The Valentine Project is a small town, sweet, friends to lovers, cozy romance. So, welcome to Angel Point, Oregon, one of my favorite fictional towns and named one of the most romantic towns on the Oregon coast. Even the local lighthouse, Whale's Head Lighthouse, is rated the seventh out of one-hundred best places to kiss in Oregon.
I wish I could write funny romantic novels. I love to read them. But even though I start out thinking I have a funny romantic story idea, I end up writing what turns out to be something that is more closely related to modern realism. Only with a twist. That is what happened with The Valentine Project. I wanted to write about two high school sweethearts who pledged to marry if they were still single at thirty-five. When he returns to Angel Point (with a son, no less), she is the deputy mayor and he's taking the job of fire chief. I thought their reunion should be a little bit funny, right? Hmmm.
As you can see there's a lot to think about before a writer (of all genres) types that first word and then paragraph.
Here are some questions I'm frequently asked.
How did you come up with the idea of setting this series in Angel Point?
I wanted to set a series in a small town on the Oregon coast. I'd just visited Cannon Beach, and I simply fell in love. The gears started turning from there. My mom loved angels. A small, cozy, coastal town whose centennial birthday is on the horizon, with a mayor determined to bring new life to the community, sounded like the perfect location.
How many books are there in the series now?
I think there will be six altogether. Currently, there is The Sheriff's Baby Bargain, Wanted by the Marshal, and The Christmas Makeover. The Valentine Project is coming out on February 1, 2023. And I just contracted for Book 5.
Who is your favorite character to write in The Valentine Project?
I had fun writing all the characters, but I have to admit I fell in love with Carson's adopted teenage son, Flynn. That kid has spunk. He pushed the boundaries and knew who he was from page one.
One last question: Why do you write romances?
I write what I read, mostly, but even when I wrote my first book, I was fascinated with how two hearts could find each other in the vast sea of humans on the planet. What makes one heart recognize another? What is their imperative to join together? Love comes in all shapes and sizes, and I am and always have been a student of human nature. I want to know, especially in today's world, how love makes things better.
Okay, I guess that's it for this week. I'm re-imagining the Life and Times Blog. I hope this is a good start.
Oh and currently, I'm reading Love on the Brain by Ali Hazelwood. So far it's very good.
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