Page 57 - Reader's House Magazine Issue 49

“Hawkeye, Goldfinches, And The Farm” is a heartwarming tale of love and resilience. Olivia Gaines masterfully crafts a story of unexpected connections and new beginnings. With endearing characters and a charming setting, this book is a delightful journey of hope and redemption.
standing love when the per-
son you have trusted most
in the world disappoints
you, or you see a weakness
in them you didn’t know
existed, that...is the true measure of love. Waking
up every day, looking that person in the eyes without
losing respect for their
humanity, and witnessing a shortcoming in a moment
that tried who they believed themselves to be as a person
− that is love. The narratives
I create are based on people
who want to love and be loved in return, rather than fantasy book boyfriends or women who can’t balance a checkbook. In their narration, we find the authentic story.
The themes of rediscovery and second chances are prevalent in your works, such as in Through the Woods. What personal philosophies or experiences drive your belief in the power of second chances and the enduring nature of love?
We seldom get it right the first time. Occasionally, or through sheer luck or brave stupidity, an instance presents itself and we achieve nirvana. The lightening
in a bottle doesn’t happen often because we are prone to failure, but the humanness in us, says try again. Our frail hearts encourage us to go back, retrace the steps, and this time, be honest. The hon- esty we finally allow ourselves to have with our own egos, makes us vulnerable, and the vulnerability makes us open, the openness, dare I say, makes us loveable. Justin & Jazzy are presented such openness in the visits to grandmother’s house in the story, and find a way to make it work.
As a writer of contemporary romances, what societal or cultural changes have you observed over the years, and how have these changes influenced the way you portray relationships and romantic dynamics in your books?
Olivia Gaines masterfully blends humor and heart, creating authentic, captivating romances that resonate deeply with readers worldwide.
In my heart, I under- stand the readers are presenting me with the gift of their time. The last thing I ever want
to do, is waste it. Each story presents a history lesson, a moral dilemma, and kookie characters whom you can easily
the middle of writing Yuñior, a story set in Colombia. Honestly, being on the ground, hearing the language, tasting the food and sweating in the South American heat brings an authenticity to my words which makes recreating the imagery for the reader more vivid. Each of the states, or cities where my stories are set, I have traveled or spent time meandering down the sidewalks and talking
to the residents. When I write
the stories, recalling the places and local fares, readers connect more with adventure because if they don’t know the places, they sure want to visit and find out for themselves.
One of the major cultural and societal changes which have occurred in the last fifty years
is the acceptance of interracial marriages. In the past, sightings of couples in this area were usually associated with military families. People are moving past skin colors and are ready to love and create families. Believe it or not, marriage rates are up and folks are connecting based on shared values versus, oh my gosh, you’re hot. I write stories about couples who want to have families and build a life together, not just be married. The partners in my novels share responsibilities making non-tradi- tional roles work for the happily ever after they seek.
You have achieved significant acclaim and success with series like The Technicians and The Blakemore Files. How do you sustain your creative inspiration and continue to develop fresh, engaging storylines while maintaining the essence that resonates with your readers?
In crafting heartwarming tales of blossoming relationships, how do you balance the elements of humor and warmth with the complexities and challenges that your characters face?
be related to by marriage or by blood. It is the everyday-ness of the characters which makes them relatable as well as the life sce- narios of adults finding their way to relationships that make sense. A balance is struck between gut wrenching laughter and tender moments that either makes one sigh, or feel the need to cry. The romance and humor scales are equally measured for each book, which sometimes have readers laughing until they cry.
I drink. Plus, the characters are real to me. In my head, these are real people, with real-life issues and problems, who have to evolve in order to grow. The same applies to my life as a writer. The stories must stay fresh or I get bored and no longer want to write. When I plot, I think of a moving image.
Your writing often explores the journey of love beyond the simple declaration of
I love you. How do you perceive the evolution of love and commitment in your own life, and how does this perception shape the narratives you create?
Being in love is easy. Under-
It becomes my responsibility to mentally capture all the details
to share with the reader, so they can see what I see. At least that’s what I try to do in between Friday margaritas.
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