Interview with Stella MacLean, Author of Finding Mr. Dreamboat – NewInBooks

What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?

I love to sail, especially on the ocean. It’s exciting and fun. I’ve written about people in many life situations, but never about being on a sailboat. I asked myself, “Why not write about something you love. Put two people on a sailboat in the middle of the ocean and see what happens?”

And Finding Mr. Dreamboat was the result.

If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be? (Meant to be fun. Skip if you need to!)

Sailing and music go together. Such songs as Sailing by Christopher Cross and Come Sail Away by Styx always bring back memories of sailing for me.

What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?

I love to read a good romance where the hero and heroine find themselves engaged in a physical and emotional attraction that defies logic. It’s a fun, and engaging read.

I also love romantic suspense where two people have to overcome scary situations as they face the growing attraction between them.

What books are on your TBR pile right now?

Oh! I just realized that my next four books are by two of my favourite authors. The first on the list is The Final Target by Norah Roberts, followed by The Me I Used to Be by Kristin Higgins, Once in a Blue Moon, and Out of the Clear Blue Sky, also by Kristin Higgins.

What scene in your book was your favorite to write?

The opening scene hands down. It was inspired by a moment at the local yacht club where I saw a man and woman having a spirited conversation as they sat on the deck of a sailboat. It was a bright, sunny day and I imagined what they might be saying to each other. When I got back to my computer, Quinn and Gerry came to me as my opening scene.

Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)

My cat is banned from my office. He likes to chew my power cord. The first time I had to replace it, we had a talk, mostly me talking, but he did seem to be listening. But when I hooked up the new cord, he went for it and I was back at the computer store grumbling away about my cat. For now, he has to be happy with sitting outside my office door.

Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?

Not really. Only that we need to be kind to each other, to remember a smile can make someone’s day.

If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?

That a little adventure is good for the soul. That you can meet the most interesting people in some of the most unusual settings.