Dear reader,
It’s cute to meet you! Welcome to Love, Underlined, your new online community for romance readers. Each month we invite one of our romance authors to answer a romance-themed Q&A. This month, Angela Montoya, author of the irresistible romantasy A Cruel Thirst, shares her favorite romance tropes, her book crushes, and more! Read on for the inside scoop.
Love,
Underlined
What was the first romance novel you read?
The first romance I remember reading that truly rocked my world was The Circle Trilogy by Nora Roberts. It had magic and high stakes and all the swoony romance I could ask for. I was basically hooked for life after that.
What romance are you currently reading?
I just finished Midnights with You by Clare Osongco and I Wish You Would by Eva Des Lauriers. They are both contemporary YA novels full of angst and high emotional stakes. I literally couldn’t put either one down.
What are your favorite tropes?
I love forced proximity, fake dating, one bed/horse, enemies to lovers, best friends to lovers, academic rivals. This list could probably go on for miles. Basically, I just love all romance tropes.
Who’s your book crush?
Whit Hayes from What the River Knows by Isabel Ibañez. He’s snarky but sweet at his core. He’s basically my favorite sort of MMC (male main character).
What inspires your writing?
My inspiration comes from a deep desire to see Latine characters fall in love, or save the world, or become better people, or simply exist on the page. I started my writing journey after my daughter came home one day saying she wanted to be like Katniss from The Hunger Games. Her love of reading made me realize there weren’t too many YA fantasy books with Latina leads. I wanted to give her that. I’m also inspired by other books, shows, or movies that make me feel something. Any time my heart squeezes during an emotional scene I watch or when something I read makes me giggle, I immediately want to try to write something that will have that effect on readers.
What’s your favorite part of writing romance?
The readers. It’s so fun to fall in love with the characters we write. But when readers fall for them too, it’s the absolute best.
Share with us an out of context quote from your book!
“He didn’t think the greatest artist could paint a face as beautiful as hers. Even that little line between her brows was a work of wonder. Too bad her personality was that of a badger.”
Describe A Cruel Thirst in three emojis.
💃🔪🧛