Author: Andrea Hurst
Publisher: Independent Self Publishing
Publication Date: February 6, 2014
"Always With You is the bittersweet and poignant love story of a woman trapped between temptation and the ties that bind."
~Tracey Garvis Graves, New York Times bestselling author of On the Island and Covet.
"Hurst captivates from page one, and keeps you hooked until the very last word, in this entrancing story of the power of love and all its consequences.”
~Melissa Foster -New York Times & USA Today bestselling & award-winning author.
"Warm-hearted, wise, touchingly written, and exploring the depths of human emotions. This book about forbidden love is not to be missed."
~Bharti Kirchner, Author of five novels including Darjeeling and Tulip Season.
1977 is a glorious time to be alive in the beautiful wine country of Northern California, and Cathy has everything she thought she wanted - from a thriving health food café to loyal friends.
Since the devastating failure of her short-lived marriage, Cathy has buried herself in her work and kept men at arm’s length. But when an old high school friend, Pam, brings her family for a short stay, Cathy’s stone walls begin to crumble when she meets Jamie. Jamie, whose compassion and warmth slowly break down her defenses. Jamie, whose devotion to his four-year-old daughter melts Cathy's heart and makes her desperate for a family of her own. Jamie… who is married to Pam.
A profound love that transcends time and place is impossible to resist. But is love more important than friendship? Are loyalty and fidelity an anchor or a chain? In the end, it’s all about choices – tough ones that can break hearts. Now Cathy must make the most difficult choice of her life.
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Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
Always With You is reminiscent of the exploration of conscience found in Bridges of Madison County, and the passionate and often tear-jerking love stories of Nicholas Sparks. New York Times bestselling author of On the Island , Tracey Garvis Graves, said, “Always With You is the bittersweet and poignant love story of a woman trapped between temptation and the ties that bind.”
In Always With You, Cathy has buried herself in her work and kept men at arm’s length since the devastating failure of her short-lived marriage. But when an old high school friend, Pam, brings her family for a short stay, Cathy’s stone walls begin to crumble when she meets Jamie. Jamie, whose compassion and warmth slowly break down her defenses. Jamie, whose devotion to his four-year-old daughter melts Cathy's heart and makes her desperate for a family of her own. Jamie… who is married to Pam.
A profound love that transcends time and place is impossible to resist. But is love more important than friendship? Are loyalty and fidelity an anchor or a chain? In the end, it’s all about choices – tough ones that can break hearts. Now Cathy must delve into the deepest places of her heart and ultimately decide the future for them all. “Only dangling threads of Cathy’s pride remained. Love took prisoners no matter what the circumstances; it broke open the heart with no regard for consequences.”
What inspired you to write it?
The idea came to me in a dream—a very powerful dream that resonated with me so deeply that I had to write this story. The story flowed out of me in just a matter of months. I sat down and started writing in first person, present tense, which I’ve never done before. I could basically hear Cathy’s voice telling me the story. And I really reacted to it as if I was hearing it, because I found myself very sad in parts of the book. Just thinking about the book today, it’s still a very emotional experience.
How did you come up with the idea for the cover?
I came up with the idea for the cover from one of the key scenes in the novel. The scene is where Jamie and Cathy explore the Napa/Sonoma valley. They end up at the Russian River for the day, where they first start to really fall in love with each other. I wanted to feature the Russian River on the cover because of this integral scene.
If it was made into a movie, who would you like to play the main characters?
The actor I would want playing Jamie is Liam Hemsworth and I would cast Bella Thorne as Cathy.
What is it about this genre that appeals to you so much?
Women’s fiction focuses on women and their day to day struggles. It focuses on women finding their passion and gaining confidence in their abilities. It’s an empowering genre that I enjoy. Love stories are very compelling to me and this book also has strong romantic elements. With romance, I love merging two lives together and focusing on how they the face life’s challenges. What is it that makes someone fall in love with someone else? That question is always fun to try to answer and show to my readers.
What made you want to become an author?
