Publication date: December 18th, 2020
Synopsis:
The map of your heart will show you the way...
It's Christmas 1997 and Mariah Rowland's freshman year of college couldn't be more of a disaster. Her high school boyfriend dumped her, her course load is stressing her out, and the college parties aren't what they're cracked up to be. Craving some normalcy, Mariah heads home for the holidays, but after a shocking discovery, she realizes even home isn't the same.
Now she's on a cross-country quest to right a wrong. Accompanying her is ex-best friend, Mason Wright. Mason's on a mysterious journey of his own as he makes his way to California. Wounds old and new are opened between the friends throughout their travels, including some feelings they thought no longer existed.
But as their road trip ends, Mariah once again discovers that nothing is as it seems. She has some life-altering decisions to make that will change things forever.
North Star Angel is a coming of age, friends to lovers, holiday romance with a guaranteed HEA. It features young adult characters in mature situations and may not be suitable for readers under eighteen.
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Guest Post
What is your favorite book/who is your favorite author?
My absolute favorite book is The Great Gatsby. I've read that book so many times. I don't have one favorite author, but there are many whose work I admire. Some include Toni Morrison, Beverly Jenkins, J.K. Rowling, James Patterson, and most recently, Alyssa Cole. Her Loyal League series is amazing.
How long have you been writing?
I've been writing since I was a kid. I've always loved storytelling for fun, but only in the past five years or so have I started taking it seriously.
What kind of research do you do before you begin writing a book?
I don't do much research beforehand. I'm a pantser, so I usually love to dive into the story as soon as possible. I do research here and there as I write. Any major research I make notes of and sort of during the editing stage.
Do you see writing as a career?
In an ideal world, yes! I would love to one day become a full time author.
Do you read yourself and if so what is your favorite genre?
I'm definitely a big book lover. I try to switch it up and read different genres, but my favorite is probably historical romance.
Do you prefer to write in silence or with noise? Why?
I need music. The type of music depends on the story and scene I'm writing. For North Star Angel, I listened to a lot of 90's music--all different genres--with a little bit of early 00's mixed in. It really depends on the project what I'm listening to. Music helps me draw inspiration and adds to the mood/atmosphere when writing.
Do you write one book at a time or do you have several going at a time?
At one any given time I have multiple projects going, but usually in different phases. I'll have one book I'm writing, another I'm editing and a last book being promoted/published. It gives me a chance to hop between projects depending on the day, though it's also hectic at times too. :)
If you could have been the author of any book ever written, which book would you choose?
Probably The Great Gatsby.
Pen or type writer or computer?
Computer for sure!
Tell us about a favorite character from a book.
One character I absolutely loved was Elle Burns from An Extraordinary Union by Alyssa Cole. Elle stood out to me because she was so brilliantly written. she had her flaws like being impulsive and stubborn, but she was also strong, intelligent, compassionate and many other things. I just love complex female protagonists.
What makes a good story?
Great characters! Relatable, well written characters make or break the story.
What are they currently reading?
I'm currently reading a throwback--Nancy Drew Files book 3, Murder on Ice.
What is your writing process?
I tend to dive into my stories right away. I figure out the plot and characters as I go. It might sound terrifying to let the story/characters lead the way, but usually I find a groove by the end. For drafts two and three, I focus on tightening up the story and characters. Draft four is usually the copy edit. The last draft is the proofread.
What are common traps for aspiring writers?
Imposter syndrome for sure. I don't know a writer who has not experienced imposter syndrome at some point, myself included.
What is your writing Kryptonite?
Outlines! The quickest way for me to lose interest in a story is an overly detailed outline. There are so many stories I've started and stopped due to outlining.
Do you try more to be original or to deliver to readers what they want?
I do try to keep readers in the back of my mind, but ultimately, I try to follow where the story leads me. I write the story that most interests me.
If you could tell your younger writing self anything, what would it be?
Stop being afraid to put yourself out there! I wasted so many years thinking an author career was out of reach.
What's the most difficult thing about writing characters from the opposite sex?
Definitely expressing male emotion. Men typically express themselves differently. They usually process their feelings, particularly in terms of love and relationships, differently as well. I try to be as authentic as possible when writing from a male perspective.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
It depends on the project. Chasing Wild Horses took me 3 months. North Star Angel took me about 1 month. Sometimes the words just flow, but other times it can be like pulling teeth.
Do you believe in writer's block?
Writer's block is a thing, but I feel like everyone experiences it differently. For some writers, all they need is a daylong break. Maybe some time reading. Others struggle for days or weeks, even months. Overcoming writer's block is something you have to figure out for yourself. I've experienced a creative block that was solved by me changing my writing space. I've experienced a creative block that was not solved no matter how many writing exercises I tried. It really all depends because creativity in general is so fluid.
Mila Nicks is an emerging romance author on a mission to pen heartfelt love stories featuring women of color.
From the time she was a small girl with crayons and an overactive imagination, she's had a passion for storytelling. In addition to receiving her Bachelor's degree in Journalism, she is presently pursuing her MFA in Creative Writing. She has also served her country in the United States Air Force.
When she isn't penning uplifting love stories, you can find this imaginative writer traveling across the globe, sampling new cuisines, or spending quality time with her spunky pet Chihuahua, Zayden.
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