USA Today bestselling author Sarah Morgan returns with the ultimate beach read, as one woman forges the most unlikely friendship of all, and embarks on a summer of confronting her past in order to build the future she wants...
When Joanna Whitman's ex-husband, one of California's most beloved celebrity chefs, dies in a car accident, she doesn't know what to feel. Their dysfunctional marriage held more secrets than she cares to remember, but when she discovers a young woman was with him in the crash--who's now in hospital, on her own, and pregnant --Joanna sees red. How dare he ruin yet another woman's life? More than anyone, Joanna knows the brutal spotlight this girl is going to find herself in...unless she can find a way for them both to disappear?
Ashley can't believe it when Joanna shows up in her hospital room and offers to spirit them both away for the summer to her secluded beach house on the Californian coast. Joanna should be hating her, not helping her. But orphaned and pregnant, Ashley can't turn Joanna down. Even though she knows that if Joanna ever discovers the real truth of why Ashley was in her ex's car, their tentative bond would never hold.
Together, they escape to the beach house, nestled high above the sleepy Californian town where Joanna grew up, and left without a backward glance. Joanna's only goal for the summer is privacy, but her return creates waves in the community, not least for the best friend she left behind. Both Joanna and Ashley are hiding secrets, but as they fall under the spell of their summer home - and draw on each other's courage - these unlikely friends realise that to seize the futures they want, they must step out of the shadows and into the sunshine.
Q&A With Sarah Morgan
(provided by HQN)
1) I love the title and
synopsis. Where did the inspiration for the book come from?
I’m fascinated by the
idea of celebrity, and how it must feel to live in the spotlight. I was
pondering on how much I’d hate that when I came up with the character of
Joanna, who is an ‘accidental’ celebrity by virtue of her marriage to a high
profile celebrity chef who both relishes and relies on media attention. Joanna
didn’t just marry him, she married the lifestyle he’d chosen and she was never
comfortable with it. As I was writing, I reflected a lot on how someone lives a
private life, and how they keep secrets, if their every move is conducted under
a spotlight. Those were some of the issues I wanted to explore. It was a fun
book to write!
2) What was the best
part about writing this book and why?
So many things. I
enjoyed exploring the dynamics between the characters who are all quite
different, and also being able to give Joanna a second chance at love (I’m a
big believer in second chances!). But I confess that one of the best parts of
writing this book was the setting. It takes me around six months to write a
book, and during that time I’m immersed in the place as well as the people.
Beach House Summer is set on the coast of California, which gave me the excuse
to research beautiful beach houses. I was transported, and I hope the reader will feel that way
too.
3) What was the most
difficult part about writing this book and why?
Giving my characters a
hard time - in particular subjecting poor Joanna to all the media attention,
which she hated and found distressing. I felt so cruel! But writers sometimes have
to be cruel to their characters, it’s part of the job, and a story where the
characters are all happy in their lives and have no challenges to face would
end on page one. But even knowing that, it’s always difficult when you’ve
grown to love the people you’ve created. I remind myself that no matter how
many obstacles I throw their way, I always, always give them a happy ending.
That makes the whole thing easier.
4) Who is your favourite
character and why?
That’s a tough question.
I love all the characters, but in particular I enjoyed exploring the way that
Joanna and Ashley interact, and how they gradually support each other and
change over time. I find multigenerational friendships to be intriguing and
interesting to write. With Joanna and Ashley, their age difference doesn’t stop
them learning from each other and that part was such fun to write.
5) I have your books
Sleigh Bells in the Snow, A Wedding in December and a Christmas Escape. Do you
prefer writing books set in summer or winter and why? Which is easier or more
challenging and why?
I love writing books set
in winter and have done so almost every year since I’ve been published, but I
wouldn’t want to only write Christmas books. It takes me around six months to
write a novel, and by the time I’ve finished I’m ready to move on to a new set
of characters, a new set of problems, and a new season! Each comes with its own
set of challenges, but I enjoy writing both. In the end, whatever the season
and whatever the setting, I aim to deliver and emotional story that will keep
readers turning the pages.
6) The characters, plots
and settings in your books are so memorable. What are your top tips for
creating great characters, plots and settings, especially seasonal (summer,
winter) settings?
The most important element is always the story itself. When you’re writing commercial fiction, you want to make your reader feel something. It’s important to create unique characters, with their own strengths and flaws, and to give them a problem or a dilemma that will keep the reader turning the pages. Sometimes you can turn the seasonal element to your advantage, and whenever possible I make sure that the season and the setting is integral to the plot. With a Christmas book, I try and give the reader all the magic of a cosy, snowy winter without any of the reality (freezing fingers and toes, scraping ice from the car etc). With my next book, Snowed in For Christmas, the season plays a big part in bringing the characters together, not just the weather but also the seasonal tradition of family gatherings. With summer books I want readers to feel as if they’ve had their own summer escape. If it’s a beach book (like Beach House Summer!) then I want them to feel the sand under their toes and the sun on their face.
7) Can you give some
advice for those writing in the same genre as you?
Write the story that
you’re passionate about. If you’re excited to write it, then there’s a good
chance someone will be excited to read it. Create characters you really care
about and give them a conflict that will keep a reader turning the pages. If
you are rooting for that character, then the chances are the reader will be
too.
8) Do you have plans for
any other novels? When will they be released?
My next Christmas novel
is called Snowed in For Christmas, and it will be out in September in the US
and Canada. I had so much fun with this book and it includes all the elements I
love including in my writing - family dynamics, friendship and romance. I
laughed aloud when I wrote it, and I hope it will make readers smile when they
read it.
 |
| Photo Credit: Ev Sekkides |
.jpg)
The title of this one makes me wish I could have a beach house summer myself this year. ;D
ReplyDeleteYes, me too! I know exactly the place I'd go. :)
DeleteWonderful review! I think I would enjoy this one.
ReplyDeleteAnne - Books of My Heart
Thanks, Anne! I think you would, too.
DeleteThis sounds good, I can see why you liked it.
ReplyDeleteJoanna seems like a rather sympathetic character to extend such kindness to someone associated with her ex. The relationship between Joanna and Ashley intrigues me
ReplyDeleteYes, she was a very nice character. Things were not as they seemed as well.
DeleteI've seen this book around and I'm so glad you enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteThat cover just pulls me in. I'm glad you liked this one! It does sound pretty dang good!
ReplyDeleteMorgan is always nice :)
ReplyDeleteI'm a recent fan of her books and this latest sounds great. Thanks, Rachel!
ReplyDelete