Release Day Author Spotlight: Ginny B. Moore, author of The Countess and the Casanova
Take a minute to get to know Ginny before you check out her newest novel, The Countess and the Casanova, now available on Amazon. Happy release day, Ginny!
How long have you been a writer?
I have been writing since 2021. Teaching during the pandemic left me craving something that gave me joy and allowed me to escape reality, so I started reading romance novels. A story idea came to me, and I decided to put it to paper. I published my first novel in February of 2023!
What inspired you to write The Countess and the Casanova?
Henry first appeared as the best friend of the hero of Adding Up to Love, Alex. I loved Henry’s character and he stole every scene he was in, so he deserved his own story. I had already conceived of Ellie as a heroine, and I knew she would be the perfect match for Henry. I am often inspired by locations and travel, and my own visit to Italy in 2019 made me fall in love with art history and Italian culture. It made perfect sense for Henry and Ellie to fall in love in the beautiful city of Rome!
What appeals to you about writing historical romance novels?
I am a history nerd; I taught American history for several years and watch history documentaries for fun. Historical romance is even more escapist than contemporary; you're escaping to a world that no longer exists, and the author can establish their own rules (to a degree). Plus there is something about a long swishy skirt that makes me happy (as long as it has pockets)!
How do you find the time to write? What does your writing process look like?
Finding time to write is difficult with a full-time job and three kids. I make sure to outline so I know what I have to accomplish in each of my scenes, but a lot of The Countess and the Casanova was written on my phone from the sidelines of sports practices and waiting for music rehearsals to end. Fortunately, Henry and Ellie's story poured out of me. My next book has been coming much more slowly, so I'm giving myself until October to have it ready for the world.
Is any character in The Countess and the Casanova particularly near and dear to your heart?
A lot of Henry's character was inspired by my own history of anxiety and depression, and by my oldest child's difficulties with learning disabilities. I hid my struggles, and it made it difficult for me to love myself and to allow myself to be loved. By writing Henry, and showing how Ellie fell in love with him because of his vulnerabilities, not in spite of them, I released a bit of my pain into the world. I hope this story allows people who have struggled with their mental health to be seen on the pages of a romance novel.
Who is your favorite author right now?
Tessa Dare is my all-time favorite author. While I’m waiting for her newest release, I’ve enjoyed reading Lorraine Heath and Adriana Herrera.
What is your favorite book of all time?
My favorite (romance) book of all time is The Kiss Quotient by Helen Hoang. I had written an early draft of my first novel, Adding Up to Love, which features a neurodivergent heroine, before I read The Kiss Quotient. It was incredibly important to me to represent that type of character accurately on the page, and Helen did an incredible job of it. The Kiss Quotient gave me the confidence to keep working with Fern, and showed me that romance readers want to see characters like Fern and Stella in their books. Plus, it is ridiculously steamy!