I began writing when I was in college, where I majored in Expressive Arts. For my thesis, I wrote a cookbook called Everybody’s Natural Food Cookbook. While it would be years later till I started writing novels, this was my first experience with writing a book.
The idea that made me first want to write a novel was one I got while I was at the Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast on Whidbey Island with a good friend. Every spare moment she got, she was reading entries in their guestbook. Finally, I asked her what was so fascinating, and she said that she loved hearing about other people’s lives, experiences, loves, and adventures. In that moment, the story for The Guestbook, my first novel, just took hold of me and never let go.
How do you come up with character names?
Sometimes for character names I use names from people in my life, but for main character names they often come to me already named. Often I research names of the time period and their meanings as well.
Name one of your all-time favorite books?
One of my favorite books is The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty. This was a beautifully written book that had multiple threads that came together to create a shocking plot. It was well crafted.
Who, or what, inspires you?
One writer I am inspired by is Catherine Ryan Hyde who wrote the bestseller Pay it Forward and many other amazing novels. We don’t necessarily write in the same style, but she still inspires me to write. Reading Nora Roberts who creates unforgettable characters helped me to understand the genre. Beautiful settings and escaping somewhere to write inspire me as well.
Where is your favourite place to write?Almost every Wednesday, I go down the Coupeville Pier and join a group of writers at a coffee house that overlooks Penn Cove. We call ourselves Just Write. Writing can be very isolating, and I find the company of other writers to be very supportive. Looking out the windows at the coffee house, I am surrounded by water and this is where I do some of my best writing.
What is your favorite movie that was based on a book?
I love Bridges of Madison County. It is a beautiful love story that rips at the heart. It is what helped inspire me to write Always With You.
Name two of your favorite authors.
Catherine Ryan Hyde and Liane Moriarty
If you could have a dinner party with any authors from any time in history, who would you choose and why?
Jane Austen. I would love to hear about her life and career and challenges.
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I have two dachshunds. One is a long-haired standard named Basil and the other is a rescue dog named Ferdie. Ferdie is a black and tan and hates to leave my side for even a minute.
Tell us an interesting fact about where you live.
I live on a beautiful island similar to Madrona Island, the island from The Guestbook, my first novel. Coupeville, the town I live in, has a farmer’s market from April through October and this is a favorite event of mine, where I can mingle with people and find great, fresh produce.
What are your (writing) plans for the future?
My next book is the second Madrona Island Trilogy, Tea and Comfort. This book features Kyla Grant, who owns a tea and herb shop called Tea and Comfort. Kyla was once engaged to a man, Luke, who just moved to Madrona Island. Now she must fight the attraction still simmering between them, even as Luke pushes her to tell him why she broke their engagement. Look for this beautiful romance, which should come out in March.
Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list.
I want to go to Europe and set a book series there. My initial plot idea is an American woman goes to Italy and see the ancient architecture and eat great Italian food. She falls in love with an Italian chef who is one of three brothers. They end up opening a restaurant in America together. I also would love to visit Greece, which is the country of my ancestors and is a place close to my heart.
Favorite myth / fairytale?
Beauty and the Beast
Who/What did you want to be when you were a kid?
I always wanted to be a writer and a teacher, so it is a dream come true to have success with my novels.
~Tracey Garvis Graves, New York Times bestselling author of On the Island and Covet.
"Hurst captivates from page one, and keeps you hooked until the very last word, in this entrancing story of the power of love and all its consequences.”
~Melissa Foster -New York Times & USA Today bestselling & award-winning author.
"Warm-hearted, wise, touchingly written, and exploring the depths of human emotions. This book about forbidden love is not to be missed."
~Bharti Kirchner, Author of five novels including Darjeeling and Tulip Season.
1977 is a glorious time to be alive in the beautiful wine country of Northern California, and Cathy has everything she thought she wanted - from a thriving health food café to loyal friends.
