Interview with Abby Irish

April 9, 2012

Today I have the privilege of welcoming back Abby Irish, author of two chick-lit, romantic comedy novels, There's Always Chocolate! and the sequel, Chocolate Therapy. Both novels feature the same characters, the widowed, Amy and her love interest, Joel. Welcome back to The Hope Chest Reviews, Abby.

1. Since we last chatted, you have published your second book, Chocolate Therapy which continues the story of Amy and Joel from There's Always Chocolate! Did you always plan to write a sequel, or did that inspiration hit somewhere along the way? No, I didn't plan to write a ‘cho-quel'...LOL. I had received so many compliments about the first book that people asked about the next one, so I started to write it after the first one was out for almost a year. 2. Amy's wacky life often reminds me of an episode of I Love Lucy. Did Lucy in any way inspire the character of Amy?

Lucy has always been an inspiration to me. I used to watch I Love Lucy every day as a kid. So of course Amy has a little Lucy in her....LOL. I think we all have a little ‘Lucy' in us...

3. Amy loves to tend her roses. Do you share her green thumb?

NO, definitely NOT, NO HOW...I think I have two left thumbs, if that is possible.

In our last interview when I asked about what ways you were the same/different from Amy, you responded. "I don't want to give away too much info about myself just yet. Wait until my second novel comes out." Well, the second novel is here, so would you like to confess anything yet?;-)

Nope, No, Not really. I need to keep everyone on their toes...just like I do with my husband. He never knows what is going to happen next! You've got to keep the excitement going ... ya know!

4. Joel was still in very fine form (hubba, hubba!), but he did have one little misstep in Chocolate Therapy. Did you throw that in there to show that he isn't quite as perfect as he seems?

Of course. Do you know any man that is perfect, except my husband and probably George Clooney. Every man has at least one flaw if not many. I just needed to show that Joel definitely has one, even though he is caring, handsome, romantic, sexy, strong, etc....please stop me. You get my drift?

5. Will there be any more stories forthcoming for Amy and Joel, or now that they've found their happily-ever-after are you ready to let them ride off into the sunset? Hmmm. I haven't had enough time to think about a third one, even though people have asked to go back to when they were kids back in New York.... It is a thought. But right now I am focusing on doing some charity work for breast cancer survivors, which I am one, and also doing some painting and playing lots of competitive tennis. I do have several other ideas for books, comedies of course.

6. What do your family and friends think of your writing?

My mom is my biggest fan, as she should be, right? I think my husband is laughing at me and not with me, but whatever. My kids are embarrassed that their mom is capable of being anything else but their mom. My friends all love (so they say), my writing. Either that or they really don't want me to bake anything for them.... That is probably the cake, I mean case. Lol....

7. If you could trade places for a day with any character from any book who would it be and why?

Wowsie... that is opening Pandora's box for me.... And a can of worms? Every book that I have read, I have imagined myself as one or more of the characters. There is no way I could possibly choose just one. I always put myself in every book I read... hint, hint...

8. If you didn't have to concern yourself with mundane day to day things and could do anything at all, what would you be doing?

I would love to sing, do concerts, make albums, but the most rewarding to me would be to have a shelter or rescue for all the unwanted dogs in the world. I wish I could take them all in, feed them, make sure they are happy, healthy, love them and just let them play to their hearts content. I just love dogs. They don't ask for anything except love. If more people could be like dogs, the world would be a better place.

9. Last but not least, what are you currently working on?

I barely started my third book which is going to be a comedy dealing with a death (again), baseball parks and a chase of sorts... sorry that is all I can reveal because that is all I have so far. But stay tuned....

Thank you so much for coming back to The Hope Chest Reviews for another visit, Abby. It's been a pleasure having you (again), and we wish you all the best.