December 18, 2024 • 18 mins
In our latest podcast, hosts Simone, Tanya and Deb chat with the author of The Holiday Honeymoon Switch Julia McKay / Marissa Stapley. We ask her our burning questions and plus Marissa shares some big news with us!!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.
Mark as Played
Transcript
Episode Transcript
Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
Join us and unwine with a good book.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Welcome to relaxing Reads. Hi, it's debn Halifax, Hyatt, Simone
and Vancouver.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
Hey, it's Tanya and Edmonton. So excited.
Speaker 4 (00:12):
In today's episode, we chat with Marissa, whose pen name
is Julia McKay when it comes to the honeymoon holiday switch,
and at the end of the podcast, we do have
some exciting news to share with you about Marissa and
something she's been waiting on for a while. But before
we get into our chat, Deb, why don't you give
us a little synopsis about what the honeymoon holiday switch
(00:33):
is all about.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Sure? Well, our latest rereet is just in time for
the holidays. The holiday honeymoon switch from Julia McKay, or
as we know her, Marissa Stapley, trading places and vacations
might just be the Christ's miracle these two best friends need.
Holly Beach and Ivy Casey are bury the body besties.
When Holly's fiance jilts her, leaving her in shock and
(00:56):
with a non refundable honeymoon, Holly convinces Ivy to switch places.
Ivy will go on the Hawaiian honeymoon. Her best friend
can't bear to take a loan, while Holly escapes to
Ivy's rented Hudson Valley cabin to binge, watch holiday movies
and heel. Holly's walloween is interrupted when her rugged airbnb
(01:16):
host turns out to be her high school academic rival
who's had a major glow up, and Ivy's solo retreat
is upended when Holly's ex checks into the honeymoon suite
with a new woman enter the hot hotel bartender to
come to her rescue Against all odds, this Christmas might
prove to be the most magical yet.
Speaker 4 (01:36):
Ah, this book gives me all the feels. What a
perfect time to introduce Marisa.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Hello, how are you hello? And how are you good?
Lovely to have you, bri Hi.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
This is so lovely to be back.
Speaker 4 (01:48):
We all three just finished reading The Holiday Honeymoon Switch,
which we loved.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Oh, I'm so glad.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
All right, Well, Julia McKay has written The Holiday Honeymoon Switch.
But Julia, we know her as Marissa Stapfley and you
have hit it out of the park once again.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
You're so welcome. Bestie's switching vacations and falling in love.
What else could we really want.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Oh gosh, isn't this so true?
Speaker 2 (02:18):
I know it, And we absolutely love Holly and Ivy's
friendship and how supportive they are of each other. It's
it's a beautiful thing, and I think it makes you
appreciate those relationships many of us are lucky enough to have,
you know, the special kind of love that we have
for our girlfriends. And is that where it all started
when you had this storyline in mind.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Yeah. Absolutely. I mean I'm very, very lucky to have
some wonderful, supportive and nurturing female friendships in my life.
And and you know, I did dedicate the book to
my best friend Sophie, who you know, has really been
there for me I had. You know, I lost my
mom four years ago and that was really challenging. And
my mom was truly my best friend. So for her
(03:01):
to step into those big shoes, it's just meant a lot.
And I think as I was thinking about my next
romance novel, I kept thinking about the other kinds of
relationships that sustained me, and so I ended up kind
of I kind of call it like a romance, but
it's also a womance. Like you know, it's a story
of a love story between women. Their relationship is so
(03:22):
important and it's important to the workings of the story.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
A womance, there was always a romance.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
Did you coin that I love it? Yes, you should.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
You need to get some sweatshirts done up and we
can get cozy when we go to our next cabin
vacation and.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
Wear the exactly.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Whereas it's Tanya in Edmonton.
Speaker 5 (03:43):
Do you think that you know you you mentioned in
the book between Holly and Ivy that you know they
they never argue and they just they agree to disagree.
Do you think that's sort of the secret to, like,
you know, maintaining those lovely relationships.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
I mean, I see, so I think there are many secrets,
but I think you know, if you have a best friendship,
then you know that it's the person who they don't
have to be perfect. You may not agree with everything
they do, and maybe it's like agree to disagree but
also agree not to be judgmental. So you could come
to your best friend and say, you know what, I'm
(04:19):
just feeling that what you're doing is may be for
your highest good or I'm worried about you. But you
know that feeling of being judged by someone and that
sort of oh gosh, I've shared too much and now
now they're judging me. Like I think that the best
friendship offers that safe space where you can feel that way.
