1–What is the title of your latest release?
2–What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
Two very indoor people rough it on a remote island after getting swept up in an archaeologist’s hunt for a famed jewel.
3–How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I knew I wanted the story to take place somewhere incredibly remote. I also thought it would be fun to write a book that takes place in a national park. So I researched all the U.S. national parks, and Isle Royale was the perfect fit. It’s so remote that you can only get there by ferry or seaplane, and its home to wolves and moose and everything that would make an indoorsy person feel totally out of their element.
4–Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
I’d love to hang out with Emily because she knows her way around HomeGoods like nobody’s business, and we could bond over our love of off-price furnishings and romance books. Plus, she’s an ER physician, so she’d be great to have around in the event of an emergency. And I’d love to hang out with Ryder because he’s tons of fun, endlessly kind, and, ahem, very easy on the eyes. We could bond over our shared appreciation for 90s pop hits and inability to understand highbrow art, and maybe some of his carefree nature would rub off on me.
5–What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Emily – Determined, prepared, clever
Ryder – Loyal, courageous, hopeful
6–What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I learned a lot about wilderness survival…and non-survival. Like the fact that moose kill more people than bears do. I also learned that glow-in-the-dark toilet paper is a thing.
7–Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I have to edit as I write. I wish I could wait until I was done, because I think that would be more efficient. But if I notice something that needs to be fixed or realize that something isn’t working with the plot, I can’t move forward without revising it first. I also can’t go to bed at night unless I’ve started the dishwasher, so it’s clearly something about my personality. LOL.
8–What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
This is pretty much the opposite of “foodie”, but I make the best puppy chow you’ll ever have in your life. Is it sophisticated? No. Nutritious? Hell no. But if you’ve got a sweet tooth (and I absolutely do!) it’s the best.
9–Describe your writing space/office!
We moved a year ago and I still haven’t entirely unpacked my book collection, so I share my office with a half-dozen packing boxes. The window near my desk looks out over a park, which is a great way to get distracted, and I write with an extremely loud keyboard that sounds like a typewriter. I find it really satisfying to use, and my husband (who shares the office with me) loves me enough not to be driven insane by it.
10–Who is an author you admire?
Kristina Forest. I find her characters so relatable and charming.
11–Is there a book that changed your life?
Sarah Dessen’s YA book The Truth About Forever was my first foray into the romance genre. I was a teenager when I read it, and I remember thinking, I need more of this! And so a love story between romance books and me was born.
12–Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
I was on my honeymoon when my agent texted me to set up a three-way call with Berkley! My husband and I were on a dolphin boat tour in Clearwater Beach when I got the text, and I’m still amazed that the reception was that good out on the water. I spoke with my future editor later that day, and the rest is history! It was one of the most exciting days of my life – the kind of day you dream about.
13–What’s your favorite genre to read?
Romance! I can’t get enough. That kind of feels like a cheating answer, though, because of course romance is my favorite. So I’ll add that I also love historical fiction. I love the escapism of being immersed in another time.
14–What’s your favorite movie?
I love The Lord of the Rings and re-watch all 3 movies every year. I love the cinematography, the crazy high stakes of good vs. evil, and the themes of friendship and loss. I still think Aragorn should have ended up with Eowyn, but that’s a minor quibble.
15–What is your favorite season?
I’m basic AF and not ashamed to admit it, so naturally, I love fall. Putting on my favorite sweatshirt and curling up with a blanket and a good book? Hell yes. Plus, I love Halloween – it’s so much fun without the high drama of the end-of-the-year holidays. Nobody cries on Halloween (usually).
16–How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
I’ve learned that aging truly is a privilege, and I never miss a chance to celebrate a birthday. For me, that’s spending time with my family, eating a lot of cake, and going on a date with my husband. I love going to the movies, and my birthday is in August, so there’s usually at least one summer blockbuster I’m excited to see. This year, we saw Twisters, and I loved it. But (spoiler alert!) why didn’t they kiss!? WHY DIDN’T THEY KISS?
17–What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
I’ve been loving a couple of podcasts lately. The first is Be There in Five by Kate Kennedy, which focuses on pop culture from a millennial perspective. It’s hilarious and thoughtful. The second is Romance Roundup by Liz Donatelli and Libby Kay. They just did a great episode about their fall romance book TBRs, and they talk about fun topics like romance pet peeves and favorite romance book covers.
18–What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Mexican. There’s a restaurant near me that makes an incredible chicken dish with poblano peppers and a tomatillo and cheese sauce. It’s my favorite thing to eat.
19–What do you do when you have free time?
I have two toddlers, so “free time” is a foreign concept to me right now, but I love a good nap. I love reading, of course, and I really enjoy discovering new recipes. (I like the discovery part more than the actually-making-the-food part.) I also enjoy being outdoors, whether I’m going for a hike or just playing tag with my kids.
20–What can readers expect from you next?
I’m working on another romance right now (a romantic comedy!) but I can’t say more just yet.
THE JEWEL OF THE ISLE by Kerry Rea
Two very indoor people rough it on a remote island after getting swept up in an archaeologist’s hunt for a famed jewel in this dazzling new adventure rom-com by Kerry Rea, author of Lucy on the Wild Side.
If Emily Edwards knows one thing, it’s that you don’t go to a remote island by yourself. Ever the type A personality, Emily doesn’t want to hike around an unfamiliar island, but she’s determined to fulfill her late father’s national park bucket list, starting with Isle Royale National Park—home to wolves, bears, and hundred-year-old shipwrecks. She has no choice but to hire a tour guide, and there is only one that isn’t booked solid.
Ryder Fleet, co-owner of Fleet Outdoor Adventures, wouldn’t call himself a wilderness expert, and he definitely doesn’t know how to find true north. But when his dormant adventure guide business suddenly finds life again after a random inquiry, Ryder somehow finds himself on a ferry to Isle Royale with a very beautiful, no-nonsense woman. What this woman doesn’t know is that his brother Caleb, who died two years ago, was the outdoorsman of their business, while Ryder just did the marketing. But how hard could it be to hike up a few mountains?
Pretty difficult, actually, when murder is involved. Emily’s perfectly planned trek turns disastrous when she and Ryder witness a brutal crime and are suddenly forced to evade a group of archaeologists on the hunt for a jewel. As they spend nights together too close for comfort, they realize their shoddily built fire isn’t the only thing that’s kindling, and that they must trust each other if they want to escape the island with their lives—and hearts—intact.
Romance Comedy [Berkley, On Sale: November 26, 2024, Trade Paperback / e-Book, ISBN: 9780593815649 / eISBN: 9780593815656]
Buy THE JEWEL OF THE ISLE: Amazon.com | Kindle | BN.com | Apple Books | Kobo | Google Play | Powell’s Books | Books-A-Million | Indie BookShops | Ripped Bodice | Walmart.com | Target.com | Amazon CA | Amazon UK | Amazon DE | Amazon FR
About Kerry Rea
Kerry Rea is a 2017 and 2019 #Pitchwars mentee. Her work has appeared in Seventeen Magazine. She lives in Columbus, Ohio, with her husband and four dogs.
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