Book: Falling Home
Q1. Hello, can you please introduce yourself? Readers would love to know more about you.
Hi! I’m Libby Kay. I’m a contemporary romance author with my debut novel, Falling Home, releasing in December. I live in Ohio with my husband where we love to try new restaurants and hike around the state parks. When I’m not writing, I’m reading every romance book I can get my hands on. While I write contemporary romance, I adore historical romances and thrillers. I’m also a bit of a true crime fanatic and enjoy a good podcast when I need a break from romance. (It’s all about balance, right?) 😉
Q2. What were the key challenges you faced while writing Falling Home?
Not to state the obvious, but the pandemic played a huge role. I started writing and outlining this story in 2019, and I was hitting my stride when lockdown started in early 2020. At first, I could not write a word while my brain tried to absorb and understand our new normal. Then after a few weeks, I started feeling antsy. Since I couldn’t get out and explore in the real world, I devoted my energy to crafting Buckeye Falls (the town where Falling Home takes place). After the story was started, the biggest hurdle was writing while in isolation. I missed being outside and interacting with people. I’m inspired by people I meet and casual interactions I have, so missing that slowed my creativity down a little.
Q3. What books or authors have most influenced your own writing?
Oh, there’s almost too many to list. 😉
I would say the big ones are Sharon Sala, Kristan Higgins, Robyn Carr, and Maisey Yates.
For Carr, Sala, and Yates, I’ve always enjoy the towns where their stories take place. They are fictional and have this cozy and romantic vibe in every book. Looking at Sala’s Blessing’s Georgia series, I love how there’s a core group of characters that always pop up in the next book. As a reader, I love that sense of continuity.
I’ve also loved Kristan Higgins’s books, especially the way she writes her characters. Her earlier books were strictly romances, and I loved how the yearning, backstories, and HEAs were written. There are some of her books that I haven’t read in years, but I’ll randomly think of a couple of characters and smile. I’d love to have that long-lasting swoon effect on my readers. 😊
Q4. What’s your favourite spot to visit in your own country? And what makes it so special to you?
Oh wow, that’s a tough question to answer! If I had to pick a big city, I love Chicago. There’s always something to see and do. I’ve had a lot of great times there with friends and family.
If I’m looking to relax and have some peace and nature, I love northern Ohio and the Lake Erie area. Put-in-Bay is a hidden gem – and the setting for a future book in the Buckeye Falls series. 😉
Q5. Is there lots to do before you drive in and start writing a book?
Yes and no. Writing Falling Home took a little longer to prep, because I wanted to do some world-building and decide what Buckeye Falls would look like. (It’s based on a few small towns I visited when I lived in Indiana and later here in Ohio.)
Now that I have the town and characters mapped out, writing the next books in the series is slightly easier. But when it comes to the character development, that still takes a little time.
Q6. How long did it take you to write Falling Home?
About 18 months from starting notes to getting my contract with Inkspell Publishing.
Q7. On what all platforms readers can find Falling Home to buy?
AMAZON: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BLXXXKGL
KOBO: https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/falling-home-7
BN: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/falling-home-libby-kay/1142642631
APPLE: https://books.apple.com/us/book/id6444322541
Q8. Tell us about the process of coming up with the book cover and the title Falling Home?
I am very fortunate to be writing with Inkspell Publishing, as they have a team to craft the cover. I had input, and I could not be happier with the finished product. The designer was Fantasia Frog Designs.
In terms of coming up with the title, I knew it had to have fall or falling in the title. This is the first book in the Buckeye Falls series, so I wanted to have a theme with the book titles. For this first book, it’s all about the main character Ginny finding her way back to Max and also her hometown.
Q9. When writing a book how do you keep things fresh, for both your readers and also yourself?
I’m a librarian by trade, so following book trends has always been something I enjoy. I like to read the tropes I like to write, too. I truly think every writer must be a reader, otherwise it’s impossible to see what’s out there and know what readers are looking for and enjoying.
Q10. Are there any secrets from the book (that aren’t in the blurb), you can share with your readers?
The blurb alludes to this, but the reader will meet a lot of characters that will be the main characters in future Buckeye Falls books. You can still read and enjoy Falling Home as a stand-alone book, but it was important for me to have a sense of community for Max and Ginny as they fall in love.
Book Is Available On Amazon
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