So and you should be able to disagree, you know,
you should be able to say, you know, I don't
(04:41):
think that I don't like your opinion or I don't
agree with you, but it's not going to be friendship
ending and it takes work, but you know it's very
much worth it.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
Yeah, that's all important, the non judgmental part. I think
we were having this conversation about some of our friendships
that have lasted, or if we've made instant connections like
Holly and Ivy in that safe space. Now, was there
a character that you connected a little more with or
you can see a little bit more of yourself?
Speaker 3 (05:07):
And when it comes to Holly or Ivy.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
I think probably Ivy because of the art, because she's
an artist, and I think I really connect with that
passion for art. But I also what I don't, what
isn't the same as me is is Ivy is really
afraid of really making a go of her art, whereas
I've always been the opposite, you know, kind of just
(05:31):
gone for it and worked up the nerve to just
keep keep applying myself to to my craft and have
made a living out of it. So she but I
do know a lot of people who are artists or
writers who are afraid the way she is. It's very common,
and you know, almost for a good reason, because it's
very difficult to make a living as any kind of artist.
(05:53):
So in some ways I think I understand her fear
that I've always been maybe some might say foolishly brave,
but it's worked out for me in the end.
Speaker 5 (06:02):
So yeah, I noticed that you wrote about, you know,
Ivy saying because she was she was challenged, you know,
by all of us saying well, why isn't your art enough?
You know, and Ivy kept saying, well, it's like now
I live in New York.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
City, I need a job.
Speaker 5 (06:16):
This you know, this is okay that the job I
have is stable, and then I can just go on
my little art honeymoons to give me that self the
thing that I need, you know. And I really love
that towards the end that she you know, did some
really magical things, right.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
Yeah, that was so special with Allie, And we also
talked a little bit about which vacation we would have chosen,
and it was like, you know, even which male character
we would we would have chosen in the film, and
we all said Hawaii would be great, but we really
love the whole aspect of Christmas, where there's a cabin
and there's snowfall at the perfect moments, and you have
this community and people like George and Missus Claws and
(06:54):
the community checking in on each other. Is there a
location that you would kind of choose over the other there,
or a place that you'd want to spend the holidays at.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
Well, it's funny, right because I'd love to go to
Hawaii and spend the holidays there, but also I don't
know if I could do it. I'm going away for
Christmas this year with my family, but we're going to
the French ELPs, like it's going to be snowy. I
think his Canadians there probably is something in US where
it's not really Christmas if it's not snowy. So we
can't fully, you know, bring ourselves to choose Hawaii. So
(07:26):
I think I'm with you. I love the snowy cabin.
I love just beautiful, snowy, peaceful winter settings at this
time of year and it always gets me in the
holiday spirit.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Yeah, I love it and we all really loved aiden.
Speaker 5 (07:40):
Yes, yeah, who can like help us light fires?
Speaker 1 (07:47):
Right? This is an electric pickup truck. He's great.
Speaker 6 (07:54):
Yes, yes, you know what, like there's there's truly a
sense of comfort when you I think for those who
aren't into rom comms, they're like, oh my gosh, you
know that Hallmark movie or that book, it's.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
You know how it's going to end. But when you
provide readers with these types of stories, it's like the
feel good magic is so really important to us. And
I think that, you know, some health experts would say that,
you know what, it is a really good thing for you.
Is that why you keep offering them to us?
Speaker 1 (08:29):
Yeah? I mean I think about it all the time
because you know, I do other writing as risus Staple,
and it's quite different and I and I'm always coming
up with holiday romance ideas, and even though I'm you know,
technically too busy, I really don't want to give them up.
And I think it is because exactly as you say,
it's you're always heading towards that guaranteed happy ending. And
(08:52):
I think you know, there are good Hallmark movies and
holiday movies, and there are ones that are just okay,
and I'm hoping I'm creating you know, more person the
higher level ones, and I just I love being able
to promise that happy ending and have an agreement with
my reader that we're going to you know, explore some
interesting topics and think about life but feel good at
(09:16):
the end. And I think there seems to be never
a you know, moment where we're not saying we need
that now more than ever, but I think we do
need that now more than ever. So I'm just I'm
really delighted to be able to make people happy every
holiday season.
