Author Michele Sims used a real-life trip as the needed inspiration to pen her latest release. I recently spoke with her about Made to Love Her.
Tell me about your latest book.
The story, Made to Love Her, opens with a scene of celebration and intimacy between the main characters, Lecia and Cade Moore. They are enjoying a romantic evening in Athens, Greece after Cade’s successful performance at a private gala commemorating the Olympic Millennial Games in 2000. Lecia is confident, sensual, and devoted to her husband Cade. She values their time alone together.
Cade is established as an internationally renowned saxophone player who leads the jazz group Fortune. He exudes charm, passion for music, and a great love for his wife. His protective instincts come to light when faced with unexpected circumstances.
As they set foot on the sun-drenched beaches and wander through ancient ruins, dark forces are gathering. What starts as a dream vacation quickly spirals into a nightmare of international intrigue. Loyalties are tested, and the couple finds themselves tangled in a web of lies that could shatter their lives forever. Made to Love Her can be best described as a romantic suspense novella. It combines elements of romance between the characters Cade and Lecia, along with a sense of mystery and tension weaved throughout the story.
Why did you decide to write it?
My husband and I went on a cruise to the Greek Isles during the month of May. We’ve visited Greece before, but something about this trip hit differently. From landing at the airport where pleasing music played throughout the concourse, greeting friendly people, and enjoying the beauty of the island, I was inspired to write a short romantic story set in Greece.
What do you want readers to learn from the story?
I want readers to continue to appreciate the power of the written word to transport us to worlds we may never experience. We have busy lives, and so many things can interfere with time to travel, but books allow us to travel virtually. I love reading books while traveling to the settings where the books take place. While in Scotland, I read the Outlander series. It was so much fun seeing the places noted in the books. I hope everyone gets the opportunity to learn about different cultures. Books are the key to discovering things about other people.
When did you fall in love with the written word?
I learned to read at an early age. I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t in love with the written word.
If you could pick another profession, what would it be and why?
I practiced medicine as a psychiatrist for more than thirty years. I loved the practice of medicine, but I desired a life where I had more unstructured time and more time to write. If I wasn’t a writer, I would continue to consult as a psychiatrist.
What’s the best part of being an author?
I love the creative outlet that being a writer provides. It is medicine for the soul. Writers have the opportunity to create something that would not have existed without the use of our imagination.
What’s the worst part of being an author?
Marketing has always been a challenge for me. Making time to ensure that something about the book is on most of the major social media platforms can be very challenging, but I realize it’s necessary.
What books have you read lately and loved?
I read the book The Queen of Bahia by Erica B. Davis and Kadesha Powell and really enjoyed it. Despite the delays in getting to Greece, the changes in the itinerary, including the rerouting of the plane to London, and the long flight, the book was filled with intrigue and provided an escape. It kept me entertained and oblivious to all the things that can make travelling a challenge.
What’s next for you?
I’m working on a medical romance manuscript of approximately 50,000 words set in the Carolinas.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
Thank you for having me. I always enjoy hanging out at Black Fiction Addiction. Hope everyone gets a chance to read Made to Love Her. Please do me the favor of a positive review on Amazon (https://amzn.to/3RErX1c).
Use the Black Fiction Addiction affiliate link to purchase your copy of Made to Love Her.
Michele Sims is the “author-ego” of Deanna McNeil, MD and creator of the Moore Family Saga. She loves writing hot love stories and women’s fiction with multigenerational characters. She is the recipient of the 2019 RSJ Debut Author Award, the 2018 RSJ Aspiring Author Award, and first runner up in the Introvert Press Poetry Contest for February 2018. She was also a finalist in Building Relationships Around Books, BRAB, best series finalist in 2020 and a finalist for best paranormal book in 2022.
She was the featured author in the June 2023 editions of Black Fiction Addiction and Romance in Color, both digital publications. She’s a member of NK Tribe for Success.
She lives in South Carolina with her husband who has been her soulmate and greatest cheerleader. She is the proud mother of adult sons and an auntie to many loved ones. When she’s not writing, she’s trying to remember the importance of exercise, travelling, listening to different genres of music, and observing the wonders of life on this marvelous planet. She has worked on several collaborative projects. She plans to work with other authors in the future.
To learn more about Michele Sims, visit her website or connect with her on social media.
FB Author Page: https://bit.ly/MSimsFB
Newsletter: https://bit.ly/MSnewlet
Instagram: https://bit.ly/MSInstaNu
Twitter: https://bit.ly/Msimstwitter
BookBub: https://bit.ly/BookbubU
Amazon: https://bit.ly/AmzMSimsU
Goodreads: https://bit.ly/MSGoodrds
Website: https://bit.ly/MSwebsiteU
email-michelesims2122@gmail.com
Linktree: linktr.ee/MicheleSims
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/deannamcneil58/pins/