Interview with
Josie Riviera
Author of
Whispers of Love in Sweetwater Springs
Today I have the pleasure to present a USA TODAY bestselling author of contemporary, inspirational, and historical sweet romances that read like Hallmark movies. Josie Riviera lives in the Charlotte, NC, area with her wonderfully supportive husband. They share their home with an adorable shih tzu, who constantly needs grooming, and live in an old house forever needing renovations.
I love that the mystery in Whispers of Love in Sweetwater Springs opens in a quaint bookshop. How did the idea of finding a mysterious letter there come to you? And did you model the bookshop on a real place?
The idea of the bookshop as a setting emerged from my own love of reading, plus I love a cozy space and have always enjoyed spending hours in a bookshop. Bookshops are enchanting, in a way. There are so many stories there. The bookshop in the book, by the way, is fictional.
The mysterious letter came about because I wanted to write my first sweet romance cozy mystery. I brought 2 worlds together--Olivia Whitfield, the owner, and a man and woman in their 70s. Besides being a "second chance" romance between the younger couple--Olivia and Daniel, the story focuses on the older couple--Theodore and Lillian, making this story also a "seasoned" romance.
Two childhood friends joining forces to uncover a mystery allows us to discover their past and their present, and allows you as an author to flesh them out in a fully nuanced way. Please describe your characters, Daniel Whitfield and Olivia Harper to us.
Daniel Whitfield, the hero, is the type of man who carries a quiet strength. He's observant, thoughtful, and often lost in his own musings. His childhood bond with Olivia Whitfield, the heroine, is deeply rooted, and they have their own "second chance" romance.
On the other hand, Olivia Harper is vibrant and spirited. While she exudes confidence, there are layers of vulnerability beneath her outgoing nature. I hope that Olivia and Daniel both will capture the reader's heart as they rekindled their romance.
In addition to being a cosy mystery, this book is a love story decades in the making. Unraveling it over time is quite a challenge, tell us how you do it.
I focused on layering both the mystery and the romance, which is quite a task. I tried to echo their past, while simultaneously propelling the hero and heroine forward. I included poignant flashbacks that revealed their past history--laughter, heartache, and the unresolved tension that defined their relationship. Each revelation about who wrote the letter to Lillian (spoiler alert--it was Theodore!), brings Olivia and Daniel closer together. I hoped to keep readers engaged to not only root for the characters, but to try to solve the mystery.
The companion audiobook is done using virtual voice technology. Tell us about the process and about the experience of hearing your characters come to life i such an expressive way.
I’m so excited to share that all my books are available as audiobooks! They are narrated by talented professional narrators, as well as by me, allowing for a personal touch to the storytelling experience. Now, I’m even exploring the world of technology to bring my stories to life in new and innovative ways. It's a very exciting, simplified option, and I'm thrilled that Amazon is now offering it.
In addition, my books are all available in ebook, paperback, large print paperback, and hardcover. I do all the formatting and created several of the book covers myself.
Give us an excerpt from the book.
“You’ve got to be kidding me! Only two boxes of books when I ordered three?” Olivia Harper’s exasperated voice echoed through the cozy confines of Harper’s Haven, the bookshop she’d inherited from her grandfather Elijah.
She hoisted the books inside and shook her head. “I guess I’ll have to charm my customers with my dazzling personality instead of relying on the books.”
With a grin and a sigh, she reached for her cell phone to rectify the mistake. Sunlight filtered through the lace curtains, casting a glow over the antique furniture and overstuffed chairs. The scent of aged paper and rich mahogany embraced her like an old friend.
Blooming cherry blossom trees, with slender upright branches and rounded canopies, lined the street. When she finished her phone call, she opened the window to let in the floral-scented air.
As she gazed around her shop, a flicker of uncertainty passed through her.
Harper’s Haven wasn’t just a bookstore—it was her dream, her legacy. She had poured her heart and soul into every detail, determined to carry on her grandfather’s proud tradition. But lately, the weight of responsibility seemed more burdensome than ever.
With each passing year, the pressures of running the business grew more daunting.
She shrugged off her khaki-colored windbreaker, hung it on a hook by the door, and secured an apron over her clothes. Then she kneeled beside the book shipments and sliced through the packing tape.
She lifted out two hardbound editions of Wuthering Heights, their gold-leaf lettering glinting in the gauzy morning light.
The distinct tinkle of the shop bell was unmistakable, and she greeted the first customer of the day.
But no one responded.
“Hello?” she called out again. “Can I help you find anything?”
Only silence. Every aisle lay empty and still.
Okay, this was strange. She was certain she had heard the bell.
“Anyone here?” She repeated.
Nope. No reply. She must’ve been mistaken. She was obviously alone.
Corralling her unease into something more productive, she redirected her attention to her task. As she sliced through the packing tape on the next box, a flash of creamy parchment grabbed her attention. She crouched for a better look, clearing dust bunnies from the wooden floorboards. An envelope lay slightly hidden underneath the front door.
She yanked the envelope free. The texture was luxuriously thick, and clearly expensive stationery. No postage, no address … only a wax seal, keeping its contents mysteriously confined. The wax itself was an unusual shade of yellow, its sheen catching the morning light streaming through the windows.
There were no clues as to the sender, an intriguing omission.
Her fingertip dipped over fancy lettering.
The initials L.B.
Where had she seen that unique script before, with its elongated curves and artistic loops? It tugged at her memory but hovered slightly out of reach.
The letter was addressed to:
Ms. Lillian Beaumont
Sweetwater Springs
Whispers of Love
“Whispers of love?” she asked aloud. “What does it mean?”
Book Link:
Whispers of Love in Sweetwater Springs
Author Link:
Amazon Author Page
Website
Facebook
Twitter
BookBub
Much thanks, Uvi, for your feature of my book today! So appreciated! ox
ReplyDeleteMy pleasure Sarah! Can't wait to read it :)
DeleteThank you so much for this opportunity, Uvi. The presentation looks fantastic, too.
ReplyDelete