I'd like to welcome Anita Hughes to the blog today to celebrate the exciting release of Island in the Sea from St. Martin's Press!
Welcome to Books à la Mode, Anita! Let's get this interview started.
Will you please share a brief introduction with us?
Thank you for having me on your wonderful blog!
Anita Hughes was born and raised in Sydney, Australia. She attended Bard College and UC Berkeley’s Masters in English and Creative Writing Program. She writes women’s fiction for St. Martin’s Press and lives in Dana Point, California with her family.
It's my pleasure! It's amazing to get to feature you today! And GO BEARS✌️! Readers, here's a bit about the book, which just hit shelves earlier this week:
Juliet Lyman is a senior executive at Yesterday Records. Music is her passion and she's very good at her job. That's why her famously philanthropic boss Gideon sends her to Majorca, Spain to work with a very tortured, but talented client. Lionel Harding is one of the best song writers of the 20th century, the multi-Grammy award-winning lyricist of the third most recorded song in history. But now he's 42 and six months overdue on the his latest paid assignment. Juliet is not leaving Majorca without either new lyrics or a very large check.
To Juliet, business comes first. Emotions are secondary, and love isn't even on the menu. But to Lionel, love is everything, and he blames Gideon for his broken heart. He's determined to show Juliet that nothing is more important than love, but Juliet is just as determined to get Lionel to create the music that made him famous. If she can sign up local talent, even better. Her new friend Gabriella has a voice like an angel, but she's not interested in fame. Her grandmother, Lydia, wants the world for Gabriella, and she wants Juliet's help to give it to her.
As her professional and personal lives start to mix for the first time, Juliet is forced to reevaluate her priorities. Gideon hasn't been totally honest, and love may be the only thing that gives them all what they need.
Island in the Sea is Anita Hughes's captivating sixth novel, filled with exotic descriptions of food, fashion, and romance.
Describe Island in the Sea in six words.
Female music executive travels to Majorca.
How did you arrive at writing women's fiction? Are there any other genres you’d like to try your hand at, or any you want to stay away from?
I have always loved women’s fiction and have been a big fan of Jane Green, Sophie Kinsella, and Marian Keyes for decades. I started writing women’s fiction simply because that’s what came out when I put pen to paper. I also think about a lot of the issues women’s fiction covers: female friendships, relationships, infidelity.
I can’t really see writing anything else. I’m very happy with what I write.
What was the inspiration for the book?
The inspiration was the song "The Girl from Ipanema." It is the second most popular song in pop music history, and when I hear it I think of white sand beaches and girls in bikinis. Then I thought what would it be like to write love songs but be bitter about love. That’s how I created Lionel Harding, the famous songwriter who is so bitter about love; he can’t deliver on his new contract.
Which character from Island in the Sea was most difficult to write?
Probably Lionel was the most difficult character to write, while also being my favorite character. He is quite complex and it was difficult to make him likable while allowing him to have many weaknesses. But in the end, I think the reader can see he has a good heart and means well, even with his failings. Plus, he was often very funny!
What do you consider your biggest strengths and weaknesses as an author?
I think my biggest strength might be dialogue. I love writing witty dialogue, and I feel the story really comes alive. My weakness might be a penchant to be too descriptive. I love really seeing the places and people when I write.
Name the top five novels that have made the biggest impact on your life or on your writing.
Of Human Bondage by Somerset Maugham,
Mill on the Floss by George Eliot,
The Reef by Edith Wharton,
The Love Machine by Jacqueline Sussan, and
Princess Daisy by Judith Krantz.
What’s the greatest thing you ever learned?
The greatest thing I have learned is just to enjoy what I’m writing. I really immerse myself and enjoy the process. I think if you do that, your readers will enjoy reading the book as much.
Blog babes, click "Read more" to find out Anita's random favorites, her best writing and personal advice, and what makes Island in the Sea stand out as a book from all the rest. We're also hosting a giveaway for a finished copy of Island in the Sea, so you don't want to miss that either!
Where We Fall