Speaker 4 (09:29):
You need that warm too, Yeah, the warm, fuzzy feeling,
but you know, the hot, steamy scenes are welcome as well.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
I agree, although my father in law is like one
of my number one romance fans, so I really I
was like, Okay, I knew they were necessary, but I
just kind of like try to put it out of
my mind. I feel like anything that.
Speaker 3 (09:50):
Book is great, Like skip a few of the pages.
Speaker 5 (09:53):
Yeahd Rissa, I have to ask you, like, you know,
you did such an incredible job of like really making
us feel like we were you know, in that little town,
and especially Georgia's house.
Speaker 3 (10:10):
I was just like I could actually smell it in there.
It was absolutely amazing.
Speaker 5 (10:16):
And with Hawaii, is there really a thing where Santa
and missus Claus comes in on a on a boat
dolphins drawn by dolphins.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
Like, yeah, that's a real thing, I know, yeah, real.
I mean dolphins are so trainable too, right, and they're
so it's just like, yeah, that's just what they do.
And I know, and you know what, I haven't been
to Hawaii the holidays, so a lot of that. Actually,
one of my editors spends quite a bit of time
in Hawaii, so she helped me make sure that I
(10:48):
wasn't sort of being inaccurate. And I think it really
probably would be quite a wonderful place to spend the
holidays if we could let go of our you know,
addiction to the snowy setting Canadian setting, because yeah, that
that really does happen. I didn't make that up.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Well, why don't we next Christmas, get a bunch of
Canadian girls who read your book and we'll all meet
and have Christmas in Hawaii.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
Yeah, okay, shop.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Do Canada and the French Alps this year.
Speaker 3 (11:23):
Next year, it's Hawaii.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
Yeah, I'm in. I'm in Okay.
Speaker 4 (11:28):
Now, we were talking about obviously Aiden and Oliver, and
we liked that Aiden was hot and functional a little
bit like helping her with thinks she couldn't figure out.
Both characters obviously were great. Now in terms of like
you know, when you when you read these holiday rom coms,
you you picture them on the big screen and you know,
(11:49):
you kind of compared both Ivy and Holly would be
kind of similar to Rachel Bilson, and then you know,
Aidan's a little bit more like Henry cavill And you know,
was it Ryan Gosling for Oliver?
Speaker 1 (12:00):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (12:01):
So who would be the other female lead? Because I
was I was picking around, I was like, would it
be Laton Measter? Would it be Rachel McAdams, Like who
is in this film that we're watching?
Speaker 1 (12:10):
Oh yeah, maybe Rachel mccadams. You know, I think that
would be I could see that, or I mean Layton
Measter has been in some holiday movie, right, So I wonder.
I'm so, you know, because I'm not that age and
I'm in my forties, I really struggle to find younger
I need to become more familiar with who are the
twenty seven year olds, because obviously any of these characters
(12:32):
I've mentioned people are too old to play twose characters,
but that's who it is in my head. So and
I find it's good to have a muse or someone
I can picture as I'm working.
Speaker 3 (12:43):
On the age.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
I actually there were moments where I'm early fifties now,
and I actually forgot that these women were in their
twenties and not in my age bracket. So I think,
you know, there were a few moments and maybe it's
just me always playing back the years that have gone by,
but I thought it was Yeah, it was kind of neat.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
Yeah, I mean, I think they're definitely mature and the
kind of you know, I have some friends who are
in their late twenties, author friends, and they surprise me
with their maturity and wisdom, and so I think these
characters do too. But they certainly do come from the
mind of myself, and and I am a little more
mature myself.
Speaker 5 (13:25):
And you've got some great supporting characters as well. I mean,
we all love George and missus Claus, who is her
own character. I loved I loved Larry, and she said
something in the book where she said, you know, you
only get one life, and no one knows how long
it's going to be.
Speaker 3 (13:45):
You are in charge. Is that sort of.
Speaker 5 (13:48):
A theme that you like to work with to you know,
kind of let your readers know you can you are
in charge of your own life, and you can make
decisions to put you into into different, you know, different situations.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
I really do, because you know, I think romance novels
have certainly had a bit of a transformation, let's say,
over the past ten decades, where you know, it's not
necessarily a novel or unique to see these you know,
characters who are having you know, agency and the relationships
are more you know, feminist, and so I think that's great,
(14:22):
but it's so so important to me, like I really,
you know, because the thing about a romance novel is
you can still somehow take a character's agency away when
they end up in a relationship where maybe they have
to change their life or relocate or something like that happens.