Since the devastating failure of her short-lived marriage, Cathy has buried herself in her work and kept men at arm’s length. But when an old high school friend, Pam, brings her family for a short stay, Cathy’s stone walls begin to crumble when she meets Jamie. Jamie, whose compassion and warmth slowly break down her defenses. Jamie, whose devotion to his four-year-old daughter melts Cathy's heart and makes her desperate for a family of her own. Jamie… who is married to Pam.
A profound love that transcends time and place is impossible to resist. But is love more important than friendship? Are loyalty and fidelity an anchor or a chain? In the end, it’s all about choices – tough ones that can break hearts. Now Cathy must make the most difficult choice of her life.
Amazon
B&N
Goodreads
Can you tell us a little about your latest book?
Always With You is reminiscent of the exploration of conscience found in Bridges of Madison County, and the passionate and often tear-jerking love stories of Nicholas Sparks. New York Times bestselling author of On the Island , Tracey Garvis Graves, said, “Always With You is the bittersweet and poignant love story of a woman trapped between temptation and the ties that bind.”
In Always With You, Cathy has buried herself in her work and kept men at arm’s length since the devastating failure of her short-lived marriage. But when an old high school friend, Pam, brings her family for a short stay, Cathy’s stone walls begin to crumble when she meets Jamie. Jamie, whose compassion and warmth slowly break down her defenses. Jamie, whose devotion to his four-year-old daughter melts Cathy's heart and makes her desperate for a family of her own. Jamie… who is married to Pam.
A profound love that transcends time and place is impossible to resist. But is love more important than friendship? Are loyalty and fidelity an anchor or a chain? In the end, it’s all about choices – tough ones that can break hearts. Now Cathy must delve into the deepest places of her heart and ultimately decide the future for them all. “Only dangling threads of Cathy’s pride remained. Love took prisoners no matter what the circumstances; it broke open the heart with no regard for consequences.”
What inspired you to write it?
The idea came to me in a dream—a very powerful dream that resonated with me so deeply that I had to write this story. The story flowed out of me in just a matter of months. I sat down and started writing in first person, present tense, which I’ve never done before. I could basically hear Cathy’s voice telling me the story. And I really reacted to it as if I was hearing it, because I found myself very sad in parts of the book. Just thinking about the book today, it’s still a very emotional experience.
How did you come up with the idea for the cover?
I came up with the idea for the cover from one of the key scenes in the novel. The scene is where Jamie and Cathy explore the Napa/Sonoma valley. They end up at the Russian River for the day, where they first start to really fall in love with each other. I wanted to feature the Russian River on the cover because of this integral scene.
If it was made into a movie, who would you like to play the main characters?
The actor I would want playing Jamie is Liam Hemsworth and I would cast Bella Thorne as Cathy.
What is it about this genre that appeals to you so much?
Women’s fiction focuses on women and their day to day struggles. It focuses on women finding their passion and gaining confidence in their abilities. It’s an empowering genre that I enjoy. Love stories are very compelling to me and this book also has strong romantic elements. With romance, I love merging two lives together and focusing on how they the face life’s challenges. What is it that makes someone fall in love with someone else? That question is always fun to try to answer and show to my readers.
What made you want to become an author?
I began writing when I was in college, where I majored in Expressive Arts. For my thesis, I wrote a cookbook called Everybody’s Natural Food Cookbook. While it would be years later till I started writing novels, this was my first experience with writing a book.
The idea that made me first want to write a novel was one I got while I was at the Farmhouse Bed and Breakfast on Whidbey Island with a good friend. Every spare moment she got, she was reading entries in their guestbook. Finally, I asked her what was so fascinating, and she said that she loved hearing about other people’s lives, experiences, loves, and adventures. In that moment, the story for The Guestbook, my first novel, just took hold of me and never let go.
How do you come up with character names?
Sometimes for character names I use names from people in my life, but for main character names they often come to me already named. Often I research names of the time period and their meanings as well.
Name one of your all-time favorite books?
