Author A.C. Arthur is back with the second release in her Corporation series. I recently spoke with her about Never Too Late.
Tell me about your latest book.
Never Too Late is an age gap, forbidden romance about two people who grew up in the same neighborhood but whose adult lives have gone in different directions. Niko DiLaurentis seemingly has everything he dreamed of—successful career as a music producer, money and prestige. While Rowyn Blackstone pledged to uphold her family’s legacy and build generational wealth by any means necessary. Conflict plagued their attraction to each other from the start via Niko’s relationship with Rowyn’s deceased brother and was compounded by their age difference. But through it all, theirs is not only a passionate love, but also a journey through finding themselves first, then defining who they will be as a couple.
Why did you decide to write it?
I wanted to write a story about two people deciding to walk their own paths, to put aside the rules and expectations they’d been taught and to dare to live the life of their dreams. Setting this story amidst the backdrop of the Corporation, an illustrious sex club, added another layer to Niko and Rowyn’s freedom to choose.
Who is your favorite character in the book and why?
Rowyn is my favorite character in this book because her journey was so emotionally rooted in common themes of family expectations, guilt and regret. There were things she knew she needed to let go of in order to breathe freely and watching her take those steps was so rewarding.
What was the hardest part about writing the story?
Letting go. LOL. So often, I decide to tackle different themes before I really know my characters. Then I’m in a place where the characters have embodied all the things that I’ve thrown at them, while I—the woman, not the author—still hold particular opinions. That means, I have to leave AC out of the mix and let these characters be who they are and tell the story on their terms.
If you were to write a book about your life, what would be the title and why?
Oh my, that’s a hard question. I think it would be, One Day at a Time. It’s what I frequently tell myself these days. There have been so many obstacles that I’ve overcome, so many unexpected detours and steps that I’ve been required to take that I’ve just learned to focus on not getting ahead of myself and letting things play out one day at a time.
What would you tell your 16-year-old self?
That it doesn’t matter if people don’t like you, as long as you love yourself. And also, to maybe pay a little more attention in English class. LOL.
What is something readers would be surprised to know about you?
I usually answer this question with the fact that I’m afraid of cats, but I’ve done that so many times readers probably know that by now. So, I’ll share that I never dreamed of becoming a writer. I always thought I would do something in the secretarial realm, work 9-5, come home and cook dinner for my husband and children, rinse and repeat. But oh, how blessed I am to have eventually found my purpose.
Tell me about a book that changed your life and why.
I read I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings by Maya Angelou for an assignment in high school and remember feeling seen to the extent that it was the first book I’d read for school that was about a Black girl and her Black family. By that time, I was also reading romance books by Danielle Steele and LaVyrle Spencer for leisure. So, there was a stark difference in the stories being told, but when I decided that I could write some of the endings to those romance stories better, I did so believing that this was possible because a Black woman had written her own story. I never thought I would share my stories with anyone, but Maya Angelou gave me the confidence to write it anyway.
What’s next for you?
Writing. There’s always writing. LOL. I’ll be heading back to one of my favorite genres to write, paranormal. Well, it’s actually a dark academia duology that I’m extremely excited about. And, because sharing my love of books has extended beyond the pen in the last decade, I’ll be busy planning the next One Love Reunion event.
Do you have anything you would like to add?
Thanks so much for this opportunity and for all you do to amplify Black books and writers in the community.
Use the Black Fiction Addiction affiliate link to purchase your copy of Never Too Late.
To learn more about Amazon bestselling author A.C. Arthur, visit her website or connect with her on social media.
Website: www.acarthur.com
Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok: @acarthurbooks
X: @AcArthur