And I think for me, you know, I want my
characters to be questing for love. I want them to
find it, but I want them to find themselves and
(14:43):
I want them to always know, you know, they are
as the captains of their own ships, because I don't
think you can have a healthy romantic relationship or even
you know, a sustainable friendship if you're not secure in
that you know that you're your own person. I mean, ultimately,
we're all we're alone with ourselves all the time, time
and regardless of how many supporting relationships we have, and
(15:04):
it's important to like ourselves and to make good choices
for ourselves.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
That's important.
Speaker 4 (15:09):
Yeah, now we've read one of your holiday books. I
feel like the last four years, every year was it.
Last year was three holidays and a wedding and with
and so we have on the list of the Lightning
Bottles as well to give give that a read.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
What else is next for you? Marisa?
Speaker 1 (15:26):
Like?
Speaker 4 (15:26):
What else are you working on right now?
Speaker 1 (15:28):
So? I'm working on a holiday romance for next year.
I'm Mary, Yes, I can't. We've got it's really I'm
so excited, but I don't think I can I can
say anything about it yet. I'm actually working on some
some TV developments for a few of my projects, and
there are I feel like all this stuff is I
can't say right now, but soon and yeah, there's some
(15:50):
very exciting announcements coming within the next few weeks as well,
and I am I'm thinking that my I've started sort
of outlining a sequel to the novel before the Lightning Bottles,
which was Lucky, So that is what I'm going to be. Yeah,
I'm kind of talking about that now. So yeah, that's
my plan. I'm very excited.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
Oh, this is very exciting for us. The reader is
something to look forward to in the new year.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
Well, yes, and I know, I'm sure when you've spoken
to me before, I'm always teasing the TV announcement and
it actually is literally happening next week, Like the announcement
will come out, so watch for that. I'm sure you'll
see it and it is actually going ahead and it's
very exciting. But like it's just like inches the way.
They just need to get through Thanksgiving and.
Speaker 3 (16:35):
Then we'll definitely teck that in. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
Yeah, it's exciting. Yeah, it's gonna it's happening, so yeah,
it's really exciting. So yeah, so well I'm happy to
talk about that in the future.
Speaker 4 (16:47):
Okay, this is Simone jumping in to tell you the
news because when we were on the call with Marissa,
she couldn't tell us, but soon after it was announced
that her novel Lucky, while Apple TV is creating a
new limited series and it is going to star seg
and Golden Globe Award winner Anya Taylor Joy. It is
also going to be executive produced by Reese Witherspoon because
(17:10):
Lucky was one of Reese's book club picks. How amazing.
Speaker 5 (17:15):
Ye, Well, this is definitely the novel that we needed
for this time of year, because I just said, it
was a lovely story to read, and I loved your
characters and the settings, and I just think that, you know,
you just need to grab a blanket and a coach
and just nestle right in and be ready for the holidays.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
I agree with you. I'm ready to move time to Hibernate.
I think we've earned.
Speaker 4 (17:37):
It right Hibernate and was someone who's wearing those red
reindeer trunks right?
Speaker 3 (17:47):
Get them? Thank you so much for your.
Speaker 4 (17:51):
Time today, Marissa, always lovely chatting with you.
Speaker 1 (17:53):
Thank you all the same to you. Happy holidays, Thanks,
Happy holidays, Happy holidays, Thank you, bye bye, and thank
you to you for listening to our latest Relaxing Reads episode.
Speaker 4 (18:05):
And we will be back with you in the new year.
Speaker 3 (18:08):
Happy holidays.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
Thank you for kicking back and relaxing with us. We
hope you'll join us again on relaxing Reads.
Join us and unwine with a good book.
Speaker 2 (00:03):
Welcome to relaxing Reads. Hi, it's debn Halifax, Hyatt, Simone
and Vancouver.
Speaker 3 (00:09):
Hey, it's Tanya and Edmonton. So excited.
Speaker 4 (00:12):
In today's episode, we chat with Marissa, whose pen name
is Julia McKay when it comes to the honeymoon holiday switch,
and at the end of the podcast, we do have
some exciting news to share with you about Marissa and
something she's been waiting on for a while. But before
we get into our chat, Deb, why don't you give
us a little synopsis about what the honeymoon holiday switch
(00:33):
is all about.
