by: S.L. Scott
Genre: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Release Date: May 14, 2023
Publisher: S.L. Scott
I’ll be your date, and you’ll be mine.
Who says a funeral can’t be romantic?
Okay, everyone. Including myself.
That doesn’t stop the rumor mill from turning when I show up with a beautiful redhead on my arm.
That redhead also just happens to be a stranger, relatively speaking. Charlotte Barrow and I have run into each other a few times—on the subway, at a bar, and now on our way to separate funerals. Instead of the prodigal son who let his parents down showing up alone, I traded favors and brought a date. The deal made sense at the time.
You be my date, and I’ll be yours.
Who knew bringing a date to your ex-fiancé’s funeral would cause such a stir?
Technically, I did.
I invited him anyway for moral support. It didn’t hurt that he was handsome.
The cold-hearted stares that greeted us didn’t matter. We found comfort in each other and formed a friendship from there. Charles Adams was nothing like my ex. The pressure wasn’t there to be anyone other than who I was. He also loved my cupcakes as much as I enjoyed his company.
I always dreamed of finding my soul mate, and then along came Charlie. My perfect match was right here all along. Did I realize it too late?
I did a little dancing myself. This book has always held a piece of my heart, so I’m thrilled to be re-releasing it 10 years after I self-published it. **11 years since it was traditionally published.
With this re-release, I ADORE this new cover. It fits it perfectly. It has fresh copy-editing, and something I’m super excited about: It is in audio for the first time ever. And just so happens to have one of my all-time favorite narrators, Jason Clarke, along with the fabulous, Callie Dalton, bringing it to life for the ears.
Before hopping in on the questions, I also wanted to say it was an honor to be your first guest, and it’s truly meaningful to me to be back again. Thank you for having me.
Awww. Thank you. You’re very welcome. How did you get into writing?
I’ve always been writing and loved creating. Growing up, I painted a lot, wrote poetry, and small books that I would staple together, crafted. I love the arts and the ability to create something from nothing. Inspiration strikes and my mind whirls with developing ideas and storylines. I love brainstorming and growing my ideas.
Naturally, Charlie was your first published book. How do you think your writing has changed since then?
Naturally, Charlie was my first book published and Along Came Charlie is my 50th (technically). That’s a fun little tidbit I just realized.
As for my writing, my style has changed a lot over the years. I’ve learned more about myself as a writer, my good and bad habits, my routines, as well as learned from my mistakes. Hopefully. Ha!
I think my writing hits even deeper emotionally. I love writing angst too. I hope my writing has gotten better. Although not all stories are for every reader, I hope I’m always improving as a writer, too.
What made you decide to have both of your lead characters be named Charlie?
The original idea came to mind that way, so it wasn’t a decision I made as much as it was the first thought I’d had. I envisioned the part where they run into each other in the park and both of their names were Charlie. I envisioned these two strangers who kept running into each other, destiny playing a hand, and them growing a friendship first and well, the rest of the story developed from there.
Since cupcakes were a weekly thing, I’m surprised you didn’t put a recipe or two into the book. Did you think about doing that?
There was one added to the original book in the paperback. This time around, I tweaked the recipe to customize it more to my margarita loving ways and added it into the back.
After I got my brain around the fact that the Charlies were each stating things from the way they saw them, I liked the concept. Why did you choose to write the book in first person?
I personally love reading books that put you inside the characters' heads. I love that connection of knowing their inner thoughts and experiencing life through their eyes. I think first person puts you into the story on an intimate level, allowing you to feel what the characters feel instead of only reading about how they feel.
You live in a beautiful part of the state. I know that when people think about Texas, they think of big cowboy hats, boots, and oil drills. Which I just want to add is NOT the case! What’s your favorite part of living in the area? And it’s okay to mention the food, just to make my mouth water.
I completely agree. There is definitely a stereotype about Texas that is exaggerated on TV and in movies. Where I live, I never see cowboy hats or a lot of those things. I get excited when I see cows or horses while driving across the state, like to Houston. Those are the drives where you see fields. Not in Austin.
Here in Austin, I love the trees and being in ‘the hill country’, the huge music, movie, and creative scene, and of course the food. Tex-Mex is my favorite and I go into withdrawals if it’s been more than a few days since I’ve eaten it. lol
What is it about Along Came Charlie that you would like to have your readers take away from the book? Aside from the fact that Charlie Adams is just TOO good to be true. Yes, I’m in love with him.
I’m in love with him, too. If that’s wrong to confess, then I don’t want to be right.
I’d love for everyone to appreciate the flaws in Charlie Girl as much as they love the sweetness of Boy Charlie. I like that she’s human and isn’t scripted. She lets her emotions get away from her sometimes and doesn’t always do or say the perfect or right thing. I like a bit of realism in my stories because I relate better to the characters that way. Also, sometimes the most extraordinary things happen when we allow ourselves to step outside the expected lines and just live our lives on our terms.
Are you an e-book or paperback girl and which genres do you read?
I have an awesome collection of books, but these days, I mainly read ebooks. I love to fall into an incredible contemporary romance, too. Historical romance is one of my faves as is women’s fiction. I write the type of stuff I like to read.
I was also a Twilight and Hunger Games girl back in the day.
I mentioned that Naturally, Charlie is now Along Came Charlie. Is there anything else about it that different?
I was super excited to finally have this book in audio, especially with these two incredible narrators. It’s live on Audible and Amazon now.
It went through a round of fresh copyediting as well. New Cover. New Synopsis. Same cute story!
Why did you decide that now was the right time to re-release this story?
I finally had it narrated and produced for audio. Having that gave it a new energy and I wanted to support this endeavor as well as introduce readers to this book that might have joined my journey much later in my publishing career and to other readers in a new way.
2023 is also the 10th anniversary of me self-publishing this book. YAY!
If readers LOVE Along Came Charlie, which I know they will, what other books of yours are similar?
I think Head Over Feels, Never Got Over You, and Lost in Translation are good reads after Along Came Charlie.
Thank you again for taking the time to stop by and answer my questions.
Thank you again for hosting me again on your website. I loved your questions and had a great time.
What’s next for you?
I have Forgot to Say Goodbye coming in July, Marina Westcott’s book coming in the fall, and then lots of secrets after that. 😉
I have Forgot to Say Goodbye coming in July, Marina Westcott’s book coming in the fall, and then lots of secrets after that. 😉
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You can read my review of Along Came Charlie here.
Scott writes character driven, heart-racing, and swoony romances to suspense that will leave you glued to the page. Her stories are regarded as emotion-filled and soulful. With stories ranging from light and witty beach reads to heart wrenching and heart healing, Scott has a story for all readers. Her books are more than escapes for the voracious readers of today. They are journeys of the heart that always come with a happily ever after at the end.
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