I’m excited to be picking up my interview series again! This week, I’m happy to host Lynne Marino, author of The Cha-cha Affair and Five Things. Lynne was born and grew up in St. Louis, Missouri, where she was always the first in line for the Bookmobile. She has spent most of her adult life in the Southwest, still reading away. Now she writes her own stories. She currently resides in Tucson, Arizona.
Book blurb for The Cha-cha Affair:
Stephanie Ledger isn’t a Scottsdale princess anymore. Her messy, never-ending divorce has left her with an empty upscale house, and an even emptier bank account. She swears that she doesn’t want another man in her life-ever, until she meets Joe Schmidt at a ballroom dance class, and the sparks begin to fly.
The more time Joe spends with Stephanie, the more he wants their fledgling partnership—on and off the dance floor—to become something more. Unfortunately, he works for the IRS and they are investigating her soon-to-be-ex-husband, and Stephanie’s connection as well. Joe knows that if she ever finds out, he’s toast.
Still determined that she’ll never fall in love again, Stephanie ropes Joe into a riotous caper to get some leverage on her lying, lecherous husband in the hopes of finally bringing her divorce to a close. The duo dance their way in and out of trouble, and into each other’s heart, until Stephanie discovers what Joe has been hiding. But will she also discover what everyone around them already knows? While the two of them may be annoying and imperfect together, they are also annoyingly perfect for one another.
The Cha-cha Affair is 263 pages long and was published by Solstice Publishing in June, 2018.
Why did you decide to write this book?
Before my daughter got married, my husband and I started taking dance lessons. We are still dancing away, and I had many funny stories in my head to tell about the experience.
What genre is your book?
Comedy romance
Do you consider your book character-driven or plot-driven?
Character driven, although the plot entanglements drive the novel along, too.
What makes your book unique?
Besides a cadre of hilarious characters (even when they’re trying not to be), this book takes place in Phoenix and Scottsdale, Arizona. Not many books are set there. Additionally, it pokes a lot of fun at the plastic surgery business that flourishes in Scottsdale.
Do you plot ahead of time, or let the plot emerge as you write?
This one just came flowing out of my head.
How do you develop the names for your characters?
I usually pick names that are indicative of the generation I’m writing about.
How do you decide on the setting?
I’ve lived in Arizona for the last twenty-five years, twenty of which were in Phoenix. I know the city and its inhabitants well.
Do you have a writing mentor?
There are many writers whose use of humor I enjoy. Carl Hiaasen comes immediately to mind. Also, Fredrick Backman.
What’s your writing schedule? Do you have a favorite place to write?
With a laptop, I write in a number of places around my house. Whatever feels right.
I try to write on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays. Right now my Tuesdays and Thursday are spent learning the ins and outs of book marketing.
Where can readers find you?
Website: https://lynnemarinoauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/lynnemarinoauthor/
Buy links:
Anything else you’d like to add?
Go to my website and read the first chapter of The Cha-cha Affair. You’ll also find the first chapter of my other comedy romance, Five Things. I hope you enjoy them.
Nancy Wood 