Isabel Jolie

Have you learned anything really cool or interesting while researching your books? What’s been the weirdest research you’ve ever had to do?

I’m currently researching the wine industry– and I discovered that there are certain kinds of wine that sell at auction for over $100,000 a bottle. And that in recent wine heists, the value of the bottles stolen averaged $6,000. A BOTTLE. Blows my mind anyone would drink something that expensive.

Tell us a little about your writing nook! Favorite tea/coffee/writing snack?

When Covid hit, my husband began working from home, and I moved out of our home office. There’s a narrow hall between our playroom and the media room (room over the garage), and I have a desk in this windowless cavern. But it’s good. I typically zone out and become completely unaware of my surroundings while writing anyway. This little hallway room ensures minimal interruptions and I often light a candle. Books are stacked along the wall, and I have colorful, flowered file folders in a corner. It’s often rather messy with post-its and index cards littered around, and my calendar and daily checklist are always at the ready.

Of all of your own characters, who would you most want to date?

This is actually kind of a tough question for me! I have a tender spot for Jackson, the first hero in my first book. But he’s also a lawyer and hyper work focused…and it’s boring corporate law. Mason, from my third book, is a veterinarian and he’s an all-around good guy. Like his flaw is he’s too good and too nice. Which maybe wouldn’t be good for me to date but I like the animal lover aspect. Gabe, in my upcoming release, comes off as a total ass but he’s really not a bad guy…and he adapts and evolves and he’s carefree and enjoys life to the fullest. So…yeah…that’s a circular loop of answer…but I suppose Gabe from Adrift would be my pick.

What project are you currently working on?

My current work in progress is currently titled Crushed. It takes place in Napa Valley, California and it’s a hidden identity romance.

What’s next for you?

Adrift releases June 8th, and the third and final in the Haven Island series, First Light, releases September 28th. Haven Island is a fictional island off the coast of North Carolina that’s heavily inspired by Bald Head Island. All of the characters in the series end up on the island at low points in their lives. The quiet lull of small-town beach life forces them to re-evaluate and take stock, and become open to options that otherwise might not have been.

Author Bio:

Isabel Jolie, aka Izzy, lives on a lake, loves dogs of all stripes, and if she’s not working, she can be found reading, often with a glass of wine in hand. In prior lives, Izzie worked in marketing and advertising, in a variety of industries, such as financial services, entertainment, and technology. In this life, she loves daydreaming and writing contemporary romances with strong heroines.

Tell us a little about your new release: Adrift!

Adrift is the story of a billionaire caught up in a scandal, who seeks out an OnlyFans celebrity for a little distraction. Inspired by a real life scandal, the story takes place in a post-Covid world (years after…when all has returned to normal). Poppy and Gabe are opposites. She’s a small-town girl with a high school diploma in hand, and he’s an Ivy league, brilliant NYC hedge fund manager. Neither of them expect him to take her seriously, but she’s independent, determined, and over time, forces him to see her as more than a one-dimensional amusement.

Where did your inspiration for the book come from?

Gabe’s scandal is inspired by a real life scandal that rocked all the gossip mags and is highlighted in Billion Dollar Whale by Tom Wright and Bradley Hope. Poppy’s story of OnlyFans is inspired by articles on the growth during the beginning of the pandemic and on blog posts from those building businesses on the OnlyFans channel.

Did you outline the story or dive right in?

I always outline my stories…but I tend to make changes as I go…especially to the ending.

How did your characters come to life?

Both Gabe and Poppy are friends of the characters in the first book in the series, Rogue Wave. So, when I started, the characters had already come to life. I’d already found my real life inspirations, and placed them on my character boards. I’d already heard their voices in my head…but all from their friends perspectives. It was fun to dive in and figure out what each of them were really all about.

What’s next for this story – is it part of a series? When does it come out?

Adrift is a part of a series. The third book in the series is First Light, and it features a friend who moves in a few houses down, and one of the cops on the island. Cali has been reclusive, and everyone has assumed she’s recovering from a heart-rending divorce. But there’s actually much more to her, and she’s been reclusive by design. First Light releases September 28.

Share an Excerpt:

As I followed her, I thought through my strategy. If I played my hand right, I could have her out of that dress very, very soon. I couldn’t wait to see her lingerie. I wondered, would I have seen it before? In a post? Or did she wear something new tonight? Just for me?

I planned to peel back her bra and suck on one of those delectable nipples, to squeeze what I felt quite certain were large natural breasts. She posted these tempting shots that spawned countless fantasies. Eager to play one out tonight, my cock strained against my pants.

I parked outside her cottage. As I followed her up to her door, I counted. Three more weeks until she’d be moving into my place, which would be so much more convenient. Then, when we had date nights, I wouldn’t even have to leave the house. She’d be downstairs—readily available for any kind of play.

“Are you starting to pack yet?” I asked.

“No…not yet.”

“Let me know if you need help. I can get you boxes. We could even hire movers to pack you.”

She stopped at her door and turned, placing a hand on my chest. Her touch set wheels in motion. I dipped low and pressed my lips to hers while I wrapped an arm around her waist. Her soft curves caressed me, welcomed me. My hand gripped the right globe of her ass and pulled her closer so I could rock my painfully hard erection against her.

Pressure against my chest intensified. With a shove, she broke the kiss. I searched her face, confused. Her palm pressed hard against me, the pressure both calming me down and holding me at bay.

“Thank you for dinner. I had a good time.”

Come again? “You’re welcome.” My arm remained wrapped around her, and I dipped once more to claim her mouth. To tempt her.

She ducked, opened the door, and closed the screen door in a nanosecond, leaving me alone on her porch. Cold air infiltrated my clothes where her body had warmed mine.

I pointed at her through the screen. “Does this mean you’re not inviting me in?”

“I had a great time. But I’m not the kind of girl who invites a guy in after the first date.”

“You have an OnlyFans account.” I didn’t mean to be condescending, but in a manner of speaking, the girl used sex for a living.

“And?” she asked, eyebrows raised up to her hairline.

“I’m sorry. Maybe I don’t understand. Are you more of a third date kind of girl?”

“Goodnight, Gabe.” The blonde curls swung as she closed the door in my face.

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