Welcome to this week’s Romance Thursdays interview with Michelle Major. If you haven’t yet, check out last weeks interview with Belinda Missen as we talk writing romance as an Australia, favourite tropes, her favourite authors and more. 

Romance Thursdays is a feature that spotlights romance authors to highlight how amazing the romance writing community is. Each week I’m will be interviewing a different romance author from across subgenres as well as both traditionally and self-published. I want to share their experience writing romance and why they love it so much. While also focusing on their writing and books. 

This week I have Michelle Major on Angel Reads. Michelle is the author of the Crimson, Colorado Series, the Colorado Hearts Series, the Magnolia Sisters Series and more. Michelle has was written many books and you can check out her full backlist for more series and books.

Hi Michelle, and welcome to Angel Reads. For those that haven’t read anything by you yet, tell us a little about yourself and your books?

I’ve loved reading and writing for as long as I can remember, and the people I wanted to be when I grew up were my favourite characters from fiction—Anne Shirley and Jo March. Maybe that was a hint! I write sweet and sexy contemporary romance and love to balance deep emotional issues with humour (and often a cute animal or two as secondary characters).

Why did you start writing romance novels? Is there anything in particular that drew you to it over other genres?

I came to romance later than many avid readers I know. I didn’t pick up my first romance novel until I was 30-years-old (which seems young to me now!). I travelled each week for my job in Human Resources and developed a huge fear of flying. On a whim, I bought a Johanna Lindsey book in an airport bookstore, and the story captivated me so much I forgot to be scared. From there, I had a lot of catching up to do in the genre. The more I read, the more I realized that the stories I’d always told myself in my head were romance plots. I’d worked in journalism and always liked to write, so once I found my passion for romance, it was like coming home.

 

You write a range of romances, but most of your novels follow the theme of hope. Why do you feel that theme is present in a lot of what you write?

When I begin to plan a new book or series, I almost always start with the characters. I enjoy delving into the emotional lives of my heroine and hero and then building the external plot and conflict around that. For me, hope is always a part of that journey of transformation. I love the idea that no matter what life throws at a character, they can discover a reason to hope and work for something more or better. And, of course, hope is an integral part of a happily ever after, which is a key part of the romance genre.

What is your favourite thing about romance as a genre? Why do you like reading and writing it?

 Well, since we’re talking about hope, let’s start with that. As a reader, I love to escape into a world where I know I’m going to feel uplifted by the end. I want to provide that as a writer as well. Plus, the emotional connection and chemistry between two characters is so much fun. There’s a Pink song with the line “the breath before the kiss” and I love that idea in romance—the butterflies in the stomach as readers watch two people fall in love.

 

You tend to write series that span a number of books, but also have that ‘small-town’ vibe. How do you balance these two elements when writing?

I think small-town romance lends itself to series in a great way. Readers love revisiting with former characters, and as a writer, I love building a community within my books.

Who are some of your favourite romance authors? Who inspired you to write?

Historical romance is my absolute favourite. I can’t even name all the authors and books that I love. Anyone who is working in this industry to put out the best books they can write while balancing all the other details of life is an inspiration to me. It’s part of what I love about the writer and reader communities—it really makes me know that although I’m alone in my house most days at the computer I’m never really on my own. The romance community is the best.

What are some of the ways that you think we can start overcoming the stigma of romance novels? 

The stigma makes me sad because the romance genre has given me so much—both as a reader and a writer. I think a big part of overcoming it is talking about the books without apology. I recently did a college visit road trip with my son, and I always try to patronize a local bookstore when I travel. The two I went to didn’t even have a commercial fiction section, so I talked to the staff about how as a customer I’d like to see romance books represented.

 

Do you currently have any books in the works? Is there anything that you are looking forward to writing, but haven’t started yet? Is there something different that you want to try writing?

After The Merriest Magnolia, there is one more book in the sisters’ trilogy. The Last Carolina Sister will release in March 2021. I’m so excited that I’ll be expanding the world of Magnolia with three more books after these. We are spinning off the series and the new books will be called The Carolina Girls. I hope readers will love getting to spend more time in this world. I have a very small kernel of an idea for a psychological thriller in my brain—a big departure for me so I’m letting it percolate in its own time. 

Thank you so much for coming by Angel Reads. It was lovely having you here. And I can’t wait to read more of your books!

It was so nice to be here and thank you for having me!

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And that is this week’s Romance Thursdays interview done. I had a blast getting to know Michelle Major more and I’m excited to pick up her sweet romances soon. 

If there is an author that you would like to see featured here, please do let me know and I will try my best. If you are a romance author and would like to be apart of Romance Thursdays, don’t hesitate to message me. 

Have you read a book from Michelle Major before? Are you excited for more Romance Thursday posts? Let’s Chat! 

About the Author 

Michelle Major grew up in Ohio but dreamed of living in the mountains. Soon after graduating with a degree in Journalism, she pointed her car west and settled in Colorado. Her life and house are filled with one great husband, two beautiful kids, a few furry pets and several well-behaved reptiles. She’s grateful to have found her passion writing stories with happy endings. Michelle loves to hear from her readers at www.michellemajor.com.

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