Today we are pleased to introduce Neely Tubati Alexander and celebrate the publication of her sophomore rom-com, In a Not So Perfect World. We enjoyed chatting with her and we hope you will love her answers to our questions as much as we did. Thanks to BookSparks, we have one copy of her latest novel for a lucky reader!
Neely Tubati Alexander is originally from the Seattle area and currently resides in Arizona with her husband and two elementary-aged children. If she's not tucked away writing, you can find her at some kiddo activity, drinking wine, or watching reality television, usually the last two together. She is also the author of Love Buzz.
Visit Neely online:
Sloane Cooper is up for her dream job as a designer for a top video game company. During the interview, though, she somehow promises the all-male panel that she’ll remain single and fully dedicated to the work. It’s actually fine—after her last boyfriend cheated on her, she vowed to focus on her career anyway.
Enter Charlie, aka Hot Neighbor Guy, a near-stranger who shocks her with the offer of an all-inclusive trip to a Turks and Caicos resort. The catch? Charlie originally planned the trip with his ex, and asks Sloane to pose as his new girlfriend to make his old flame come running back. Against her better judgment, Sloane says yes; she can use the time away to develop a game design that will dazzle the Catapult team and get her a job offer.
Despite sparks flying in paradise, the trip can’t lead to more. As their connection deepens, Sloane is reminded that she can’t fall for Charlie and get knocked off her professional path. Besides, he’s trying to win back his true love.
Can Sloane figure out a way to move past heartbreak, land the job of her dreams, and avoid catching feelings? The zombie apocalypse would be easier to solve—at least she’s prepared for that. (Courtesy of Amazon.)
"In a Not So Perfect World is a stunningly addictive love story of self-discovery. Brimming with wit and heart, Alexander’s talent sings on every page!"
— Amy Lea, international bestselling author of Exes And O's
"Neely Tubati Alexander does it again, and this time even dreamier than ever. I felt like I was right there with Sloane in beautiful Turks and Caicos, and for a lighthearted vacation read, this tackles some real issues of sexism in the game industry. I loved every second and cheered for Sloane every (mis)step of the way!"
— Jesse Q. Sutanto, author of Vera Wong's Unsolicited Advice for Murderers
“Looking for the perfect escape from our not so perfect world? Neely Tubati Alexander’s latest is just what we all need right now—warm weather and romance with the author’s signature humor and intelligence. I loved this book!”
— Sarah Jio, New York Times bestselling author of With Love from London and Blackberry Winter
What is a favorite compliment you have received on your writing?
When my now-agent, Elisabeth Weed at The Book Group, did her first read-through of my debut novel, LOVE BUZZ, one of her notes back to me was that I had managed to make her laugh and cry in a matter of a few pages. This note has always stuck with me, and I often try to remind myself how special it is to be able to evoke emotion through storytelling. This will always be a treasured piece of feedback.
How is Sloane similar to or different from you?
Like Sloane, I am a pessimist and tend to view the world as doom and gloom. So, naturally, I became a romance writer! Seriously, though, I think Sloane and Charlie's relationship dynamic is a lot like that of me and my husband, where his optimism balances me out. Sloane and I also share Indian heritage, which was important for me to give representation to in the book. Besides those, Sloane and I don't have much in common. I have never been into video games or prepping, though, watching the news, I seem to get closer to the prepper mentality by the day!
If In a Not So Perfect World was made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
What a fun question. I was speaking on a romance panel recently and someone asked about ideal casting and my answer is always the same for the male love interest. No matter how I describe the characters' physical features, in my head, they always look like Pearl Harbor-era Josh Harnett. Always. For Sloane, I think Naomi Scott would be great! And we haven't seen her in a romcom before, so I'd be extra excited to see that. Or, Avantika who was just Karen in the new Mean Girls remake and absolutely killed it.
What is your favorite video game?
I do a lot of mobile games with my kids because that's about all I have time for, but we are addicted to classics like Tetris and any word puzzles.
If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it?
I could really go down a rabbit hole on this one. There are so many incredible options! In reality, though, I think having my son or daughter do it would be the most special. But if it had to be a celebrity, maybe a Real Housewife because I'm such a big fan of the franchise!
If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you would take us to see?
Arizona in March/April means spring training! I'd take you to a game and then to one of the best local food spots like Barrio Cafe or Pizzeria Bianco. Then, because the weather is so nice this time of year, maybe lounge by a resort pool? And of course a visit to one of our awesome bookstores. My favorites are Changing Hands and Wijaya House.
When my now-agent, Elisabeth Weed at The Book Group, did her first read-through of my debut novel, LOVE BUZZ, one of her notes back to me was that I had managed to make her laugh and cry in a matter of a few pages. This note has always stuck with me, and I often try to remind myself how special it is to be able to evoke emotion through storytelling. This will always be a treasured piece of feedback.
How is Sloane similar to or different from you?
Like Sloane, I am a pessimist and tend to view the world as doom and gloom. So, naturally, I became a romance writer! Seriously, though, I think Sloane and Charlie's relationship dynamic is a lot like that of me and my husband, where his optimism balances me out. Sloane and I also share Indian heritage, which was important for me to give representation to in the book. Besides those, Sloane and I don't have much in common. I have never been into video games or prepping, though, watching the news, I seem to get closer to the prepper mentality by the day!
If In a Not So Perfect World was made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
What a fun question. I was speaking on a romance panel recently and someone asked about ideal casting and my answer is always the same for the male love interest. No matter how I describe the characters' physical features, in my head, they always look like Pearl Harbor-era Josh Harnett. Always. For Sloane, I think Naomi Scott would be great! And we haven't seen her in a romcom before, so I'd be extra excited to see that. Or, Avantika who was just Karen in the new Mean Girls remake and absolutely killed it.
What is your favorite video game?
I do a lot of mobile games with my kids because that's about all I have time for, but we are addicted to classics like Tetris and any word puzzles.
If your life was a TV series, which celebrity would you want to narrate it?
I could really go down a rabbit hole on this one. There are so many incredible options! In reality, though, I think having my son or daughter do it would be the most special. But if it had to be a celebrity, maybe a Real Housewife because I'm such a big fan of the franchise!
If we were to visit you right now, what are some places you would take us to see?
Arizona in March/April means spring training! I'd take you to a game and then to one of the best local food spots like Barrio Cafe or Pizzeria Bianco. Then, because the weather is so nice this time of year, maybe lounge by a resort pool? And of course a visit to one of our awesome bookstores. My favorites are Changing Hands and Wijaya House.
Thanks to Neely for visiting with us and to BookSparks for sharing her book with our readers.
How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here.
Giveaway ends March 24th at midnight EST.
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15 comments:
I would love to own a bookstore.
Bookstore owner
Being a fashion designers. Thank you for the giveaway.
Librarian
My dream job would be to own my own bakery!
My dream job would be to own a manage a fine dining restaurant.
retiree
I always wanted to be a doctor or surgeon but now I'd rather be a veterinarian.
Being paid to read.
Perhaps own a yarn store for knitting.
Matchmaker
Being a baker
Love to be a baker
A Certified Financial Planner
A travel writer.
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