I have Ana Blaze here today to talk about her new release, A Late Thaw. This is a hot and steamy novella that I just couldn’t put down and I love the idea of Joe Manganiello as Cole. 🙂
1. Tell me about your new release.
A Late Thaw is a friends-to-lovers story set in a very small town in Vermont.
2. Where did you come up with the idea for this book?
I think I had the setting first. I went to college in a small town in Vermont and it holds a special place in my heart. I’m also particularly fond of stories about friends who finally admit their feelings and get their happy endings, so this little tale is very much a “me” kind of story. I was also thinking a little bit about the tough road some guys have to plow, trying to be chivalrous but still respectful. That’s a bit of a challenge for Cole. He always means well, but he doesn’t always express himself well when it comes to the woman he loves. So he thinks that if he can help her he should, and she thinks he’s a bit over-bearing. I find that to be an interesting dynamic. She’s sort of fiercely independent and he loves that about her but doesn’t know quite where that leaves him.
3. Do you have any actors in mind when you are writing these characters?
I basically pictured a young Joe Manganiello. I think he has an almost universal appeal. He’s handsome, but not too pretty and he looks like he could rescue people from a burning building but that he’d also stop and scoop up kittens on his way out. That’s the ideal man, right? Just me? Oh.
As for an actress, I don’t think I really pictured one whilst writing, but I’d say Sarah Bolger has the right look. Maybe if I give a description, readers can give recommendations in the comments? What do you say? Kiley is thin and about average height, maybe a little taller. She has pale skin, straight brown hair, grey-blue eyes and a modest chest.
4. What are you working on now?
I have two big projects in the works right now. The first is a contemporary NA romance set in a small college in upstate NY (so not so far from the type of school I attended) and the second is a paranormal romance with vampires and a touch of suspense. I love vampires. I’m the reason they keep making more vampire television shows.
5. Do you have any other authors that you feel influence you and your writing?
I read a ton and I’d say that when you’re a writer most everything you read influences you at least a little, so why don’t I just list some of my favorite authors. I love: Anne Rice, Nora Roberts, Kelley Armstrong, Rachel Caine, Patricia Briggs, Charlaine Harris, Jill Shalvis, Sophie Moss, Richelle Mead, Jane Austen, Oscar Wilde, D.D. Barant, Mary Janice Davidson and J.K. Rowling.
6. Favorite junk food? Or what food or drink do you absolutely have to have while writing?
Diet Coke. I love Diet Coke. When it’s cold, I like to sip tea (Earl Grey!) in my disappearing Tardis mug.
7. Any advice for aspiring writers?
Finish the story. I think a lot of writers are perfectionists and it’s easy to get all caught up trying to write a perfect first draft and then never finish it. That makes me sad, I think there are some great stories out there that are waiting to be told by writers who are holding themselves back. Just write it. The perfecting (which is never done) happens later. You need a first draft to move forward. So write a first draft and then find a couple of great beta readers.
Thank you so much for answering my questions.
Thank you so much for having me!
About the Author:
Ana lives just outside Washington DC with her very supportive husband and three rather demanding cats. She loves the ocean, Indian food, Ikea and cooking. Ana admits to watching too much television and she swears that someday she’s going to learn how to play the guitar resting on the bookshelf in her office.
Blog/Twitter/Facebook/Pinterest
The town’s too small for Kiley St. Claire’s reappearance to be a surprise, still seeing her hits Cole Thomas like a punch to the gut. She ripped his heart apart when she turned to ice and ran away all those years ago. Now that she’s back, Cole’s going to say his piece and move on.
Even if she does look damn good in that uniform.
Kiley St. Claire is back in the small town of Barrett, Vermont, for one reason and one reason only: to earn some cash so she can survive her final semester of grad school. She’s not there for the sexy Christmas tree farmers.
Even the one who once held her heart.
Jennifer’s Review of A Late Thaw
Review (4.5 Stars): I fell in love with Cole right away after starting A Late Thaw. He was sexy, strong and only had eyes for Kiley, when he could have any woman that he wanted. He and Kiley made a great couple, who once started out as childhood friends but grew apart because of a teenage misunderstanding. They had great chemistry together and I loved how they both had feelings for one another but never really acted on them.
Ana Blaze has created a fun light-hearted romance that will immediately captivate you. I love her style of writing and I connected with her characters right away. A Late Thaw is a perfect little romance and I absolutely can’t wait to read more great stories from Ms. Blaze.
Thanks so much for having me over. 🙂
New Zealand!
Hawaii. Thanks for the giveaway.
Italy!