New York Times bestselling author Brenda Novak’s The Bookstore on the Beach is a big, sweeping novel about family and the ties that bind and challenge us.
We had the pleasure of chatting with Brenda about her new release, book recommendations, writing, and so much more!
Hi, Brenda! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
You bet! I’ve been writing for twenty-two years, have something like seventy books out in a variety of genres– contemporary romance, historical romance, romantic suspense and women’s fiction–five kids (who are all out on their own), and I still live with the love of my life.
After the chaos that was 2020, have you set any goals for this year? If so, how are they going so far?
If survive was the motto for 2020, thrive would be the motto for 2021. I hope we are all able to bounce back stronger and happier than ever before, and I believe the joy to be found in books can be a big part of that. Books provide an escape, as well as encouragement, when we most need it, and I think that’s now.
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!
JANE EYRE. I hated reading until I found this book in my elementary school library, and it’s the one I’ve reflected on the most, probably because it’s what I used as an example when I finally realized I wanted to be a writer. My first book, Of Noble Birth, published by HarperCollins in November of 1999, was also an English historical, so you can see the inspiration. 😉
When did you first discover your love for writing?
When I caught my day care provider drugging my little children with cough syrup and Tylenol to get them to sleep all day so she could watch soap operas, I quit my job to stay home with them. But I had to do something to make a living. My sister had recommended a really good book to me–Knight in Shining Armor by Jude Deveraux–which I loved. I remember closing that book and thinking, “I wonder if I can do this?” Obviously, writing is something that can be done at home. So I got started the next day and have never looked back. J
Your new novel, The Bookstore on the Beach, is out April 6th 2021! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Escape, page-turner, beach read, absorbing, emotional (Okay, that’s six, but close! Ha!)
What can readers expect?
I wrote The Bookstore on the Beach as something I would like to read, whether I’m on vacation or not. I love a strong conflict, one the characters can’t easily overcome, because then I get to be surprised and inspired when they manage it. All my books end happily, so reading a Novak book is a journey of getting to know people (characters) you care about and traveling with them through the story as they conquer their conflicts and achieve a satisfying ending.
Where did the inspiration for The Bookstore on the Beach come from?
I read an article about some parents who were searching for their son. He got involved with the government, trying to infiltrate various chat rooms where they were trying to monitor terrorist activity. He was quite good at it. But then he decided to go over to Ukraine–no one knows if it was at the behest of the FBI or on his own volition–and pretty soon his parents quit hearing from him. Terrified, as any parents would be, they went over there to see where he was and if he was okay, and for the longest time they couldn’t find him or get answers from anyone, including the FBI. This was so intriguing to me (what could’ve happened, how he got involved, why he did what he did) that I wanted to use it as the backstory for Autumn Divac’s missing husband, and the rest of the story sort of spun off from there.
Can you tell us about any challenges you faced while writing and how you were able to overcome them?
Every book is a challenge. As an author, you want the one you’re working on to be so much better than anything you’ve done before, but The Bookstore on the Beach was actually easier than most. This one just flowed for me from the very beginning, which is probably why I love it so much. Ha!
If it’s not too spoilery, were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing?
For me, the beauty of this story was that I was equally invested in all three generations–Autumn’s mother, Mary, Autumn and Autumn’s children, particularly her daughter, who is facing such a big life decision. It was enjoyable to weave their stories together and see how the three women drew strength from each other.
What’s the best and the worst writing advice you have received?
Hm. I can’t think of any terrible advice. Most people have given good advice–to be well-read, to join a writing organization for support and information, to build a website, start gathering names for a newsletter list and be active on social media (to start creating a platform). But probably the best advice–at least it’s what I always give; ha!–is to BELIEVE. If you truly believe in yourself and your talent, you will persevere even through rejections and setbacks, you will actually put your butt in a chair and write the book in the first place, you will do whatever you can to support and promote it, etc. I think that perseverance wins out over talent. There are plenty of talented people who never achieve success in publishing.
What’s next for you?
I have two more books coming out this year, When I Found You and Keep Me Warm at Christmas, both of which are part of my Silver Springs contemporary romance series. Then I will have another big beach read hitting the shelves next April called Seaside Sunrise. I’m working on that manuscript now and am having a wonderful time with it.
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
I have one each month! Ha! I run an online book group on Facebook that has nearly 19,000 members. We have a book group read each month–for March it was Kristin Hannah’s The Four Winds, which is one of my all-time favorite books–and then we meet with the author (in a live event online) to discuss his/her work. We do giveaways and prizes for fulfilling the monthly read, have a Book Buddy Program to help members get to know each other, offer monthly book boxes containing autographed books and other bookish goodies and so much more. Check out the details on my website here.
