Calling all romance readers—USA Today best-selling author Kathleen Lawless has teamed up with her daughter, Reyna Lawless, to bring us her newest romantic literary creation.
Kathleen has written over 60 romance novels herself, but this is the first novel she has co-written with her daughter.
The inspiration to start writing books together stemmed from their passion for giving characters happy endings.
Cupid Grants a Second Chance is a romantic comedy set in Seattle, written as a story within a story that follows a producer of a reality show aiming to rekindle relationships with people from their past. It also presents the audience with “what if” scenarios that prompt them to consider the characters' relationships and encourage reflection on similar relationships in their own lives.
The duo, who live in Saanich, worked on the new title under the pen name Carissa Harper.
Part of the name is taken from Kathleen's great-grandfather, Wes Harper, who became a city cop in the 1890s. He competed on the department’s 1906 tug-of-war team, and a framed photo of him and his teammates still hangs on the walls of the station.
The book aims to evoke the emotion of hope that the characters have in finding a happily ever after for themselves. They achieve this by creating compelling characters like Lexly Smith, and crafting a plot that explores the characters' paths to finding happiness for themselves.
“We won’t say our first collaboration went smoothly,” Kathleen and Reyna said. “Lots of stops and starts as we figured out our process, but we’re so proud and delighted with the finished product, we’re throwing ourselves a party. What is life if not finding new reasons to celebrate?”
One of the most fun elements to write into the book for the authors was the musical references. Part of what led them to set the book in Seattle is the city's vibrant music scene and rich music history. The book also includes a surfing scene, where the heroine is out on the water and has a revelation. Reyna, who is a Vancouver Island surfer, particularly enjoyed including one of her biggest passions in the story.
Romance readers can find this new title online.
