#AuthorInterview #BookSpotlight - "Always, Almond Fudge" by Charlotte O'Shay

Let's welcome Charlotte to the hot seat.

I love chatting with authors, so I'm happy you've stopped by! 

 
It’s a pleasure to visit you, Amber. I enjoy your book reviews and blog. 

Aw. Thanks! :) Let's get started... We all need a little inspiration in our lives. What’s your favorite quote and why? 
You can’t hit a homerun if you don’t swing the bat. 
This quote reminds me every day to be better, build on my skills, learn more, put myself out there, and swing for the fences. 

Do any of your characters take over and write the book themselves sometimes? 
All the time. Since I am mostly a pantser, I start a story with an idea or a loose outline. The characters then take my idea and run with it. It’s pretty much my favorite part about being a writer. 

Sometimes the romance genre gets a bad reputation for being cliché and full of Fabios. How do you respond to that? 
Clearly people who talk about Fabios haven’t read romance. Sometimes romance book covers can be a little ‘out there’ but so what? Once you read them, the creative skill of romance authors is evident, the quality of the writing equal to any fiction. The stories span from contemporary to historical to urban fantasy…you name it. As long as at the center of the story, there’s a growing romance between the main characters. 
Romances celebrate the belief that we all want and need love, no matter who we are. Everyone deserves a happily ever after. 

Any advice for the aspiring authors out there? Particularly those who are feeling a little discouraged? 
Write every day. Your voice is unique. Don’t let anyone stop you from telling your stories. Hard work pays off. My only regret is I didn’t start my writing career sooner. 

Besides writing and reading, what are some of your hobbies?
Ugh, I was going to say reading & writing! My family is growing and I crave more time with them. I have fun playing board games, refinishing furniture, exploring new places, walking whether in the city or in nature. Transcendental meditation reduces stress and aids in creativity. 

That's great! I wish I could figure out how to meditate. Thank you again for chatting with me!

Blurb

On a lengthy car ride to their annual seaside vacation, a mother recounts the true story of a sweet family tradition.
It's the summer of 1941 in the seaside town of Langford, Rhode Island, and seventeen-year-old Meredith Franklin works as a server at Seymore's Ice Cream Shoppe.
When aspiring baseball player Anthony Fanelli strolls into the ice cream shop, his teasing banter leads to romantic sparks and dreams of forever love.
Their whirlwind courtship comes to an abrupt halt on December 7, 1941, when America enters World War Two, forcing the couple to put their future on hold.
Decades later, a treasure trove of wartime letters details the romance of Merry and Anthony and the sacrifices of a generation.

Excerpt

Merry swallowed. Her powers of speech deserted her as she soaked in his animated features. What was happening to her? A planner by nature, Merry wasn’t ready for the way her imagination was flying off, far into the future. A future where she’d see the strong planes of Anthony’s tanned face every day for the rest of her life. Frightened by the strength of her vision, she occupied her trembling fingers, rearranging the cups and napkins behind the counter. It was getting near to nine p.m. She had work to do to close the shop.

“So, I’ve come for my ice cream. Your favorite.”

“You’re very confident,” she said. Her heartbeat fluttered then galloped forward with a curious combination of nerves and exhilaration.

He pressed his big hands to his thighs and shrugged. “Confident is the only way to go through life.”

Merry felt herself sinking deep into his densely lashed eyes. “I couldn’t agree more. Okay, Mr. Anthony Fanelli, which flavor do you choose?” 

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Author Bio

Award winning Author Charlotte O’Shay was born in New York City into big family and then married into another big family.
Negotiating skills honed at the dinner table led her to a career in the law.
After four beautiful children joined the crowded family tree, Charlotte traded her legal career to write about happily ever afters in the City of Dreams.
Charlotte loves to challenge her heroines and heroes with a crisis and watch them figure out who they are while they fall in love.

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