New Books - NewInBooks

Love Stories For Your Reading List | February 2020

In the mood for a new romance to fall head over heels in love with? Whether you like your books sweet or steamy, you'll find a new favorite from bestselling authors Cassandra Austen, Tracy Jerald, Carolyn Brown, Layla Hagen, Cindi Madsen, and Ruth Cardello. Happy reading!

Coming Home to Greenleigh

by Cassandra Austen

Release Date: January 31, 2020

Beth Burnham's small-town never let her spread her wings. She finds herself low on funds for her family's historic house restoration project and is running low on clients at her law practice. So, she throws herself at the mercy of a posh legal firm. When she shows up to the interview, she never expected the managing partner interviewing her would be the lover she left heartbroken. When he declares he still has feelings for her, Beth longs to revisit the love they once shared.

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Ripple Effect

by Tracey Jerald

Release Date: February 3, 2020

I've experienced the ways love can change a man. Yet nothing I've ever done was as profound as marrying the woman I love. Every mission I went on was a risk worth taking because I knew she'd be at home waiting for me. What I didn't realize was that in my quest to right all the wrongs of the world, I was destroying the only part I'd die for... my marriage.

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Wildflower Ranch

by Carolyn Brown

Release Date: February 4, 2020

Shiloh Walker always imagined what it would be like to have sisters. She is about to find out... When a father she never knew leaves a ranch to Shiloh and her two half-siblings, she will have to live with them for a year to claim the inheritance. Soon they all discover that they may have more in common with each other than they thought when they meet the cowboy next door.

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You're The One

by Layla Hagen

Release Date: February 1, 2020

It all started out as pretend. My best friend and the most powerful man in New York needed my help. The first kiss we shared was unexpected. The next one is going to be in front of his family and we need to be convincing. The kiss was so hot that it almost fooled me.

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Country Hearts

by Cindi Madsen

Release Date: January 21, 2020

Jemma Monroe was laid off from her teaching job in the city. So she takes a job in a tiny town and rents a house on the outskirts. Then a horse suddenly appears at her door. Followed by his owner, a handsome neighbor in boots and a cowboy hat. Now Wyatt Langford keeps finding excuses to spend time with her.

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The Wild One

by Ruth Cardello

Release Date: January 28, 2020

The second book in the Corisi Billionaires series by New York Times Bestselling Author Ruth Cardello... Wren Heath has always chosen safe over satisfying. So, a weeklong fling in Paris sounds perfect to her. Who better to spend her time with than Mauricio Romano, the billionaire with a reputation as a heartbreaker. What happens on vacation stays on vacation, right?

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The Best New Fantasy and Science Fiction Novels | February 2020

Fantasy and Science Fiction readers are in for a treat because we've made a list of some of our favorite new novels! Jump into exciting adventures with the latest from bestselling authors D. D. Shay, John Reizer, Pedro Urvi, Richard Denoncourt, Michael J. Sullivan, and David Sosnowski. Enjoy your new books!

The Ascendants

by D. D. Shay

Release Date: October 12. 2019

Billowbirds are flying, and that can only mean one thing. An Ascendant lives. The realm used to be full of magic; enchanters, elementals, dream walkers, and healers. But when Lady Keres usurped the throne, that all went away. Or so it seemed... Lyn's path has been set in stone since birth. She will inherit her father's title and responsibilities and become the Baroness Tovaar. But what she inherited from her mother will change her life forever.

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Frequency

by John Reizer

Release Date: January 11, 2020

At Black Rock Observatory in North Carolina, a privately-owned radio telescope is on the lookout for extraterrestrial life. On New Years Eve 2024, the satellite dish hits pay dirt when graduate student Ronald Phillips discovers a strange alien message from a distant galaxy. The message soon goes viral and public reaction is enthusiastic. But it soon turns to disaster when many people become infected by a mystery illness.

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The Traitor's Son

by Pedro Urvi

Release Date: January 24, 2020

The first book in the Path of the Ranger series by Pedro Urvi... While he is only fifteen, Lasgol has endured a hard childhood. He lives cornered and hated in a small village in the North. His father betrayed the kingdom by attempting to kill the King and he is known as the son of a traitor. He refuses to believe the accusations against his father and is determined to clear his name.

