Zuri Day is the romance writing, alter-ego persona of author Lutishia Lovely. Hooked on romance since sneaking to read her older sister’s Harlequin collection, Lutishia wrote feature articles for a holistic magazine and penned several mainstream novels before entering this genre of her heart. Along with titillating the sensual senses, her “Zuri” persona loves to stimulate provocative thought on timely, relevant topics that will benefit her community of readers. When not writing, she enjoys the beauty of southern California, where she lives, along with vegetarian cuisine and international travel.
How did you start out your writing career?
My career was born through my alter-ego, Lutishia Lovely. Her editor asked if she could write romance novels. She said yes, and created my persona – a free-spirited, daydreamin’ sistah from the Caribbean who’s all about one love, mon!
What was your most difficult scene to write?
The storyline in my first novel, Lies Lovers Tell, was probably the most challenging. Everybody’s lying, and people aren’t who they say they are. I used a chart to keep it all straight!
Have you had a "Wow" moment since you have been an author? What made it a "Wow" moment for you?
Getting the deal to write romance. I grew up reading them, and to now write them is a dream come true!
What did you hope to accomplish with this book?
My first goal is always to entertain, to tell a page-turning, engaging story, and because it’s romance - to capture the love and passion between the hero and heroine. In Lessons From A Younger Lover, it was nice to write about Gwen, the “older” woman, having choices when it came to dating, and nice to portray Ransom, her twenty-six year old love interest, as a responsible, focused, single father who defies the stereotypes of men his age.
What’s playing on your CD while you’re writing?
Either classical music or low-key jazz.
If you had the opportunity to talk with three writers, who would you choose and why?
A hard question, LaShaunda! I admire so many writers. In the genre of romance, Beverly Jenkins’s historical romances are the best! That sistah makes me want to jump into a time before there was electricity and running water! I’d love to know her process and motivation. An afternoon with Nora Roberts would be lovely. Like her, I want most if not all of my books to become movies. And I would have loved to spend time with Barbara Cartland, the undeniable queen of modern romance. She wrote over 700 novels, sold a billion copies, and lived to almost 100 years old. I could have learned a thing or three from her! :)
What movie had the greatest impact on you as a kid? Why?
The Wizard Of Oz, and it’s still among my favorites. It inspired me to dream, and believe that if one really wanted what they wished for, it could happen.
If you could be on a Reality TV show, which one would it be and why?
Hands down, The Amazing Race! I love to travel, and to do so and win a million would be the ultimate adventure!
If you could visit any place in the world where would you travel to?
If I could pack my bags and leave tonight, it would be to the Cap Maison resort in St. Lucia.
What one thing about writing do you wish other non-writers would understand?
That it is harder than it looks.
What was the best advice you’d ever gotten about the publishing industry?
Follow the rules that work for you, break the ones that don’t.
The worst? To change my “voice”.
Can you give us one do and one don’t for those aspiring to be a writer?
Do: study your craft!
Don’t: assume that because you can tell a good story that you can write a great book. It’s harder than it looks!
What is something readers would be surprised you do?
Keep this alter-ego persona totally separate from her creator, Lutishia. Either Lutishia shows up or Zuri shows up. They can’t appear together, for obvious reasons!
Our theme for this month is Resources On The Net. What are your favorite resources on the net.
Google is my number one favorite. Search engines have literally put a world of information at our fingertips.
Can you give us a sneak peek of your next book?
What Love Tastes Like is the story of Tiffany Matthews, a recent culinary graduate, who receives a one-month internship to cook with a world-renowned Italian chef. While in Rome, she has a whirlwind romance with Nick Rollins, a debonair businessman. Things heat up when she returns to Los Angeles and – against her better judgment - takes a job in his five-star hotel. What happens next is simply delicious! It comes out in September.
How can readers get in contact with you? (mail, email, website)
I love to hear from readers and every email is answered. My website is: ZuriDay.com and email address is ZuriDay@ymail.com
Thanks for this opportunity to share and connect, LaShaunda. Much heart to the readers. One love!
Lessons From A Younger Lover
First grade teacher Gwen Smith was happily married—until her husband got himself a twenty-something mistress and filed for divorce. Now just months away from turning forty-one, Gwen is back in her tiny California hometown, caring for her ailing mother, convinced her life is over. Then she meets Ransom Blake.
Ransom is a twenty-six-year-old hunk who pushes every one of Gwen’s buttons. Gwen has no intention of getting involved with a younger man, but he won’t take no for an answer. When he shows up at her classroom unannounced, Gwen tells him off—and then realizes he’s come for his daughter. Ransom isn’t shy about letting Gwen know how she can make it up to him. And if he gets his way, Gwen will lose all her inhibitions—and her heart...
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