Nothing like a rocky start between enemy coworkers stuck together on location to prove that love isn’t just a ploy for ratings—it’s a force of nature.
We chat with author Sarah Echavarre Smith about her latest romance novel, On Location, including its inspiration and challenges, along with book recs, writing, and more!
Hi, Sarah! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
I’m a contemporary romance author of the books Faker, Simmer Down, and On Location. I’m also one half of the romance writing duo Sarah Skye, and I write tearjerker women’s fiction as Sarah Echavarre.
When did you first discover your love for writing?
Ever since I can remember being able to write, I’ve always loved writing stories. Writing and creating has always made me feel happy and whole, and as a kid I knew that someday I wanted to grow up and write books for a living.
Your latest novel, On Location, is out September 21st 2021! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?
Sexy, heartfelt, funny, adventurous, escapist
What can readers expect?
A sweet and sexy romcom about Alia, a Filipino-American television producer who gets to make the series of her dreams: a show about Utah’s national parks. It’s the career break she’s been working years for, but she’ll have to navigate working with the hottie who ghosted her and a diva host to make her professional—and romantic—dreams come true. Expect lots of banter, tension, sexy times, TV crew shenanigans, and the most heartfelt happily ever after I’ve written so far.
Where did the inspiration for On Location come from?
So many things! My love for travel mostly but also the pandemic and subsequent quarantine too weirdly enough! Like everyone else last year, I was stuck at home dreaming about all these places I wished I could visit. Southern Utah is one of my favorite destinations with its breathtaking desert landscape and jaw-dropping red rock formations. I used that as the setting for the book and came up with the actual idea for the plot around that. It’s also an ode to a couple of my favorite TV series, Rock The Park and UnREAL. Very different shows, I know! But I love the adventure aspect of Rock the Park and how it highlighted the national parks in each episode. And I adore the reality TV drama of UnREAL. That inspired some dramatic moments and characters in On Location.
Were there any favourite moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?
Two of my favorite scenes to write were the tent scene and the allergic reaction scene. The tent scene is super hot while the allergic reaction scene is so funny. I’m so excited to hear readers’ reactions to them!
What do you love about the romance genre?
How hopeful and happy it is. Reality is chaotic and unpredictable and a lot of times filled with sad and depressing events that you can’t control. But in romance? HEAs are always, always there. Knowing that no matter what the characters in this story will get the happily ever after they deserve gives me so much joy. In a world where happy endings aren’t always guaranteed, the hope and joy of romance helps me power through.
What’s next for you?
More books! On December 1, my very first women’s fiction novel comes out, it’s called Three More Months. And in spring 2022 I have another sexy romcom coming. And I’m working on a couple of other secret projects so stay tuned for announcements about those very soon!
Lastly, do you have any book recommendations for our readers?
Yes! So many!
- A Good Night’s Sleep by Stefanie Simpson
- Not Suitable For Work by Skye McDonald
- There With You by Samantha Young
- It Starts With a Kiss by JL Peridot
- Wrong Bed, Right Brother by Rebecca Brooks
- The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas