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Ascendant

by Richard Denoncourt

Release Date: February 1, 2020

Michael Cairne was just a dishwasher in his parent's failing restaurant. But then everything changes when a violent accident makes him discover a tremendous power. He has the ability to manipulate minds through telepathy. Now he finds himself on the run from the men who created him. They will stop at nothing to find him and unleash a telepathic assassin to hunt him down.

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Age of Death

by Michael J. Sullivan

Release Date: February 4, 2020

The fifth book in The Legends of the First Empire by New York Times Bestselling Author Michael J. Sullivan... Winter has blanketed the land. Barred by the tower of Avempartha, the western army can't invade the Fhrey homeland. Now they must find a way across the Nidwalden River and obtain the secret of the dragons before the fane.

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Buzz Kill

by David Sosnowski

Release Date: January 28, 2020

Pandora Lynch lives in Alaska with her father. Sheis homeschooled by a computer and is a self-taught hacker. Now she is about to enter high school and finally learn how to be normal. George Jedson is a hacker as well. When the two of them meet online, they combine their passions to conceive a brainchild named BUZZ. Can this baby AI behave?

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Books To Read If You Like Biography and Memoir | February 2020

Have you been searching for some inspiring stories to get lost with? If you are a fan of biography and memoir books, you will undoubtedly find a new favorite amongst these new releases. Start reading the latest books from David A. Levy, Eilene Zimmerman, Ezra Klein, Katherine Keith, Tommy Davidson, and Jessica Simpson. Enjoy!

Life Is a 4-Letter Word

by David A. Levy

Release Date: December 3, 2019

Dr. David Levy is a media consultant who has appeared on over 70 television and radio broadcasts to provide his psychological perspectives on current events. Although he has published many bestselling books before, this is the first time Levy approaches readers on a more personal level, while still carrying the same expertise. This isn't your typical self-help book because rather than be instructional, Levy shares his wisdom by telling his own stories and life lessons.

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Smacked

by Eilene Zimmerman

Release Date: February 4, 2020

Eilene Zimmerman started to notice that something was off with her ex-husband. He looked thin, seemed distracted, and was frequently absent from activities with their children. Eilene assumed his odd behavior was due to stress and being overworked. When Eilene and her children were unable to reach Peter for several days, she decided to check on him. That's where the Smacked begins. The story of how a man Eilene knew for nearly 30 years became a drug addict.

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Why We're Polarized

by Ezra Klein

Release Date: January 28, 2020

Journalist Ezra Klein reveals the structural and psychological forces behind America's descent into division and dysfunction. He offers a framework to understand the American political system. From the rise of Donald Trump to the leftward shift of the Democratic party. He even looks at the politicization of everyday culture.

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Epic Solitude

by Katherine Keith

Release Date: February 4, 2020

Katherine Keith always hungered for remote and wild places. She yearned to fill her soul with freedom and peace. While she traveled all across America, it wasn't until she reached Alaska that she found her true home in the vast and rugged landscape. Typically known as being a place where people disappear, Katherine used it to find herself.

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Living in Color

by Tommy Davidson

Release Date: February 1, 2020

Tommy Davidson burst onto the scene in 1990 in the Emmy Award-winning show In Living Color. In his new memoir, Tommy shares his perspective on making it in Hollywood and being a part of television history. Tommy uses humor and hard-won honesty to tell a story of personal and professional highs and lows.

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Open Book

by Jessica Simpson

Release Date: February 4, 2020

Five years ago, Jessica Simpson walked away from an offer to write a motivational guide to living your best life. At the time, nobody understood why. The truth is that she didn't want to lie... In Open Book, Jessica reveals for the first time her inner monologue and struggles through journals she has kept since the age of fifteen.

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The Story Behind Life is a 4-Letter Word by David A. Levy

Do you remember the childhood dread of getting a shot? I do. Or more grownup fears, like being exposed as an impostor? I’ve certainly felt this way. What about the sense of loss that makes itself known in a variety of ways, like the pain of saying goodbye to a beloved pet, having your trust betrayed, or falling in love with the wrong person? Well, let me put it this way: Loss and I are very “well acquainted.”

