JeanBookNerd: Mi Amor

Photo Content from Alana Quintana Albertson

Alana Quintana Albertson has written thirty romance novels, rescued five-hundred death-row shelter dogs, and danced one thousand rumbas. She lives in sunny San Diego with her husband, two sons, and too many pets. Most days, she can be found writing her next heart book in a beachfront café while sipping an oat-milk Mexican mocha or gardening with her children in their backyard orchard and snacking on a juicy blood orange.

Tell us your most rewarding experience since being published.
Since being traditionally published, I have adored speaking at book festivals like San Diego Festival of the Books.

What advice would you give to someone who wanted to have a life in writing?
It’s a super brutal career. Never quit, believe in yourself, and keep writing.

Why is storytelling so important for all of us?
Reading fiction can invoke emotions and create empathy. You can learn about history from historical fiction and also relate to people who may not be like you.

Can you tell us when you started KISS ME, MI AMOR, how that came about?
I wanted to write a book based on my mom’s family—she’s the 9th of 10 (9 girls 1 boy). I wanted to show the contrast between a traditional Mexican-American family and a more progressive one.

What were your feelings when your first novel was accepted/when you first saw the cover of the finished product?
I was over the moon when I sold the first book Ramón and Julieta of this series. The cover for Kiss Me, Mi Amor was breathtaking. I love the colors and the fields and the strawberry blossom in his hair.

Writing Behind the Scenes
I spend months actively procrastinating—dreaming about the book, the characters, taking long walks thinking about them. Then I do extensive research on their careers and the locations. The names are usually inspired by the source material (in this case, Taming of the Shrew). When I actually write, I’m a binge writer. I draft very quickly—like a full horrible first draft in less than a week. Then I slowly and painfully edit the book.

What was your favorite subject when you were in school and why?

Math—I liked getting right answers.

What's your most missed memory?

Anything with my late father.

What is one unique thing are you afraid of?

I have an irrational fear of brain amoebas.

Name one thing you miss about being a kid.

Reading all night and doing ballet every day.

It turns out that a fake relationship is the perfect recipe for a love that sizzles hotter than Santa Barbara's spiciest salsa--when it's between enemies....

Enrique Montez, smooth-talking heir to the Taco King empire, is man enough to admit that he made a critical error when he underestimated Carolina Flores. The agricultural hotshot should have been an easy conquest--who would turn down the chance to partner with California's largest fast-food chain? But instead of signing her name on the dotted line, Carolina has Enrique eating out of the palm of her hand, and when fate steps in with an unexpected opportunity, Enrique is willing to do whatever it takes to capture her heart.

Growing up as the daughter of farmworkers, Carolina spent her youth picking strawberries in the fields of Santa Maria and vowing to improve the lives of people like her parents. Now, as one of only a few Latina farm owners, she has no time for romance and she's certainly not about to let the notorious Montez brother anywhere near her business--even if just being near Enrique makes her skin tingle.

But she is willing to let him help get her overinvolved family off her back. When Carolina's father and her lovelorn sisters mistake Enrique for her (nonexistent) boyfriend, she reluctantly agrees to a series of pretend dates to their town's traditional Mexican-American holiday celebrations. Soon the fake feelings turn real and both Carolina and Enrique must convince each other to take a chance on love before their vacation romance is over.

You can purchase Kiss Me, Mi Amor at the following Retailers: