Hi, Lauren! Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?

Hi there! I’m Lauren, a new author in the romance genre. I started my career as a magazine editor, and now work on the corporate side of publishing having earned my MBA. When I’m not working or writing, I’m volunteering at adoption events for a local dog rescue, galivanting around NYC with my girlfriends, or trying new recipes with mixed success. I live in New York City (my true love) with my husband and latest foster pup.

When did you first discover your love for writing and stories?

I’ve loved consuming and telling stories since I was a kid. My mom would let me select a book before bed every night and read it to me as many times as I requested (read: demanded) until I passed out. When I was old enough to read on my own, I’d stay up late with a small booklight, reading in my room while everyone else was asleep. I don’t know how I made it through a whole school day without falling asleep. Youth, probably.

I’ve always kept a journal, and somewhere around elementary school my entries turned fictional. I’d write short stories, poems, stream-of-consciousness ramblings and tuck them safely away. Little did I know, one day it would be my job to finish them!

Quick lightning round! Tell us:

• The first book you ever remember reading: Rainbow Fish
• The one that made you want to become an author: The Bell Jar
• The one that you can’t stop thinking about: Fourth Wing

Your latest novel, The End Goal, is out now! If you could only describe it in five words, what would they be?

Fun. Sexy. Heartwarming. Empowering. Cheeky.

What can readers expect?

Readers can expect a new kind of hockey romance, with a strong female lead who is as funny as she is brilliant. You’ll feel like the newest member of the close-knit girl gang that carries this four-book series. Expect to fall in love with Jake Paxton, the dreamy reformed playboy who falls hard for Briana, and be transported to New York, where all the magic happens.

Where did the inspiration for The End Goal come from?

I wanted to read a hockey romance that centered around a powerful, successful FMC who was stylish and career-driven. I also wanted to read about characters in their thirties, which I am, who had rich cosmopolitan lives that reminded me of a Sex and the City or Gossip Girl type idealization of New York City. When I couldn’t find the book I was searching for, I wrote it!

My experience getting my MBA and working in business afterward helped me craft Briana’s character. That part of my life definitely inspired her Wall Street career and bossy demeanor. I loved the idea that these two characters would meet because she became his boss. Her having the power on the team, but still being destabilized as a “fish out of water”, was a twist in a sports romance I was excited to play with.

Jake is an amalgamation of all my favorite hockey romance heroes. The genre’s most popular MMCs all helped inspire his character.

Were there any moments or characters you really enjoyed writing or exploring?

I love writing the conversations between Briana and her group of best friends. It’s heavily inspired by my own group of girlfriends and I’ve found myself giggling aloud as a write these scenes. There’s nothing better than a crowd of amazing women shooting from the hip about everything we face in modern life. Their journey together is just as much a core love story as Briana and Jake.

Did you face any challenges whilst writing? How did you overcome them?

There is a scene in which Briana demonstrates how her skills with statistics will help the hockey team by playing Blackjack in a team meeting. It’s a fast-paced moment between her and Jake that required me to learn not only the rules of Blackjack, but also the probabilities that advanced players exploit during games.

Spoiler alert: I didn’t know a thing about Blackjack.

I spent hours combing through books, watching online tutorials, and got sucked down the most bizarre YouTube rabbit hole I’ve ever travelled just trying to learn everything I could about Blackjack so the scene would be authentic.

I can’t remember a single thing I learned, but for a moment during the drafting process I could have given a casino a run for its money.

What’s next for you?

The second book in my Love, New York series comes out in April. It’s titled The Final Move, and is my modern take on Pride and Prejudice. You’ll meet many of the characters in The End Goal.

Lastly, what books are you looking forward to picking up? Any you’ve read so far this year that you’ve enjoyed?

I’m about to start The Disappearers by Marlon James, which I have only heard the most incredible things about. I’m also excited to read The Two-Body Problem, Ali Hazelwood’s sequel to The Love Hypothesis. Her writing was my gateway into the romance genre and I’m a huge fan.

This year, The Poison Daughter had me in a chokehold. I think I finished it in one day because I couldn’t put it down. I also jumped on the Yesteryear fangirl bandwagon and have been recommending it to everyone.

Will you be picking up The End Goal? Tell us in the comments below!

The post Q&A: Lauren Penny, Author of ‘The End Goal’ appeared first on The Nerd Daily.