Walk the Dog received a 4+ star review, making it an IndieReader Approved title.
Following find an interview with author Isabel Jolie.
What is the name of the book and when was it published?
Walk the Dog, June 8, 2020
What’s the book’s first line?
The sing-alongs from last night coalesce in freeze-frame mental snapshots.
What’s the book about? Give us the “pitch”.
She’s a reluctant dog sitter, he’s a sexy single dad and veterinarian. When they meet, sparks fly, but they both have a lot to work out. She’s all about having fun, and he’s forgotten what fun is. Can she help him remember?
“Walk the dog” is a reference to a yoga pose that is a full-body stretch. It’s also a metaphor for life’s full-body stretch. For Delilah, she has to find the balance of caring for herself and her parents while still enjoying life. For Mason, he has to find his own healthy balance, between caring for his mother whom he feels greatly indebted to, and his daughter without neglecting himself.
What inspired you to write the book? A particular person? An event?
Delilah plays the role of a carefree minor character in my first two books in this series. She’s a bit of a fan favorite, so I built the story around her and decided to make her love interest a veterinarian because of my insane love of dogs. I always knew Delilah was simply avoiding the future awaiting her back home, and when I created Mason, I knew he’d be her opposite, someone who grabbed adulting by the horns and charged ahead.
What’s the main reason someone should really read this book?
Walk the Dog is a sexy, warm-hearted love story, a great beach read that reminds us the good things in life are our loved ones, but when we prioritize taking care of ourselves, we can ultimately give those loved ones so much more.
What’s the most distinctive thing about the main character? Who-real or fictional-would you say the character reminds you of?
Delilah is young, full of life and exuberance. She’s so real to me in my mind that it’s hard to think of another character she reminds me of because no one is quite the perfect match.
Mason is what I envision to be a contemporary, young version of James Herriot. He’s a kind, gentle soul, but instead of living out on a farm, he’s been thrown into Manhattan. He’s finding his way and prioritizing every soul ahead of himself.
If they made your book into a movie, who would you like to see play the main character(s)?
Hhmmm, would I get to meet him? Just joking. I’d cast Ian Sommerhalder as Mason Herriot, the hot vet, and Hunter King, with some blonde hair lengthening extensions, as Delilah Daniels.
When did you first decide to become an author?
Technically, I first decided back in high school. Then I changed my mind when I considered the importance of making a living and eating. 2020, the year the entire world’s hating with furor, is the year I decided to go for it and hit the publish button.
Is this the first book you’ve written?
No. This will be the third book I have published. I’m currently working on completing the fifth, and final book, of this series. The fourth book, Lost on the Way, released in September.
What do you do for work when you’re not writing?
I write and sell study material online.
How much time do you generally spend on your writing?
On average, around three to four hours a day writing or editing. I’d say I easily spend another three hours on the business side of writing.
What’s the best and the hardest part of being an indie?
The best part is that you get to make all the decisions, from the cover design to editing to marketing. And, on the flip side, all of those things are probably the hardest part too.
What’s a great piece of advice that you can share with fellow indie authors?
We all know that our biggest priority each day is working on our new book. I’d add that as an indie, we’re also publishers. So, devoting some amount of time each day to marketing and to staying current with this evolving industry, is also equally important.
Would you go traditional if a publisher came calling? If so, why?
If a traditional publisher could offer additional distribution that would warrant giving them a significant percentage of royalties, I would. At the end of the day, it’s a business decision, and in my genre, romance, ebooks hold such a significant share of the market, I suspect it’s increasingly difficult to make the financial argument to go with a traditional publisher.
Is there something in particular that motivates you (fame? fortune?)
When I write, I lose a sense of time and get lost in my mind. I’m one of those writers who hears the voices. I suppose, my love of daydreaming is why I do it. That said, I’d also love to be able to turn it into a sustainable career.
Which writer, living or dead, do you most admire?
Questions like this are always tough because there are so many talented writers. But, the writer who gives me the most inspiration, and whose tweets make my day, is Stephen King. He’s down to earth and his advice to writers is solid. It doesn’t hurt that he and I are politically aligned, and his commentary cracks me up.
Which book do you wish you could have written?
Sticking within my genre, hands down, I’d say 50 Shades of Grey. I know there are so many critics out there, but I loved the entire series, especially the books from Christian’s perspective. 50 Shades of Grey revolutionized the romance genre by expanding acceptable content and building credibility for indie authors. As someone with a background in marketing and entertainment, I also appreciated the product placement she wove into the story. She did it in a way that helped define the characters and strengthened the storyline. I’m fully aware legions hate the series but even more love it. And, if there’s a genie standing by to grant my wish, I’d happily face the criticism and deposit those royalty checks all day long.