One of my favorite books is The Husband’s Secret by Liane Moriarty. This was a beautifully written book that had multiple threads that came together to create a shocking plot. It was well crafted.
Who, or what, inspires you?
One writer I am inspired by is Catherine Ryan Hyde who wrote the bestseller Pay it Forward and many other amazing novels. We don’t necessarily write in the same style, but she still inspires me to write. Reading Nora Roberts who creates unforgettable characters helped me to understand the genre. Beautiful settings and escaping somewhere to write inspire me as well.
Where is your favourite place to write?Almost every Wednesday, I go down the Coupeville Pier and join a group of writers at a coffee house that overlooks Penn Cove. We call ourselves Just Write. Writing can be very isolating, and I find the company of other writers to be very supportive. Looking out the windows at the coffee house, I am surrounded by water and this is where I do some of my best writing.
What is your favorite movie that was based on a book?
I love Bridges of Madison County. It is a beautiful love story that rips at the heart. It is what helped inspire me to write Always With You.
Name two of your favorite authors.
Catherine Ryan Hyde and Liane Moriarty
If you could have a dinner party with any authors from any time in history, who would you choose and why?
Jane Austen. I would love to hear about her life and career and challenges.
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I have two dachshunds. One is a long-haired standard named Basil and the other is a rescue dog named Ferdie. Ferdie is a black and tan and hates to leave my side for even a minute.
Tell us an interesting fact about where you live.
I live on a beautiful island similar to Madrona Island, the island from The Guestbook, my first novel. Coupeville, the town I live in, has a farmer’s market from April through October and this is a favorite event of mine, where I can mingle with people and find great, fresh produce.
What are your (writing) plans for the future?
My next book is the second Madrona Island Trilogy, Tea and Comfort. This book features Kyla Grant, who owns a tea and herb shop called Tea and Comfort. Kyla was once engaged to a man, Luke, who just moved to Madrona Island. Now she must fight the attraction still simmering between them, even as Luke pushes her to tell him why she broke their engagement. Look for this beautiful romance, which should come out in March.
Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list.
I want to go to Europe and set a book series there. My initial plot idea is an American woman goes to Italy and see the ancient architecture and eat great Italian food. She falls in love with an Italian chef who is one of three brothers. They end up opening a restaurant in America together. I also would love to visit Greece, which is the country of my ancestors and is a place close to my heart.
Favorite myth / fairytale?
Beauty and the Beast
Who/What did you want to be when you were a kid?
I always wanted to be a writer and a teacher, so it is a dream come true to have success with my novels.
When not visiting local farmer's markets or indulging her love for chocolate, Andrea Hurst is an author and literary agent. Her passion for books drives her to find and write stories that take readers on a journey to another place and leave them with an unforgettable impression. She is a developmental editor for publishers and authors, an instructor in creative writing at the Northwest Institute of Literary Arts, and a webinar presenter for Writers Digest. She lives with her dachshunds in the Pacific Northwest, on an island much like the fictional Madrona, with all of its natural beauty and small town charm.
Her published books include Always With You, The Guestbook, The Lasy Dog's Guide to Enlightenment and Everybody's Natural Food Cookbook, and she co-authored A Book of Miracles.
To learn more about Andrea and her books, visit www.AndreaHurst-author.com.
Join her on Facebook for book giveaways and more delicious recipes and scenic photos from Madrona Island at Facebook
Website
Twitter
Goodreads
Discuss this book in our PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads by clicking HERE
Her published books include Always With You, The Guestbook, The Lasy Dog's Guide to Enlightenment and Everybody's Natural Food Cookbook, and she co-authored A Book of Miracles.
To learn more about Andrea and her books, visit www.AndreaHurst-author.com.
Join her on Facebook for book giveaways and more delicious recipes and scenic photos from Madrona Island at Facebook
Website
Goodreads
Discuss this book in our PUYB Virtual Book Club at Goodreads by clicking HERE
Thank you for hosting the virtual book tour. - Kathleen Anderson, PUYB Tour Coord.
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