Fast Love
by Kerry Lockhart
Released: Aug 24, 2023
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Why this book and why now?
I developed/wrote Fast Love as a high concept/Hollywood screenplay (early 2000s). The plot was always in the back of my mind and so were the characters. They wouldn’t leave me alone! The story concept evolved over the years and some of the characters didn’t exist and some of the characters changed drastically. A couple of years ago, I committed to developing Fast Love into a novel.
What is a significant way your book has changed since either the first draft or the way you thought it would turn out when you first had the inspiration?
An unbelievable amount of changes have happened since the first draft. The biggest change was going from screenplay to a novel format. I was able to flush out little details and put them on the page, which you don’t get to do as a screenwriter. In the first draft, the climax was outrageous—you wouldn’t believe me if I told you.
Would you and your main character(s) get along?
I think I would get along with Julia, but she can be a lot. I would require a few breaks from her intense energy. As for Bobbi, I think we would get along. She’s levelheaded, confident, and she has this dry wit, which makes her fun to be around.
Do your character names have special significance or meaning?
I try to match up character’s names to their personalities. Light and youthful are associated with the name Julia, which I thought worked well for this character. Even though she’s the eldest sibling, there is this exuberance about her, which is how I will always think of Julia no matter her age. As for the surname, Shaw, I liked the Irish meaning, wolf. The Shaw family have a wolf qualities in their personalities. I knew a Bobbi when I was a kid. I always thought it would be a great name for a stock car driver. Bobbi uses a hyphenated name, Yoshida-Barnes, for her surname. Yoshida means lucky or good rice paddy and Barnes means warrior. Bobbi’s last name has a lot of significance for her, because she wanted to honor and pay tribute to her mom and part of her culture. As for the Barnes, Bobbi and Richard have a tough relationship, but she still recognizes that he’s her dad and that they’re family.
What TV show would your main character(s) most likely binge watch and why?
Bobbi would binge Special Ops: Lioness and Julia would binge Queen Charlotte: A Bridgerton Story. Of course, they’d end up bingeing together, because they enjoy challenging love stories.
What’s your main character(s)’s favorite book and why?
Julia’s is Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. Bobbi’s loves to read anything written by Julia and her favorite is Pirate Harriet, Thief of Hearts.
What 3 things would your main character want with them if they got stranded away from civilization, and why?
Bobbi would need Moonshine, her yoga mat, and a game console.
Julia would need all the books, sunscreen, and her laptop (to write).
One of your main characters is planning a romantic night. Tell us about it.
Julia would cook Bobbi a romantic dinner where inevitably something would go wrong. Naturally, Julia would blame the disaster on a broken oven. But it was all part of her plan! Now they get to make love on a blanket littered with flower petals and Julia gets dessert first—Bobbi and licking chocolate mousse off of her.
Publishing a book is a huge accomplishment and it’s time to party! Choose a celebratory beverage for one of your main characters to toast the release of your new book.
Julia would crave something sweet. I think she’d go for a Bushwacker. Kind of like a chocolate milkshake and piña colada smashed together. Bobbi, would stick to sparkling water and carry Julia to bed after one of these cocktails . . . not that Julia would mind. 😉
You will need a blender to mix all of the below (until smooth) and then garnish.
2 ounces (¼ cup) aged rum (or white or dark)
2 ounces Kahlua
2 ounces creme de cacao (white or dark; we used white)
2 ounces cream of coconut
2 ounces 2% milk
3 cups ice
For the garnish: Shaved chocolate or grated nutmeg, cocktail cherry (optional)
What song does your character put on to start your book launch party?
I Wonder by Caveboy. This song plays when Julia and Bobbi are on the balcony of Bobbi’s suite. I think this band will always be special for them, connecting them. The song is significant considering where they are in their lives and the decisions that lie ahead for them.