Speaker 2 (00:34):
Sure? Well, our latest rereet is just in time for
the holidays. The holiday honeymoon switch from Julia McKay, or
as we know her, Marissa Stapley, trading places and vacations
might just be the Christ's miracle these two best friends need.
Holly Beach and Ivy Casey are bury the body besties.
When Holly's fiance jilts her, leaving her in shock and
(00:56):
with a non refundable honeymoon, Holly convinces Ivy to switch places.
Ivy will go on the Hawaiian honeymoon. Her best friend
can't bear to take a loan, while Holly escapes to
Ivy's rented Hudson Valley cabin to binge, watch holiday movies
and heel. Holly's walloween is interrupted when her rugged airbnb
(01:16):
host turns out to be her high school academic rival
who's had a major glow up, and Ivy's solo retreat
is upended when Holly's ex checks into the honeymoon suite
with a new woman enter the hot hotel bartender to
come to her rescue Against all odds, this Christmas might
prove to be the most magical yet.
Speaker 4 (01:36):
Ah, this book gives me all the feels. What a
perfect time to introduce Marisa.
Speaker 3 (01:40):
Hello, how are you hello? And how are you good?
Lovely to have you, bri Hi.
Speaker 1 (01:46):
This is so lovely to be back.
Speaker 4 (01:48):
We all three just finished reading The Holiday Honeymoon Switch,
which we loved.
Speaker 1 (01:54):
Oh, I'm so glad.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
All right, Well, Julia McKay has written The Holiday Honeymoon Switch.
But Julia, we know her as Marissa Stapfley and you
have hit it out of the park once again.
Speaker 1 (02:09):
Thank you.
Speaker 2 (02:10):
You're so welcome. Bestie's switching vacations and falling in love.
What else could we really want.
Speaker 1 (02:15):
Oh gosh, isn't this so true?
Speaker 2 (02:18):
I know it, And we absolutely love Holly and Ivy's
friendship and how supportive they are of each other. It's
it's a beautiful thing, and I think it makes you
appreciate those relationships many of us are lucky enough to have,
you know, the special kind of love that we have
for our girlfriends. And is that where it all started
when you had this storyline in mind.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
Yeah. Absolutely. I mean I'm very, very lucky to have
some wonderful, supportive and nurturing female friendships in my life.
And and you know, I did dedicate the book to
my best friend Sophie, who you know, has really been
there for me I had. You know, I lost my
mom four years ago and that was really challenging. And
my mom was truly my best friend. So for her
(03:01):
to step into those big shoes, it's just meant a lot.
And I think as I was thinking about my next
romance novel, I kept thinking about the other kinds of
relationships that sustained me, and so I ended up kind
of I kind of call it like a romance, but
it's also a womance. Like you know, it's a story
of a love story between women. Their relationship is so
(03:22):
important and it's important to the workings of the story.
Speaker 2 (03:26):
A womance, there was always a romance.
Speaker 3 (03:28):
Did you coin that I love it? Yes, you should.
Speaker 4 (03:32):
You need to get some sweatshirts done up and we
can get cozy when we go to our next cabin
vacation and.
Speaker 1 (03:37):
Wear the exactly.
Speaker 3 (03:40):
Whereas it's Tanya in Edmonton.
Speaker 5 (03:43):
Do you think that you know you you mentioned in
the book between Holly and Ivy that you know they
they never argue and they just they agree to disagree.
Do you think that's sort of the secret to, like,
you know, maintaining those lovely relationships.
Speaker 1 (03:59):
I mean, I see, so I think there are many secrets,
but I think you know, if you have a best friendship,
then you know that it's the person who they don't
have to be perfect. You may not agree with everything
they do, and maybe it's like agree to disagree but
also agree not to be judgmental. So you could come
to your best friend and say, you know what, I'm
(04:19):
just feeling that what you're doing is may be for
your highest good or I'm worried about you. But you
know that feeling of being judged by someone and that
sort of oh gosh, I've shared too much and now
now they're judging me. Like I think that the best
friendship offers that safe space where you can feel that way.
So and you should be able to disagree, you know,
you should be able to say, you know, I don't
(04:41):
think that I don't like your opinion or I don't
agree with you, but it's not going to be friendship
ending and it takes work, but you know it's very
much worth it.
