The lovely Tari Faris returns to Relz Reviewz to chat about her reading habits! Not sure about you, but I love discovering the where, when, why, and what about other book lovers. Tari shares about what influences her most, the book she’d loved to have written, and her ‘hang-up’ with romance! You will discover it’s no surprise Tari writes compelling contemporary romance!

Enjoy learning more about Tari and be sure to get your hands on a copy of new release, Since You’ve Been Gone!

Over to you, Tari…

Tari’s Reading Habits

When is your optimal time to read?

Before bed – although that does mean that I am tempted to stay up late. I also love reading on Sunday afternoons.

Are you faithful to a genre, an author, or simply quality writing?

I am most about a story that really grabs me. I jump around in genres and authors, although I do have some automatic buys.

Which factors most influence your selection of a book?

A compelling romance – maybe I should say something deeper, but it is the part that makes me not able to put a book down.

Your fiction pet peeve?

When characters do not have enough motivation, and I just don’t find the impossible action believable.

What book have you read this year that you could not put down, and why?

Love and A Little White Lie by Tammy L. Gray. I had bought it when it came out, but it had just landed in my never-ending TBR. I love the humour, depth, and romance. All-around great story.

How do you mark your spot – folded page corner, bookmark, dollar bill, whatever is at hand?

I lay the book facing down, or I just look at the page number and remember. That usually works unless I don’t get back to the book for weeks: then I am in trouble.

When reading, what makes or breaks a story for you?

I said it before, but it is true. The romance. Is there chemistry between the characters? If yes, I am sold. If no, then I will not last long.

Snack/drink of choice while reading?

Cookies, chocolate, ice cream, not too picky as long as it is yummy.

What book cover has really caught your eye?

I love all of Amanda Dykes Covers and the latest one, Yours Is the Night. The poppies are stunning.

What book do you wish you had written? Why?

Pudge and Prejudice by A.K. Pittman. Mainly because I have always wanted to write a remake set of Jane Austen’s books—maybe someday.

What are you reading now?

I got an early edition of Melissa Tagg’s Autumn by the Sea releasing this fall and I am LOVING it!

Since You’ve Been Gone

After a failed business venture, Leah Williams returns to her hometown. She is determined to try to make her business a success—even if it means working with Jonathan Kensington, the man who exasperated her back in high school.

Jon has also recently returned to town in order to prove to the Heritage Fruits board that he is the right man to be running his late father’s business—rather than his manipulative uncle. Striking a deal to save both their interests, Jon and Leah become partners and sparks soon fly in love and business—but mixing business with pleasure might prove more difficult than they thought.

What do you love most about this story, or the process of writing this story?

I loved watching the characters come to life. I had ideas for them, but as I dug in and really got to know them, they seemed to take breath on the page in front of me. I knew I want to bring Madison back, but wasn’t sure how to do that. It was like the character told me. I also loved Leah’s struggle. I know it may drive some crazy, but that was me. I didn’t have father issues, but I did struggle to trust and fully commit to my husband, and he was as steady as Jon. I just loved writing their love.

Share a little about one of your characters – what makes them unique?

Leah’s sense of style is unique. She loves retro and vintage clothes, and they were so fun to write. In one of the final scenes Jon remembers an outfit she wore in high school. I described the exact outfit I was wearing when I met my husband.

Share a favourite line or paragraph from your book.

“Every time I create, it’s a gift to my Creator. I create, then let it go. . .I came to the point where I let it all go and realized my value isn’t in my ability to make pottery.  My value is in who I am. And my pottery is an expression of the creativity God has given me.”

I love it because that is the conclusion I came to with my writing while writing this book. I couldn’t control reviews or sales. I just had to surrender it to God and let it go.

Thank you, Tari!

Tari Faris is the author of You Belong with Me and Until I Met You. A member of American Christian Fiction Writers and My Book Therapy, she is the projects manager for My Book Therapy, writes for learnhowtowriteanovel.com, and is a 2017 Genesis Award winner. She has an MDiv from Asbury Theological Seminary and lives in the Phoenix, Arizona, area with her husband and their three children. Although she lives in the Southwest now, she lived in a small town in Michigan for 25 years. Learn more at TariFaris.com.

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Buy on Amazon: Since You’ve Been Gone or Koorong