First I would like to apologies for the lack of romance interviews the last month, however, with work being so busy I decided a break was in order. But now that the new year has started let’s get back into it.

This week on Romance Thursdays I had the lovely privilege of interviewing Amy Craig. I’m so excited to share this interview with you all and get back into this series. If you haven’t checked out the rest of my interviews in this series be sure to and see what other romance authors have to say. 

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. 

Amy Craig is the author of Sunset Dreams, Lost in L.A, A Corporate Courtship and more. You can check out her backlist of titles now. Let’s get into the interview! 

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

Hi Readers! I write contemporary romances about hard-working men and women. Some of my characters are beautiful and rich, but most nights, they’re not tripping on yacht steps and drowning their sorrows in champagne.

I started writing sweet romances, like Corporate Courtship and Sunset Dreams, but I love the chemistry and misunderstandings of mainstream romances. Lost in LA (Jan 2021) channels warm breezes and twenty-something adults finding their footing with differing resources. A Winter Rose (2021) deals with second chances and two thirty-something adults picking up the pieces of their lives on a gorgeous Washington state flower farm.

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

It’s just so satisfying! I wrote a few women’s fiction novels with romantic elements, but they lacked the happy-ever-after ending that leaves a smile when a reader closes the book.

You write mainly contemporary romances. What is your favourite thing about writing in that genre of romance? Was there something that drew you to it over other sub-genres?

I love reading romance novels and imagining myself in the middle of the plot twists. Historical and paranormal romances are great forms of escapism, but something about the real-life issues of contemporary romances captures my attention. I doubt I’ll skip fangs and fur for the rest of my writing career. The banter of fated-mates appeals to me, but I’m having too much fun right now with contemporary romances.

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

A writer told me she loves “torturing” her characters. I don’t go that far, but I enjoy forcing characters to make decisions and find their way to love. “Feel the burn” works well in an exercise class and romance novels.

What are some of your favourite tropes that you like reading and writing in the romance genre?

Lost in LA has a secret relationship and A Winter Rose focuses on second-chances and a cute kid. I have a few other books that lean toward romantic suspense, but I don’t think readers will see them until 2022.

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

I’ve read Indie novels for the last few years, but I confess I’m reading as a writer and picking apart the plot, dialogue, and construction. It’s diabolical. If readers like doing the same thing, they should get in touch with me on social media. I love beta readers and I have thick skin.

To avoid dodging the question, the last two traditionally published books I read were You Had Me at Hola by Alexis Daria and Red, White & Royal Blue by Casey McQuiston.

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

I think the stigma is already fading. Clever paperback covers and complex plots blur the line between contemporary romances and women’s fiction. Read whatever you want to read!

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?

I already mentioned Lost in L.A. and A Winter Rose. The romantic suspense novels should arrive next year. They’re marinating on my computer, but the tentative titles are The Peninsula and The Crevasse. Set in northern California, their heroines embraced STEM, but modern, tech-savvy careers still come with complications like greed and competition. The best way to stay informed about my work is through social media or my newsletter sign-up on my website.

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I hope you had a great time reading this interview with Amy Craig and maybe it has you wanting to pick up her books. 

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 any Amy Craig books before? What did you think of them? Are you excited for more Romance Thursday posts? Let’s Chat! 

About the Author 

Amy Craig lives in Baton Rouge, Louisiana with her family and a small menagerie of pets. She writes contemporary romances featuring intelligent heroines. She can’t always vouch for the men. In her spare time, she plays tennis and expands her husband’s honey-do list. Before pursuing writing, she worked as an engineer, project manager, and an incompetent waitress.

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