Each of us had lived through innumerable everyday experiences—embarrassing moments, distressing episodes, moving encounters—that nearly everybody can relate to. In midlife, I started collecting meaningful anecdotes from my past and, when they seemed relevant, sharing them to engage and encourage my patients and students. I was struck by how frequently they resonated with others. I came to realize the impact of these stories is a result of their being both real and personal.

This led me to gather them together and share them in the form of a book. I wanted to trace the arc of my life, drawing on my expertise as a veteran psychologist, and the wisdom of both hindsight and maturity—as well as the ability to laugh at oneself. It is my hope that they will offer valuable nuggets or morals to the reader. My goal is to entice others to look back on – and find meaning in – their own humbling attempts, impulsive decisions, silly mistakes, and happenstance occurrences. In closing I would like to remind those I know and my readers of one of these morals: With age, the absence of catastrophic news is great news.

An engaging take on self-help and self-discovery, LIFE IS A 4-LETTER WORD: Laughing and Learning Through 40 Life Lessons is a collection certain to resonate with baby boomers and many readers of all ages. I look forward to exploring your interest.

DR. DAVID A. LEVY is an award-winning Professor of Psychology at Pepperdine University, where he has been teaching since 1986. He received his BA in theater arts from UCLA before earning two MA degrees and his PhD in psychology. In addition to two bestselling textbooks, diverse research studies, and a widely acclaimed self-help book, Tools of Critical Thinking, he has published numerous satirical articles. A sought-out media consultant for psychological perspectives on current events and insights into issues in the mental health field, Dr. Levy has appeared on more than 70 broadcasts on major networks, including CNN, PBS, NPR, and NatGeo. He has also worked as a director, producer, writer, and actor in films, television, and stage. He received an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Performance in a Network Television Series and was a guest star on the popular sitcom Cheers, where he portrayed the leader of Frasier’s low self-esteem group (a role which he adamantly maintains is not type-casting). He lives in Santa Monica, California.

David A. Levy is the author of the new book Life is a 4-Letter Word.

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Interview with Pedro Urvi, Author of The Traitor's Son

What can you tell us about your new release, The Traitor's Son?

The Traitor’s Son is the first book in my brand new The Ranger Path Series. It is a teen-young adult epic fantasy adventure. It tells the story of Lasgol, a fifteen-year-old boy that has endured a hard childhood and lives, cornered and hated, in a small village in the North. He is the son of the traitor, the man who betrayed the kingdom and tried to kill the King. Yet he refuses to believe that his father is guilty, despite all the evidence, even though the King himself was a witness to the betrayal.

Lasgol is determined to clear his father's name, and to do this he has only one option: the School of Rangers, a secret place where the respected and feared defenders of the lands of the kingdom are trained for four years. Going there is insane, hate and death await him. But as the son of a Ranger, he is entitled to attend.

At the Camp he will find himself involved in political intrigues, treachery and fights. He will encounter hatred and fearsome enemies, but also a handful of friends, novices as much out of place as he is himself, determined to do whatever is necessary to pass the first year... without dying in the process.

It is a book full of fantasy, action, adventure, mystery, magic, and a pinch of romance. If you like epic fantasy with a youngster as main character and an epic coming of age story, you will love this series.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

It was the late great David Gemmell who inspired me to become an author. I started writing when he passed away. I loved all his books and I wanted to emulate the master, crazy me. That is how I started, and I fell in love with it. I love the worldbuilding, the epic and heroic story creation, the magic, the mystery and, of course, the characters.

What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?

Very difficult question, I love so many of them. If I must choose a top 5, for me, they would be:

Lord of the Rings, J.R.R Tolkien.

Dragonlance Chronicles, Margaret Weis and Tracy Hickman.

Legend, David Gemmell.

Mistborn, Brandon Sanderson.

Harry Potter, J. K. Rowling

Bear in mind that there is a lot of sentimental attachment in this selection because of the time and place in my life when I first read them.

Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

Most likely Brandon Sanderson. I love his work and I have learned a lot from him. I would probably ask him what his secret is to create such intricate and amazing magic systems.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

Creating an epic story, amazing worlds and characters in my mind and seeing how, little by little, they become real and alive in my pages. Telling a great heroic story.

What is a typical day like for you?

