Skip to main content

Q&A with Lauren Layne, Author of The Central Park Pact Series

One of my favorite things at work is Q&A time. Our Romance Book Club reads 2 books a month, and for one of them, we always have an author joining us with a Q&A. In April we read Marriage on Madison Avenue. I loved the book and I am so glad I get to share our Q&A with Lauren Layne with all of you. If you haven't read her books yet, give it a try :) 



-  When did you start writing? Was it a hobby at first or did you always wanted to be a writer?

I’ve definitely always wanted to be a writer! I was a really avid reader as a kid, so “author” has been my dream job as long as I can remember. In terms of how and when I started—I did dabble a bit in my early 20s. I read every “how to” writing book I could get my hands on, and would create these really extensive outlines for a book idea. But then I’d try the actual writing part, realize that it was really freaking hard, and quit. This happened a few times. But when I was 28, I got really tired of being that person who always talked about wanting to do something (in my case, write a book), but never actually did it. So that time when I started the book, I was determined to finish. I sold the book to Grand Central Publishing about two years later.

- When you are not writing what genre do you enjoy reading? And do you have a ’go-to’ author?

Despite being a contemporary romance author, it’s historical romance that I most love to read! Lisa Kleypas, Lorraine Heath, and Vivienne Lorret are some of my favorites, but if there’s a new release with the word “duke” in the title, I’ll probably but it regardless of whose name is on the cover!

- What was the inspiration behind the Central Park Pact series?
I was loosely inspired by the movie The Other Woman. I didn’t particularly love the movie, but one thing that stuck out to me that in Hollywood (and books) there’s such a stigma against “the other woman” in the case of infidelity, and I really loved that that movie looked a bit closer: what if the women involved with the same men became friends. After all, if the same man fell for all three women, they must have something in common, right? I’m not sure how I ended up with the “dark comedy” element of them meeting at his funeral, but I will say, it was a really fun way to kick off the series!

- Where any of the characters inspired by someone in real life?

No, not at all. I know that’s not the fun answer, but I very rarely have a real-life person in mind when I write characters—not even celebrity inspiration! In my head, those characters are real, not fictional knockoffs of somebody else.


- What was your favorite scene to write in Marriage on Madison Avenue?

Oh gosh—I think probably the lingerie store scene! I wasn’t expecting to enjoy it so much, but it was the first time in the book that we saw the confident, cocky Clarke a little unsure of himself, and it was such a huge “discoverability” moment for me with his character. Not to mention, it was just fun J

- Do you have a favorite book between the 3 in the series?

You know, I think I’d have to say Love on Lexington Avenue! In a lot of ways it was the “toughest sell” both with readers and my editor, because it’s not “high concept.” Meaning, that there’s really no catchy hook such as a “fake engagement” (Marriage on Madison Avenue) or a childhood enemies + secret identity (Passion on Park Avenue). It’s just about two people falling in love. Catchy? No. Romantic? Most definitely.

- Do you have any more books coming out this year?

Yours to Keep will be out in September, and it’s without a doubt, one of the most FUN books I’ve written in years. I couldn’t stop smiling as I wrote it, and even my editor the other day mentioned that she finds herself thinking about it and smiling, even though we wrapped it up months ago. I can’t wait for readers to get a hold of it!

I love the sound of that and I am looking forward to it!
Thank you so much to the lovely Lauren Layne for joining my small town's Romance Book Club and allowing me to share this Q&A with the world!

Find Lauren and her books:


In support to indie stores who are struggling right now no Amazon link will be added. The indie store above IS offering free shipping at this time! Give them a helping hand! Thanks :)

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

A Romance Catch Up!

 It has been a crazy month and I fell behind badly on my reviews! But here are some highlights for you. Barbarian Lover (Ice Planet Barbarians #3) Ruby Dixon  2.75/5 Although I liked this one it is my least favorite in the series so far. The book was going well until a little over the halfway point when it just doesn't read right. She accepts leaving someone behind too easily and although up to this point the book does a good job at dealing with infertility it all of sudden throws it all out of the window. So good, I will carry on with the series, but not great. A Precious Jewel (Stapleton-Downes #2) Mary Balogh  3/5 This was different, unique. And I like that about it. I have not read any other book quite like it. She is a prostitute;  he starts of as just any other client. The story was sweet and interesting . The MC comes across  rather clueless at times,  but it is somewhat endearing. The romance is believable  and they make a very charming couple! The Gunslinger's Guide to

Radiant Sin (Dark olympus) by Katee Robert [arc review]

This is sadly, not going to be a very popular review. I adore Katee Robert. But this one just wasn't for me. It wasn't a terrible book or anything like that, it just left me wanting more and very puzzled. Every one of the books in this series follows a certain trope and/or subplot genre. Neon Gods is very much a Greek Mythology retelling;  Electric Idol  has the plus size influencer and the sweet bad boy, it is a very modern contemporary romance;  Wicked Beauty , and my favorite so far has that hunger games/dystopian vibe. Radiant Sin  is a murder mystery. The 'one house'/'one train' style that has always been so popular. Here lies problem number one for me, because I don't like murder mysteries at all. Even on my teen years when I read a lot of mystery it was never those. Problem two- there were way too many characters in that house, and they all got their time on the page making it one very confusing mess. It was very hard to follow at times. I think this

The Book Hater's Book Club by Gretchen Anthony

The Book Hater's Book Club  at first appears to be about a struggling bookstore and its imminent sale. Elliot, the co-owner of Over the Rainbow Bookstore, started  The Book Hater's Book Club , a newsletter of reading recommendations for the self-proclaimed non-readers of the world, because he believed there was a book out there for everyone. Something I wholeheartedly agree with! For years he and Irma have kept the store going and always had a recommendation in hand. When you finish this book, you will have yet another list of books to read.  However, this book is about more than just books and a struggling bookstore. It is also about grief, the price of secrets, and a little more grief.  You see, Elliot is gone, and his grief-ridden business partner has agreed to sell the store to developers. Problem is, she didn't tell that to anyone until the deal was almost done. Which is making her daughters ask questions. Why is she selling? Is it grief alone? Is there something else