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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Free to Reunite?

Here’s my truth; I was bullied. I had loved ones hazed. This book is inspired by the journey I, myself, traveled to arrive at my own HEA.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Free to Reunite, what would they be?

Dave Matthews Band: “Grey Street," Kygo, OneRepublic: “Lose Somebody,” Switchfoot: “Dare You to Move,” Fall Out Boy: “Centuries," Taylor Swift, and Chris Stapleton: “I Bet You Think About Me.”

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I love reading romance. If I'm not reading my favorite, I can be found with a book of modern poetry or historical biographies.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

J.D. Robb's Desperation In Death, Dyan Layne's Drummer Boy, and Shari Ryan's The Maid's Secret.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

Kelsey, a writer, has spent days tethered to her computer. After finding a much-needed shower, her best friend whips open the shower curtain to hold a discussion with her—naked—before they head to Café Du Monde. The scene gets me giggling every time I read it as they keep trying to one-up each other.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I need an iced coffee and multiple Coke Zeros lined up. Plus, I have to play one song on repeat for an entire writing session. I may drive my family bonkers as that can be anywhere from six to eight hours with a single track on repeat.

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

"You can walk straight through hell with a smile." - Lyrics by The Script

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Don’t let others rob you of life’s precious moments.

Tracey Jerald is the author of the new book Free to Reunite

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What's the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Marooned?

I wrote the book during the pandemic. Everything was so miserable, that I wanted to create something that was pure escapism and full of warm, feel-good vibes. I wanted reading the book to feel like getting a hug.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Marooned, what would they be?

I was re-watching Guardians of the Galaxy this weekend, so I’m picking songs from that soundtrack! For Sunny, I would choose The Five Stairsteps - O-o-h Child, and for Kit it would be Fooled Around and Fell in Love - Elvin Bishop. Then for Pinky, the ship’s cat, I think it would definitely have to be "Come and Get Your Love" by Redbone! Throw those three tunes on a playlist, and you get a pretty great outline of both the characters, and the feel of the book.

What's your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I’m not sure if I have a favorite genre. I read mysteries, thrillers, survival stories, romance, sci-fi... Honestly I think my writing has influences from all those genres in it— even sci-fi. I re-read The Martian as I was writing Marooned—it’s a shipwreck story after all!

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

I haven’t read any Tessa Bailey books yet, so they are all on my TBR. Susan Pierce has a new book coming out in her Backspin series that I’m excited to read. I also bought A Solitude of Wolverines by Alice Henderson recently, so that’s at the top of the TBR pile.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but there is one scene, close to the end, that is my absolute favorite. It made me cry writing it, and still really makes my heart squeeze, even though I’ve now read the scene a million times. You’ll know it when you get to it!

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

I do a lot of pacing. I’ll be banging out a scene, then get to a point where I’m not quite sure what happens next. That’s when the pacing and muttering happens. I actually walk in circles, I never thought I would be a person who walked in circles, but there you go. Writing brought out quirks I didn’t know I had!

Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?

“Begin anywhere.” ― John Cage

I love John Cage (20th century experimental musician/artist). His whole thing was about seeing beauty and poetry in even the most mundane of experiences. Another quote from John Cage is “To accept what comes, regardless of consequences, is to be unafraid.” I try and remember that when I am overthinking things!

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

Work on your inner beauty, not your outer… and reduce your plastic usage!

Louise Jane Watson is the author of the new book Marooned

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