Well! We haven't done one of these in awhile! Today, I decided to put the spotlight on International Bestseller Ella Maise! I'll post all her links as well as my review of her books at the end of the interview. ENJOY!
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| The lovely Ella Maise |
A: I’m a Contemporary Romance author who enjoys writing most probably more than anything.
Q: How did you get into writing?
A: I love reading and I used to read 3-4 books in one week, sometimes more depending on the books. So one day, I just told a good friend of mine, who I’d met through Goodreads, that I wanted to give it a try. Sat down and wrote the first few pages of I’m Yours—my first book—and sent it to her. When she said it wasn’t bad at all…I just kept going.
Q: Wow, really?! That's amazing. So how did you come up with To Love Jason Thorn and To Hate Adam Connor?
A: Olive and Jason just popped into my mind out of nowhere. I was actually in the middle of writing Lost Heartbeats and I remember having a really hard time keeping my focus on that story at the time. I didn’t want to stop writing in the middle of one book and start a new one, so I took a ton of notes. Notes of how I saw the scenes playing in my mind. To Love Jason Thorn basically wrote itself. I had no hesitation whatsoever about Olive and Jason as a couple. And with To Hate Adam Connor, I wasn’t sure if I was going to tell Lucy’s story at first. I wasn’t sure if readers would be interested in hearing it, but I fell in love with her and again, her story pretty much wrote itself too. I wanted her to have Adam in her life. Adam and Aiden.
So basically both with Olive and Lucy, they told their own story, I just typed the words.
A: Hmmm. Not sure. I wish I knew more about the marketing side. I still wish I know more about better marketing. :)
Q: I think once you tackle the basics of marketing, you'll be well on your way. <3
How long does it take you to write a book?
A: It probably takes me around 2-2.5 months, but I’m known to sabotage myself, so sometimes it takes longer. Although, I should mention that I was on a deadline and I wrote To Love Jason Thorn pretty much in a month.
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| Possible Olive candidate? |
A: Unfortunately, I can’t name any names. When I picture them in my mind they have their own faces, you know. That being said, I could see Emma Stone as Olive. Maybe? Ah, I don’t know.
Q: Where do you get your motivation from?
A: Probably readers. Yes, probably from readers who message me saying they had the biggest smile on their faces after reading my book. And I have a few friends who does a great job at kicking my ass when I feel like I’m the worst writer in the world. And…sometimes day dreaming about what I’m going to write, imagining the scenes, experiencing the feelings of my characters…that might be the biggest motivation for me because I absolutely love writing.
Q: Aww, Ella!! How about your favourite genre of books?
A: Contemporary Romance and Paranormal. If you want me to go into sub-genre…Friends-to-lovers would probably be my favorite.
Q: Do you have any habits or traditions while writing? Like, indoors or outdoors?
A: Hmm... Traditions... I don't think so. Oh, does closing my eyes and just focusing on the characters count? I have to get into that mindset before I start writing and usually that only happens if I just take a breath and close my eyes to quiet everything else that's going on in my mind. Sometimes it all come rushing when I'm eating or doing something mundane, so I just sit down and start writing... As for habits... I have to have quiet and actually be alone. I can't write when there are people talking to me, asking random questions etc.
Q: With that said, what do you normally drink while writing...if anything?
A: If I remember to drink anything at all, it is water. I love ice cold water. And maybe apple juice. Ok, I love apple juice, too.
Q: So, are any of the things in your books factual? Like…have you been guilty of watching your sexy neighbour?
A: Nope. Unfortunately, no sexy neighbors for me. But Olive has a brother as you know and Jason was her brother’s best friend. So it happens that I have a brother, too, and—surprise, surprise—he had some friends. I wasn’t in love with any of them, definitely didn’t propose to anyone, but crushing…probably.
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| Adam and a younger Aiden |
A: I had a little trouble with Aiden’s character. I’m not sure ‘trouble’ is the right word to use, but yeah let’s go with that one… It was the first time I had a kid in one of my books—from start to finish that is—who had such an important role because Lucy didn’t fall in love with Adam first; Aiden was the first one of the Connor family who stole her heart. And the fact that he was a boy made it harder for me for some reason. Writing a girl, writing Olive as six-year-old was easier, but it was only for a chapter so… Also, I don’t have kids, and I haven’t been around a five-year-old for quite some time so I had to go back and make sure that his dialogues were appropriate of a five-year-old kid. I did my best and I think he turned out pretty well. And at the end it was the best thing to hear from multiple readers that they had fallen in love with Aiden almost as hard as they had fell for Adam.
