Welcome, Marisa Adams, author of the novel, Is Love Enough, a sweet love story. I’m so happy we can get to know you better.
Marisa Adams is an avid reader with an immense passion for great love stories. She is an educator, wife, and mother but always finds the time to squeeze in a little time to get lost in the worlds of her characters. She hates doing laundry, loves to cook meals for her family, and would rather be curled up with a great book (or typing away on her laptop) than almost anything else. She has been writing for years and has finally decided to branch into the world of novels.
Marisa believes in love at first sight and happy endings. Each of her books will remind you that romance and true love still exist even in today’s fast paced world.
Here’s the blurb from Is Love Enough:
Love is a powerful thing; but, sometimes, love isn’t enough. At least, that’s what Rebekah Thomas believes. In her younger, more naive days, Rebekah thought love could conquer all; that was before the death of her husband, and high school sweetheart. Now she believes life is easier without it. Ever the romantic at heart, a failed marriage and cinema glitter is not enough to stop famous actor Jason Taylor from believing the right woman for him is out there somewhere. Tired of his undeserved playboy reputation, he unexpectedly finds the forever kind of love miles away, with a small town teacher. Rebekah and Jason could bridge their different worlds together, but this sweet and compassionate teacher has trouble letting him in. Just as she is convinced they could have a chance, one moment threatens to destroy everything they have built. Can Rebekah finally see the truth – that sometimes, love is all you need?
Marisa, what jumped out at me about this book is the soap opera references. Confess all: are you a huge fan? (I was in college!)
Okay….so I guess it’s time to come out of the soap opera closet. My name is Marisa, and I’m a soap fan. It’s my brainless indulgence. Seriously – anyone who regularly watches soaps knows you can turn one on and be caught up in just a few episodes, even if you haven’t seen it in years. Besides, you know we’ve all practiced the ‘soap stare’ in the mirror at least once! In all honesty, I’ve watched soaps in some fashion or another for as long as I can remember. I would spend part of my summers with my grandmother when I was a child and I can still hear her telling me it was time to be quiet because her ‘show’ was on. Days of Our Lives was the first show I watched, followed by Young and the Restless in my later years. But, it was General Hospital that turned my time from watching to obsessing. I still tape the show today, and can watch an entire week in just an hour and a half (I love my DVR!!)
I have to laugh. When my mom took us to visit my grandmother, they would gather in front of the television to watch As the World Turns, then Days of our Lives. We were dying to watch The Price is Right! Did you do research on soaps?
I didn’t do any research on soaps for IS LOVE ENOUGH; most of their interaction takes place away from the studio. RUNNING TOWARDS LOVE was a different story though. Danny and Nikki have several interactions in the studio so I spent quite a bit of time researching soaps for their story. Of course, then I got lost in the research and spent even more time reading through the fan tours of the Guiding Light set!
Tour??? That sounds like tons of fun. This quote is so sad: “…only thing that comes out of love is pain, misery, and loneliness.” From where did this tidbit originate?
I’m honestly not sure. This was a hard scene to write, Rebekah has just buried her first husband. She’s in her early twenties and is completely lost without her high school sweetheart. I cried as I wrote it; her emotions literally became mine. I think in many ways, this is exactly how I would feel if my world was ripped apart like hers was.
The phrase perfectly describes heartache. Kudos for your creativity! I noticed lots of references to Texas and teaching. Are you familiar with the Lone Star state? And is teaching your day job?
I am a proud Texas girl, born and bred! I grew up in Katy, a suburb of Houston that consisted of rice farms and state-winning football teams. We may have fewer farms now, but football is still a staple (and they are still winning state!). When I graduated from high school, I attended Texas A&M University (WHOOP!) where I met my husband and graduated with a degree in education. I taught 8th grade US History for 4 years before moving to be an elementary, junior high, and then high school Assistant Principal. Now, I’m working as a Director of Curriculum for a supplemental learning company, along with being a wife and mom. Teaching will always be a theme in my books because there are some fantastic stories that come from those years! Names will be changed to protect the (not so) innocent!
I ‘m wondering if you picked the names “Nikki” and “Danny” because they are featured in The Young and the Restless? Hehehe
You know…I never once thought of that until right now when you mentioned it! I picked Daniel and Nicole originally as small extra characters for IS LOVE ENOUGH. The more I wrote though, the more they came to life, eventually sparking their own story.
Well, the name thing is pretty coincidental. LOL. So how did you get from an education career to writing sweet romance?
I wrote my first story when I was in the 8th grade. My teacher allowed me to write a historical romance as a final Civil War project instead of creating the typical shoebox diorama or map. I fell in love with writing then and have played with it ever since. But it never fully developed until I was an adult. In fact, I never anticipated I would have a published novel out, let alone two, with a third on the way.
When I was in my 2nd or 3rd year of teaching, I was in California for a conference and we ran into Michael Keaton as he was leaving a store. I remember thinking, I wonder what would happen if a single teacher met a single actor on a trip just like this. That night, the opening scene of Chapter 1 of IS LOVE ENOUGH was born. My writing has simply evolved since then.
The Michael Keaton? He’s Batman. I have to say I love how Rebekah’s and Jason’s relationship developed. What is the hardest part of writing–drafting, editing, research, or marketing? Why?
Thanks! One of the things I love most about IS LOVE ENOUGH is Jason and Rebekah’s relationship. Yes, the meet and there is instant attraction but they do not immediately fall in love; she’s a little gun shy and he’s pretty patient. It develops over time. It’s sweet and sappy, and just what we need sometimes.
For the writing part… All of the above? Seriously, writing for me is not just about putting the words down on a piece of paper. I have to plan, at least a little, and I have to make it a point to write a little every day. Motivation is a biggie for me. As an author who is also a Mom, a wife, and a career girl, it’s easy for writing to fall to the backburner. But, if I had to choose from one of the four choices here, I’d have to say marketing; it’s the part you least expect! That’s why I love places like Coffeetime Romance!
I am so with you on the marketing stuff. If only… Tell us about Running Towards Love, your novella. Anything else you want to share?
I never anticipated writing RUNNING TOWARDS LOVE. When I finished IS LOVE ENOUGH, I thought I was through with these characters and I would be moving on to something else. But a reader kept begging for more Danny and Nikki. She fell in love with them as background characters in IS LOVE ENOUGH and wanted to see more. So, I sat down with the two of them and worked to see how they met and where they were five years after Jason and Rebekah’s story ended. RUNNING TOWARDS LOVE was born from that sit down, and if you know Nikki, you know she had plenty to say!
But, for now, I’m finished with their world. Currently, I’m lost in the intrigue of guns, drugs, human trafficking and cartels. If you’ve ever wondered how that world can connect with law enforcement and teachers, look for book one ALWAYS TRUST of my TEACHING THE HEART series to be released later this summer.
Let’s do a speed round:
Favorite color: Pink
Favorite drink: Sweet Tea or a Margarita
Favorite movie: North and South – all 3 parts
Favorite accessory: My wedding ring! The only time it’s ever been off is when I broke my wrist!
Connect online with Marisa at:
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/MarisaAdamsAuthor
Twitter: MarisaAdamsAuth
Thank you, Marisa, for being with Coffee Time Romance and me for this author interview. Much success with Is Love Enough and your upcoming book. Running Towards Love.
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