Interview & Giveaway with Liz Grace Davis

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Liz Grace Davis to the blog today to chat about her new book Chocolate Aftertaste.

Liz, can you please share with us a little about yourself

I was born in Angola but my parents are Namibian. I grew up in Angola, Namibia, South Africa, Germany and Austria. I met my husband in Austria and have been living here since. I’m in love with books.

Have you always wanted to be an author?

I never really thought about it. I just started writing for me at first, and then decided to share my work with others. All I know is that I’m happy to be a writer. It’s a part of me I never want to live without.

Who are some of your favorite writers? Who do you feel has influenced your writing?

Jodi Picoult, John Grisham, Sophie Kinsella, Marian Keyes…gosh there are many more. But these authors have touched me most. I can’t really say who influenced my writing. I think all the books I read and really enjoyed had a combined effect on me.

How did you get into writing in this specific genre?  Have you ever thought about writing in a different genre?

The thing is, I write what I enjoy reading, and I read different types of genres. In addition to this romantic women’s fiction (Chocolate Aftertaste), I also wrote a young adult fantasy novel, Tangi’s Teardrops.

What are some of your writing rituals?

I don’t really have writing rituals. I try my best to write every day, but at different times. I do try to have my favorite snacks nearby and country music playing in the background.

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?

Chocolate Aftertaste is a novel about Nora, a woman who has always lived up to her wealthy and domineering father’s expectations. Until she reaches a breaking point and suddenly decides that she wants to live her life according to her own rules. She risks her relationship with the only family she has, her father, but stands to gain so much more. She falls in love and rediscovers her dreams. But the road to her happiness is very rocky.

Chocolate Aftertaste is about real life problems and how Nora overcomes them in order to find her happiness.

How did you come with the idea for this story?

There are too many people in the world who do things just to make others happy—family, friends, relatives. I wanted to share the message that only you know what you really need, what would make you incredibly happy. Don’t sacrifice your dreams and happiness. Listen to advice from others, but take what is right for you and leave the rest. Life is too short not to live it fully.

Until I wrote the novel, I was one of those people who lived to make other people’s dreams come true, and neglected my own. No more. I can be there for others, help them reach their dreams. But not help them crush mine.

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?

I’m currently editing my next romantic women’s fiction. Honeysuckle & Jasmine is the story of two African Au-pairs (in Germany) who become closer than sisters. As they go through the challenges of living in a foreign country, there is nothing they wouldn’t do for each other. Nothing stands in the way of their friendship—not money, not boyfriends…nothing. They will protect each other, even if it means getting in trouble with immigration. This novel is based on a true story and will be published in early December.

What would you be if you were not an author?

A book cover designer.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?

Catching Fire (The Hunger Games, Book 2). It’s right here next to me. I think I’ll start it tonight.

Is there anything else you would like to add?

It’s so nice of you to interview me today. I enjoyed chatting with you. I hope your followers will give Chocolate Aftertaste a chance.

At her pre-wedding dinner, Nora Darkin, the daughter of a wealthy entrepreneur, discovers her fiancé is not the man she thought he was. As her father hoists his glass to toast them, she makes an announcement: there will be no wedding to her father’s right-hand man.

Due to the fresh rift driven between her and her father, Nora escapes to the quaint town of Dreara. Determined to live her life her own way, she makes new friends and pursues her lifelong desire of becoming a chef. Ethan Danes, a neighbour with his own broken heart, helps soothe hers.

Just as Nora discovers what it means to be happy, and she begins to fall in love with Ethan, a woman from his past re-enters his life…

Buy Link: Amazon

Excerpt:

Nora turned her attention back to the reality in front of her. She hated arguments; sometimes she wished she could hide somewhere, just wait them out. Unfortunately, life was not like that.

She lifted her eyes to meet Liam’s. The ice in his eyes had not melted. She dropped her gaze.

Instead of flirting with her appetite, the large marinated tiger prawns made her stomach queasy, and the oriental noodles looked like neglected yarn left out in the rain. From the way he dissected his steak, Liam’s appetite was just fine. She gritted her teeth as his knife scraped the porcelain plate.

Unable to bear the silence between them, she leaned forward and whispered, “I hate it when you ignore me.”

“What do you want me to say?” He chewed the last of his food and waved for the waiter. “We’re done.”

The waiter nodded and scuttled over to remove their plates.

When the waiter was out of earshot, Nora hissed through clenched teeth, “I wasn’t done.”

Liam took a swig of water, probably wishing it were something stronger. “You didn’t look like you were hungry.”

“Stop treating me like a child,” she snapped.

“Stop acting like one.”

Nora’s cheeks heated. She contained her anger with difficulty. “That’s really insensitive.”

“What do you want from me, Nora?” A vein pulsed in his neck. “What exactly do you want me to say?”

“Say you want me to be happy.” Her eyes brimmed. “Don’t ask me to get rid of my best friend.”

He loosened his tie—and then slammed his fist on the table, knocking over Nora’s glass of water. The silver stream raced straight for her lap.

The waiter appeared as if from nowhere to replace the white tablecloth with a new one. Nora forced a smile and whispered an apology. The waiter nodded, and a minute later he left.

Ignoring the curious looks they got from the other diners, she dabbed at the moisture on her black jeans. “You can’t always explode every time I refuse to do what you want.”

Liam ignored her. “Ask to pay. I want to leave.”

Nora flinched, but abided. Paying wasn’t so bad—so long as it was fair. On their first and second date, he paid. On their third and a few more after that, they went Dutch. After one year, he asked her to pay for an occasional meal until it became an unspoken arrangement between them. The only thing Liam had paid for himself in three years was her engagement ring.

About the Author:

Liz Grace Davis grew up in Angola, Namibia, South Africa and Germany. She now lives with her husband in Vienna, Austria.

Growing up, Liz spent most her days in libraries, diving into the world of books. In her spare time she reads a lot, travels, creates jewelry and designs digital scrapbooks. That’s of course when she’s not weaving stories. She’s in her element whenever she is doing anything that requires creativity.

Liz is the author of a young adult fantasy novel, Tangi’s Teardrops, and a romantic women’s fiction novel, Chocolate Aftertaste.

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