I spend half of my time daydreaming about the story I am working on and the other half of the day daydreaming about the story I want to write next. Then I remind myself that I need to put the words down and edit the ones I have already written.

What scene in The Traitor's Son was your favorite to write?

I have two. The first scene when the main character and the story is introduced, and the tone of the book is set. Then the climax, when finally, everything makes sense and the plot is resolved by the protagonists.

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

Follow your dreams. Work hard at them. Never give up. You will succeed.

Pedro Urvi is the author of the new book The Traitor's Son.

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Interview with John Reizer, Author of Frequency

What can you tell us about your new release, Frequency?

My latest novella, Frequency is a science fiction story that takes place in the year 2025 in North Carolina.

The story is centered on a fictional radio telescope that records an alien message from a distant galaxy. Shortly after the discovery is announced to the public through a national press conference and uploaded on the observatory's website, people become affected by a mysterious illness that sweeps through the United States. The disease creates brain tumors in those infected and drastically alters their personalities.

As the story progresses, two neurosurgeons investigating the epidemic come to the amazing realization that the disease is somehow connected to the alien radio message and the observatory.

I believe readers will enjoy Frequency because of how the novella blends fiction with real science. It was a lot of fun to write the book and I am hopeful science fiction fans will find it entertaining.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I have always enjoyed writing since I was a young boy. At age twelve, I was on a baseball team that captured a world championship at the Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

The experience inspired me to write a book about the team and our accomplishments. It was published in my freshman year of high school and I have been in love with writing ever since.

What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?

1. The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo
2. 1984
3. Fahrenheit 451
4. The Giver
5. The Hunger Games

Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

Stephen King.

Do you write from the seat of your pants or do you take the time to meticulously outline the various stories the same way?

What's your favorite thing about writing?

My favorite thing about writing is that it allows me an opportunity to get away from the stresses of everyday life. I am able to relax and enjoy the process of being creative when I am working on a story. I have noticed that when I am not writing, I become moody and more anxious than normal.

What is a typical day like for you?

I am a practicing chiropractic physician. I work three days a week in my private practice. On the days I am not seeing patients, I spend my time writing and walking. It's not uncommon for me to write for six or seven hours a day. I can be sitting at the word processor for hours and it often feels as if only a few minutes have passed.

What scene in Frequency was your favorite to write?

There's a scene in the story where one of the characters infected with the mystery illness jumps from the third floor of the hospital and runs into the woods after landing unharmed on the parking lot. That was a pretty interesting chapter to write about and it was an important part of the book because of it describing for the reader the personality and physiological changes the disease created in a person.

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

My philosophy in life is to enjoy what you're doing and try to do what you enjoy.

John Reizer is the author of the new book Frequency.

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Interview with David A. Levy, Author of Life is a 4-Letter Word

What can you tell us about your new release, Life is a 4-Letter Word?

Life Is a 4-Letter Word consists of 40 brief autobiographical essays, each of which culminates in a valuable “life lesson.” In my 60-plus years, and varied careers as a therapist, professor, author, actor, and director, I have lived through everyday experiences – embarrassing moments, distressing episodes, moving encounters – that nearly everybody can relate to. In this book, I share the stories from my journey of personal reflections, growth, and wisdom that have stayed with me and carried me through life’s challenges. My aim was to write in a style that is conversational, engaging, frequently humorous, and always honest. I wish to entice others to look back on and find meaning in their own humbling attempts, impulsive decisions, silly mistakes, and happenstance occurrences. I hope you enjoy it!

What or who inspired you to become an author?

Definitely reading whatever I could get my hand on! – short stories, biographies, newspapers (particularly op-ed pieces and letters to the editor), textbooks (yes, seriously!), and especially satire (starting back in my adolescence with MAD Magazine.)

What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?

Man’s Search for Meaning

Catch-22

Animal Farm

Oh, the Places You’ll Go!

Don Quixote

Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

If I could resurrect him from the grave, it would have to be Cervantes. Here’s what I would ask: “How on earth did you think of all this stuff?”

What's your favorite thing about writing?

The process of discovering as you immerse yourself in the journey…

What is a typical day like for you?

