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If you are interested in purchasing the book for you, your friend, your library, etc. links to booksellers follow the interview.
Enjoy!
Hi Teri! Thanks so much for stopping by at my blog! To start off, why don’t you give us the elevator pitch for The Accidental Beauty Queen?
The Accidental Beauty Queen is a fun story in which a shy librarian takes her identical twin sister’s place in a national beauty pageant and ends up learning a lot about herself and what it truly means to be beautiful.
The Accidental Beauty Queen has a great balance between hilarious and heartfelt scenes. How did you find this balance?
I love humor in writing but at the same time I really wanted to make the sisters seem like real people. I think that’s where the heartfelt scenes came into play. I wanted to make sure Charlotte came across as a real young woman with all the complex feelings that go along with being human. I think a lot of times people use humor to deflect difficult emotions anyway…I know I do that sometimes, so I guess combining both kind of comes naturally to me.
The Miss American Treasure pageant is integral to the plot of The Accidental Beauty Queen. How did you get into pageants, and when did you realize you wanted to combine the pageant world into your writing?
The first time I really became involved with pageants was the summer of 2017 when I was invited to be a celebrity judge for the national Miss United States pageant. This is the same pageant that was portrayed in the Miss Congeniality films (it’s a real thing!). I’ve had a few books made into Hallmark Channel movies, and the director of the pageant was a big Hallmark fan so she followed me on social media. She reached out and offered me the opportunity, and I couldn’t say no! I think I told her yes, but only if I could try on the crown. Ha! Since then, I’ve judged a few other pageants—all within the Miss America system. I love it. My experience with pageants is very much as I portray it in The Accidental Beauty Queen. The women are all really remarkable people. During the personal interviews at the Miss United States pageant, I met a contestant who told me she was an identical twin. That was when the first glimmer of an idea for The Accidental Beauty Queen was born.
Charlotte and Ginny have a wonderfully complex relationship. How did you ensure that their conflicts seemed genuine?
Well, I put them in a truly impossible situation. The very nature of their relationship was forbidden, so that made it really easy not to have the conflict seem contrived. Plus the fact that they both made assumptions about one another in the beginning ensured that their opinions would evolve and change as they got to really know each other.
The romance genre constantly have new arrivals. How does The Accidental Beauty Queen stand out from the crowd?
I hope it stands out! I think it’s different than a lot of romances on the shelves right now because it’s a true romantic comedy, plus it has a unique setting in the pageant world. It also has a special appeal to readers because of its many book references.
What is your favorite memory from the publishing process for this newest release?
Having bestselling author Lauren Layne write a blurb for the book is probably my favorite memory because I’m a huge LL fangirl, so her endorsement really means the world to me.
You have published many books and several series (Alaskan Wilderness, The Royals, etc.). How do you continue to find inspiration? How has the romance genre changed from your first publication to this latest?
Honestly, finding inspiration and having ideas isn’t the hard part for me. The most difficult part seems to be taking those ideas and working them into an actual, viable project. I’m inspired by so many things—settings, occupations, fashion, art—but taking an idea and turning it into a book requires a lot of thought and planning. Continually being inspired is a result of getting out in the world and experiencing life, which is one of the reasons I love to travel.
Since I first became published, the romance genre has seen a lot of different trends come and go. My biggest takeaway has been to write things that I really love and feel passionate about. If the author is in love with her story, it shines through in the writing.
Last but not least, I would love if you could sum up The Accidental Beauty Queen in five words or less!
Miss Congeniality meets Parent Trap
Thank you so much for stopping by on my blog, Teri! Congratulations on your latest release!
The Accidental Beauty Queen is now available to buy! If you are interested, here are the links:
If you want to buy the book but don't want to spend your own money (me, with everything!) I highly suggest asking your local libraries to buy a copy. My local library is really accommodating, and it never hurts to ask!
Thanks so much for stopping by and I'll see you soon with another post!
Happy Reading!
Genni @ Ready, Set, Read!
This book was so much fun! I would love to see it made into a Hallmark movie.
ReplyDeleteI would too, especially because Teri has had other books of hers made into Hallmark movies!
DeleteI can't wait to read this one! The fact that it's about twin sisters is really relatable for me!
ReplyDeleteAre you a twin?? I had no idea! I think you would love this. :)
DeleteI honestly skip this book whenever I see it but now... ohwow, I'll keep my eyes out for this. It's the first time I took the time to check out the actual story and I love the sisterhood and shy librarian!!
ReplyDeleteI totally get it! I see books that are featured all the time, and my eyes just start skipping over them. I hope you love it when you get around to it czai! Also, it's great to see you again on the blogosphere. :)
DeleteWow, I love how the author got inspired to write this book. The pageant world must be a whirlwind!
ReplyDeleteWonderful interview Genni!
This is Amber @ Du Livre btw!
Hi Amber! It's a great story, right? I haven't seen any of her hallmark movies nor keep up with pageants, but I love how the two worked together and inspired Teri! Thanks for visiting. :)
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