Josie Riviera Interview Published on: 21, Feb 2019
Where did you grow up? Who was your preschool teacher?
I grew up in upstate New York. N/A
What inspired you to start writing contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances? What makes a good romance story?I love reading a good romance, especially by the authors like the great Judith McNaught. A good romance, and really any story, is all about the characters and their growth.
Where do you usually go for coffee dates in the Charlotte, NC? Where did you meet your husband?Coffee dates in Charlotte, NC are at Amelie's, a delightful French bakery. I met my husband in upstate NY.
Why do you write romance? What do you believe is so special about the historical romance genre?I write Happily Ever After romances. Despite the conflicts, my readers are assured of a happy ending. Historical romance speaks to a specific group of readers who love Regency and Tudor romances.
How do you create characters that are so lifelike but also memorable? How important is a character's physical appearance as opposed to their characteristics?Character studies are so important, and a character's appearance (even the hero and heroine), is secondary to their characteristics.
What is the connecting theme in the Perfect Matchbook series?N/A, as this is a multi-author series. However, in the Perfect Match, all of the characters are on board a Holiday cruise to Hawaii. Why did you decide to write six sweet novellas in this series instead of full-length novels? N/A, as this is a multi-author series.
Who are the main characters in the Seeking Series? Which one was your favorite and most complex to create?The main characters in the Seeking Series are Romany Gypsy heroes and heroines. My favorite character of all time is Luca, a Romany Gypsy man, who has his story finally told in Seeking Patience.
What would you say characterizes your writing? In what ways do you try and stand out from the ever-growing community of romance writers?My romances are sweet and wholesome, and inspirational. I hope my readers love the attention to detail and realistic characters.
Who were your inspirations for the characters Angelina Conte and Dr. Caleb Sloane in "Holiday Hearts?" How would you describe their love story to a cynical stranger?Angelina Conte and Dr. Caleb Sloane are the heroine and hero of Aloha To Love. Angelina is an aspiring screenwriter, and Caleb is a volcanologist, which is an occupation I'd never heard of before writing the book.
1-800-CUPID is a sweet story about moving forward in life after past difficulties. What is the significance of this title? How did you come up with the titles in the "Flipping For You" series?1-800-CUPID is a series about home-flipping, renovating, and decorating. The series began when the down-on-her-luck heroine, Candee, answered her non-ringing phone with "1-800-CUPID." I've continued the theme with the other 1-800 series, focusing on a charming small town.
Being a USA TODAY bestselling author, what are the challenges you had to face on the road of becoming a published author? How did you overcome them?I believe Nora Roberts said it once, and much better than I can ever say it. Just sit every day and write!
How often do you write in a week? Do you follow a certain schedule or write whenever and wherever?I write every day. When on deadline, it's easily 10-12 hours per day.
How does writing make you feel? When you're not writing, what does a normal day for you look like?It's exciting to create a brand new book, and even more so when readers respond positively. A normal day might include lunch and/or dinner out with my husband, and visiting our grown children. One lives in Ireland, so that visit takes some planning.
Is there anything new that you're working on? When can we expect the next book to come out?The next book will be an Irish release, to coincide with St. Patrick's Day. Because my daughter lives in Ireland, I love writing about the Irish culture and the beautiful landscape. An all-time favorite book for my readers is Oh Danny Boy, a book set in Ireland and centered around a coffee shop.
Finally. what intrigued you most about the AllAuthor website? As a premium member now, have your thoughts about it changed?Thanks for the opportunity. AllAuthor is an excellent website for both readers and authors.
