First of all!! I want to say that I (Ashleigh) got the opportunity to read this book and I was so quick to finish it! It was amazing. It was short but mighty and got me out of my book slump!!!!!

💖 About the Book

1. Unexpectedly Yours blends friendship, love, and those “life doesn’t go as planned” moments. What first sparked the idea for Katie’s story? 

I actually saw a video on Tiktok! The only thing that was in English was the title, “Girl’s guy best friend proposes in front of her boyfriend while on vacation.” (I think the video was in Russian.) They had gone on a cruise. There wasn’t much context other than that- who they were with or why- but as soon as I saw it, my mind started reeling with all the ‘what ifs’ of the situation.

2. Katie’s trip to Maui becomes a turning point in her life. What made you choose that setting, and how does it shape the story’s emotional journey? 

Several years ago I went on vacation to Maui. It was my first time going, my first time flying over the ocean. I was extremely nervous about the whole trip: the flight, what it would be like, who I was going with. Let’s just say that some of Matt was definitely inspired by someone who took the trip with me… Maui, I think regardless of why you are going, has a healing aspect to it. The ocean is a magical, yet terrifying place and we see that when Katie goes snorkeling (also entirely inspired by my snorkeling trip where I panicked too). The grounding of the sand sucked me in and I had for the first time in my life felt at peace and really began thinking about my own life and what needed changing. Katie has that realization in the sand too. That maybe life isn’t what it seemed.

3. The book explores realizing your worth and rediscovering love in unexpected ways. What message do you hope readers take away from Katie’s experience? 

The message that I hope readers take away from Katie’s experience is that they are worthy of love and good things. I think we so often feel stuck- in careers, in crappy relationships because we think that we don’t deserve anything better. I also think that best friends to lovers is such a weird trope because, let's be honest, so many of us have brushed those relationships off. So I liked the idea of what if we took that chance and what if it’s the best decision we could have ever made in our life.

4. Without giving away spoilers, which scene was your favorite (or hardest!) to write — and why?

Gosh…this is hard one! I think either when Katie realizes that Ryan is a man and that he also deals with man-like things…LOL Or the car scene. 

5. Who was your favorite character to bring to life, and did any of them surprise you as the story unfolded? 

Ryan Rice. When I closed my eyes, I could see what he looked like…except his face. I wanted him to have Australian Cattle Dog energy LOL. A bit temperamental, stand-offish, yet totally devoted to the one he loved. And those who have an Australian Cattle Dog know exactly what I’m talking about! But once I was able to visualize his face, that changed everything. Next thing you know, he’s an Aquarius sun, Sagittarius moon, and Aries Venus. I mean, it took the man twelve years to confess his love, and once he did it was like a nuclear bomb went off.

 

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🖋️ The Writing Journey

6. What inspired you to start writing romance, and how does Unexpectedly Yours reflect your style as an author? 

I actually never intended to be a writer, let alone someone who writes romance. I am a trained healing facilitator (Reiki Master, Akashic Records Master, Past Life facilitator). During my training for becoming a past life facilitator, I had to do several past life regressions and I was obsessed with learning my past life story. I was kind of in a tough spot. I had given up my office so we could save money to move and literally one day the Universe was like, “hey, you should write your past life story.” So I did it. Then it was like, “now you need to share it.” I did that too. Then it was like, “publish it,” and I died! LOL Because my story was so personal and passionate. I was so scared for people to read about my past life sex life…But yeah…that’s what started it and what my first three books are about. But I think that Unexpectedly Yours reflects the healer in me and the importance of healing. I don’t think that I could write a story without that.

7. Every story has a little spark of real life behind it, did any personal experiences or emotions sneak their way into this book? 

Oh absolutely! The feeling of not being worthy, some aspects and events of Maui and Mexico. The fear of telling someone a big life change is headed your way when that was the last thing they wanted. I definitely incorporated some personal experiences in my story.

8. What part of the writing or publishing process challenged you the most? 

Uploading to KDP is always the most challenging process. It hates me, I swear! LOL I have an old HP that I have to use, so just starting it up takes forever. It is literally the most nerve wracking part of the process besides launch day.

9. Do you have any fun writing quirks or rituals that help get you in the creative zone? 

One thing I do is take a lot of baths where I just meditate on the story to think it through. I also use my first draft to just kind of word vomit onto the page to get the story out of my system. Then I go back to fill parts that I missed or that don’t make sense, or other pov’s. I’m a bit of a pantser, so I don’t use an outline in a traditional sense.

 

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🌺 The Fun Stuff

10. If Unexpectedly Yours became a movie, who would you cast as Katie and Ryan? 

Mila Kunis and Jake Lacy.

 

11. Coffee, tea, or something stronger while writing? ☕🍷

Coffee for during, wine or a Chelada for after

12. What’s one song that perfectly fits Katie and Ryan’s story? 

You Can Call me Al by Paul Simon- why, I don’t know. LOL But every time I think of them, I think of that song! 

13. If you could spend a day with Katie, what would you two do first in Maui? 

Lay in the sand with her because nothing beats grounding next to the ocean.

14. What’s next for you? Any new stories or projects on the horizon? 

I’m currently writing a piece about a woman who has a big decision to make: she can stay or she can run for her life. It covers themes of addiction, abuse, facing trauma and healing, and finding love where you’d least expect it. It’s been a bit challenging to write with the darker themes, but I think it’s a story that needs to be told, honoring the women who have escaped horrible situations and have found love again. 

⚡ Rapid Fire⚡

(First thing that comes to mind — go!)

1. Favorite romance trope? 💕 Any really
   
   

2. Book you could re-read forever? 📚 Slewfoot: A Tale of Bewitchery by Gerald Brom
   
   

3. Dream writing location? 🌴 New York…but really anywhere would be cool
   
   

4. Plotter or pantser? ✍️ Pantser
   
   

5. Favorite time of day to write? ⏰ Evenings
   
   

6. Song currently on repeat? 🎶 As Pretty a Blue by Fleeland
   
   

7. If Katie had a signature drink, what would it be? 🍹Pina Colada
   
   

8. Beach vacation or mountain escape? 🏖️⛰️ I live in Colorado, so definitely BEACH lol
   
   

9. Paperback, ebook, or audiobook? 📖 Paperback
   
   

10. What’s your go-to comfort show or movie? 🍿 Gilmore Girls (Because this is 100% me and my daughter) or Grown Ups. 
    
    

11. The last line you wrote (or your favorite one)? 💬 “His mouth moved as if he were writing poetry with his tongue.”
    
    

12. Romance hero you’d grab coffee with (besides Ryan 😉)? ☕ Freaking Josh from Lights Out…he’s Ryan’s only competition at this point LOL
    
    

13. If you could describe Unexpectedly Yours in one word, what would it be? ✨ Intimate.