NT: Hi Christi! Thank you for being my guest today.
Christi: Thanks for letting me visit. I’m really excited about sharing this entire trilogy with readers.
NT: When did you know you wanted to be a writer? How long did it take for you to make your first sale?
Christi: I spent the summer I was 13 knocking out 60 pages of what must’ve been a truly horrile historical romance. I was a bookworm, and not allowed to watch much television, so writing gave me something to do over vacation. Then I discovered I couldn’t stop – the ideas just kept swirling around in my head. But fiction writing isn’t seen as a highly practical career choice, so I just dabbled as a hobby. As the hobby sunk its hooks into me, I finally mustered the motiviation to finish an entire book four years ago. It sold within a year, and I’ve sold every one I’ve written.
NT: You have a new release this month, PLANNING FOR LOVE. Can you tell us about it?
Hopeless romantic Ivy Rhodes
and
anti-Cupid Bennett Westcott
request the pleasure of your company for
their disaster of a courtship
Wedding planner Ivy Rhodes is the best in the business, and she’s not about to let a personal problem stop her from getting ahead. So when she’s asked to star in the reality TV show Planning for Love, it doesn’t matter that the show’s videographer happens to be a recent—and heartbreaking—one-night stand.
Bennett Westcott admits he didn’t handle his encounter with Ivy very well. But looking at her beautiful smile—and great body—through a camera lens every day? He can’t be faulted for suggesting they have some no-strings fun.
The more time they spend together, the more Ben realizes Ivy isn’t the wedding-crazed bridezilla he’d imagined. But if he doesn’t trust himself to make a relationship last, how can he convince Ivy to give him another chance?
NT: Do you have a writing routine? What is your average writing day like?
Christi: I usually write at night (dependent, of course, upon things like Grey’s Anatomy and White Collar). I can plot any time, especially at the gym, but the actual hands on keyboard is between 9 pm and midnight. Not just because I have a day job, but my creative brain is definitely a night owl.
NT: Is there anyone you use as a sounding board when you’re stuck on a scene?
Christi: I have an amazing group of critique partners. My chapter (shout out to Maryland Romance Writers!) of RWA is filled with talented authors. I do have a core group that beta reads my books and I can call on in a pinch. The best part is that we reciprocate at the drop of a hat. People call writing a solitary business, but I feel that I have a huge support system.
NT: What was the most interesting thing you had to research and what was the hardest thing to research?
Christi: I joke that I don’t write historical romance because it requires too much research. You’d think contemporary romance wouldn’t require any, right? I wish! For this book I had to find out how much people on reality telelvision shows make. Interesting (yes, they are VASTLY overpaid). My most difficult research was on poisons that anyone can make from their garden (that combined with my drug trafficking research for book #3 must put me on some FBI watch list). The most fun research so far, however, was for the last book in my Aisle Bound trilogy. I just finished researching and writing an aphrodisiac dinner & drinks. Soooo much fun!
NT: When not busy writing, what do you like to do in your spare time? (If there is such a thing *G*)
Christi: I’m a complete bookworm, and I adore to cook – the more ingredients and difficult recipe, the better. I love having people over for dinner and stuffing them to the gills – and my husband always does the dishes, so it works out perfectly.
NT: What are the latest additions to your TBR? What are you most eager to read?
Christi: Such a long list! I can’t wait to dive into the start of Victoria Dahl’s new trilogy. At the beach this week I’ll be devouring #2 in JR Ward’s Fallen Angel series and Kristen Higgan’s Somebody To Love.
NT: Any advice to aspiring authors? What craft books helped you that you would recommend to aspiring writers?
Christi: My most fervent and most obvious advice is to write. Nothing happens until the words are down. Force yourself to treat it like an already paying job and do it five days a week. Two fabulous craft books are On Writing by Stephen King and How I Write by Janet Evanovich. Also good – 45 Master Characters by Victoria Schmidt.
NT: What can your fans look forward to from you in the near future? What are you working on now?
Christi: The next book releasing is a Christmas novella, Ask Her At Christmas. It will be in the Romance the Holiday anthology, where I’m honored to share page space with Jaci Burton and Helen Kay Dimon. But books 2 & 3 of the Aisle Bound trilogy are also looming (I’m deep into book 3, Friends To Lovers, right now).
NT: If someone has not read any of your books, which would be the one you’d recommend they try first?
Christi: Absolutely Planning for Love. It is my favorite, and jam-packed with humor and heart, romance and some pretty hot sex, if I do say so myself.
NT: How can readers contact you?
Christi: Please visit my website for more information on all my books, and a contact form. Swing by my blog, or follow me on Twitter and Pinterest, too!
NT: Thanks for being our guest today!
~~~*~~~*~~~*~~~
If somebody turned your life into a romance novel, what drink best describes you, and why?
Leave an answer below for a chance to win a digital copy of Planning For Love?
Honorary Mention of Book Sluts 'R' Us Blogger Awards by 
RR@H Novel Thoughts & Book Talk 
Thanks for the fun interview, I have put this book on my wishlist. Lol, I would be a cup of tea, comforting, warming and easy to make. But I will also wake you up if necessary.
Scotch whiskey. strong with a slow burn and gets better wth age. My favorite drink too.
Trilogy and first story sound good.
A can of soda. I am bubbly and a little sweet (although some might say it’s because I could corode a cast iron pipe!). Thanks for the giveaway.
Fun interview – Planning for Love sounds like a fun read. As far as a drink…not really sure – maybe a glass of milk? I don’t know…lol…have never thought of myself in that way. Thanks for the giveaway!
Oh and the reason milk is because I go great with chocolate….lol
All good drinks so far – but given romance author’s propensity for chocolate, I’m shocked to say that the milk is so far my favorite answer!
Fun interview! I don’t want to be in the book drawing because I read a first chapter of an early draft of this book, so I already know how fun Christi’s writing is. Shout out to MRW!
If my life were turned into a romance novel, my drink would be sweet champagne (loosely described to mean all white sparkling wine) for the simple reasons that I’m not too much of a snob to admit I prefer sweet than dry and I think if you don’t have a reason to crack a bottle of bubbly, you can always easily invent one. Everything is better with champagne. Even breakfast!
I would have to say hot tea. I am comforting and make you feel good. I am good in any weather.
Thanks for the great post. This book looks great and would love to win and read.
Congrats on the new release. Thanks for the fun interview. How about chocolate milk, it’s sweet, chocolate, and good for you.
Congratulations on the new release. Unfortunately, the drink that describes me would probably be milk. I really do drink it.
I’m a mimosa, a special combination for special occasions!
It’s party time!!
Pat C.
Gee I am not sure how to answer… I would love to be some exotic drink, but I guess I could be a flavored soda… something normal and sweet with a hint of something extra.
I love the explanations everyone is giving. Who knew that hot tea and milk would be the strongest contenders?
i think i wanna be a cup of mint tea. strong, yummy, and it makes your eyes open, when youre want to sleep. lol
That’s a tough question, but I will say a good cup of coffee. Strong and required to start the day 🙂
Since realizing that historicals and contemps both take research do you plan to write one? I love looking forward to trilogies! I’d say coffee with hazelnuts creamer. Sweet and nutty (but love reading the sizzling romance)!
Cathiecaffey @ gmail. Com
This sounds like a fabulous book. My drink would probably be vanilla latte.
Hot cocoa because it’s comforting