but it wasn’t until June 2019 that I decided I wanted it as a career and not merely a hobby.  Since then, I have published three books with another releasing July 9th, 2022 and my fifth releasing in the spring of 2023. 

I recently read The Walls We Built and thought it was a fantastic YA read! What led you to writing young adult and how did this particular book come about?

First off, I’m so glad you enjoyed the book!  The young adult genre has always been one that I enjoy and one that is relatable to so many people.  We have all either been or are that age, trying to find ourselves and figure out this thing we call life and love.  I think that’s why so many people of all ages still gravitate towards the YA genre. 

The Walls We Built is a melting pot of my life, my mother (to whom the book is dedicated), and my imagination.  Charlotte (the main character) and I are so much alike: a stubborn bookworm who is blunt, witty, and loves rarely but fiercely.  This book holds such a special place in my heart because every page has pieces of my heart, soul, and life intertwined within the fiction of the story. 

I would love to hear more about the first book, The Influencers, in your duology! I’m so intrigued by it! How do these two books differ from The Walls We Built?

While The Walls We Built is largely about family relationships, young love, and forgiveness, The Influencers and its sequel, The Legacy, is more action-packed.  Along with the action of this underdog story, there is also romance, humor, and heartbreak.  With any of my writing, I try to touch on every emotion.  If you’re an emotional reader like me, you’ll laugh, cry, scream, and smile.  Here’s the synopsis to the first book:

“Abducted from her own home, Darcy Bishop finds herself an unwilling participant in a secret society called the Influencers. Yet, this seemingly benevolent group is hiding much more than its identity. As she faces the challenges of ruthless enemies, dangerous missions, and untimely love, Darcy fights to destroy the group that could negatively impact the entire world. With the Influencers everywhere, who can Darcy trust?”

Do you have a particular character you’ve written that you find yourself more emotionally attached to?

Every character holds a special place in my heart so it’s hard to choose just one to whom I’m most attached.  I love every character that I create (except the antagonists HAHA).  Darcy is everything I wish I could be while Charlotte and I are so similar.  When you’re an author, your characters are kind of like your kids.  You can’t choose a favorite! 

What are some of your favorite genres to read and who are some of your favorite authors?

My absolute favorite books to read are rom-coms!  I love the balance that they have:  romance, humor, and heartbreak (but not too much!).  But, of course, I’m a sucker for the promise of a happy ending.  Some of my favorite authors are Jane Austen, Christina Lauren, and Cassandra Clare.

I read that you have two rescue dogs. Tell us more about your fur babies and how you found them!

I have to say how much I love this question!  I never get asked about my fur babies!  Although I could talk about them all day, I’ll limit myself.  My husband and I adopted our fur babies from the same organization in Missouri, Needy Paws.  They are an amazing non-profit who we loved so much that we went back for a second dog! 

Our first dog is June, a female Boxer/Pitbull mix (it’s a guess since she’s a rescue).  Her fur is brindle with stripes of orangish-brown and black and a white chest.  She is the biggest, sweetest BUM of a dog who loves to eat and sleep all the time.  She hates rain and stepping on wet grass (water in general!).

Our second dog is Archer, a male Heeler mix.  He has “ticking” along his fur which is just a fancy term for spots.  He is a speckled ball of tan, black, and white fur. He is the exact opposite of June:  super energetic, playful, and anxious.  He hates the laundry basket and adores the water hose. 

What are some hobbies you enjoy?

I love to bake!  My favorite thing to bake is a braided Cinnamon Babka.  Unlike Seinfeld, I do not believe it is the inferior babka.  😊  I also like taking my dogs on walks, reading (of course!), and drinking coffee (that’s a hobby, right?).

Tell us what a typical day looks like for you! Writing or otherwise!

I’m a stay-at-home mom so my day is scheduled entirely around my daughter.  Most of my day is chasing after and playing with her.  During nap-time and bedtime, I spend my time writing.  Since she was born, I’ve written two books so I must be doing something right! 

If you could pick another author’s brain, who would it be and why?

Hands down, Jane Austen.  Pride and Prejudice is my favorite book.  Jane Austen’s talented writing not only paved the way for female writers but didn’t conform to others’ expectations.  She wrote on the irony of women’s role in society during her time while ingeniously weaving in humor, banter, romance, and drama. 

And finally, I’m so excited to see that you have a new book coming out! Distant Stars sounds amazing and I’d love for you to share the description with our readers as well as when we can expect to get our hands on it!

