A.M Hargrove and Terri E. Lane joined forces for Cruel & Beautiful and the result was a place in USA Today Bestselling list. The success of the tag team was appreciated by the readers who valuated very high the book that was released on November 12. With more than 250 Amazon reviews the title is standing solidly into the ranks with average 4.7 stars.
For the first time in Land of Books we are doing a double interview with both co-authors. Enjoy!

– Terri, A.M, what is your book Cruel & Beautiful about?
– Terri – I think a quick summary is that it’s a story of life and love.

Terri

– A.M.—It’s actually based in part on my own story. Unfortunately, I can’t tell you any more than that because it would involve spoilers, lol.

A.M.

– How did you decide to write the story?
– Terri – A.M. told me her real life story and I encouraged her to write it.
– A.M. – What Terri said! We were talking one day and I mentioned my past. She came up with this ingenious idea and honestly, had it not been for her, this book never would’ve happened.

– What was the biggest challenge during the write up process?
– Terri – Trying to balance the happy and the sad parts.
– A.M. – Exactly. It was difficult, to say the least. But we have a HEA and there is a lot of humor in the story, too.
– Tell us something more about your main characters Cate and Drew? Are they close to someone from your real life?
– Terri – Cate and Drew are based on real life events.
– A.M. – Drew was based on my husband, and of course, I was Cate. He was written as close to the real man as I could make him.
– How much time did you need to finish the story and to publish it?
– Terri – I think all in all it was less than six months.
– A.M. –We started writing this in June and published it in November.
– What was the first reaction when you saw the novel in USA Today bestselling list?
– Terri – I was speechless for a second before I called A.M. to tell her.
– A.M. – I was on the phone with my son and Terri kept texting me. I figured it was about our current WIP, so I wasn’t concerned. But the texts kept coming. It was the day before Thanksgiving. Finally she sent me one and it said 911! I knew something major had happened. LOL
– Who are you?
– Terri – I’m a mother and wife who tells stories.
– A.M. – I’m not sure yet, but when I figure it out, I’ll let you know! Just kidding. I’m a writer, a wife, a mother, and someone who left corporate America and never looked back. How’s that? Oh, and I think I’m pretty crazy at times. Crazy haha.
– What are your writing habits?
– Terri – I try to write every day. I have to first work out a scene in my head before I type it in the computer.
– A.M. – I take care of business matters first and then write. I figure out (generally) what direction my writing will take, but then I dig in with gusto. And afterwards, send to Terri and let her cringe. Haha!
– Are you satisfied by the sales of your books?
– Terri – Sales can always be better, lol.
– A.M. – I’m competitive at many things but I look at this particular project as a blessing, since it’s so personal for me. So satisfied may not be the right word. I think relieved is more like it because I opened up my heart and let a side of my life that not very many people knew about be seen.
– What are you doing to promote your book by the best possible way?
– Terri – I think word of mouth by readers is the best promotion.
– A.M. – That and using social media, which is really word of mouth when you come down to it.
– When we will see your next novel and would you unveil something more about it?
– Terri – We are working on two projects. One is a spin-off of Cruel & Beautiful, although the book will stand on its own.
– A.M. – Yes, the spin off is called A Mess of a Man and we hope to have it out late February or early March. The other one shall remain nameless as of now and we don’t have a time frame for that one.
– Describe the process of co-writing between you and your sidekick-author?
– Terri – A.M. and I have been friends for a while. We tend to discuss a project, then choose our jobs and go from there. We play off each other’s strengths to come up with the best possible project.
– A.M. – What Terri said. And then we do the back and forth thing, which is totally awesome.
– A.M. you are more experienced in the tag-team. Would you share some insights about your Edge and Guardians of Vesturon series?
– Terri – I’m going to chime in because that is not exactly true. I believe I published my first book before A.M. I have over a dozen titles published. This is the first book I’ve published under this pen name. But I have other pen names that I plan to reveal in time.
– A.M. – Terri’s right. In fact, she has been my “Crit/Beta Reader” almost since I began writing. The only books she didn’t work on with me were my first two and my novella. So with that being said, Terri could probably answer that question, about the Edge and GoV series, LOL.
But, The GoV was my first and it’s YA but could be considered NA since the characters are a bit older. However, it’s clean as in suitable for all ages. It’s a mesh of sci-fi paranormal and about a family and a girl they rescue who then falls in love, despite all the odds against them, with the oldest brother. Each book, with the exception of the first two, is about a different brother. The Edge Series are also about a family. The first two are suspense filled and the third is a blend of suspense and comedy.
– If you may ask yourself one question in the interview what it will be?
– Terri – Was I surprised by the success of Cruel & Beautiful? Yes, although I knew it was a good book, I never thought it would be so well received even to this day.
– A.M. – Are you surprised by the number of 5 Star reviews for Cruel & Beautiful?
Yes! I knew we had a good story with a good twist, but I never thought it would be so well received and I am thankful for all the support from all the readers who took a chance on us!

To learn more about our guests check out how to connect with them

A.M Hargrove

Website
Facebook
Twitter

Terri E. Laine
Website
Facebook
Twitter

Take a look at their books:

A.M Hargrove
Cruel & Beautiful
Edge of Disaster (Edge Series Book 1)
Exquisite Betrayal
Freeing Her: A Hart Brothers Novel, Book One
Tragically Flawed (Tragic #1)

Terri E. Lane
Cruel (Part 1): Part 1
Cruel (Part 2)