The time it was about Come Back to Me

Posted December 7, 2015 by Stacee in Giveaways, Interviews | 4 Comments

I requested Come Back to Me by Mila Gray on a whim.  I don’t normally read contemps and we all know how I feel about angsty times.  But, it sounded amazing and I decided to give it a try.  And man, it was amaaaazing.  I devoured it and immediately asked Mila {AKA Sarah Alderson} if she had time to do an interview.

Before we get to her answers, let’s check out the book.

In this heart-wrenching tale of love and loss, a young Marine and his best friend’s sister plunge into a forbidden love affair while he’s home on leave.

24885539When a Marine Chaplain knocks on her door, Jessa’s heart breaks—someone she loves is dead. Killed in action, but is it Riley or Kit? Her brother or her boyfriend…

Three months earlier, Marine Kit Ryan finds himself back home on leave and dangerously drawn to his best friend Riley’s sister, Jessa—the one girl he can’t have. Exhausted from fighting his feelings, Kit finally gives in, and Jessa isn’t strong enough to resist diving headfirst into a passionate relationship.

But what was just supposed to be a summer romance develops into something far greater than either of them expected. Jessa’s finally found the man of her dreams and Kit’s finally discovered there’s someone he’d sacrifice everything for.

When it’s time for Kit to redeploy, neither one is ready to say goodbye. Jessa vows to wait for him and Kit promises to come home to her. No matter what.

But as Jessa stands waiting for the Marine Chaplain to break her heart, she can’t help but feel that Kit has broken his promise…

Riley or Kit? Kit or Riley? Her brother or her boyfriend? Who’s coming home to her?

Sounds good, right?

right

1. Where did the idea for Come Back to Me come from?

I actually write young adult too – under the name Sarah Alderson – and a publisher in the UK asked me if I would consider writing for an older new adult audience under a different name. I jumped at the chance and that’s how Mila Gray was born. The idea for the book came to me very easily. I wanted to set the book in a world I know so I chose the world of Hunting Lila (my first book) which is based around San Diego. I also love the ‘falling for my brother’s best friend’ story trope. I know it’s used a lot, but when it’s done well it’s so brilliant!

And I also knew that while I was writing a romance I wanted it to have a purpose and to not be a sappy love story and so I based the book around the military base and explored what it’s like for military families, living with the constant anxiety of death looming over them.

2. Why do you love Jessa and Kit and why should we root for them?

I think that Jessa is every girl who has ever been in someone’s shadow, every girl who is afraid to follow her dreams, and that Kit is a brilliant mix of strong, alpha, protective male and sensitive, kind gentleman. He’s an amazing chef and because he’s got all these older sisters and cousins he’s really in touch with his feminine side. He’s just lovely! And together they make this brilliant team. Kit gives Jessa the confidence she needs to step out of her shell and follow hear heart and she gives Kit a sense of home and belonging. They’re good for each other. And they’re in an impossible situation of having to part when he goes off to war – so of course we root for them!

3. You wrote in Jessa and Kit POV.  Who was easier to work with?

I really enjoy writing in the male POV for some reason. I just find it more interesting and fun. It’s handy as well as you get to tell both sides of the story.

4. What was your favorite scene to write?

I liked a lot of scenes, from the ones in the desert stargazing to the more harrowing scenes to the sex scenes. My background is actually as a thriller romance writer – this is my first straight up romance (though there are thrills, they’re of the steamier kind). I also write screenplays so I really enjoy writing dialogue. I love the scenes at the end of the book (not giving anything away). My heart was in pieces writing it. I cried a lot. I hear that people cry a lot when reading it too, so job done!

5. Describe Come Back to Me in 5 words.

Heartbreaking, with lots of feels.

Speed [ish] round:

1. You get the call/email/letter that says you’re being published for the first time. Describe the next 5 minutes.

When I found out about Hunting Lila (my first book) I burst into tears. I had all my hopes pinned to that book and I knew that it was down to the last publisher and that they were really interested. I’d been waiting weeks for an answer and was so on the edge with anxiety. When my agent emailed I just straight up burst into tears. I was with my husband. We were standing on our balcony in Bali. It was late and we were throwing a party. My daughter, who was three at the time, was with her friend and they started giggling and throwing torn up “paper confetti” over us. It was a great night.

2. What three things would you take to a desert island?

I would take my iPhone with my kindle fully stocked with new books, a solar powered charger and a machete (I got really good at opening coconuts in Bali! I’m a pro with a machete. Also, you might need a weapon to kill any serial killers who happen to be on the island too).

3. You can only read one book for the rest of your life. What is it?

ahhhhhhh that’s just too unfair. Just one? I think it would have to be a book that made me think about life and so maybe something by Pema Chodron – she’s a Buddhist and she writes about how to live a better, less anxious, more meaningful life.

4. Who are your favorite swoony boys/girls?

In fiction I have a soft spot for the characters in Perfect Chemistry, by Simone Elkeles. But in film I really love Baby & Jonny in Dirty Dancing and Han Salo is my all time favourite rogue character. I love how Leia refuses to swoon though – she’s the ultimate kickass female character.

5. What is the one thing about publishing you wish someone would have told you?

That unfortunately it’s less about talent and more about luck and writing the right story at the right time.

6. You wake up and discover you are Bella in Twilight. You know how it plays out. What do you do differently? {Huge thanks to Bookish Broads for letting me use this question!}

This depends on at what point I wake up and discover I’m Bella in Twilight. If it’s the first book I think I would have said ‘Edward, it’s actually a little creepy that you’re into me, given that you’re at least one hundred years older than me, and that you WANT TO EAT ME. Also, you’re a little too mopey and melancholic and let’s not even start on the stalking, so give a girl a break, I’m going to date Jacob.’

If I wake up and I’m already a vampire and married to Edward, I’m thinking ‘seriously? I have to spend eternity going to High School now? Where’s the stake?’
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7910288Mila Gray is the pen name for Sarah Alderson, author of Hunting Lila, Losing Lila, The Sound, Fated and Out of Control.

Originally from London she has lived in Bali for the last four years with her husband and daughter.

As well as writing young adult fiction under the name Sarah Alderson and adult fiction under the name Mila Gray, she also writes screenplays.

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Huge thanks to Sarah AKA Mila for taking the time!  Make sure you’re checking out her website, following her on Twitter, liking her Facebook page, and adding all of her books to your Goodreads TBR pile.

Come Back to Me comes out tomorrow, but Sarah is offering up a signed copy! Giveaway is US only and additional rules are here.

**Good Luck!!**

a Rafflecopter giveaway

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4 responses to “The time it was about Come Back to Me

  1. Christina R.

    I love anything with strawberries for dessert!!

    Awesome interview, you can tell she loves her characters and really thought through the romance!

    thank you so very much :)

  2. What a fun interview! This book has definitely been in my TBR pile since I’m definitely a fan of “falling for my brother’s best friend” as well!

    My favorite dessert, hmmmm that’s a hard one! I really love pizookies, pumpkin bread, and lemon cake! I love adding fruit to my desserts!

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