Fortunately, I don’t have many “typical” days! But they are likely to involve some combination of exercise (usually hiking), reading the news, conducting therapy, teaching, talking with my friends, and topping it all off with a cup (okay, sometimes a bowl) (okay, sometimes a pint) of Haagen-Dazs coffee ice cream.

What scene in Life is a 4-Letter Word was your favorite to write?

Probably the essay about Zorro, my Labrador. (Really had to dig into my emotions on that one!)

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

“Try to find meaning in life events – both large and small.” (Oh, and: “Try to avoid too many carbs.”)

David A. Levy is the author of the new book Life is a 4-Letter Word.

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Interview with Liz Mistry, Author of Unseen Evil

What can you tell us about your new release, Unseen Evil?

Unseen Evil is book 6 in my DI Gus McGuire police procedural series. When teens are being murdered and an image of their bodies uploaded to Snapchat and sent to their friend, Gus and his team realize they have a very sadistic and organized killer on their hands. It’s not long before they suspect more than one person is responsible for the deaths and as their attention centers around a local high school, drug related crimes and the vandalism of a Mosque, Gus and the team are stretched, with pressure mounting to find the killers.

Unseen Evil centers around the use and misuse of social media and how it affects young adults. It covers themes such as social advantage and disadvantage, peer pressure, teen mental health and more, by considering the ways digital technology can be used nefariously.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I’ve always written. I remember as a primary school kid writing pages and pages of Famous Five type stories. However, being a working-class Scottish girl being an author always seemed to be for other people. So, as the first in my family to go to University, I took the traditional route and became a teacher. However, my love of writing never waned and after suffering quite badly with my mental health for a number of years, I decided in my fifties to do an MA in creative writing at Leeds Trinity University. This was for me the best decision ever. It increased my confidence and by the end of the MA, at the ripe old age of 53 I published my first book in the Gus series. In total I now have 8 books published. Six in my Gus series and 2 in my DS Nikki Parekh series.

What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?

This list changes on an almost daily basis, but here goes:

The Silence of the Lambs by Thomas Harris sticks with me. I love the characterisation. It’s a masterpiece.

Catcher In The Rye by JD Salinger - I studied this novel at school and for over forty years it has stuck with me. I think it is as relevant today as it was back in the 70’s.

The Mermaid’s Singing by Val McDermid - really encouraged me to go dark with my writing. Loved her characterisation, attention to detail and the storyline is thrilling.

The Colour Purple by Alice Walker – So powerful, so emotional. It should be on everyone’s’ reading list.

The Twelfth Day of July by Joan Lingard- I think this was the first young adult book I read that had a really strong social justice/ enquiry theme and , growing up in Scotland where sectarianism was a daily occurance, I found it intriguing to see find out more about the troubles in Northern Ireland

Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

Sara Paretsky author of the V. I. Warshawski novels. I met her briefly at Harrogate crime writing festival a few years ago and she is absolutely delightful. So generous with her time, so compassionate in her writing and very funny too. I’d want to ask about her road to publishment. She was one of the first crime novelists to have a really strong, feisty female protagonist and I wonder if she realises how important Warshawski is as a character. I’d also ask her about her thoughts on equal opportunities for all in 2020.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

I love the fact that I can escape into a variety of lives and explore what it’s like to be that person. I love the puzzle of pulling a crime fiction novel together; of sewing the seams, of dropping in the clues, of creating diversions and twists. It’s a very cerebral activity and I love the challenge of it. I also really, really enjoy talking to readers who share my passion for crime fiction.

What is a typical day like for you?

Lots of coffee, lots of procrastination, lots of staring out the window and then a mad flurry to get my words down for the day. I don’t tend to plot very much. I prefer to let the ideas flow.

What scene in Unseen Evil was your favorite to write?

I wrote a scene with one of my teen characters; a boy called Jo Jo. Jo Jo is sixteen and is the carer for his invalid mother and his six-year-old sister. They live on benefits on a very rough estate in Bradford where two separate gangs try to make Jo Jo join them. Jo Jo desperate to keep his family together tries to cover up how bad things are at home so that social services don’t split the family up. In order to make money, Jo Jo becomes involved in dark web activity.
Writing this particular scene had me in tears. As a teacher, I’d seen many kids just like Jo Jo and although a difficult scene to write, I really enjoyed giving voice to Jo Jo and other kids facing the same sorts of things he does.

