We chat with author Nisha Sharma about her latest release Tastes Like Shakkar, which sees her add shakkar and mirch to Shakespeare’s iconic comedy Much Ado About Nothing for one sweet and spicy love story.
Hi, Nisha! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Hello! Thanks for having me! I am a South Asian American, specifically Punjabi (Indian) and I was born and raised on the East Coast. I went to law school but spent most of my career in diversity, equity and inclusion before I retired to write full time last year. I currently teach Creative Writing and I am starting my PhD in English/Social Justice in the fall where I’ll be pursuing original research in contemporary romance.
And I write romance novels!
When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?
I was in elementary school when I started to write continuations of my favorite stories. However, it was the infamous Nancy Drew and Hardy Boy Supermysteries series where Nancy Drew and Frank hardy had so much romantic tension that I HAD to write fan fiction about their love story. That’s when I was hooked!
Quick lightning round! Tell us the first book you ever remember reading, the one that made you want to become an author, and one that you can’t stop thinking about!
The first book I ever remember reading is a hard question to answer because I feel like I’ve always had a book in hand as far back as I can remember.
But the first romance novel I read? Easy. The summer after seventh grade, I wandered into the adult romance section of my local library and I found INNER HARBOR by Nora Roberts. I knew that from that moment on, I wanted to make people feel the same way that I felt when I read that book.
Then, when I was in my early twenties I read BORN CONFUSED by Tanuja Desai Hidier, and I knew that I had to write my truth, my community and culture into my stories. Because if Tanuja can write about South Asians falling in love, than I had to be brave and do the same.
Your latest novel, Tastes Like Shakkar, is out August 1st! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
They fight in this one. 😊
What can readers expect?
Much Ado About Nothing is my favorite Shakespeare play of all time, so I hope readers can find fun shenanigans, two characters who have deep loves for their families and realize that they have to put themselves and each other before their work obligations.
Where did the inspiration for Tastes Like Shakkar come from?
Much Ado About Nothing!
Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
I absolutely loved writing about the food elements in the story. Since Benjamin is a chef, I really wanted the making and sharing of meals to be an important aspect for his personal growth arc. It’s how he makes truce, how he shares affection, how he starts a conversation, and how he extends the preverbial olive branch. His cuisine and the places where the characters enjoy meals are inspired by real places, too. Readers who are in the New York and New Jersey area may find some of the restaurant references familiar!
What do you love about the romance genre?
I love that I can always count on feeling good at the end of the book. That the characters had to really work at making sure they were the best they could be for each other. That’s a beautiful experience to read, don’t you think?
What’s next for you?
I am currently working on the third book in the IF SHAKESPEARE WAS AN AUNTIE series which comes out next year. MARRIAGE AND MASTI is about Deepak and Veera and the story is inspired by Twelfth Night! I’m really enjoying it so far.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
Absolutely! I have two that immediately come to mind. I love a good Pride and Prejudice retelling, so Pride and Protest by Nikki Payne was a no brainer for me, and such a fantastic read. My most recent read is To Have and to Heist by Sara Desai which is a hilarious heist rom- com that I recommend to everyone now!