Q: I think that's my favourite answer so far, haha. Do you like being an "indie" author? Do you ever see yourself working for a publishing company?
A: I like being an indie author because I get to make all the decisions for my book. BUT, yes, one day I want to be a hybrid author. At least that’s one of the goals.
Q: I never expected myself to end up discovering indie authors such as yourself. But I'm glad to be a huge supporters for authors such as yourself.
Who would you say you're most like yourself in your characters? Who is your favourite?
A: I think every character I write have a little bit of me in them. It’s not the best answer, but even though I have a little bit of Lucy in me, I’m thinking I’m more like Olive. And favorite character…that’s impossible to answer.
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| Marking 101 (source: stacihartnovels) |
A: Marketing is a part of writing so I’m gonna say marketing, because I think I suck at it. The best thing about it is just sitting down and basically breathing life into the characters you create in your mind. Giving voice to them. Watching them grow up. Watching them fall in love. Like Olive, I almost always have a small smile on my face when I’m writing a good scene. Actually I have a small smile now, too.
Q: I'm seriously sprouting heart eyes from this interview. One piece of advice you would give to an aspiring author?
A: Be very open to criticism. And after you finish your first draft, pick it apart. If you read a chapter you’re not happy with, if it’s just a filler, if something doesn’t feel right, delete and write again. You have to be sure of your characters and you have to like every single scene in your book. If you don’t, you can’t expect others to love it when even you can’t.
Q: What author makes your fangirl over?
A: I don’t think I ever ‘fangirled’ over an author. But some of my current favorite authors are: Kristen Ashley, Penelope Ward, Vi Keeland and Lex Martin.
Q: All very talented authors. And finally, what's next for you? I may have stalked your Goodreads page and noticed a certain "Untitled" page.
A: Another good book hopefully. There is something in my mind. An artist who does sketches, who paints and a football player. They're in college. And they are forced to live in the same apartment. Roommates. The girl might be a little in love with the boy. And the boy might be a little in love with the girl too. But it might also not be the best time for them... I'm starting to put everything together so even this much isn't set in stone, but yes, I feel good about this.
Random Round!!!
Q: Think about a certain someone, what are one of the things you wish you could have told
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| Accurate quotes make people's days |
A: You don’t make me happy anymore.
Q: What is your biggest fear?
A: Being nothing. No one. Being unsuccessful.
Q: What makes you happy?
A: My dog. Writing. Shopping. Love. Flirting.
Q: Are you shy?
A: Yes. Very. Let me repeat that, VERY.
Q: If you could never fail, what would you do?
A: If I were to be successful, every time—since I can’t fail—I’d still be an author. Who would mind topping the charts with every single book? Not me. :)
Q: What's your hidden talent?
A: I’m afraid I have none. Had I mentioned before that I sucked. I’m a good dreamer, can that be a hidden talent?
Q: Tell us a joke.
A:What do a penis and a Rubik’s cube have in common?
The more you play with it, the harder it gets.
Read Ella's books!
Latest Release
Title: To Hate Adam Connor
Author: Ella Maise
Author: Ella Maise
Release Date: June 9, 2016
Source: eBook bought
Buy Links: Amazon | Goodreads
*Lucy's story is a complete standalone*
So you may ask, who is Adam Connor? He is the recently divorced, Academy Award-winning actor who just moved in next door with his kid. He also happens to be an exquisite male specimen and the most infuriating sly bastard I’ve ever come across.
Let’s be honest here, wouldn’t you wanna take a peek over the wall to catch a glimpse of him, hopefully when he is naked? Wouldn’t you melt away after watching him work out as his five-year-old kid cheered him on? Do I even have to mention those abs, the big bulge in his pants, or that arm porn? Oh, wait, you would never spy on him? Sure…
While I was being thoughtful by not breaking and entering and was actually considering going over to offer him a shoulder—or maybe a boob or two—to cry on (y’know, because of his divorce), instead he had me thrown in jail after a small incident. Jail, people! He was supposed to grant me countless orgasms as a thank you, not a jail cell.
