An Interview with Christi Barth

The Reading Cafe welcomes Christi Barth to our site today. Christi has just released her first book in her new Aisle Bound Trilogy series..Planning for Love.

Let’s meet Christi.

 

Hi Christi.  Thank you for taking the time to answer some questions today. We are always looking forward to reading about the author behind the book.

TRC: Will you please tell us about yourself?

Christi: I earned a Masters degree in vocal performance and embarked upon a career on the stage. A love of romance then drew me to wedding planning.  Ultimately, I succumbed to a lifelong love of books and now write contemporary romance. 

TRC: Have you always been interested in writing?

Christi: I’ve always wanted to be an author.  As a bookworm and a speedreader, I’ve had a deep and undying love for writing forever.  Rumor has it I started reading at age 2!  Of course, I also wanted to be a princess, just for the pretty clothes and tiaras.  The chances of either career goal coming to pass looked slim.  However, I first realized that I actually could be a writer five years ago, when I completed my first book (which I sold!).  Having a complete manuscript under my belt made it real.

TRC: Is there anything (in general) you find particularly challenging about writing?

Christi: I guess as a romance author I shouldn’t admit this, but love scenes are brutal to craft.  You can only say he stroked such and such body part so many times, so many ways.  The actual writing becomes very clinical and leaches all the sexiness out of it for me.  I can grit my teeth through makeout scenes, but when it comes to full blown sex, my requirements are a single white Russian (nope, no other drink will do) and Pink Martini on the cd player.

TRC:  What was the first book you published?  Can you please describe your reactions when you saw your book published?

Christi: Carolina Heat:  An undercover journalist finds steamy passion, mortal danger…and the love of her life.  A missing best friend escalates into a mystery with ties all the way back to the Civil War.  My reaction on actually seeing it for sale filled me with joy. Sheer, unadulterated joy. With a large dollop of pride.

TRC: Planning for Love is the first book in your Aisle Bound Trilogy. What was the catalyst that influenced this particular series?

Christi: For once, I’ve got a great answer to this question!  I used to be a wedding planner.  9 out of 10 people who learned this would say you should write a book!  Then they’d launch into elaborate eye winks about bridezillas, and mother of the bride horror stories. 

Except, in my experience, 90% of weddings are wonderful.  They are a celebration of friends and family and enduring love.  Most people do pull it together and behave like grown-ups.  So I didn’t want to write a scathing tell-all.  But a series that focuses on the wedding industry, showcasing people who spend every day creating the perfect happily ever after?  That felt like a good place to start.  And maybe a few crazy hijinks did slip into my manuscript.  It is a comedy, after all!

TRC: Would you please tell us the premise behind Planning for Love? 

Christi: Hopeless romantic Ivy Rhodes and anti-Cupid Bennett Westcott request the pleasure of your company for their disaster of a courtship

Wedding planner Ivy Rhodes is the best in the business, and she’s not about to let a personal problem stop her from getting ahead. So when she’s asked to star in the reality TV show Planning for Love, it doesn’t matter that the show’s videographer happens to be a recent—and heartbreaking—one-night stand.

Bennett Westcott admits he didn’t handle his encounter with Ivy very well. But looking at her beautiful smile—and great body—through a camera lens every day? He can’t be faulted for suggesting they have some no-strings fun.

The more time they spend together, the more Ben realizes Ivy isn’t the wedding-crazed bridezilla he’d imagined. But if he doesn’t trust himself to make a relationship last, how can he convince Ivy to give him another chance?

TRC:  You write contemporary romance, have you ever thought about writing in another genre, such as YA?

Christi: Nope. For me it is all about the happily ever after.  Love makes the world go round.  You name the sappy romantic cliché, and I’ll agree with it.  Romance makes people happy and fills them with hope and joy.  What could possibly be better?

TRC: What are you currently working on?

Christi:  I am knee-deep in book 3 of the Aisle Bound series, Friends to Lovers. It follows Daphne the florist and Gib the British lothario as they journey from—well, friends to lovers! Just finished writing their aphrodisiac dinner that works far better than either of them expected.  Also, please keep an eye out in December for my novella Ask Her At Christmas, in the anthology Romancing the Holiday, also featuring stories by Jaci Burton and Helen Kay Dimon. It, too, is set in Chicago, with a cameo appearance from the hotel where Ivy & Ben have their one torrid night. 

TRC: What is your writing process?  Do you like to write at specific times, in a special place?

Christi: After years as an actress, my creative juices kick into high gear after 6 pm.  I do my plotting during the day – well, whenever the ideas strike, which is often either when I’m at the gym or the symphony, oddly enough.  But the bulk of my writing takes place between sunset and midnight.

TRC: Many authors bounce ideas with family and friends.  With whom do you bounce ideas?

Christi: My local chapter of the Romance Writers of America is full to bursting of talented authors.  Lucky for me, some of them are my critique partners. We are all 110% both supportive and blunt with each other, which is invaluable. My number one advice to new writers, in fact, is to be sure you find a critique group.  One person isn’t enough – you definitely need a group.

TRC: What books, authors or people in your life have influenced your writing?

Christi: Not only am I a bookworm, but I’m also a speed reader.  I spent about twenty years going through a minimum of 7-8 books a week (that number has diminished now that I spend my evenings writing).  With that many books under my belt, it is hard to point to just one or two.  Every single book I’ve ever read influences my writing – whether it is learning the good, or recognizing the bad.  I can tell you the first full blown adult romance I read (hiding in a closet) was Shanna by Kathleen Woodiwiss – classic!  And Nora Roberts is my idol.  Can’t gush enough about her.

TRC: Would you like to add anything else?

Christi: Find Me Here

• Twitter id:  Christi_barth
• Website link:  http://www.christibarth.com
• Blog link:  http://christibarth.blogspot.com
• Pinterest link:  http://pinterest.com/christibarth/

LIGHTNING ROUND

Favorite Food: Pasta. Could eat it for days in shockingly large quantities.

Favorite Dessert: Cherries Jubilee – both delicious, and has the excitement of a show when they light it on fire.

Favorite Author: Nora Roberts.  Hands down.  I just finished her latest hardcover, The Witness, and it was like a master class in how to write romantic suspense.  So brilliant and entertaining.

Favorite Novel: Whichever one I am currently reading (hey, I’m a bookworm.  No way could I choose just one!).  Right now I’m reading The Good Girl’s Guide To Getting Lost for my book club and Chase Me as the book that glues me to the elliptical machine – so those are my favorites for today.

Favorite Movie: White Christmas. I’m a sap for Christmas, musicals and snow, so this covers all of them!

Favorite TV Show: Three way tie on this one:  Greys Anatomy, Big Bang Theory & Mad Men

Last Movie that you saw: Ted. Laughed until I practically hyperventilated.

Thank you Christi, for answering our questions. The Reading Café wishes you the best of luck with Planning for Love.  Keep us informed about any new books or series that you have planned.

Christi has graciously offered to give a member of The Reading Café a chance to win an e-copy of Planning for Love.  

1.  You must be a member at The Reading Cafe. If you are not a member, please register using the Log-In at the top of the page, or by using one of our social log-ins.

2.  If you are using a social log-in e.g. Twitter, please leave your email address along with your comment.

3.  Please post a comment and say hello to Christi.

4.  Giveaway open Internationally.

5.  Contests runs from September 9th – 11th.