I’m so excited to share my next story with the world!  Distant Stars is your next favorite beach read.  It releases July 9th, 2022 with preorders available May 28th, 2022.  It has a balanced blend of action, romance, humor, drama, and heartbreak like my other novels but adds another level with a Christian theme. Here is the description: 

“Will Rutledge needs a fresh start.  After aging out of the foster care system, he and his brother, Kane, have nothing but each other.  Maybe that’s why he agreed to his brother’s insane plan to kidnap a millionaire’s daughter for ransom.  With his brains and his brother’s muscle, what could go wrong?

Enter Hannah Cole.  When her brother died, her family was left shattered.  No amount of money could fill the hole in her home… not even if her dad has plenty of it.  Hannah thought she knew darkness after a year of living with grief.  That is, until she finds herself thrown into the trunk of a car and crying out to God for the first time since her brother died. 

Hannah and Will soon find themselves in close quarters, fighting the feelings they are developing for one another despite both their situation and seemingly insurmountable differences.  Plans start to unravel and the two risk begging the question: 

Are some stars just too far apart to collide?”

Thank you so much for sharing with us today Kassandra! I loved getting your take on your books and learning more about you, your family, and your writing. Can you believe I read Pride and Prejudice only a month ago?! 🙈 I had to, because so many romance books make a reference to it. It was definitely worth it ❤️.

Friends, to keep in touch with Kassandra and her books you can follow her on IG here or check out here website here.

Stay tuned for more author Q&A’s coming up!

XOXO,

Kristyn

Starry-Eyed Love Blog Tour


“Hunting puts her own sexy spin on the classic fairy-tale” – Booklist

Starry-Eyed Love, an all-new laugh out loud romantic comedy with off the charts chemistry and all the feels from New York Times bestselling author Helena Hunting, is available now!

Charming, hilarious, and emotional, Starry-Eyed Love is Helena Hunting at her very best!

Having just broken up with her boyfriend, London Spark is not in the mood to be hit on. Especially not when she’s out celebrating her single status with her sisters. So when a very attractive man pays for their drinks and then slips her his number, she passes it right back to him with a ‘thanks, but no thanks’. As the business administrator for their family’s event hotel, the Spark House, London has more important things to worry about, like bringing in new clientele.

As luck would have it, a multi-million-dollar company calls a few months later asking for a meeting to discuss a potential partnership, and London is eager to prove to her sisters, and herself, that she can land this deal. Just when she thinks she has nailed her presentation, the company’s CEO, Jackson Holt, walks in and inserts himself into the meeting. Not only that, but he also happens to be the same guy she turned down at the bar a few months ago.

As they begin to spend more time together, their working relationship blossoms into something more. It isn’t until their professional entanglements are finally over, that London and Jackson are finally ready to take the next step in their relationship. But between Jackson’s secretive past and London’s struggle with her sisters, London must question where she really stands – not just with Jackson, but with the Spark House, too.

💜 My Review 💜

Give me all the Helena Hunting books! I loved Avery’s story in the first book, so I jumped at the chance to read this one with London’s story! One of my favorite things about this series is the relationship between the Spark sisters. They’ve been through so much together and continue to support and love each other in a way that only sisters can. Now, for the romance…Jackson, sweet & thoughtful Jackson. I love the pairing of him and London, but of course being in a business relationship is putting a damper on things! Want to know what happens? You better read it to find out!

Fall in love today!

Amazon: https://amzn.to/3zZKhGQ

Amazon Worldwide: http://mybook.to/Starry-Eye

Apple Books: https://apple.co/38PiJLO

Nook: https://bit.ly/3yPhWln

Kobo: https://bit.ly/3E0cnEC

Google Play: https://bit.ly/2WTQBkA

Amazon Paperback: https://amzn.to/3tk9cCt

Barnes and Noble Paperback: https://bit.ly/3yh3upD

Audiobook: https://amzn.to/3MSLAOc

Read on for a look inside Starry-Eyed Love! 

My stomach does a flip-flop as our server moves on to another table and the hot guy slides across the bench seat and rises. He’s tall, must be over six feet, and lean. Broad shoulders that taper down to a narrow waist. I glance at his feet and notice his scuffed running shoes.

He rolls his shoulders back and crosses over to our table. He nods to my sisters, but doesn’t really look at them, his eyes on me. Now that he’s right in front of me, I notice they’re a deep mossy-green color, reminding me of a Colorado forest. “Hi.” A slow smile forms as his gaze moves over my face.

