Author Shay Davis is living her destiny. I recently spoke with her about her latest dream come true, Love After.
Tell me about your latest book.
Love After follows Melanie, who’s newly divorced from a terrible man. She’s trying to find what happiness and joy looks like in her late thirties, post divorce. Warrick is a retired football player turned sports personality. He operates solely in the driver’s seat, maintaining control at all times. When these two meet, sparks fly, and a power struggle ensues. It also has a little BDSM in there.
What inspired you to write it?
I’ve kept journals for as long as I could remember. I still have some, going all the way back to middle school (YIKES). I started journaling after being obsessed with the movie Harriet the Spy (DOUBLE YIKES). Then, as I got older, I started making up stories, and my friends would pass around my spiral notebooks, and fall in love with the story, demanding I give them more. Life hit, and I fell off, but after having my second child, it was just something about writing that helped me get through my postpartum, so…I’ve been going hard since then.
When did you fall in love with the written word?
Probably from the womb. My mother loved to read, especially romance, and she named me after her favorite romance novel, Shanna, released in the late 1970s. Apparently, my love of words and the beautiful world or fiction was my destiny from inception.
What’s the best part of being an author?
First, releasing these amazing characters that be stomping around in my brain, on paper! Second and third, it would have to be meeting and interacting with the readers and other amazing authors in the industry.
What’s the hardest part of being an author?
For me, the hardest thing is finding balance between my full-time job as a paralegal, a mom, wife, and then an author. I be straight tired some days! LOL!
What books have you read lately and loved?
I just finished Free Game by Kema B. and that book was AMAZING. I love Kema, and her pen game is crazy good. Also, the Black Series by Joan Vassar is on constant replay. This series has probably topped my list of favorite books ever.
What book(s) are you most excited to read next?
Anything by Ms. Alexandria House. Waiting for her books is literally like waiting for that next hit. LOL. Her stories and characters are so damn addicting.
Who would you cast in a movie to play your main characters?
Well, this current release, Love After, my character inspiration is Travis Cure, with his fine ass! LOL. He would be a perfect Warrick. I can see Kerry Washington, with all her vivid facial expressions, being perfect for Melanie. And whew, them two together…the image in my mine…FIRE.
What’s next for you?
I have an entire lineup, but my immediate written project is a second chance love story. I’m hoping to have that out by fall. Then, I will be revisiting the Stay Series, with one of the side characters, Zayn Abdi, who was one of the attorneys hired at Serena’s law firm. That story will be an age gap love story. I have an audiobook Stay Forever, releasing on August 31. This is the second book in the series, and Stay A Little Longer was released on August 17. Finally, my fan favorite, The Marriage Contract, is in audio production. I cannot wait for the masses to hear this one.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
Just that writing is my passion. And I truly just want to thank God and everyone who has supported me on this journey.
Use the Black Fiction Addiction affiliate link to purchase your copy of Love After.
To learn more about author Shay Davis, visit her website or connect with her on social media.