Interview with Livia Grant, author of Blessed Betrayal

What can you tell us about your new release, Blessed Betrayal?

This book is so special to me for many reasons. This is actually the first short story/novella I ever wrote. It appeared in a boxed set called Twist back in 2014/15. I loved the characters and story line so much that when I got my rights back less than a year later, it was my very first book I self published. Now, years later, I’ve expanded it to novel length and given it a beautiful new cover in hopes that more people find and fall in love with Nick and Cali’s story.

What or who inspired you to become an author?

My mom. She read a Regency romance book every single day. I grew up watching her be a voracious romance reader and then joined her when I started sneaking her Harlequins around age thirteen. By fifteen I’d graduated to what she called ‘racy romances.’  I so wish she could see me publishing now. I know she’d be scandalized by my heat level, but she would be thrilled to know I’m an author.

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

J.K. Rowlings and I would totally want to talk about how she goes about her craft. Her books are so complex with a huge ensemble cast of characters, all with such fully fleshed out personalities.  I love to write ensemble casts myself and know how hard it is to keep details straight in a series so I’d be fascinated to learn more about her process of writing such masterpieces.

What’s your favorite thing about writing?

Creating something out of my own head and heart. I’ve never considered myself a particularly artsy person, and I’m not when it comes to traditional arts and crafts, but I do feel like I’ve learned how to weave a complex tale well.

What is a typical day like for you?

I would love to be a full time author in the future, but for now I have a very challenging career. I am lucky that I love my career and I get to travel a lot for work.  I’ve learned to give up TV and almost any other distraction because when I get home, I have to move into author mode each evening and all weekend. I can only keep up the pace because I love it so much… and because I’ve always been a workaholic at heart.

What scene in Blessed Betrayal was your favorite to write?

That is so hard! I always love the big reveal scene that comes towards the end of the story, but in Blessed Betrayal, the scene that takes place in the morgue was pretty memorable for me.  That, and I loved writing the epilogue.

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

There are so many! I have dozens of inspirational quotes from an old calendar displayed around my office. Literally, dozens. I love them all, but three of my favorites that I try to remind myself often are:

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the tradewinds in your sail. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

“It’s never to late to be what you might have been.”

“Be the change you wish to see in the world.” ~ Gandi

Livia Grant is the author of the new book Blessed Betrayal

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