I feel it like a gentle caress and heat travels through my veins. It’s an unexpected reaction, so my own “hi” comes out rather breathily. “Thank you for the drinks and the food. You really didn’t need to do that.”

His grin widens, showing off perfectly straight, white teeth. “Well, I wanted to make a good impression, and have an excuse to come over and talk to you.”

Harley squeezes my leg under the table. I don’t risk looking at her because I’m sure she’s smiling like a loon.

“You certainly did that. Make a good impression, I mean.” Why am I so awkward right now? And why does it feel like this man is sucking all the oxygen out of the room and turning my brain cells into mush?

That gets me another smile. “I wanted to apologize if it seemed like I was staring. I hope I haven’t made you uncomfortable.”

I touch my fingers to my lips and resist the urge to play with my hair, but just barely. Why does this man make me feel like a starry-eyed high school girl? “You haven’t made me uncomfortable.”

“Good. That’s very good.” His tongue drags across his bottom lip. “I just needed to tell you that from across the room, you were beyond stunning, but up close.” He lets out a low whistle. “You are an absolute work of art.”

I fight with my eyebrows not to rise. This guy has all the lines. “Oh, really?” I lace my fingers together and set my chin on them. “The kind of art you might hang in your living room?”

“Bedroom, actually.”

I laugh. I can’t decide if this guy is too smooth for his own good. Or mine. I have to wonder how many times he’s dropped these lines on other women and they’ve ended up in his bed as a result.

“That sound is music to my ears,” he says, his white-toothed smile still in place. “I knew I’d be kicking myself if I didn’t come over here and at least say hello.” He slides a small piece of paper across the table, roughly the size of a business card. “I’m going to leave my number, and maybe if you’re interested, I can take you out for a drink, or dinner, or a hot air balloon ride.”

I can see exactly where this will go if I take that card from him. And while getting into bed with a random, attractive man might be fun, I know it’s not the right thing for me. Before I can really consider what I’m doing, or fully absorb the last part, I put a hand out to stop him. “I’m very flattered, but I have to be honest with you. I won’t call you. I have a boyfriend.” The lie tastes sour on my tongue. Although, had it been three days earlier, it would have been the truth.

Avery does some kind of cough-choke thing, and I kick her under the table and get Harley on the back swing.

His smile falters for a moment, but he doesn’t break eye contact. “That’s disappointing, but unsurprising. I didn’t see a ring, so I’d hoped maybe luck was on my side.” He tips his head to the side. “Is it serious?”

“Pardon me?”

“You and this boyfriend, are you two serious?”

This guy is unbelievable. “And if we are?”

“Hmm.” He withdraws his hand and slips the paper in his pocket. “I’d hate for karma to pass judgment on me and get in the way of our future together, so I’m just going to hope I run into you again when you’re single. Have a lovely night, ladies.” He nods to my sisters and gives me one final lingering glance before he winks. “Thank you for existing.”

And then he walks away.

Add to Goodreads: https://bit.ly/3zOpO84

About Helena Hunting 

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of PUCKED, Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant family and two moderately intolerant cats. She writes contemporary romance ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy. 

Connect with Helena

Instagram: http://bit.ly/2kN5wdZ

Twitter: http://bit.ly/2mloUim
Facebook: http://on.fb.me/Zt1xm5
Facebook Fan group: http://bit.ly/2kN5yCD
Website: http://www.helenahunting.com/

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Q&A with author Savannah Scott

Hey everyone! I took a short break from doing blog posts, but now I’m back and I’m so excited to feature romcom author Savannah Scott! Aka- Patty Scott. She is such a delight and you’re in for treat!

Savannah-I love your romcom series Getting Shipped! However, I just recently discovered you have some other romance series as well! Can you tell us more about those and what made you shift to romcoms?

Thank you! I’m so glad you love the Getting Shipped! Series. I started writing non-fiction as a part of my heart’s passion to support moms and women. I never imagined writing fiction professionally, even though I had written short stories in high school and college. 

In 2019 I got this idea for a character. I was driving through town, and I saw a photographer taking pictures of a series of buildings and I thought, “She’d make a fun character.” Over the coming year, I’d imagine her story unfolding. In April 2020, during the pandemic, I decided to write Kat’s story, and that became my first clean romance, Love’s Second Chance (under my real name, Patty H Scott). I ended up writing a series of five books (The Unforgettable Love Stories) and then another series of four books (The Calloway Inn Series) over the following eighteen months.

