An Interview with Isabella about her new book, Dusty Road Home
It’s been two years since your last release, why so long?
The pandemic took its toll on a lot of us, and I was not immune. I’m a social person, so when everything shut down, I did too. I had four books started and in various states of completion. So, while writing is a solitary venture and most writers are introverts, I had a difficult time being locked down for so long. Also, my job as union president started to take up a lot of my time as we navigated the pandemic landscape on campus.
What finally made you start writing again?
I never actually stopped, but it didn’t flow as it used to. I found myself overwhelmed with trying to deal with what was normal at that time. I would write dribs and drabs in my notebook, but nothing substantial. The voices in my head went silent, then I had to sit down and think about whether I would ever write again. Without the characters talking to you, without writing scenes in your head, can you force yourself to write? I’m sure so would say yes, but for me, it’s a hard no.
So, what happened?
I started thinking about the stories I had partially written, and the characters started talking again. Almost to the point where they were yelling in my head at odd times. I would be outside relaxing with a Bourbon and a cigar, and they would pop into my head and a scene would develop. So, that was a good sign.
Tell us about Dusty Road Home.
Dusty Road Home is a book about a writer, Melanie Crenshaw, whose life explodes right before her eyes. She retreats home to find solace and anonymity, but unfortunately, that soon ends when a reporter shows up to dig up dirt on the reclusive writer. Melanie is just trying to find some solace and thinks going home can do that for her. It’s her sanctuary and that’s about to be destroyed by one reporter, and a father who is homophobic
Pilar Stein is a reporter who’s been given a second chance after a devastating attack almost took her life. She’s got a new editor and home at the Literary Times if she can keep it. Her editor had sent her on a mission and her sights are set firmly on Melanie Crenshaw. Some may not like Pilar’s dogged determination, but she is who she is.
It's happy for now book. I understand readers want books that find our characters settled in a happy-ever-after, but with these characters, it took them a long time just to get to where they can stand each other.
It releases this week, so readers can get it on the 15th.
What’s your next book?
Chasing Liberty. It’s a book about a police officer who witnesses a deadly car accident and saves the driver, Morgan Pierce’s life. This one has a bit of mystery and romance. Liberty Chase is quirky, and funny and finds herself drawn to Morgan Pierce.
Morgan Pierce is in a near-fatal car accident just as her career as a lawyer is set to launch into the stratosphere. After graduating from law school, she’s mapped her whole life out and she won’t deviate from it. Now she finds her life unraveling as situations arise from an innocent midnight incident.
So, it’s a whodunit, with a budding romance between the two main characters. Ethics be damned.
When does it come out?
It’s set for a January 15th release. Readers can pre-order it now if they want.
Anything after that?
Oh gosh, yes. I have, The Path the Turtle Takes and Genie in the Bottle. The first book is about a woman who comes to the United States to find her father. It’s about the trials and tribulations that happen to her as she searches for her dad and finds him, but not how she expected.
Genie in the Bottle is a play on the story with a lesbian twist.
Link for both books.
Dusty Road Home
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0B6M3KJ1R
Chasing Liberty
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BDPCFF7H
