Bio: Betsy St. Amant is the author of more
than fifteen inspirational romances, including The Key to Love, and
a frequent contributor to iBelieve.com. She lives in north
Welcome back, Betsy. Can you please provide a brief summary of your latest novel, Tacos for Two? Think “food truck wars” meets You’ve Got Mail! Rory and Jude have fallen for each other anonymously online, not realizing the other is their biggest competition in an upcoming food truck contest they both are desperate to win. With a multilayered family dynamic, witty online banter, and loads of spicy conflict, Tacos for Two will leave readers chuckling, cheering, and craving Mexican food.
Tacos for
Two is the second book
you’ve published with Revell, after The
Key to Love (2020). How does Tacos
for Two differ from your previous novel? The Key to
Love
was sweet, while Tacos for Two is all savory! My characters in The Key to Love were searching for
identity and the true meaning of love, while Tacos for Two centers
more on the themes of family heritage, loyalty, and sacrifice.
The main female protagonist is Rory Perez. Can
you please tell us a little more about her character and her backstory? Rory has a heart of gold
and a strong sense of loyalty to family—that’s why she is still working so hard
to make her aunt’s food truck business succeed even though she can’t cook. She
feels an obligation to her cousin with special needs and her late aunt—who was
like a mother to her—to make the food truck a success . . . even if it’s to her
own detriment. Rory loves jogging, lavender tea, and her heritage but is sick
of Mexican food, hates change (and cilantro!), and is weary of carrying so many
burdens. Her one escape has been communicating online via an anonymous dating
app, through which she’s formed a deep friendship with a man she knows only by
the handle StrongerMan99. Rory must learn that change is inevitable, and sometimes,
that’s a very good thing.
Rory and Jude have already met . . . even if they don’t know it yet. Can you share how the idea for their meet-cute came to be? You’ve Got Mail has always been one of my favorite movies. I couldn’t resist setting up a similar meet-cute as a nod to the Tom Hanks classic! I also love the instant conflict that arises in romance novels when characters have a secret identity that must be discovered and responded to.
Both characters feel trapped by family
circumstances. Can you elaborate on the similarities you see between these
characters and why they may have some common experiences? Rory and Jude have much
more in common than they first think. Jude is wealthy, and Rory is struggling
to make ends meet for her inherited food truck business, yet they both are
driven by a need much deeper and more vital than finances. They’re both
struggling to thrive in a life seemingly chosen for them, rather than one of
their own making. Once they start relating to each other on this level, the
chemistry—and the conflict—only increases!
Why did you choose to give your more recent
books food-centered themes? This unintentional “brand” of mine just evolved!
It started with my novel All’s Fair in
Love and Cupcakes (Zondervan, 2014) and was followed by several novellas
that also featured bakeries, cupcakes, or sweet treats. The Key To Love (Revell, 2020) followed suit with a French twist.
After that, I thought getting out of the bakery and into a food truck might be a
fresh and fun change for my readers!
What do you hope readers experience when reading
Tacos for Two? I hope readers alternate
laughing and swooning over Rory and Jude’s online banter, find a new love for
their own family heritage, become more open to the concept of change, and of
course—crave tacos with extra cilantro!
What are you working on next? I’m working on a novel
right now that involves a high school English teacher, an unlikely wish in
How can readers connect with you? I love hearing from and
engaging with readers. They can find me at the following social media sites
and, of course, participate in my monthly newsletter by signing up at www.betsystamant.com.
Facebook:
Betsy St. Amant Haddox
Twitter: @betsystamant
YouTube: Betsy St. Amant Haddox
Thank you, Betsy, for sharing this new book with
my blog readers and me. I’m eager to read it when I meet my book deadline.
Readers, here’s a link
to the book.
https://www.amazon.com/s?k=Tacos+for+Two&i=stripbooks&ref=nb_sb_noss
Leave a
comment for a chance to win a free copy of the book. You must follow these
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15 comments:
I love You’ve Got Mail too!😍 (And who doesn’t love tacos? Lol) This book sounds great!
Elly -Indiana-
I think this book sounds delightful!
Melanie Backus, TX
Thanks for the interview, Lena! It was fun! :) I hope readers love meeting Rory and Jude! Now someone pass the cilantro....
A wonderful author and a captivating and entertaining story. Anne in NM.
This book sounds wonderful and so much fun. Pearl-NM.
Sounds like a fun read! Cherie from Florida
Sounds like a fun, interesting, intriguing book.
Would love to read & review book in print format.
Would love to win the giveaway
Crystal from Bruin, PA in the USA
Can't wait to read this!
Abigail in VA
Thanks for the post and chance to win! This sounds like a fun book!
Winnie T. from Utah
I've seen so many good comments about this book. Thanks for sharing!
Connie from Kentucky
cps1950(at)gmail(dot)com
I have this on my wish list. Looking forward to reading. Blessings from WV.
This sounds really good. I liked You've Got Mil and food trucks seem to be a big thing right now. Linda in SoCal
lkish77123 at gmail dot com
I read the first few chapters of Tacos for Two in a preview somewhere. Would love to read the rest!
Patty in SC
Enter me in your awesome giveaway!!
Nichols SC.
I love food trucks, so a book about them is fun and delicious. My mouth is watering already and I want to see what happens to the couple.
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