Through the process of writing each book I grew as a fiction writer. I’m diligent about improving my craft. I study and practice to improve. From book one, I knew I wanted to incorporate humor into my writing, but writing humor is next level. To be able to convey what feels funny takes a set of skills I have in real life, but I wasn’t sure would translate onto the page.

I started planning to shift into romcom and by Dec 2021, I wrote and published my first book in this Getting Shipped! series. I decided on a pen name (Savannah Scott) because romcom will cross lines that some of my clean romance readers won’t want to read. I’m really careful to protect and serve my readers as much as I’m able. I still keep all my books closed-door, but the characters and situations, and even the kisses and physical attraction between my characters in romcom goes further, so I delineated with a pen name.

What is your favorite trope to write about?

I love so many tropes. I really enjoy the banter in an enemies-to-lovers. I also enjoy the challenge of making the characters relatable and drawing readers to cheer for the characters even when they aren’t at their best. I also love writing second-chance romance (my first of those was in Battleshipped). I love characters having a backstory together and needing to overcome past hurts to make their way back to one another.

What are some of your favorite and least favorite scenes to write?

I think wrecking my characters emotionally is hard for me. I feel like my characters are real people. Having them separate, experience misunderstandings and get angry or hurt is hard. I want to skip that part of a story sometimes, but the book and characters deserve the full ARC, so I go there. Sometimes I want to over-explain the reasoning as to why they are acting so off. And I have to go back and delete the superfluous writing. Readers are smart. They want to figure out and project a little into characters. So, even though leaving things nuanced and open-ended during painful parts of a story can be hard for me, I know it’s best for the story. I just want to get to that HEA!

My favorite thing to write is banter between two characters or monologue from an outspoken character. And I love writing kissing scenes. And elderly characters or children because they can say things we all think and don’t dare say out loud. I also love writing a fresh analogy or simile. I sometimes really put myself through a mental workout trying to come up with a new way to describe something we’ve all experienced and read before. The heart falls. How do I tell that in a fresh way? The heart breaks. How do I say that without being redundant? The dialogue between characters is so fun to write for me. I actually picture or hear (hard to say how I witness it) the words and I’m like more of a scribe than a composer.

What do you love most about being an author?

Oh gosh! EVERYTHING! I love the fellowship of authors. I’ve met some of my dearest friends in the writing world. I love the bookstagram community. What a surprise and a blessing to be able to directly connect with such avid readers and have them love on my books and me, and to be able to love and support them right back. I love being able to craft stories and to see people delight in my stories. I get messages about how my book helped someone escape at the end of a long week, or how a moral in one of my stories spoke to a reader. That’s the best thing ever. Being able to create and to feel like my gift with words reaches others and makes their day better is not just a cherry on the sundae. It’s the whole dessert—complete sweetness.

How did you decide on Savannah as your pen name?

I liked the idea of having two S’s. S.Scott. So, what was that first S going to be? I came up with about five or six names I liked. I bounced them off my existing reader group and one rose to the top. Then I asked my husband, who can be somewhat chill and noncommittal until he really has an opinion. Right away he said, “Savannah,” which was the same name my readers picked. I love the name. It feels like it fits. It’s odd, though, signing books “Savannah” when my name is Patty. If a person knows me well, I sign Patty in parentheses under the pen name.

How do you juggle being a wife, mom, and writer?

Let’s be honest. I do the juggling thing really poorly at times. But I have a whole book called Slow Down, Mama: Intentional Living in a Hurried World that tells my story of going from overly busy to properly busy and how women can make room for what matters most. I don’t watch much TV. As in, an hour a week, sometimes two (This is Us, hello! … and before that it was Downton Abbey). So, at night I write when others are in front of their TVs. I also write throughout the day, grabbing time at scheduled intervals. And I keep my notes app open so I can jot thoughts or lines when they come to me throughout the day.

I am pretty diligent about planning and figuring out priorities, and I give myself buckets of grace. It’s okay to eat spaghetti or quesadillas and salad for dinner. It’s okay to send my husband out for tacos. It’s okay to wipe the counters and sweep and not do a deep-clean. Something must give. What won’t give: motherhood and connecting with my husband. Those things trump everything else. They may take a back burner certain days, but on the whole, I put my significant relationships ahead of my writing.

