Author Interview with Sarah Monzon

Happy Monday!!!

I’m super excited to share an interview I did with my bff Sarah Monzon. She’s also one of my critique partners and I absolutely love everything she’s written. Grab a cup of tea (or coffee) and chat with us!

About the Book

If there’s one thing you should know about me, it’s that I absolutely refuse to tell a lie no matter the consequences. So don’t ask me a direct question unless you’re prepared for a direct answer—that’s something my SoCal sewing girlfriends have learned the hard way.

But who would have thought my honesty policy would get me fired from my job at the preschool? Or that a desperate—and not to mention devastatingly handsome—single father of one of my (now-former) students would hire me that same day as a nanny for his daughter?

I’m an education professional. How hard can taking care of a four-year-old and her over-stressed, over-worked father be?

Amazon | Goodreads

Interview

Toni: I’m so happy you’re here! I’m always giddy when we get to talk books, but even more so today since we’re talking about your latest, Molly. I know readers are going to want to know, what was your inspiration for this story?

Sarah: The covers. I was searching for something—I don’t even remember what—on some photo sites and came across the illustration for Molly, I knew I just had to come up with a story for her. As far as some of the characters in the story, most came from my imagination. However, Chloe, the 4-year-old in Molly has a remarked resemblance to my own daughter who is now 6-years-old. A lot of the things Chloe says or does came from memories I have of my daughter that I wanted to keep alive.

Toni: That’s so awesome! Molly is a delightful rom com. Could you give us a hint of one or two comedic moments Molly finds herself in?

Sarah: Well, she’s the caretaker of a precious yet precocious four-year-old, so that right there lends itself to a lot of snickering scenarios—especially for us looking in. I doubt Molly found them funny at the time. One such event took place in a grocery store. Can I get a Mocking Jay salute, fellow mamas?

Toni: Lol, I totally remember that scene!! Let’s talk inspiration photos for the cast of the Sew Cal girls. Who would you cast to play the characters in your book?

Sarah: *Ducks head in shame* This is the first book/series that I haven’t made Pinterest boards for. In my defense, all the girls are looking directly at the “camera” on the cover so we get a good picture of what they look like. The only character I have a picture inspiration for in Molly is Dr. Ben. Let’s just say that in my mind Dr. Mike (Mikhail Varshavski) of YouTube fame as a twin brother named Ben Reed. Dr. Mike was also named The Sexiest Doctor Alive by People magazine in 2015 but that’s neither here nor there…

Toni: How did I not realize this!! If a reader has never heard of you, why should they choose your books to read?

Sarah: My books aren’t for everyone, but then again, whose are? But if a reader is looking for something light but not shallow, entertaining but not over the top, then they might consider picking up one of my books. (Those descriptions came from reader reviews, by the way.)

Toni: And I totally agree with those reviews! Now tell us a little bit about yourself? What do you do to relax?

Sarah: Read. Every day. It’s a must for me. Also hiking and exploring in nature. It really refreshes my soul to get out in the beauty of God’s creation.

Toni: Reading is definitely a must and I wouldn’t mind exploring nature if I could use some type of hovercraft to prevent myself from walking, lol. When did you first know you wanted to be a writer?

Sarah: I’ve always liked writing and used to when writing contests in elementary school but never really considered it much past a hobby because it’s not a “real” job. I had hidden dreams to be published one day but considered those dreams fanciful and unattainable. It wasn’t until I became a stay-at-home mom that I allowed that spark of a dream God put in my heart to grow and pursued taking the stories I was writing for myself and sharing them with the world.

Toni: Yay for dreams becoming reality. What are the top 3 books on your TBR shelf?

Sarah: Beach Haven by T.L Lowe, Start With Me by Kara Isaac, and The White Rose Resists by Amanda Barratt

Toni: Good choices. Last but not least, what’s next in your writing journey?

Sarah: The rest of the Sewing in SoCal books! Stay tuned for Jocelyn, Nicole, Amanda, and Betsy!

Toni: I can’t wait! And y’all, Jocelyn, is available for preorder. Readers, do you have any questions for Sarah?

About the Author

A Carol award finalist and Selah award winner, Sarah Monzon is a stay-at-home mom who makes up imaginary friends to have adult conversations with (otherwise known as writing novels). As a navy chaplain’s wife, she resides wherever the military happens to station her family and enjoys exploring the beauty of the world around her.