Speaker 4 (04:51):
Yeah, that's all important, the non judgmental part. I think
we were having this conversation about some of our friendships
that have lasted, or if we've made instant connections like
Holly and Ivy in that safe space. Now, was there
a character that you connected a little more with or
you can see a little bit more of yourself?
Speaker 3 (05:07):
And when it comes to Holly or Ivy.
Speaker 1 (05:10):
I think probably Ivy because of the art, because she's
an artist, and I think I really connect with that
passion for art. But I also what I don't, what
isn't the same as me is is Ivy is really
afraid of really making a go of her art, whereas
I've always been the opposite, you know, kind of just
(05:31):
gone for it and worked up the nerve to just
keep keep applying myself to to my craft and have
made a living out of it. So she but I
do know a lot of people who are artists or
writers who are afraid the way she is. It's very common,
and you know, almost for a good reason, because it's
very difficult to make a living as any kind of artist.
(05:53):
So in some ways I think I understand her fear
that I've always been maybe some might say foolishly brave,
but it's worked out for me in the end.
Speaker 5 (06:02):
So yeah, I noticed that you wrote about, you know,
Ivy saying because she was she was challenged, you know,
by all of us saying well, why isn't your art enough?
You know, and Ivy kept saying, well, it's like now
I live in New York.
Speaker 3 (06:13):
City, I need a job.
Speaker 5 (06:16):
This you know, this is okay that the job I
have is stable, and then I can just go on
my little art honeymoons to give me that self the
thing that I need, you know. And I really love
that towards the end that she you know, did some
really magical things, right.
Speaker 4 (06:32):
Yeah, that was so special with Allie, And we also
talked a little bit about which vacation we would have chosen,
and it was like, you know, even which male character
we would we would have chosen in the film, and
we all said Hawaii would be great, but we really
love the whole aspect of Christmas, where there's a cabin
and there's snowfall at the perfect moments, and you have
this community and people like George and Missus Claws and
(06:54):
the community checking in on each other. Is there a
location that you would kind of choose over the other there,
or a place that you'd want to spend the holidays at.
Speaker 1 (07:02):
Well, it's funny, right because I'd love to go to
Hawaii and spend the holidays there, but also I don't
know if I could do it. I'm going away for
Christmas this year with my family, but we're going to
the French ELPs, like it's going to be snowy. I
think his Canadians there probably is something in US where
it's not really Christmas if it's not snowy. So we
can't fully, you know, bring ourselves to choose Hawaii. So
(07:26):
I think I'm with you. I love the snowy cabin.
I love just beautiful, snowy, peaceful winter settings at this
time of year and it always gets me in the
holiday spirit.
Speaker 3 (07:37):
Yeah, I love it and we all really loved aiden.
Speaker 5 (07:40):
Yes, yeah, who can like help us light fires?
Speaker 1 (07:47):
Right? This is an electric pickup truck. He's great.
Speaker 6 (07:54):
Yes, yes, you know what, like there's there's truly a
sense of comfort when you I think for those who
aren't into rom comms, they're like, oh my gosh, you
know that Hallmark movie or that book, it's.
Speaker 2 (08:08):
You know how it's going to end. But when you
provide readers with these types of stories, it's like the
feel good magic is so really important to us. And
I think that, you know, some health experts would say that,
you know what, it is a really good thing for you.
Is that why you keep offering them to us?
Speaker 1 (08:29):
Yeah? I mean I think about it all the time
because you know, I do other writing as risus Staple,
and it's quite different and I and I'm always coming
up with holiday romance ideas, and even though I'm you know,
technically too busy, I really don't want to give them up.
And I think it is because exactly as you say,
it's you're always heading towards that guaranteed happy ending. And
(08:52):
I think you know, there are good Hallmark movies and
holiday movies, and there are ones that are just okay,
and I'm hoping I'm creating you know, more person the
higher level ones, and I just I love being able
to promise that happy ending and have an agreement with
my reader that we're going to you know, explore some
interesting topics and think about life but feel good at
(09:16):
the end. And I think there seems to be never
a you know, moment where we're not saying we need
that now more than ever, but I think we do
need that now more than ever. So I'm just I'm
really delighted to be able to make people happy every
holiday season.
Speaker 4 (09:29):
You need that warm too, Yeah, the warm, fuzzy feeling,
but you know, the hot, steamy scenes are welcome as well.