While reading through your blog I learned that you have a passion for moms and pouring into their hearts. As a mom myself (of 2 boys) this is something I know we all need. Tell us how this came about!

I love motherhood. The Army used to have an ad: the toughest job you’ll ever love. Move over Army, motherhood already has that title.

Over time, as I grew as a mom and faced some serious hardships in our journey, I felt the call to minister to moms. So, I started Slow Down Mama. My first book actually was a co-authored book about parenthood which never got published. I wrote that book during a two-year collaboration with a prominent expert in parenthood. (Long, long story.) In the meantime, I wrote a shorter book equipping parents with principles for raising teens.

Then I realized my call was more about supporting mama hearts than giving practical how-to input. I shifted and before the pandemic I had been speaking about once a month to mom groups and leading occasional retreats for women. In this arm of my life, I have my blog and my three published parenting books plus my freebie on how to avoid power struggles.

I just love pouring into moms, but I never wanted to compete to be the next mom guru. I’m happy with the level I sustain in that area of my life. Now I pour most of my energy into writing romcom. But I still do have SlowDownMama.com which is being built with my old content and new content and the Slow Down Mama Patty Scott Instagram page too.

Do you have any quirky habits when you are in “the zone” writing a book?

I’m a really fast writer (according to other writers), pumping out a book every other month. I think my biggest quirk is that I go a few weeks without writing at all for each book. Most writers try to achieve certain word count goals and write daily. I need some time off where I don’t write at all before I can really set myself to the task of writing a story. This is the time my brain is forming the story and I’m not even aware of what’s going on.

I also get away for one long weekend during the writing of each book (not as consistently now as I used to). I go to a cabin or hotel and just write, write, write, write, write. I eat, sleep and take walks (or use the elliptical in the hotel gym) but mainly I immerse myself in writing for a full two and a half days. These getaways have been key to me publishing as quickly as I have. Though, with romcom, I’m thinking I’ll be releasing every three months, not every two. I just want to give each story the attention and work it deserves to be the best I can make it.

What are you currently reading/listening to/watching?

I’m still watching the final chapter of This Is Us. Gah. I hate that the show is ending. If you’re a fan, you feel this with me. I also am watching the original Gilmore Girls slowly, like one episode a week or every other week. I finish reading a book every other day or so. So, what I’m reading changes quickly. For Laura’s character I watched a few seasons of the Bachelor and Bachelorette (because she loved the show … and then I was just intrigued). For an upcoming book, my main character is super-into tabloids and Hollywood gossip, so I’ll submit myself to that stuff. I’ll be reading BuzzFeed and ENews for a while to get a feel for Shannon’s obsession with all things famous and trendy.

For my own personal reading, I really love romcom but also women’s fiction and contemporary romance.

In clean romance, I recently enjoyed Meet Me in the Margins and Sweet Right Here. I’m about to read The Next Worst Thing by Sara Jane Woodley because it was highly recommended by a friend. I’m listening to a British romance called Just Haven’t Met You Yet by Sophie Cousens. Like most British romance, it’s more descriptive and women’s-fictiony than American romances tend to be. And I just finished the Annika Martin Billionaires of Manhattan series on audio. I have been fan-girling over the narrators of that series. Neva Nevarre, here’s looking at you. And Jason Clarke’s voice makes me swoon. Those stories have more steam to them than the books I write. Annika is insanely talented as an author, and I adore her romcoms. She is funny and has such a way with words.

What is one word someone would use to sum you up?

Encouraging. It’s the word others have used when I asked them, so I’ll take their word for it. I’m fun, but serious too. My life is about building people up and caring deeply about what others are experiencing, and then shining hope into those places that feel broken or hurting so they are a bit more bearable.

It has got to be the most amazing feeling to finish a book! How do you celebrate?

I wish I celebrated more. I usually celebrate by loosely plotting the next book! Honestly, I do an inner happy dance, and then I usually text one of my closest author friends, Kiki Oliphant (Emma St Clair) and tell her something like DOOONNNNNEEEE! And then I move forward. The next story is like a dog scratching at the door to get in, so I have to open that door. I want to. That way I can play with the dog! This question made me realize I want to do a better job at pausing to really celebrate.

And finally, for those who aren’t familiar with your Getting Shipped! series, tell us more about those books and what we can expect in the future!!

Getting Shipped! is my favorite project to date. Even though I love my non-fiction and my clean romance, I feel like I came home as a writer in this series and in writing romcom. Romcom is my lane.