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

‘Reach for the stars but keep your feet on the ground’ probably sums up how I try to live my life and encourage my kids to lead theirs.

Liz Mistry is the author of the new book Unseen Evil.

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Interview with D. D. Shay, Author of The Ascendants

What can you tell us about your new release, The Ascendants?

The Ascendants takes place in the mythical land of Lithandys, which was once ruled with benevolence by a beloved king and queen, but is now ruled by a cold and ruthless usurper, the Lady Keres. The story follows the descendants of the king and queen as they unite to reclaim their throne from Keres and restore the magic that she has nearly eradicated. It’s a classic good vs. evil story with lots of magic thrown in and (I hope) engaging, relatable characters.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I’ve wanted to write a fantasy novel for as long as I can remember. When I was a young child, I used to walk to the little library down the road and squat there for as long as the old librarian would allow. (I think she thought little kids should be outside playing and not inside reading because she never let me stay very long.) As a teen I was reading Poe, Bradbury, Asimov and Lovecraft. Anything escapist and fantastic. As an adult, I continued to consume fantasy and science fiction (and some horror) and made a few attempts at putting words together myself. But I had children to raise and bosses to defer to, so a novel just never happened. I guess now is my time. Better late than never, eh?

What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?

Top 5 is tough because there are so many. That said, in no particular order:

‎Stephen R. Donaldson, Chronicles of Thomas Covenant. Okay, that’s more than one, but if you lump them together it’s one story, so…
Tad Williams, Tailchaser's Song. A beautiful fantasy, unlike anything else I’d read to that point (and pretty much since).
Robin Hobb, all books in the Realm of the Elderlings series. Again, more than one but a cumulative story.
Brian Froud, Fairies. Not a novel (more of a reference, really), but I’ve read it a gazillion times since it was first published (1978) and it still fascinates me today.
Stephen King, The Stand. A damned fine tale of good vs. evil.

Say you're the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

My first guest would probably be Robin Hobb. I’d love to ask how she came up with some of her concepts. For example, the dragon life cycle and the live ships. She has an awesome imagination and I’m wondering if it’s as arduous for her as it is for me. Joking. I’m just super jealous.

What's your favorite thing about writing?

My favorite thing about writing is putting it down for a while and then returning to it later. Sometimes I think, OMG what the hell was I thinking? That sucks! However, there are other times, when the writing is good, instead of feeling compelled to tear it apart and rework it, I get swept up by the words and carried away to another place or time or world. And I realize that I wrote something well. Really well. That’s the best feeling in the world.

What is a typical day like for you?

My typical day consists of getting up before the birds and beating the commuter traffic to work. You see, I still have bills to pay and cats to buy kibble for. I’m a technical writer by trade, so I get to be creative, but it would be really cool to write what I want, when I want, instead of busting my hump on something that people never really read, except out of desperation. After work, I head home and try to spend an hour or two on the sequel I’m currently writing. Then I wind down with computer games or the latest Netflix series. Then I get up the next day and do it all over again. So please, dear readers, buy my first book and rescue me!

What scene in The Ascendants was your favorite to write?

I had the most fun writing scenes where characters antagonize each other (most notably a pair of viceroys who are constantly trading barbs) and any scenes where animals or non-human creatures were prominent. Lithandys exists on a (possible) future Earth and is populated with all manner of creatures, real and fantastic. And since I happen to adore fairies and other fae creatures, I had to include them too.

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

I’d have to say that my life’s philosophy is simply, “don’t be an asshole.” Treat people the way you want to be treated. You only get one life and it’s shorter than you might think. Don’t waste that precious time on animosity or bigotry or being judgmental. Create and love and for God sake, laugh, especially at yourself.

D. D. Shay is the author of the new book The Ascendants.

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Interview with Cassandra Austen, author of Coming Home to Greenleigh

What can you tell us about your new release Coming Home to Greenleigh?