After that day, I was mentally plotting ways to strangle him instead of jumping his bones to make sweet love. So what if my body did more than just shiver when he whispered dirty little things in my ear? I can’t be held responsible for that. And when was the last time he’d kissed anyone anyway? Who’d enjoy a kiss with a side of heart attack?
Even if he and his son were the best things since sliced bread—and I’m not saying he was—I couldn’t fall for him. No matter what promises he whispered on my skin, my curse wouldn’t let us be. I wasn’t a damsel in distress—I could save myself, thank you very much—but deep inside, I still hoped Adam Connor would be the hero of my story.
Oh, how stupidly in love with that boy I was. He was the first boy that made me blush, my first official crush. Sounds beautiful so far, right? That excitement that bubbles up inside you, those famous butterflies you feel for the very first time—he was the reason for them all. But, you only get to live in that fairytale world until they crush your hopes and dreams and then stomp on your heart for good measure. And boy did he crush my little heart into pieces.
After the stomping part he became the boy I did my best to stay away from—and let me tell you, it was pretty hard to do when he slept in the room right across from mine.
When tragedy struck his family and they moved away, I was ready to forget he ever existed.
Now he is a movie star, the one who makes women of all ages go into a screaming frenzy, the one who makes everyone swoon with that dimpled smile of his. Do you think that’s dreamy? I certainly don’t think so. How about me coming face to face with him? Nope still not dreamy. Not when I can’t even manage to look him in the eye.
Me? I’m Olive, a new writer. Actually, I’m THE writer of the book that inspired the movie he is about to star in on the big screen. As of late, I am also referred to as the oh-so-very-lucky girl who is about to become the wife of Jason Thorn.
Maybe you’re thinking yet again that this is all so dreamy? Nope, nothing dreamy going on here. Not even close.
Title: To Alexander & Maya Duet: Lost Heartbeats
Author: Ella Maise
Author: Ella Maise
Release Date: December 2, 2015
This is the bundled version of 'Alexander & Maya' which contains 'Lost Prelude' and 'Lost Heartbeats'. If you've already read the books separately, there is no need to buy this.
Part One: LOST PRELUDE
My name is Maya, and I'm not the same girl I was a month ago.
There is an emptiness I carry around in my chest now. A broken heart caused by grief.
There are also dark nights where I have trouble breathing as I feel the heavy weight of loss rushing through my veins, painful moments where I can remember my entire being scream in agony as I held onto my father's cold, lifeless hand.
Then there is always a hero to every story, isn't there? A hero who I despised from the moment he opened his mouth.
His name is Alexander. He is my inevitable I never expected to find. The one my broken heart leads me to. His existence, his touch, everything he did to make my pain bearable will leave a mark on me forever.
Yet, I know that when I'm gone, he'll only remember me as a fading memory.
Part Two: LOST HEARTBEATS
My name is Alexander, and I'm no fucking hero.
Not when I couldn't even save the little heartbeats I was supposed to protect with my life.
When a fist closes around my heart after a death brings me to my knees, I finally go after the woman I'd been craving for months. Not just because her beautiful face is the only thing that slips through the pain when I close my eyes, but because she has secretly carved a place for herself in my heart - leaving me with no choice.
But if I do this, if I make myself believe that I deserve her, will the choices I make ruin everything between us? Will she accept the fact that she doesn't get to leave me twice?
Part One: LOST PRELUDE
My name is Maya, and I'm not the same girl I was a month ago.
There is an emptiness I carry around in my chest now. A broken heart caused by grief.
There are also dark nights where I have trouble breathing as I feel the heavy weight of loss rushing through my veins, painful moments where I can remember my entire being scream in agony as I held onto my father's cold, lifeless hand.
Then there is always a hero to every story, isn't there? A hero who I despised from the moment he opened his mouth.
His name is Alexander. He is my inevitable I never expected to find. The one my broken heart leads me to. His existence, his touch, everything he did to make my pain bearable will leave a mark on me forever.
Yet, I know that when I'm gone, he'll only remember me as a fading memory.
Part Two: LOST HEARTBEATS
My name is Alexander, and I'm no fucking hero.
Not when I couldn't even save the little heartbeats I was supposed to protect with my life.
When a fist closes around my heart after a death brings me to my knees, I finally go after the woman I'd been craving for months. Not just because her beautiful face is the only thing that slips through the pain when I close my eyes, but because she has secretly carved a place for herself in my heart - leaving me with no choice.
