Review + Author Interview: Sarah Monzon

Happy Monday, Reader Friends!

I have to be honest. I’m practically giddy about today’s guest. I count her as one of my closest author friends thanks to the pleasure of social media and me nagging her. 🙂 Join Sarah Monzon as she talks about her latest release, Bookishly Ever After. Y’all, I love everything about this book (which you’ll see in my review). It’s part of the Timeless Love boxset which is available for 99¢ so get yours today!

Grab a cup of tea (or coffee) and chat with us!

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About the Book

The Blurb: “It all started with a bet and a book.

Emory Blake is the ultimate bibliophile. She’d take curling up with a novel over a night on the town any day. But then her best friend, Tate Woodby, accuses her of living between the pages of her paperbacks instead of the real world, and he makes a bet that will force her to experience the adventures of her fictional friends…instead of just reading about them. With her face no longer buried in books, Emory must confront the pain of the past. But is it also her perfect opportunity to discover the hunky hero who could be the happily-ever-after of her own story?”

Timeless Love Links: Amazon, B&N, Goodreads

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Review

Y’all, can I just say that Sarah Monzon continues to amaze me? I know that’s why we have favorite authors, they never disappoint. But with Bookishly Ever After, I felt that it was more than just reading a book from one of my favorite authors.

This book is utterly charming. The bookish references, the way Emory is. Seriously, I would totally be her friend if she was a real person. As it is, I’ve read this book twice already. Once as a beta read. Second time to make sure I didn’t forget any goodness that resides within. And what I discovered…

This book still makes me sigh with the romance of it all. This book makes my heart ache with the pain in Emory’s life. This book makes me smile at what an accomplishment of writing Sarah continues to reveal with each release. And pure joy because I was transported and believed Emory and Tate were real for the length it took me to read this novella. Which wasn’t very long because I devoured it in one sitting, well two since I read it twice.

And I want more!

*5 stars, although it should be 6 b/c I’ll be rereading this book again.

**I received a complimentary copy of the book from the publisher. My review was not influenced in any way.

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Interview

Toni: Hey, Sarah! Thank you so much for allowing me to pick your brain about Bookishly Ever After. As you know, it’s one of my favorites that you’ve written (seriously, what book of yours isn’t?) but I want to know why it’s dear to your heart?

Sarah: Oh, I’m so glad you enjoyed it! I love it for different reasons. 1) It was just plain fun to write. 2) I was able to write it to be included in an anthology to raise money for the LiveStrong Foundation. 3) While all of my books and characters have a piece of me in them, the main character in Bookishly Ever After is basically me with curly hair. 4) Did I mention it was fun?

Toni: You did and it shows! I love the title and the premise. Please tell us you have plans to expand, maybe even make it a series?

Sarah: I didn’t when I wrote it but then I came across these adorable photos that I just had to make into covers for more stories. And then a friend said, “You HAVE to write Landon’s story.” And then two more story ideas came to me. So, yeah, there should be three books in all.

Toni: Yay! I’m totally jumping up in down in my seat. Landon totally needs his own story. Okay, let me focus again. Emory seems to be afraid of living life. Or at least Tate feels that way. What advice would you have for those who are afraid of living?

Sarah: Sometimes you’re missing out on the best experiences when you allow fear or discomfort to hide you away. Pray about it. Take baby steps to push you to the edge of your comfort zone and pretty soon you might find that comfort zone expanding bit by bit.

Toni: Excellent advice! If Bookishly Ever After was made into a movie, who would you cast for Emory and Tate?

Sarah: If we could flashback to the 90’s then Keri Russel from Felicity would be great for Emory and Chris Pine for Tate.

Toni: I can see that! Great choices. Would you choose book or movie?

Sarah: Book.

Toni: I’m not surprised. I think I should stop asking you authors that. 😉 Fruit water or fruit lemonade?

Sarah: Fruit lemonade. I like my water plain.

Toni: I knew we were friends for a reason. Sunsets or sunrises?

Sarah: Sunsets.

Toni: Agreed. Inside or outside?

Sarah: Outside.

Toni: Judging from your gorgeous IG pics, I’m not surprised. Last but not least, what can readers do to support you on your writing journey?

Sarah: Pray for me, first and foremost. After that, I love getting little notes from readers. Especially when I fall into that self-doubt stage. A little encouragement is like a ray of sunshine on a cloudy day.

Toni: Praying for you! Readers, do you have any questions for Sarah?

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About the Author

Sarah Monzon is a Navy chaplain’s wife and a stay at home mom to the two cutest littles in the world. Playing pretend all day with them isn’t enough, she spends the evenings after their heads hit the pillow to create her own imaginary characters. When she isn’t in the world of make believe, she can be found in the pine forests of western Washington taking care of her family, fostering friendships, and enjoying all the adventures each day brings.

Her debut novel, The Isaac Project, skyrocketed to Amazon bestseller status while her Sophomore book, Finders Keepers, won the 2017 SELAH award for contemporary romance.

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