Interview with Amarie Avant, author of Make Me Stay II

What can you tell us about your new release, Make Me Stay II?

Make Me Stay II is a contemporary, second chance romance that I caved in and decided to continue after so many reviews craving more of Donavan and Avery. Avery Castle comes from an affluent family, but all the riches in the world didn’t help her parents love their deaf daughter. But her childhood best friend Donavan did. He learned sign language just for her and has been with her every step of the way. However, her parents will do some serious meddling in book one causing a rift between the bad boy and their good girl. In this installment, Donnie and Avery are still dealing with the residuals of her parents’ intentions. So expect a gut-wrenching love story, laughs, a few cries, and some seriously steamy moments.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

Can’t recall. I snuck books to bed before I could crawl. Luckily, I transitioned from The Baby Sitter’s Club to Christopher Pike then Harlequin romance.

What’s on your top 5 list for the best books you’ve ever read?

The Joy Luck Club by Amy Tan

Along Came a Spider, James Patterson

Tears of the Moon, Nora Roberts

The Velvet Promise, Jude Deveraux (It was my first tango with steamy romance)

Jane Eyre, Emily Bronte

Say you’re the host of a literary talk show. Who would be your first guest? What would you want to ask?

James Patterson. His Masterclass on Creative Writing is everything, and I felt like I was in his presence while he spoke. The advice he gave about dialogue and just his process in general is priceless. I would ask him to read the first page of my psychological thrillers and give it to me straight!

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

Creating my own world. Fleshing out my feelings. I work in the mental health field, which can be particularly daunting. So, when I’m writing books, I can “off” people. Romantic Suspense is the ultimate stress relief: the action, the sex; it’s therapeutic.

What is a typical day like for you?

I write in the morning when my characters are loudest, calling out for attention. Then life calls, the typical stuff. Get my two daughters ready for school, go to work, and return home in time for my husband’s cooking. Maybe a little kickboxing if I’m not too lazy.

What scene in Make Me Stay II was your favorite to write?

Avery and Donavan are at her parents’ house for a black-tie Valentine Day event. Donavan has her sneak upstairs to her childhood bedroom, which has been decorated in the same manner as it was during their first Valentine’s. Avery’s pregnant and so the scene begins rather sweet, funny, until the heat is off the Richter scale.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

Choose joy.

Amarie Avant is the author of the new book Make Me Stay II

Connect with Amarie