Book Recommendation - Memory Lane

 

When in the mood for a fun contemporary romance novel that has wonderful character development and a fabulous story line (usually with a mystery involved), I know I can count on Becky Wade. Her latest release is the first book in her new series "Sons of Scandal". This one felt a bit more intense than some of her other books I've read, but it still had the great qualities I've come to know and love in Becky's books. 

Though she's been traditionally published for most of her career, she switched paths with this book and published this one independently. Due to that, I had better access to get some questions answered about the book! Here's how that conversation went:

* What inspired the story line for this book/series?

I had great fun writing romances about the Porter Brothers in my first
series. I haven't done brothers since and was eager to tackle another
trio of brothers. I was also eager to set a series in Maine because I
love that part of the country.

My inspiration for Memory Lane, in particular, was amnesia. I find
amnesia utterly fascinating! For research I read a non-fiction book
written by a woman who woke up one day having suddenly forgotten the
past fifteen years of her life. I was engrossed! So I asked muyself,
"What if?"

What if my heroine lives in a cottage on the tip of one of Maine's
remote islands? What if she sees a man overboard and rescues him? What
if he's injured and without any memories? I loved this novel's setup
because those questions led to story questions that I could sink my
teeth into. Namely -- "Who is he?" "What happened to him to land him in
the Atlantic Ocean?"

* Which character in this book (or series if that is easier) did you
enjoy writing the most? Which one do you best relate to?

I had a ball writing Remy Reed, the heroine. In part, because she's also
the one I related to best. She's an introvert and an artist, like I am.
Unlike me, she creates wood sculptures. She's quirky and passionate and
imaginative and absent-minded and feisty and funny. I paired her with a
hero who's very different from her, which created delightful "opposites
attract" sparks.

* What do you hope readers will glean from this story?

I hope they close the book with a renewed sense that love wins. Hope
wins. God's faithfulness is constant, even when it doesn't seem or feel
that way.

* Is there any fun behind-the-scenes trivia about this book or series
that you'd be interested in sharing with my readers?

Trivia #1: The town of Groomsport in the book was inspired by the
real-life town of Camden, Maine. Readers will notice, when making their
way through the novel, that I found a way to work "Camden" into the
story as a nod to the town. My husband and I spent time in Camden this
past summer and it couldn't be more picturesque!

Trivia #2: I tend to use fictional locations often because they grant me
more freedom. But the location of Maiden's Cliff in the novel (and the
tragic history of that spot that I share in the story) is absolutely
real. We hiked up to that spot and saw it for ourselves, like my
characters do in Memory Lane.

* What is coming next and when can we expect it?

Book two in the Sons of Scandal series is coming next and it stars Jude,
a character I introduce in Memory Lane. I'm hard at work on that
manuscript and expect to release it in early 2024.

Here's a little bit about the book:

After surviving a trauma several years back, Remy Reed relocated to a cottage on one of Maine’s most remote islands. She’s arranged her life just the way she wants it, spending her time working on her wood sculptures and soaking in the beauty of nature. It’s quiet and solitary—until the day she spots something bobbing in the ocean.

Her binoculars reveal the “something” to be a man, and he’s struggling to keep his head above water. She races out to save him and brings him into her home. He’s injured, which doesn’t detract from his handsomeness nor make him any easier to bear. He acts like a duke who’s misplaced his dukedom . . . expensive tastes, lazy charm, bossy ideas.

Remy would love nothing more than to return him to his people, but he has no recollection of his life prior to the moment she rescued him. Though she’s not interested in relationships other than the safe ones she’s already established, she begins to realize that he’s coming to depend on her.

Who is he? What happened that landed him in the Atlantic Ocean? And why is she drawn to him more and more as time goes by?

There’s no way to discover those answers except to walk beside him down memory lane.

About the author:

During her childhood in California, Becky frequently produced homemade plays starring her sisters, friends, and cousins. These plays almost always featured a heroine, a prince, and a love story with a happy ending. She’s been a fan of all things romantic ever since.

Becky and her husband lived overseas in the Caribbean and Australia before settling in Dallas, Texas.  It was during her years abroad that Becky’s passion for reading turned into a passion for writing. She published three historical romances for the general market, put her career on hold for many years to care for her kids, then eventually returned to writing. She loves penning sweet contemporary romances laced with sizzling chemistry, mystery, faith, banter, and humor. Her twelve novels and five novellas have been recognized with a Carol Award, INSPY awards, and a spot in the Christy Award Hall of Fame.

When she’s not at her computer, you’ll find her power-walking her neighborhood, driving carpool, eating chocolate, doing yoga, or admiring her Cavalier spaniel.

This book releases February 14, 2023 wherever books are sold. Be sure to check it out! For some additional information, check out the following links:

Book Trailer for Memory Lane: https://youtu.be/Fiw8OfC81eM

Becky Wade's website: https://beckywade.com/home/

Becky Wade's Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/authorbeckywade

My full 4-star review: https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/5247145527