10/22/15

Monique McDonell Day 2


Julie's Book Review Q& A Interview

We are having a give away going on for Any Way You Slice It. What item are you giving away? 
(Anyone can win the item by going to the rafflecopter on the right hand side of the pg.)

$20 Amazon Gift Card 

First why don't you tell us a little about yourself?

I’m an author from Sydney, Australia. When I’m not writing a run a boutique PR consultancy 
(boutique just means small of course). I love reading and cooking and I really like catching up 
with friends over a nice glass of wine or a coffee…my coffee obsession is notorious.

Newest release?

Any Way You Fight It is the third book in the Upper Crust Series. It follows the story of Cherie 
who fancies herself as a matchmaker, she was responsible for bringing the two couples together 
in the first two books in the series; Any Way You Slice It and Any Way You Dream It. Sadly for 
Cherie she can’t quite seem to find the right guy for herself and this book is about her quest to do 
so.  

What can we expect from your stories, action, drama, romance,sex, blood and guts?

I write romantic comedies so there’s no blood and guts. There’s romance and friendship and 
laughter. I try and write the sort of characters you wouldn’t mind spending an afternoon or two 
with.

Do you have a favorite character in your stories? Who? and Why?

That’s so tricky. I really like Cherie, she’s loyal and feisty and she looks like she has it all 
together but underneath she’s a bit of a marshmallow. I also really like Aaron her cousin who 
found love in Any Way You Slice It. He’s a great guy and he keeps an eye out for everyone. 



Give us an interesting fun fact or a few about your book or series:

This series came about because I read a novel about a marriage of convenience and it annoyed 
me that the marriage was really for the guy’s benefit and the woman seemed at a disadvantage, 
as is often the case. I wanted to write a fun book that flipped that around so they were equals. 
Then I enjoyed the characters so much that it turned into a series. There will be six books in the 
series in all.

Has there been any other authors who have inspired your work or helped you out with your 
stories?

I’ve been really lucky to meet some amazing authors on my journey and I do really feel like the 
writing community is one of the most generous ones out there. I’ve been in a writing group 
called The Writers’ Dozen for eleven years and I’m a member of the Romance Writers of 
Australia so I’ve received lots of support from both of those.
I’ve also had lots of support from a couple of Facebook groups full of authors who help with 
marketing, book covers and loads of practical advice.
I was lucky enough to meet Marie Force last year and she was really supportive and 
encouraging.  

What can readers who enjoy your book do to help make it successful?

As an author there’s nothing better than a nice review on Amazon. I think word of mouth is 
really important too. If you like the books tell a friend. I know lots of people who still choose 
books that way.   

Do you have any tips for readers or advice for other writers trying to get published?

Honestly the best advice for writers is to write. I run a Facebook group called #1000wordsaday 
because I think a bum on the seat attitude is important and having people to be accountable to 
helps me. The next advice is to learn to take constructive criticism but from the right people. Not 
everyone “gets” you and your style so it is important to find people who do. 

 Do you have a favorite author? If yes, what draws you to that person’s work?

I have a lot of favorite authors because I read across of genres. In the romantic comedy genre I’m 
really enjoying Kylie Gilmore and Erin Nicholas right now and I like Kate Perry as well. I like 
stories with layered characters but at the end of the day I want books that make me smile.

Can you remember one of the first things you wrote? What makes it memorable?

I wrote a lot of poetry as a child. The first thing I had published was a poem about a kookaburra. 
It was published in the children’s section of the Sun-Herald newspaper and I got $10. That as a 
lot of money in 1978.

Do you have any other interesting hobbies, pets or stories you would like to share?

Now I feel boring…I really like to entertain and throw big parties and have a houseful of people 
over, that’s great fun for me. I guess because I really do enjoy cooking (not when I have to but 
when I want to). 
I’m trying to talk my husband into taking ballroom dancing lessons at the moment, I think that 
would be fun.

Favorite places to travel or visit?

I just got back from two weeks in Hawaii with my family which was amazing. We snorkeled 
with dolphins, hiked volcanoes and rode horses along the beach. Truthfully I love to travel and I 
don’t really have a favorite place – I’m happy in a big city or on a secluded beach.


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