January 2023

NATASHA: Hi Isabel! Thank you for the interview. Can you tell our readers about yourself and how long have you been a writer?

ISABEL: Hi Natasha- thanks for having me on your site! I’m a relatively new writer. This is my second year publishing, and Rogue Wave will be my sixth book. I live just outside of Charlotte, NC on a lake. I’m married and have two daughters (12 and 14 yrs old). I’ve worked in a variety of industries, and currently work from home. I’m still not at the point where I make a “livable wage” from writing.

NATASHA:  When it comes to writing, do you have a certain routine or writing process that allows the ideas to flow better?

ISABEL: I work from a loose outline, and I find this helps because when I sit down to write, I have a plan. I make every effort to preserve writing time each day- I treat it like my job, which it is. When I finish writing a scene or chapter, before I stop for the day, I’ll always think about what’s next and make notes, so when I come back the next day, it’s easier for me to pick back up and move forward in the story.

NATASHA: Can you tell our readers about your latest book? And how did you come up with the title?

ISABEL: Rogue Wave is the first title in the Haven Island series. It’s about a conservationist who has become disillusioned after years upon years out at sea. After he inherits his grandmother’s beach house, he comes to the island with plans to repair it and figure out what’s next. On the island he meets a young grad student who reminds him of how he used to be. It’s an age gap romance, but really it’s a philosophical gap romance too, as they both are at different stages of their lives and they see things differently.

When I brainstormed titles for the series, I started off by looking at Jack Johnson song titles. Probably NOT a recommended way of coming up with title names. I had potential names on index cards in front of my desk for weeks. At the end of the day, I don’t think Rogue Wave was a song title, but rather, it was a surfing term from a research article. Rogue Wave stuck because both Tate and Luna are surfers, and Luna comes into Tate’s life like a rogue wave. She’s unexpected, and he struggles with how to react. Plus, some aspects of his past come back at him in unexpected ways too.

The second title in the series, Adrift, I do believe stems from a Jack Johnson tune. The third book, Rough Waters, was also song-inspired, but I’m leaning towards changing the name to First Light, which is a military term, and overall, sounds far more positive and uplifting than Rough Waters. I bounce around on titles. I need a better system.

NATASHA: What attracted you to the genre(s) you write in?

ISABEL: I love contemporary romance. I am always reading. So, I suppose I write what I love. I enjoy contemporary romance because it’s a love story, but the stories I’m particularly drawn to are relevant to our time and expose alternative points of view, and I often find I learn a little something. So, it’s entertainment, but it’s also eye-opening.

NATASHA: Are any of your characters based on real people you know?

ISABEL: No, I’ve never done that. I pointedly avoid basing any characters on real people in my life. Actually, I take that back. One of my aunts was an English teacher, and she was one of the first people to support my pursuit of writing. When I was in high school she asked me to be sure to include her in a book if I ever became a writer - and to make her tall and skinny. In one of my books, Walk the Dog, the heroine has an aunt (tall and skinny) who I wrote with my Aunt in mind. Although, you can’t really say the character is based on her - I just made her a kick ass woman in honor of my aunt, who is a kick ass woman.

NATASHA: If a film were made of your book, who would you cast in the leading roles?

ISABEL: Oh, I love questions like this. So fun to play pretend casting director. Henry Cavill would be the hero, Adrian Tate. And I think maybe Elle Fanning as Luna.

NATASHA: Besides writing, what do you enjoy doing on your spare time to relax?

ISABEL: My absolute favorite thing to do to relax is to uncork a bottle of Cabernet Sauvignon and nibble on a charcuterie board, and I love doing this with my husband and/or friends. My favorite exercise options are rowing, tennis and kickboxing. Walking my dog is also relaxing, and I usually wear the giant Beats and listen to an audiobook as I do so.

NATASHA: Can you share with our readers any future projects that you are working on?

ISABEL: My work in progress is a spin-off of the Haven Island series. The first book will take place in Sonoma Valley, CA, and it features a reformed hacker and a bookstore owner. The Twisted Vines series will follow the men and women who form a secret group within the US focusing on cybersecurity- more or less, sexy nerds, some with military backgrounds, some without.

NATASHA: How can our readers learn more about you and your books?

ISABEL: My website is www.isabeljoliebooks.com  I send out a newsletter twice a month, and often offer giveaways and free books. https://isabeljoliebooks.com/#newsletter

I’m also fairly active on Instagram, and maintain both Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest accounts.

https://www.facebook.com/isabeljoliebooks

https://www.instagram.com/isabeljoliebooks/

https://twitter.com/isabeljoliebook

https://www.pinterest.com/isabeljoliebooks/_saved/