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.
We had the pleasure of chatting to Michelle about her new novel, The Magnolia Sisters, writing, and much more!
Hi Michelle! Thank you for your time! Your latest book The Magnolia Sisters releases on March 31st. If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Thank you so much for allowing me to be here. Five words – that’s an interesting challenge. Sweet, sexy, funny, hope and healing.
Could you tell our readers why they should pick up The Magnolia Sisters?
I think during this challenging time in our world, the ability to escape into a book is more important than ever. To disconnect and give our brains and hearts a little respite from the constant stream of news that bombards us from every angle. And I’m grateful to be able to offer that to any person through my story. The Magnolia Sisters is a series that focuses on three women who discover they share the same father after he dies and how they manage to forge a bond in the small town of Magnolia, North Carolina. In the first book we meet Avery – a big city transplant who is starting over and definitely not looking for love (spoiler alert – she finds it with a sexy firefighter). I loved (as always) writing an emotionally charged romance but also having the opportunity to explore the relationship between the three sisters.
It’s always so lovely to read a story which doesn’t take place in a big city. Is there a reason behind why the story takes place in a small town in North Carolina?
When I began The Magnolia Sisters, I’d just finished a long-running series set in Colorado—which is where I live—and I wanted a change of scenery. I spent a lot of time vacationing on the North Carolina coast as a kid and love that area so it felt like a perfect next setting.
Your book is about love and loss. We hope it’s not too personal, but did an event from your life inspire you to write this book?
Not specifically although the overarching theme I often explore in my books is how people discover the perfect place to call home. That resonates with me on many levels. I moved from Ohio to Colorado on my own in my early twenties, with no job and no friends (maybe not my smartest choice). But I was desperate to build a life near the mountains. Navigating the waters of creating a home and discovering where we truly belong is important to me.
You have certainly created some interesting characters. Can you tell us how you created them?
I read a ton across genres and news stories—especially human interest stories. Sometimes the kernel of an idea will come to me from that. A little off topic but the dog in The Magnolia Sisters was inspired by a story I read on FB about a little rescue dog who needed to lose weight. I just had to put her into the story.
Was there a particular sister you identified with the most and why?
I identify with bits of each of their personalities, although right now Meredith—the youngest sister—and I might have the most in common. She runs an animal rescue and I have a menagerie of pets at home plus five tiny foster kittens I’m fostering for a local animal shelter. They’re a lot of work but also a perfect distraction and we all need that right now.
Without spoiling the ending, did you craft the ending that way for a possible sequel or something else?
The Magnolia Sisters is currently planned as a three-book series. The second book will be Carrie’s story and the baby sister, Meredith will be featured in book three. I’m mid-way through Meredith’s book now and still love writing in this world so fingers crossed readers love it too. You might be seeing even more Magnolia books in the future.
Lastly, what’s next for you?
In addition to The Magnolia Sisters, the second book in the series, The Merriest Magnolia, will release in October. I also have three books in a new series, Welcome To Starlight, with Harlequin Special Edition so it’s an exciting year for me! 2021 will continue both series and hopefully even more books to come.
Love reading this & future series, since I was born & raised in the small town of magnolia nc