Speaker 1 (09:37):
I agree, although my father in law is like one
of my number one romance fans, so I really I
was like, Okay, I knew they were necessary, but I
just kind of like try to put it out of
my mind. I feel like anything that.
Speaker 3 (09:50):
Book is great, Like skip a few of the pages.
Speaker 5 (09:53):
Yeahd Rissa, I have to ask you, like, you know,
you did such an incredible job of like really making
us feel like we were you know, in that little town,
and especially Georgia's house.
Speaker 3 (10:10):
I was just like I could actually smell it in there.
It was absolutely amazing.
Speaker 5 (10:16):
And with Hawaii, is there really a thing where Santa
and missus Claus comes in on a on a boat
dolphins drawn by dolphins.
Speaker 1 (10:27):
Like, yeah, that's a real thing, I know, yeah, real.
I mean dolphins are so trainable too, right, and they're
so it's just like, yeah, that's just what they do.
And I know, and you know what, I haven't been
to Hawaii the holidays, so a lot of that. Actually,
one of my editors spends quite a bit of time
in Hawaii, so she helped me make sure that I
(10:48):
wasn't sort of being inaccurate. And I think it really
probably would be quite a wonderful place to spend the
holidays if we could let go of our you know,
addiction to the snowy setting Canadian setting, because yeah, that
that really does happen. I didn't make that up.
Speaker 2 (11:06):
Well, why don't we next Christmas, get a bunch of
Canadian girls who read your book and we'll all meet
and have Christmas in Hawaii.
Speaker 1 (11:13):
Yeah, okay, shop.
Speaker 2 (11:21):
Do Canada and the French Alps this year.
Speaker 3 (11:23):
Next year, it's Hawaii.
Speaker 1 (11:25):
Yeah, I'm in. I'm in Okay.
Speaker 4 (11:28):
Now, we were talking about obviously Aiden and Oliver, and
we liked that Aiden was hot and functional a little
bit like helping her with thinks she couldn't figure out.
Both characters obviously were great. Now in terms of like
you know, when you when you read these holiday rom coms,
you you picture them on the big screen and you know,
(11:49):
you kind of compared both Ivy and Holly would be
kind of similar to Rachel Bilson, and then you know,
Aidan's a little bit more like Henry cavill And you know,
was it Ryan Gosling for Oliver?
Speaker 1 (12:00):
Yeah?
Speaker 4 (12:01):
So who would be the other female lead? Because I
was I was picking around, I was like, would it
be Laton Measter? Would it be Rachel McAdams, Like who
is in this film that we're watching?
Speaker 1 (12:10):
Oh yeah, maybe Rachel mccadams. You know, I think that
would be I could see that, or I mean Layton
Measter has been in some holiday movie, right, So I wonder.
I'm so, you know, because I'm not that age and
I'm in my forties, I really struggle to find younger
I need to become more familiar with who are the
twenty seven year olds, because obviously any of these characters
(12:32):
I've mentioned people are too old to play twose characters,
but that's who it is in my head. So and
I find it's good to have a muse or someone
I can picture as I'm working.
Speaker 3 (12:43):
On the age.
Speaker 2 (12:44):
I actually there were moments where I'm early fifties now,
and I actually forgot that these women were in their
twenties and not in my age bracket. So I think,
you know, there were a few moments and maybe it's
just me always playing back the years that have gone by,
but I thought it was Yeah, it was kind of neat.
Speaker 1 (13:04):
Yeah, I mean, I think they're definitely mature and the
kind of you know, I have some friends who are
in their late twenties, author friends, and they surprise me
with their maturity and wisdom, and so I think these
characters do too. But they certainly do come from the
mind of myself, and and I am a little more
mature myself.
Speaker 5 (13:25):
And you've got some great supporting characters as well. I mean,
we all love George and missus Claus, who is her
own character. I loved I loved Larry, and she said
something in the book where she said, you know, you
only get one life, and no one knows how long
it's going to be.
Speaker 3 (13:45):
You are in charge. Is that sort of.
Speaker 5 (13:48):
A theme that you like to work with to you know,
kind of let your readers know you can you are
in charge of your own life, and you can make
decisions to put you into into different, you know, different situations.
