NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Tess Oliver released her last book Stone Cold Bad on June 18. The novel quickly gathered huge positive feedback and currently is standing with average 4.2 Amazon stars from almost 70 reviews. Our next guest is living in the sunny California and shared some of her time to chat for her latest project.

– Tess, what is your book Stone Cold Bad about?
– Stone Cold Bad is the first book in a three book series about three brothers who endured a harsh childhood that eventually left them to fend for themselves. They are tough guys with rough edges but they have soul. The perfect male characters, in my opinion.

– How did you decide to write the story?
– Like so many of my story ideas, it came to me while I was out on a hike. Exercise always gets my mind flowing.
– What was the biggest challenge during the write up process?
– I love coming up with characters but plotting out a novel is always my biggest hurdle.
– Tell us something more about your main characters Jade and Colt? Are they close to someone from your real life?
– They were purely from my imagination. I like creating characters who have had a hard existence. It makes for a meatier story. Jade and Colt both had major struggles in life which made them perfect for each other.
– How much time did you need to finish the story and to publish it?
– It takes me about a month to write a 50,000 word story, but I’m lucky enough to be a full time writer now. I walked with a coauthor this time, my friend Anna Hart. We traded pieces back and forth. My beautiful, perfect daughter is my assistant. She takes care of covers, editing, marketing and formatting.
– How you came up with the idea of Barringer Brothers series?
– That one took some major planning. I knew who the characters would be but I needed to find a cool way to connect them. That took some time and effort. But I think it all came together well. I always start with characters. Then I tackle a plot to build around them.
– Who are you?
– I’m a mom, a wife, a teacher, and a writer, who loves animals, romantic books and chocolate. I’m somewhat of a hippie and I think laughter and not taking yourself too seriously is the key to a good life.
– What are your writing habits?
– I’ve recently left my teaching job to be a full time writer. I write for several hours in the morning and late afternoon and evening. I skip that groggy time during the middle of the day when my thoughts are just too muddled to come up with anything crisp and clever.
– Are you satisfied by the sales of your books?
– I’ve been very lucky. My first book, Camille: Camille Series #1 , did really well and sometimes it’s hard to believe that people are reading my books.
– What are you doing to promote your book by the best possible way?
– Writing the best, most compelling story I can. That’s the best way I know how to promote my writing.
– When we will see your next novel and would you unveil something more about it?
– Book 2 of the Stone brothers, “Heart of Stone” is on preorder now on Amazon and will be out in July. It covers the story of Hunter Stone and his longtime friend Amy “Street” Linton.
– What was the feeling when you saw your name at NY Times and USA Today bestselling list?
– I still remember the moment. I was in my classroom and of course, I never answered my cell during class time. But I kept getting text messages. So while the students were working I checked the texts making sure my kids were all right. My sister, my agent and my daughter had all sent texts letting me know that my book Freefall had made the New York Times and USA bestseller lists. I squealed and my third graders thought I’d temporarily lost my mind. I explained to them what had happened and they clapped and cheered. I don’t think they really knew what it meant but they could see that I was extremely excited.
– Why so many YA and romance writers are writing with pen names and refused to show their identity?
– I didn’t think my real name would look or sound good on a book cover. Plus when I started writing I was teaching elementary school. Thought it was better not to use my real name.
– If you may ask yourself one question in the interview what it will be?
– What’s your favorite part to write? Dialogue. Love to write dialogue.

To learn more about Tess Oliver check out her Website
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Check out her books:
Freefall: Custom Culture #1
Clutch: Custom Culture #2
Camille: Camille Series #1
Gage (The Barringer Brothers Book 1)
Stone Cold Bad: An Alpha Bad Boy Romance (Stone Brothers Book 1)
Jericho: A New Adult MC Romance (The Barringer Brothers Book 4)