I'd like you to meet... Ava Zavora!

After featuring Ava's book, Dear Adam, last month (and seeing her awesome author pic!), I knew I just had to interview her. I was so pleased when she agreed!

When did you first start writing? And when were you first published?
I was scribbling on the flyleaves of books before I even knew how to read! Which didn't make my parents happy at all but I wish I knew what profound things the toddler me was trying to tell the world. Fast forward to May 2013 when I decided to publish my first novel, Rosethorn.

What is it about the genre your write (I wasn't sure what genre to put you under Ava!!) that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres? If so, which?
I am a romantic at heart and given to flights of fancy so my writing is neatly divided into contemporary romance and fantasy (with some overlap). I tend to read funny memoirists like Caitlin Moran and David Sedaris, historical fiction novelists like Kate Morton, and quirky nonfiction writers such as Mary Roach.

What's the title of your latest book? Can you tell us about it?

Dear Adam is about a book blogger who meets her soulmate online and falls in love with him sight unseen. Adam is everything Eden has ever dreamt of but soon she begins to doubt his truthfulness. Is Adam too good to be true or is the truth more startling than fiction?

What inspired you to write it?
I saw the movie "Catfish" last year and was absolutely astounded. I have never been very active on Facebook so I had no idea that anyone would go through elaborate lengths to pretend to be someone else online - not for monetary gain but for love. I became addicted to the reality show when it first aired. Then the Manti Te'o girlfriend hoax came to light and suddenly catfishing was mainstream. How do people form such intense connections online without ever meeting? Out of this question, Dear Adam was born.

Is it part of a series? 
Dear Adam is a standalone; although, I have gotten a few messages from readers begging for a second book, wanting more of Adam and Eden.

Have you ever spotted anyone reading your books anywhere?
Haha, no, but this question brought to mind a bookshelfie my editor promised to give me - which is of him posing with Dear Adam, a rose between his teeth.

Who designs your dreamy covers?

Thank you! I have a good friend who takes photos for me (after I beg profusely) and very patiently indulges me when I ask for tweaks and modifications.

If your latest book was made into a film, who would you cast?
Adam would have to be played by a British actor who's rough-looking, like Daniel Craig. He'd have to have Adam's incredibly sexy voice, described by Eden as "… soulful and mysterious. Commanding. Rich and hypnotic. She wanted to sink into its sensual depths and be smothered with it."
Eden would be an exotic-looking beauty whose strength hides fragility. Nicole Scherzinger fits the bill.

Do you ever read Chick Lit? If so, what's your favourite Chick Lit book that made it to the big screen?
I loved The Jane Austen Book Club by Karen Jay Fowler when it first came out and loved the movie so much I bought it. It's a wonderful celebration of female friendships, as well as a great tribute to an iconic author.

Name the last two books you read? Did you love them?
I read Inferno by Dan Brown which I liked better than The Lost Symbol but not as much as Angels and Demons. Before that I read David Gaughran's Let's Get Visible- very educational.

Name one female author who you think deserves to be better known.
I am a fan of Theodora Goss's speculative short fiction. They are beautifully written, haunting, and unique.

Where do you write? And do you ever wish you could write elsewhere? If so, where?
I write on a red desk that is much too small and sit on a chair that is uncomfortable, but it matches the desk so I keep it. I love that I have a room of my own and that it's quiet and messy and so full of books that I have to be careful I don't trip over the stacks on the floor on the way to my desk.

When you were a kid, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Indiana Jones.

In the movie of your life, who would play you?

Image courtesy: NoHoDamon

In my fantasy, Mindy Kaling would play me so I would be effortlessly funny.

Speed Round...
Top drink to make you tipsy? Kir Royale
Shopaholic or shopadon't? Good thing I'm a happy person because when I am depressed I am a shopaholic.
Sky high heels or closer to the ground? Heels
E.L. James or Jilly Cooper? I'm sorry I don't know one and I don't read the other's genre. Neither?
Cry baby or tough cookie? A tough cookie on the outside. Mushy on the inside.

In her childhood, Ava Zavora used to ride water buffaloes and wade in swamps. Nowadays, she travels and writes romantic stories about adventurous women.
www.avazavora.com
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http://www,goodreads.com/avazavora