But if I do this, if I make myself believe that I deserve her, will the choices I make ruin everything between us? Will she accept the fact that she doesn't get to leave me twice?
Title: Lost Heartbeats (Alexander & Maya #2)
Author: Ella Maise
Author: Ella Maise
Release Date: August 11, 2015
My name is Alexander, and I'm no fucking hero.
Not when I couldn't even save the little heartbeats I was supposed to protect with my life.
When a fist closes around my heart after a death brings me to my knees, I finally go after the woman I'd been craving for months. Not just because her beautiful face is the only thing that slips through the pain when I close my eyes, but because she has secretly carved a place for herself in my heart - leaving me with no choice.
But if I do this, if I make myself believe that I deserve her, will the choices I make ruin everything between us? Will she accept the fact that she doesn't get to leave me twice?
Not when I couldn't even save the little heartbeats I was supposed to protect with my life.
When a fist closes around my heart after a death brings me to my knees, I finally go after the woman I'd been craving for months. Not just because her beautiful face is the only thing that slips through the pain when I close my eyes, but because she has secretly carved a place for herself in my heart - leaving me with no choice.
But if I do this, if I make myself believe that I deserve her, will the choices I make ruin everything between us? Will she accept the fact that she doesn't get to leave me twice?
Title: Lost Prelude (Alexander & Maya #1)
Author: Ella Maise
Author: Ella Maise
Release Date: April 12, 2015
My name is Maya, and I'm not the same girl I was a month ago.
There is an emptiness I carry around in my chest now. A broken heart caused by grief.
There are also dark nights where I have trouble breathing as I feel the heavy weight of loss rushing through my veins, painful moments where I can remember my entire being scream in agony as I held onto my father's cold, lifeless hand.
Then there is always a hero to every story, isn't there? A hero who I despised from the moment he opened his mouth.
His name is Alexander. He is my inevitable I never expected to find. The one my broken heart leads me to. His existence, his touch, everything he did to make my pain bearable will leave a mark on me forever.
Yet, I know that when I'm gone, he'll only remember me as a fading memory.
Title: I'm Yours
Author: Ella Maise
Author: Ella Maise
Release Date: December 1, 2014
Buy Links: Amazon | Goodreads
Have you ever been in love?
So in love that you believed all the lies, again and again?
Because I did...
Did you manage to escape from the hurt, the heartbreak, and the tears that came with being in love?
Did you even have time to pick up the broken pieces of your heart before they shattered it all over again?
Because I didn't...
I gave Evan my heart, my trust, my everything, and in return all he gave me was pain.
Stumbling around in a new city, picking up the pieces I had lost, I found myself in a stranger's arms. Cradling me against his chest, protecting me, seeing me, promising me everything I was afraid to ask for myself again.
I'm not naive enough to mistake lust for love. Love never comes that easily; it always rips you apart before it finally gives you what each and every one of us longs for. But Noah knew what he was after, and now I know that nothing could have stopped him from taking what he wanted from me.
He became the one who gave me hope again, day after day, simply by being there.
He became the one who made me whimper in bed, while he whispered dirty words in my ear, night after night.
And then he became the one who took it all away again.
This is my story, maybe a simple one for some, yet still completely mine.
Have you ever been in love?
So in love that you believed all the lies, again and again?
Because I did...
Did you manage to escape from the hurt, the heartbreak, and the tears that came with being in love?
Did you even have time to pick up the broken pieces of your heart before they shattered it all over again?
Because I didn't...
I gave Evan my heart, my trust, my everything, and in return all he gave me was pain.
Stumbling around in a new city, picking up the pieces I had lost, I found myself in a stranger's arms. Cradling me against his chest, protecting me, seeing me, promising me everything I was afraid to ask for myself again.
I'm not naive enough to mistake lust for love. Love never comes that easily; it always rips you apart before it finally gives you what each and every one of us longs for. But Noah knew what he was after, and now I know that nothing could have stopped him from taking what he wanted from me.
He became the one who gave me hope again, day after day, simply by being there.
He became the one who made me whimper in bed, while he whispered dirty words in my ear, night after night.
And then he became the one who took it all away again.
This is my story, maybe a simple one for some, yet still completely mine.
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