Let's say hello to Olivia Malo and her pup Benedict.

Hi Olivia! It's great to have you here. I've always loved your books and am excited to share with other readers a little more about your writing, your life, and your animal sidekick.

Let's dive in!

Why did you decide to write Romance?

I’ve always loved reading romance (and devouring romantic movies) and my first manuscripts just tended to go in that direction. I had to study the genre a lot at the beginning, because there was no real structure to my books - going from reader to writer was so hard.

How did the publishing of your first book change your process of writing?

I had a lot of trouble getting published. My first book was rejected everywhere and I couldn’t really work out where I was going wrong. A wonderful friend of mine, Courtney,

said ‘you’re writing in the wrong subgenre,’ and she was absolutely right. I looked at what my strengths were and focused on creating a whole new series of funny, sexy books which were then snapped up by my (then) publisher, Totally Entwined. Sexy and funny (and often downright silly) is definitely my brand.

Do you spend a lot of time researching your books?

I do spend time looking at the places where my books are set (using my travels, and my life in France and the UK as a base for that), but I wouldn’t say I spend an inordinate time on research. You won’t find me writing a historical romance any time soon!

What is your favorite thing about living in France?

So many things. The wine and cheese, obviously, but also the fact that you can drive a few hours in any direction and you come across an ocean or a snowy mountain, or fields of sunflowers. The pace of life here is great because the French will fight tooth and nail for your right to have a short work week, proper lunchtimes and a great education (I do sometimes wish that at least one or two shops were open on a Sunday, but I get it!). I don’t think I can imagine living anywhere else now.

Which pet is in your photo and how do they help or hinder your writing ?

I have included a photo of Ben (short for Benedict Cumberbatch). He’s officially my dog, and it’s probably fitting that he’s absolutely couldn’t be trained to do anything except sit. He’s the sweetest little guy and neither helps nor hinders my writing, except when I get too lost in my work and forget that I let him out! He’ll just sit on the doorstep quietly waiting to be let in and he’s so happy to see me when I do! Everybody needs a gentle Ben in their lives.

Have you ever included Ben in any of your books ?

I haven’t, but he‘s such a character, so I probably will one day. In Flaw, Cade has lots of dogs, which he calls his puppies, and in my latest release, Only One Drop, one of the characters has a golden retriever, but we don't see a lot of him. I'm realizing as I write this that I need more animals in my books!

Do you have a favorite book you've written and why or why not?

Flaw is right up there because it was such an emotional rollercoaster, but I also love the whimsy and silliness of Only One Drop. My cozy mysteries (under the Olivia Talmont pen

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name) are quite whimsical. It's such a pleasure to write a funny book (and to hear that it makes the readers laugh - not just me!). 

Why do people hate werewolves so much in Only One Drop ?

I thought it would be really fun to draw on the 'dog' side of werewolves and, having a dog of my own who has peed on the living room carpet, it seemed like the kind of thing a werewolf would do too. Incorporating it into every female character's experience of terrible men was just the icing on the cake. We've all dated a 'werewolf' at some point!

So you don't like werewolves?

No! I love them. I have a werewolf romance, The Werewolf and The Thief, with an arranged marriage and a kidnapping and a heist! It's a blast. The werewolves in that book are hot, hot, hot! (no peeing on the carpet, for sure!)

Olivia Malo also writes cozy mysteries under the pen name Olivia Talmont. All her books are full of humor, banter, and wonderful suspense. Her books under Olivia Malo also include excellent spice. I appreciate her stopping by so much!

Update On Hadley Grey

Right now I am creating the cover for a short Christmas short story, CHRISTMAS SURPRISE, set to be released mid November. For those of you that have read Give In To Love, you'll get to see the "goat Casanova" as a boy, since the story is set in the 1990's and shows us why he believes in finding 'the one' (because his mother and stepfather find just that). This will kick off a series of short stories that will be released highlighting side characters from the town of Oakworth, with cameos from the main characters of the Oakworth Love Series.

Also, I am working on edits to the new SAGES series. It's going to be a Sci Fi romance series about a team of warriors that were human but were "enhanced" and how each finds the one woman for them. It's full of dominant men, independent women, spice and suspense. (You may recognize snippets from the chapter titles in Give In To Love.)

Lastly, my books will now be in three book stores! The Inkbound Society in Gort, Ireland will have my books starting when they open on October 31st. Midnight Haven Books in West Virginia will be opening soon (TBA). But, as always, my entire series is available at The Bookery in Cleveland, TN as of right now!

That's everything that's happening in this neck of the woods. I hope you all are doing well, and thank you for stopping by!

Also, don't forget to connect with Olivia on her socials!

Instagram: @OliviaMalo.OliviaTalmont

TikTok: @oliviamalo.oliviatalmont

Facebook: Olivia Malo/Olivia Talmont Author