Question and Answers

about AAB2U (Again and Again Back To You)

Something about my Journey

Since many of you have now read the book, I thought it could be fun to answer some questions about it. So, pull up a chair and I’ll answer questions that interviewers and readers have asked me recently.

Tell us about your book.

My book is a coming-of-age story about the impact first love can have and how everyone including Marta and Kevin grapple with regrets, wondering how their life might be different…if only…the story provides a fresh take on “the road not taken” containing an element of time travel grounded in reality.

Who did you write your book for?

Initially me. It was a 20-year labor of love that I just wanted to finish. But once I finished it and started taking all the necessary steps to polish it and make it ready for the world, I began to think bigger and thought that anyone who enjoys a life-affirming story with a splash of magic would like this book. That’s the big picture. On a more personal level, it has become a book for my mom. She is 92 and an avid reader. She never dreamed that one of her five children would write a book and now she is living vicariously through me and enjoying every minute.

My mom, son and I opening the box of Advanced Reader Copies in May

Is there a central message in the book?

I want readers to take away the message of how bravery and empowerment evolve over time and through your life experiences. For Marta, bravery means going after her dreams and not worrying about what others think. She struggles with this throughout the novel. She has an inner critic that sets her on a safe path instead of allowing her to take chances. Marta becomes adept at hiding her insecurities from the world, but the inner voice is always there. She eventually reaches an important juncture in her life where she discards all the trappings she has carefully constructed for her life and starts living on her terms. But it took a traumatic and important event before she was able to find her inner strength.

If you had to choose, what would you say is the single most important idea you’re sharing in your book that is really going to add value to the reader’s life?

Readers tend to take away what they need from any book and the value added can be quite unique. However, I hope readers take away an understanding that life is complex and comprised of many decisions both big and small. While your life will have many forks (or channels as I call them in the book) the real magic lies in living the life you are in and finding the magic therein.

If you were asked to compare this book with any book out there, we might already be familiar with, which book would it be and why?

I’d say Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller – an oldie but a goodie. This book explores the idea of finding your soulmate and how heart wrenching and beautiful that can be which is similar to AAB2U. The other book that is a more recent one is Five First Chances by Sarah Jost. This book includes a time loop that is similar to channeling in AAB2U. And has a similar ending where the main character finds the strength to discover who they are but in a poignant and unexpected way.

Are there any other authors that inspired you and why?

Full confession, I’m a Twihard (see All Things Twilight Newsletter #5). I love Stephanie Meyer’s Twilight series. But beyond her books, I connected with her story of what prompted her to write Twilight. She had a dream of a vampire boy and a human girl and started writing based on her dream. For me, I was on a plane when the ending of my story popped into my head. It was so compelling I wrote it down and when I got home and reread it, it brought me to tears. So, I set out to write the beginning and middle to do justice to the end (see my last newsletter for the full story).

Your story is about first love and its impact on people's lives. In your opinion, what makes first love so enduring and significant in shaping one's life?

You never forget your first love, do you? It’s when you realize the world is bigger and deeper, holding more mysteries than you ever imagined. Most first love is fleeting but what if, instead that love got frozen in time? That is when this story started to jell for me. I used the impact of first love to shape the characters as they grew and evolved. Showing the lasting impact as Marta and Kevin grapple with whether they are soulmates or if it is just a sweet memory of their long-ago love. Cholan, the channeler, believes they are truly soulmates, and channeling ultimately gives them the answers they seek.

If you have any additional burning questions for me that aren’t addressed above, feel free to ask them in the comment section.

Something about Something Else Altogether: Book clubs and Deals

I have my first book club event in Massachusetts tonight, December 4th. Big thanks to Michele for recommending my book and coordinating the gathering. I’m very excited to talk to readers and not have to be careful about any spoilers. I’m willing to do book clubs both virtual and in-person. Contact me at Andreaezerins@gmail.com if you want to chat about it.

For those of you who haven’t bought the book yet, your procrastination paid off. My eBook will be available for five days from 12/10 to 12/15 for $1.99 on Amazon, Kobo, and Barnes & Noble. Tell your friends and happy reading!

Event Update

12/7 12-4 Author Event at the Concentric Brewing Company, Portland, CT

12/14 12-4 Author, Chocolate and Wine Pairing Event at the Lost Acres Vineyard, No Granby, CT

12/21 10-2 Vendor Market at Ct Valley Brewing Company in South Windsor, CT