In the Getting Shipped! series, each book is a stand-alone, even though they build in order and chronological progression and characters overlap.

We have: Courtshipped, the prequel novella, which was written second, not first, and is available through March 2023 through the Prolific Works Sweet and Swoony promo. That book is set in an Italian restaurant, so come hungry and prepared to either eat out or cook as you read. It’s an insta-love story, but everyone says even though they may not be a fan of insta-love, they have loved the story. I mean, hot Italian, funny pug dog, outspoken best friend, all set in Covington KY … it’s a must.

The first published book in the series is Friendshipped. It’s a Friends-to-Lovers story and is a slow-burn. There are a lot of laugh-out-loud scenes in the book. It was my first book to write coming out of clean romance, so it’s cleaner than the others in the series in terms of heat. But there’s tension and we really get to meet the community in the sweet fictional small town of Bordeaux, Ohio (pronounced Bored-Ox). I love Lexi and Trevor’s extended friendships and all the small-town elements in the story. Lexi joins a dating app, and her dates are comedic tragedies. The romance between Lexi and Trevor is sweet. Cinnamon rolls, nights laying on a blanket watching stars, living next door to one another, working together …

The next book is Battleshipped. It’s a second chance romance with an enemies-to-lovers flavor. Rob and Laura were high school sweethearts until Rob broke things off to go to college (on the worst day of Laura’s life). Now Rob’s been back two years (six years after their breakup) and he wants to repair the damage and win Laura back. This book takes on the theme of forgiveness and working to earn back trust while still bringing the laughs and, of course, we’re still in Bordeaux, getting to enjoy that small town more with each book.

Townshipped will be out early to mid-June. It’s Aiden’s story. He’s the older brother to Trevor (from book one). Aiden’s a single IT consultant who lives on a small farm he bought about five years ago. People always teased Aiden that it wasn’t like a woman was just going to land on his doorstep and fall in love with him … so, just as you might imagine, THAT happens! Mallory grew up in upper crust of Boston society, but never quite took on the trappings of her status. She was engaged to Buck. Two weeks before the wedding she finally realizes she can’t go through with marrying a man she likes but doesn’t love. Mallory takes her honeymoon alone to get away from the aftermath of her announcement … and somehow, she ends up, you guessed it, on Aiden’s doorstep.

There will be at least two more stories in this series after Townshipped. One will be Shannon and Duke’s story. Duke is one of Aiden’s best friends, and he helps run the local garage with his dad. He’s a fun-loving man with a streak of roguishness in him. Duke’s secretly in love with Shannon who is his other best friend, Chris’ little sister. Shannon is one of the core group of friends in the series. She has had a thing for Duke forever, but she hasn’t even told her closest friends, despite them all suspecting it. So, this is a brother’s best friend romance. And it will be out August or September 2022.

The last book I have planned in the series right now is Jayme’s story. She’s the last woman in the core group of friends in Bordeaux. She is a fantasy romance author who also writes fortunes for fortune cookies for a living. Jayme’s a sweet, upbeat person who sees romance around every corner, only she doesn’t want it for herself after having been seriously burned in a past relationship. Jayme plans to rock the old-maid thing in her older years. When the new doctor moves into town, he needs a tutor for his learning-challenged daughter. Jayme takes the job. This doctor is shut off, dour and detached due to some backstory we’ll see unfold. Enter Jayme’s sunshine to his grump. This is also a bit of an age-gap romance.

I have thoughts of doing a Christmas novella set in Bordeaux too. I’ve had readers request certain pairings of other side characters. I will only write that novella if the characters come knocking for one. I don’t plot stories. Stories come to me.

Beyond Bordeaux (after Getting Shipped! has sailed off into the horizon) I have ideas for some fairy-tale retelling romcoms, some vacation-themed romcoms … and more. We’ll see what’s next after Getting Shipped!

Thank you so much for all these sweet questions, for loving my books, and for supporting me as an author.

Wow! You have so much in the works Savannah and I can’t thank you enough for taking the time for this interview. I just want to say that I admire you for pouring into mamma’s. I had women pour into me during some of my toughest years when my kids were young and I can’t tell you how much that blessed my life. So from moms everywhere I’d like to say THANK YOU!

You guys, I’ve read the first two in the Getting Shipped! series and they are ADORABLE 😍- my review will be up soon for Battleshipped. To keep up with Savannah/Patty follow her on IG here.