Coming Home to Greenleigh is a romantic, slow-burn, second-chance-at-love novel, with a strong element of coming-of-age in the lead character’s story. For that reason, I think it’s more in the women’s fiction area than contemporary romance—the setting is the fictional town of Greenleigh, in New England, which plays a strong role in the story, and there are side plots and supporting characters with compelling backstories, so it’s longer (400 pages) and more dramatic and involved than the average contemporary romance. Also, because I live in New England in an old house, all the details about old homes and New England life and community are drawn very carefully.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

I wrote fiction throughout my childhood and into my teens, but never had an interest in becoming a novelist until I was home with young children. I had an exciting career in diplomacy before I had kids, and I just wanted a way to reflect on it when I got back to the U.S. But one thing led to another, and I began to attend conferences and research writing for publication. It’s taken me a long time to actually put my work out, because I ended up homeschooling my four kids, all of whom are competitive athletes. My husband continued his diplomatic work, so he was gone a lot of the time, and there I was, living in this ancient farmhouse, homeschooling four kids who need- ed to be driven an hour each way to sports practice. However, if I had also been pursuing a career outside the home, I don’t know if I would have continued writing, because there’s only so much of me to go around! So I’m grateful that I was at home and in the middle of educating my children for all those years. When you spend a lot of time reading good books and critiquing essays, your head is constantly in that space anyway. Writing fiction doesn’t seem to be such a big leap.

What's on your top 5 list for the best books you've ever read?

This list morphs all the time, so depending on what blog post you read, I may say something different! And I love quality children’s literature, from both my own childhood and my experience homeschooling. Right now, I would say that my top five are:
1. The Golden Compass trilogy, by Philip Pullman
2. La Belle Sauvage, by Philip Pullman
3. Persuasion,byJaneAusten
4. The Dark is Rising fantasy series, by Susan Cooper
5. Any book by Pearl S.Buck(The Good Earth,The Living Reed, and Imperial
Woman, especially)

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

The answer to this question changes depending on my mood and the time of year! Right now I would love to talk to Dr. Brene Brown. I know she’s not a novelist—but I’m interested in the intersection between the internal life and going public, and her rallying cry over the course of her research work has been, “Be vulnerable.” It’s been so hard for me to be out there in the world with the books I write. It’s the ultimate vulnerability, putting out my art where people can feel free to trash it, and by extension, me. I know that a lot of artists are lucky enough to be born with a big ego. But many of us are just regular people, and this creative act is just the thing that we do, the way that someone else’s creative act might be teaching kindergarten or paving roads. I would
want to ask Dr. Brown for specific advice geared toward helping us “quiet” creative people continue to be vulnerable without being destroyed in the process. I somehow suspect a talk show episode on that topic would be very popular!

What's your favorite thing about writing?

My favorite thing is the very act itself. It’s literally like I’m transported. You know the feeling of watching a really amazing movie? Where you’re right there? That’s what writing feels like to me. I would write even without the publishing part of the process, just to grab that feeling.

What is a typical day like for you?

On a typical day, I get up late because I’m always up late at night, when the house is asleep and everything is quiet. I’m a coffee drinker (not lattes, plain old American!) so I sit quietly and enjoy my coffee, catch up on the news (which I completely ignore for the rest of the day), and meditate. I try to stay available for anything my kids might want from me—as a homeschool parent you just never know when someone will have a meltdown over a math problem or an essay—and I tend to work on admin things during the morning and early afternoon. I try to have a gym session every afternoon, because it leaves me feeling great. And most of my creative work is done at night.

What scene in Coming Home to Greenleigh was your favorite to write?

That’s such a hard question! I would say my favorite scene is where I introduce the reader to Gunnar. He’s a cute tattoo artist who introduces himself to Beth at the local coffee shop. I loved that scene because it came out of nowhere, and those are the writing experiences I love best. I knew I needed to stick a love triangle character into my draft somewhere, and I also knew that he had to be someone that Beth would normally never talk to. It was so random, and it was so much fun to write! What’s more, Gunnar has turned out to be such a popular character with my beta readers, I’ll be bringing him back for his own book!

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

Yes! It’s from Brene Brown. It’s the reason I decided I had to stop just reading books and start writing books. “At the end of the day, at the end of the week, at the end of my life, I want to be able to say that I contributed more than I criticized.” This sentence brings me up when I’m feeling down, and reminds me that my writing isn’t just a random activity. It’s filled with purpose, and I want to make my hours on the planet count. Here’s the graphic from her website, which she encourages us to share!