The Jazzy World of E's Bookshelf: Author Spotlight: Olivia Hayes

The Author Spotlight is shining on Olivia Hayes today. Hayes is a new author who just released her debut novel Awakening. It's the story Caroline and Luke, both dealing with tragedies when they meet. Hayes discusses the inspiration for Awakening more in the interivew below. It's my pleasure to introduce to you, today's Jazzy World of E's Bookshelf Author Spotlight, Olivia Hayes.

Olivia Hayes' Biography

Olivia Hayes is a native of Savannah, Georgia and now lives in Virginia Beach, Virginia with her loving husband and two children. With her southern roots, Olivia dreamt of one day writing books with the backdrop of coastal Georgia and South Carolina. She is currently working on her second novel.

An Interview with Olivia Hayes

Congratulations, you’ve just released your debut novel Awakening, are you excited to finally have it out?

I am so excited! It has been a process, but I've learned so much! Writing a book has been a dream of mine since I was young and I'm so happy to have finally had the time and vision to get it done.
 
What was the inspiration for Awakening?

Awakening was inspired by many things in my life; my best friends, my mother, my childhood, my life experiences, the list goes on.
 
Your main characters, Caroline and Luke are both dealing with tragic events in their lives, what was it about the tragic element that made you decide to add it to the story?

Tragedy is something that most people, including me, have experience in some way, shape, or form during their lives. It's been my experience that in the face of tragedy, you can either become bitter or you can become better. If you let it define you, you can lose yourself in the darkness, but if you learn from it, accept it and try to move on, you will emerge a stronger more resilient self.
 
What has been your favorite part about writing Awakening?

I really enjoyed being able to incorporate memories, people, and events from my life into the story. It was a trip down memory lane in some ways.
 
Was Awakening a story that you been thinking about for a long time or was it something that came to you recently?

The specific story from Awakening is not something I'd been thinking about for a long time, but I did previously write a short story about a girl who discovers incredible things at her grandmother's house. I adapted a lot of that story into Awakening.
 
What do you hope readers take away from reading your book?

I hope my readers take away a sense that love is sometimes unexpected; that it can take you by surprise. You don't always fall in love with who you think you should love, but sometimes the heart just wants what it wants.
 
Who are some of your favorite authors?

On the contemporary romance side of things, I really love Penelope Douglas, Abbi Glines and Colleen Hoover, but Nicholas Sparks is who really inspires me. I think his stories are powerful, beautiful, and all a testament to how love isn't always flowers and rainbows all the time. Sometimes it's about loss, forgiveness, acceptance and putting someone else's needs before your own..
 
When you're not writing, how do you like to spend your free time?

I have two kids who take up all my spare time, but if I get an hour to spare while they're not around, I usually have my nose buried in a book.
 

Is there any advice you would give to new authors like yourself?

The biggest thing that helped me get through this process was not putting any unrealistic demands on myself. It seems so many people get caught up in deadlines for their cover, or their release day etc. I took my time to get the book where I wanted it to be before I started on the rest. Even though I was stressed out at times, I think getting the book written before working on everything else made all the difference.
 
In 10 words or less, tell readers why they should read your book.

You will laugh, you will cry, you will fall in love. (okay, that's 11...)
 
I there anything else, you would like to say to your fans and/or new readers?

I sincerely appreciate all the love and support, and I would love to hear from you all! Please look me up on Facebook, or email me at OliviaHayesAuthor@yahoo.com.

Awakening

Click Here to Buy Awakening

After suffering a terrible loss Caroline closed herself off to any more heartache. Haunted by the memory of love lost, she wonders if her heart can ever heal or if she will be alone forever. When her grandmother passes away Caroline reluctantly travels to a nearby town to help her family settle the estate and encounters a charming and irresistibly sexy man from her past.

Following his brother's untimely death Luke has made it a point to live in the here and now. But he's never been able to forget the beautiful blonde he met years ago. When she reappears unexpectedly he makes it his mission to win her over. Convincing her she belongs with him won't be an easy task, especially when she tries to deny their connection.

When their lives intersect in a wave of attraction, denial, and desperation, will the desire for love be enough to awaken their broken hearts, or will the guilt and grief of the past stand in the way of their budding future together?