Speaker 1 (14:01):
I really do, because you know, I think romance novels
have certainly had a bit of a transformation, let's say,
over the past ten decades, where you know, it's not
necessarily a novel or unique to see these you know,
characters who are having you know, agency and the relationships
are more you know, feminist, and so I think that's great,
(14:22):
but it's so so important to me, like I really,
you know, because the thing about a romance novel is
you can still somehow take a character's agency away when
they end up in a relationship where maybe they have
to change their life or relocate or something like that happens.
And I think for me, you know, I want my
characters to be questing for love. I want them to
find it, but I want them to find themselves and
(14:43):
I want them to always know, you know, they are
as the captains of their own ships, because I don't
think you can have a healthy romantic relationship or even
you know, a sustainable friendship if you're not secure in
that you know that you're your own person. I mean, ultimately,
we're all we're alone with ourselves all the time, time
and regardless of how many supporting relationships we have, and
(15:04):
it's important to like ourselves and to make good choices
for ourselves.
Speaker 3 (15:07):
That's important.
Speaker 4 (15:09):
Yeah, now we've read one of your holiday books. I
feel like the last four years, every year was it.
Last year was three holidays and a wedding and with
and so we have on the list of the Lightning
Bottles as well to give give that a read.
Speaker 3 (15:23):
What else is next for you? Marisa?
Speaker 1 (15:26):
Like?
Speaker 4 (15:26):
What else are you working on right now?
Speaker 1 (15:28):
So? I'm working on a holiday romance for next year.
I'm Mary, Yes, I can't. We've got it's really I'm
so excited, but I don't think I can I can
say anything about it yet. I'm actually working on some
some TV developments for a few of my projects, and
there are I feel like all this stuff is I
can't say right now, but soon and yeah, there's some
(15:50):
very exciting announcements coming within the next few weeks as well,
and I am I'm thinking that my I've started sort
of outlining a sequel to the novel before the Lightning Bottles,
which was Lucky, So that is what I'm going to be. Yeah,
I'm kind of talking about that now. So yeah, that's
my plan. I'm very excited.
Speaker 2 (16:11):
Oh, this is very exciting for us. The reader is
something to look forward to in the new year.
Speaker 1 (16:16):
Well, yes, and I know, I'm sure when you've spoken
to me before, I'm always teasing the TV announcement and
it actually is literally happening next week, Like the announcement
will come out, so watch for that. I'm sure you'll
see it and it is actually going ahead and it's
very exciting. But like it's just like inches the way.
They just need to get through Thanksgiving and.
Speaker 3 (16:35):
Then we'll definitely teck that in. Yeah.
Speaker 1 (16:38):
Yeah, it's exciting. Yeah, it's gonna it's happening, so yeah,
it's really exciting. So yeah, so well I'm happy to
talk about that in the future.
Speaker 4 (16:47):
Okay, this is Simone jumping in to tell you the
news because when we were on the call with Marissa,
she couldn't tell us, but soon after it was announced
that her novel Lucky, while Apple TV is creating a
new limited series and it is going to star seg
and Golden Globe Award winner Anya Taylor Joy. It is
also going to be executive produced by Reese Witherspoon because
(17:10):
Lucky was one of Reese's book club picks. How amazing.
Speaker 5 (17:15):
Ye, Well, this is definitely the novel that we needed
for this time of year, because I just said, it
was a lovely story to read, and I loved your
characters and the settings, and I just think that, you know,
you just need to grab a blanket and a coach
and just nestle right in and be ready for the holidays.
Speaker 1 (17:33):
I agree with you. I'm ready to move time to Hibernate.
I think we've earned.
Speaker 4 (17:37):
It right Hibernate and was someone who's wearing those red
reindeer trunks right?
Speaker 3 (17:47):
Get them? Thank you so much for your.
Speaker 4 (17:51):
Time today, Marissa, always lovely chatting with you.
Speaker 1 (17:53):
Thank you all the same to you. Happy holidays, Thanks,
Happy holidays, Happy holidays, Thank you, bye bye, and thank
you to you for listening to our latest Relaxing Reads episode.
Speaker 4 (18:05):
And we will be back with you in the new year.
Speaker 3 (18:08):
Happy holidays.
Speaker 2 (18:10):
Thank you for kicking back and relaxing with us. We
hope you'll join us again on relaxing Reads.
Popular Podcasts
Dateline NBC
Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com
Stuff You Should Know
If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.
The Breakfast Club
The World's Most Dangerous Morning Show, The Breakfast Club, With DJ Envy, Jess Hilarious, And Charlamagne Tha God!