If you have followed me on Instagram long enough, then you know how much I adore Ava Hunter. She burst onto the scene in 2021 with her Nashville Stars series following country musicians and the loves they find and experience. Everything from the world of country music to the location of Nashville and the suspense elements drew me into Ava’s storytelling. Add in the fact that Ava is a genuinely great person and you have an author you want to read and be around as much as possible.
While she’s been writing for a while and in different genres, her romance novels are what have made the world fall in love. The first two books (and a novella!) in the series—Sing You Home, Love You Always and Find You Again—are some of my favourites from the past year and I am really looking forward to the third book in the series which releases tomorrow! Have you preordered your copy of Need You Now? And if you’re looking forward to more Ava, the fourth book in the series is also available for preorder right now—Bring You Back!
Ava’s stories already have an element of suspense, but she’s definitely interested in writing some horror and maybe throwing in some murder and mystery into her stories. If you haven’t picked up her books yet, here’s your reminder to do that ASAP!
What inspired you to write—was it another author or books you read as you grew up?
I read SE Hinton’s The Outsiders in seventh grade and I was immediately drawn to the characters. I wrote fanfic and re-read the book constantly. I wrote my own stories, always wanting to create characters as much as I adored those in the Outsiders.
Why did you choose romance as the genre to write in?
I’ve written in a myriad of genres. But the one thing I consistently had in all my books was romance. So I pretty much decided to go balls to the wall and try my hand at a romance book. I love the comfort, the happy endings, and the romance, but I also love incorporating gripping storylines and suspense, and going indie lets me do romance my way. Also, there are so many shitty men in the world, that writing strong men who support their women and love them fiercely truly makes me happy. It makes the real world a bit brighter.
What’s the best and worst part about being an indie author?
The best part is controlling everything—storyline, cover, release date, price, deadline, etc. The worst part is controlling everything. I’m so indecisive sometimes it takes me forever to decide on an idea and execute it.
Do you write full time or is this something you do on the side?
I do write full time! It’s been my goal for a long time and I’m lucky to have such a supportive husband.
Other than writing, what is something you enjoy and are really good at?
I love cooking and baking. My grandma owned a restaurant so I grew up learning the ropes of the kitchen.
If not romance/subgenres of romance, what genre would you like to write in?
Horror or suspense!
Can you briefly tell me about the books you’ve published so far?
My debut series is the Nashville Star series, which focuses on a group of country singers and the women they’d fight to the death for.
Of your books, who is your favourite character?
Gah! I’d have to say Luke. He’s just the kindest man who’d kill for Sal, plus that accent and his “darlin’s” always get me.
How much of yourself do you put into these characters?
Hmm, I guess I don’t consciously set out to put myself into the characters. But with Sal, she’s a coffee fiend, and so am I. With Alabama she fights against misogyny in the music industry, something I’m passionate about in any career. I think little tiny bits find their ways into the characters. Hopefully all the good parts!
When you write these stories, what are you hoping your readers will feel?
I’m really hoping they fall in love with the characters and the world I created.
What is a story/stories that you really want to tell?
I really want to tell a romance but with a lot of murder/suspense in the story. But still keep it a straight romance. I’m still noodling on that part.
What’s next on the bookshelf for you? Anything you can tell us about a future project?
I might have another Nashville Star novella coming out next year. Then a standalone. Then I have two series on the schedule. The first will be set in Montana and features characters from Bring You Back (book 4 in the Nashville Star series), so you’ll have to wait for October to see who.
What are your most and least favourite tropes?
Most fave: second chance romance.
Least fave: Billionaire or age gap—but only if the man knew the girl as a child. I am not a fan.
What is your favourite thing about the romance genre?
I love that you can take any plotline and make it kind and tender or sweet and spicy or dark and rough. I think women need to see that in any aspect of their life, love and a good man who stands beside them still exists. It’s about hope and fantasy and comfort. It’s about what we want.
THIS OR THAT
Ebooks or audiobooks
Historical romance or romantic suspense
Single or Dual POV
Standalones or series
Music or silence while writing (on the first draft!)
Plotter, pantser or plantser
Tea or coffee
Cold or warm weather
Morning person or night owl
Illustrated cover or photo cover
To stay updated on everything Ava Hunter, including her future books, follow her on Instagram, TikTok and Facebook. Visit her website for everything else and while you’re at it, pick up this free short story that gives you insight to the start of the Nashville Star series!