Keira: There was a lot of (medical) information in Healing Luke; what was the most interesting thing you learned while writing and researching?
Beth: It was all fascinating to me, but I think the thing that stood out, overall, was simply the human body’s amazing capacity to heal itself, even from severe burns and amputations. I also already knew, but had reiterated, the importance of the mind-body connection. A person’s attitude and mental outlook make a big difference in how well they will recover from a tragic accident like Luke’s.
Keira: I really liked that Luke, Aaron, and Bart (even Abby) didn’t have what could be considered a standard contemporary romance job. What made you decide to give them the professions they had?
Beth: Well, choosing Abby’s job was easy, because it fit the plot of the book! As far as the Morgan men, I wanted them to have careers that reflected the Destin setting (the snorkeling tours) and, beyond that, something that reflected their personalities. Aaron the daredevil and mechanically-gifted one (construction on the high-rise hotels in the off-season), Luke the thinker and technically-gifted one (computer geek and website designer), and Bart the laid-back financially-gifted one (business owner and financial investments genius).
Keira: What do you think is the appeal of contemporary romance novels?
Beth: I know for me, much of the appeal is in the happy ending. I’m a real sap, a true romantic at heart, and I never tire of seeing love prevail, seeing a couple work beyond their trials to make love last. With so much bad news all around us in the media, contemporary romances provide hope and encouragement that Happily Ever Afters do still exist and can be achieved.
Keira: One of the most profound things I read was Brooke’s advice to Abby at the end of the novel on dealing Luke on his terms not in terms of experience with another man. Do you prescribe to this practice and how well do you think others could do the same?
Beth: I think it is human nature to cling to past hurts and have our guard up so that we don’t repeat the same mistakes. But along with that, we tend to let the mistakes of others color our judgments about new relationships. I, like Brooke, think it is unfair to hold the people in those new relationships accountable for someone else’s mistakes. Do I do this in my life? Hmm…I don’t know! I hope not. I don’t mean to, but sometimes, like Abby was, we do this without realizing it.
Keira: Both of the leads are affected by past relationships with other people that define their look on love. How do you define love and how would they?
Beth: Wow, tough question. Love is a lot of things. Love is unconditional, forgiving, enduring. Love is wanting to share all of life, the joys and the pains, the ups and the downs with that special someone. Luke called finding his soul mate in Abby “filling the void in his soul,” and I think Abby would call love the willingness to trust another with your true self, blemishes and all.
Keira: Will Aaron be getting his own novel? Will Brooke be in it?
Beth: I certainly hope Aaron will get his own book! He really stole my heart, and he tried to steal a lot of scenes, the scamp. Bart, too, for that matter. And, yes, I set it up that Brooke would return as Aaron’s love interest. But… Brooke IS married. I like Matt. He’s a good guy. So I’m still figuring out if, and how, Brooke might be available for Aaron. As of now, the book is still in my head in the mulling stage, but I definitely want to write that book! Stay tuned…
Keira: What is your favorite aspect of writing?
I have to say writing from home, in my pjs is pretty cool! But I also love giving life to the characters in my head. They really become like family or dear friends as I work. And you can never have too many friends, right? Even if they are imaginary? 
Keira: What was the first romance novel you ever read? Was it the one that got you hooked on reading them?
Beth: The VERY first? I’m not sure I remember… I do recall early in my writing career reading a mini-series within Silhouette Special Edition called “Sonny’s Girls” that I loved and which introduced me to category books. As far as single title romances, Heartbreaker
Keira: What is your secret guilty plot or character trope that you love beyond reason?
Beth: I love stories where the hero and heroine are trapped alone, fighting against nature. Or they are on the run from some danger. Or a safe hostage scenario. I love a dark tortured hero, too. (Like Luke!)
Keira: Is there anything else you’d like to share?
Beth: Just a big thank you for letting me share a bit about myself and HEALING LUKE! I love to hear from readers, so please, feel free to contact me through my website at www.bethcornelison.com.
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1 comment so far ↓
Thaks for sharing, Beth. I admit to staying away from contemporaries lately but may have to get back to them. I like that this isn’t a chick litty story, but a real (for me–I’ve NEVER experience anything the heroines in chick lit have) one.
Thanks.
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