Q & A with Chandra Blumberg

I am super excited about today’s Q & A! Chandra Blumberg’s second novel STIRRING UP LOVE will be coming out at the end of the month, and you don’t want to miss it. I just finished it and it is fabulous (Review coming soon!) It is the follow up to her debut DIGGING UP LOVE which I absolutely loved.

Here is a little bit about STIRRING UP LOVE:

After doing her time in corporate Chicago, Simone Blake returns to small-town Illinois to tackle a new venture: her grandfather’s barbecue restaurant. The secret, as they say, is in the sauce. Simone’s plan is to sell Honey and Hickory’s signature sauce to put her hometown on the map.

But she’s not the only one with a recipe and a plan: chef Finn Rimes from nearby Springfield has a similar vision. To jump-start his dream of opening a culinary school, he shows up at the local farmers’ market with his own barbecue sauce.

When Simone’s plan to outsell Finn falls flat, she auditions for a reality show to pitch her brand. But she’s horrified to discover Finn’s had the same idea. As Simone and Finn wage barbecue war on television, their feud turns into an undeniable attraction.

With their livelihoods on the line, it may not be so much about making the best sauce—but finding their way to each other.

1. How did you come up with the idea for Stirring Up Love?

Stirring Up Love is the sequel to my debut, Digging Up Love, which told the story of Simone’s older sister finding love. I couldn’t wait to write Simone’s book because not only is she outspoken and funny, she’s also committed to building the future she envisions for her restaurant. I wanted to pair her with someone who would give her a run for her money, so enemies-to-lovers was the perfect fit. 

I love to watch reality shows about people on a quest to jump-start their dreams, and I thought it would be so fun to include that as an element of the story. Same for the road trip aspect—I wanted to put Simone and Finn into a situation where they were stuck together because of all the shenanigans that would ensue from being trapped with someone they can’t stand, but are also, let’s face it, highly attracted to.

2. Tell us a little bit about Simone and Finn.

Simone is a force. She’s passionate about her plan to transform her family restaurant into a business that will uplift the entire community. Sure, she’s sarcastic and a little salty, but she’s got a deep, abiding love for her friends and family. 

Finn is a chef who’s worked hard to overcome his heartbreaking past. His greatest joy in life (besides feeding people) is helping others succeed. He has a huge heart, and he wears it on his sleeve, but like Simone, he’s also got his walls up. They’re both such messy, lovable characters. I had the best time writing their happily-ever-after.

3. Was there a scene that was your favorite to write? 

That’s a tricky question, because I have so many favorites from this book! I love Finn and Simone’s farmers market bickering—it set the tone for their chemistry. I also had so much fun writing the grand gesture. When I brainstormed the idea, I got the hugest smile on my face because it matched their dynamic perfectly.

4. This is your second book coming out this year! What has that been like? 

The whole experience still feels very surreal in the best possible way. As someone who’s imagined what it would be like to see my own books on the shelves since I was a kid, the fact that very soon I’ll have two novels out in the world is altogether amazing.

5. What are some of your favorite tropes? 

Friends-to-lovers is an absolute favorite of mine. I love all the tender moments this trope lends itself to, and the angst of what they stand to lose if they dive into a romantic relationship and it doesn’t work out. Also, fake dating/fake engagement—I devour those. It’s adorable how they couple is always absolutely certain they won’t end up falling in love if they fake it. 

6. Are you a plotter or a pantser? 

Definitely a plantser. I’m pretty much right down the middle. I plot the first and last scene, and where I want the characters to be at the mid-point. I do a lot of character work before I start drafting, and come up with scene ideas that fit their arc.

7. Can you tell us a little about your writing process? 

I write from a character-based standpoint, which probably isn’t surprising given that romance is about relationships. But because I work from the characters-outward, sometimes I’ll surprise myself with the direction a scene takes, and I like leaving myself freedom to explore the unexpected. That’s why I prefer not to make a detailed outline until after I have a first draft—and by first draft I mean a very rough draft—so that I have leeway to take the story in a direction that fits the characters’ journeys in ways that might not have been clear at the outset.

Character journals are big for me, and so is creating a WIP playlist that evolves along with the book. Music helps me get in the mood of the particular moment or character, and my playlist reflects the overall tone of the book. Since I’m a mom with young children, I often fit in writing at random moments throughout the day, which usually means writing a scene quickly, sort of a sketch. Then I’ll come back to flesh it out when I have a solid chunk of writing time.

8. Why do you love romance? 

For so many reasons, but first and foremost the HEA. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve watched a romantic movie only to feel cheated when the story ends in tragedy or the characters ultimately choose not to stay together. When I pick up a romance novel, I know the couple I’m rooting for won’t break my heart by going their separate ways at the end. Even so, that dark moment rips my heart out every time, but I know it’s going to get put back together in the most satisfying way with the grand gesture.

I also love the journey. Romance novels are about so much more than falling in love—the characters learning to love themselves, their relationships with family and friends, the quest to change the world and achieve their own dreams—but the love story is the centerpiece. Oh, and great banter. Can’t get enough of it.

Thanks so much to Chandra for taking the time to answer my questions!

Make sure to pre-order your copy of STIRRING UP LOVE which comes out July 26, check out Chandra’s website and follow her on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook.