Ask the Author: Shail Rajan
Answered Questions (15)
Shail Rajan
Hi! Thank you for asking this question! My answer is a resounding YES! Right now I have one more book planned for the series, but I could be persuaded to write more :)
Who are your favorite characters from The Summer Breeze Series? Who would you like to read more about?
Who are your favorite characters from The Summer Breeze Series? Who would you like to read more about?
Shail Rajan
Oof...This should be an easy question, but there's something about all three MCs that appeals to me.
Kacie because she's smart, independent, she’s been through a lot, and she's incredibly brave. And pretty in that easy, confident way that she doesn't realize the effect she has on men.
Sarah because she was such a huge step out of my comfort zone to write. She's also smart, independent, strong, driven, brave. Just not on the right side of the law.
And then there's Jett. What can I say? Who can resist a hot rockstar with a good heart and a secret soft spot? Not me.
Kacie because she's smart, independent, she’s been through a lot, and she's incredibly brave. And pretty in that easy, confident way that she doesn't realize the effect she has on men.
Sarah because she was such a huge step out of my comfort zone to write. She's also smart, independent, strong, driven, brave. Just not on the right side of the law.
And then there's Jett. What can I say? Who can resist a hot rockstar with a good heart and a secret soft spot? Not me.
Shail Rajan
Thank you so much for this question! I wish I could share my favorite scene, but doing so would spoil one of the biggest twists in the book. What I *can* say is that *The Recipient* was my first time weaving suspense into a story—and writing a character who’s deeply unlikeable. Surprisingly, the scenes involving her were the most enjoyable to write. Stepping into her mindset was both challenging and creatively satisfying—like trying on a pair of shoes you’d never wear in real life, just to see how far you could walk in them.
Shail Rajan
Thank you for this question! This is another tough one for me to answer - there are so many moments in The Summer Breeze Series when Callie surprises me (even though I'm the one who wrote her!). There's one scene about 2/3 of the way through book 4 in the series - The Summer Breeze Bookshops & Vineyards - that I really love. She's sitting alone in her office thinking about the impact her ideas will have on Seneca Springs and its residents. It's a quiet moment of reflection and thoughtfulness that I appreciate. There's something very special to me about how much she cares for her friends and neighbors.
Shail Rajan
Thank you for this question! Book 4 in the series - titled The Summer Breeze Bookshops & Vineyards - was just released for pre-order! For now, I have one more book planned for this series, but the characters like to take me to unexpected places so who knows! What's the longest series you've read?
Shail Rajan
This is such a great question! I can still remember the exact moment when a fully formed character – the one who would eventually become the MC in The Summer Breeze Series – popped into my head. I was sitting in my office in downtown San Diego, staring out the window, feeling a little bored and daydream-y. I wasn’t thinking about books or writing at all – but suddenly, Callie popped into my head. I knew what she looked like, how she spoke, and exactly what kind of personality she had.
It wasn’t the first time a character had popped into my head. But what was different this time was that I happened to be sitting in front of a laptop.
As I sat there daydreaming about her, I thought: Wouldn’t it be fun to give her a career? A family? A favorite meal? So purely for my own amusement, I started typing. And I kept going…until I had written 80,000 words.
Those words sat quietly on my laptop for years—seventeen, to be exact. And then I hit the publish button on my debut novel The Summer Breeze Bed & Breakfast.
I’m now getting ready to release Book 4 in The Summer Breeze Series, and I often find myself thinking about that moment that I first met Callie.
It wasn’t the first time a character had popped into my head. But what was different this time was that I happened to be sitting in front of a laptop.
As I sat there daydreaming about her, I thought: Wouldn’t it be fun to give her a career? A family? A favorite meal? So purely for my own amusement, I started typing. And I kept going…until I had written 80,000 words.
Those words sat quietly on my laptop for years—seventeen, to be exact. And then I hit the publish button on my debut novel The Summer Breeze Bed & Breakfast.
I’m now getting ready to release Book 4 in The Summer Breeze Series, and I often find myself thinking about that moment that I first met Callie.
Shail Rajan
Ooof! This is like asking me to pick my favorite child! Each of the characters in The Summer Breeze series has a special place in my heart—but I will say, I have an affinity for Lynette — her strength, honesty, and practicality really speak to me. It's not exactly a romantic notion, but she's the person I'd like in my corner, the one cheering me on in life. When I'm dealing with something in my personal life, I sometimes ask myself what Lynette's advice would be.
Shail Rajan
Thank you for the questions and YESSSS!!! I'm working on book 4 in The Summer Breeze series! I can't wait to share what happens next with all these characters who have become like friends to me! The manuscript is just over 40,000 words right now, and I'm hoping to have it ready for pre-order by April! After that, I'll start working on Book 5 which will be...gulp...the last book in the series. I'm going to have to keep the tissues close by when I'm writing that one! Thank you again for your support, and I'm so happy you're enjoying the series!
Shail Rajan
Thank you for your question! I'm currently working on Book 3 in The Summer Breeze series! Currently at just under 60,000 words and I've already laughed out loud and cried a few times :) I love visiting with these characters, and I'm so excited for you to meet the new ones! Stay tuned for updates and if you'd like early release notification, please visit my website and sign up for my newsletter! I'm grateful for your support!
Shail Rajan
Hi! Thank you for your reviews of Book 1 in The Summer Breeze series and my newest release The Recipient! I'm so glad you enjoyed both books! I'm happy to share that Book 2 in The Summer Breeze series will be available before the end of the year - I'm currently making the final round of edits and finalizing the cover art! I can't wait for you to read it! I loved revisiting all the incredible characters and the town of Seneca Springs :) Just wait until you see what I have in store for Callie, Nick, many of the favorites from Book 1, and lots of new guests and employees at The Summer Breeze! Be sure to visit my website to sign up for my newsletter for early release info!
Shail Rajan
I'm so excited about my next two projects! In addition to writing Book 2 in The Summer Breeze series, I'm also writing a romantic suspense novel!
Check out this short synopsis:
As the Mayor of Sycamore Ridge, Kacie is perfectly content with her life. Her town is thriving in the remote economy, her small business is wildly successful, and she’s going on plenty of dates.
Jett Vanders, a bona fide rock star, is on the final leg of a world tour with his chart-topping band. But fame and fortune stopped bringing him happiness a long time ago. He is exhausted. And he is scared.
Sarah Smith is a dual rarity in the computer hacking world: a woman and working on the right side of the law. She will do anything for the man she loves.
Their worlds collide in unexpected and dangerous ways.
Click here to add it to your TBR! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Check out this short synopsis:
As the Mayor of Sycamore Ridge, Kacie is perfectly content with her life. Her town is thriving in the remote economy, her small business is wildly successful, and she’s going on plenty of dates.
Jett Vanders, a bona fide rock star, is on the final leg of a world tour with his chart-topping band. But fame and fortune stopped bringing him happiness a long time ago. He is exhausted. And he is scared.
Sarah Smith is a dual rarity in the computer hacking world: a woman and working on the right side of the law. She will do anything for the man she loves.
Their worlds collide in unexpected and dangerous ways.
Click here to add it to your TBR! https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/5...
Shail Rajan
This is an easy...creating characters that my readers want to be friends with!
Shail Rajan
I tend to write early in the mornings when my family is sleeping, and if I'm writing during the day, I take lots of breaks. I find that forced pauses seem to fend off writer's block for me. During my breaks, I do everything from cooking and baking to reading, doing 1000 piece puzzles, coloring, going on walks, gardening, reading, and my all time favorite, a game of bukharo with my kids.
Shail Rajan
I tried to chose just one, but it's too difficult when a good book can be such an immersive experience. If I had to narrow it down, I'd chose the following:
1. Seneca Falls from The Summer Breeze - I'd love to live in the idyllic small town and weave myself into the lives of the characters who already feel like old friends to me.
2. Willstown from A Town Like Alice - I'd spend time out on Joe Harman's cattle station - sitting on porch and learning everything I can from Jean Paget about her unconquerable and entrepreneurial spirit.
3. Permberley from Pride and Prejudice and any other place written about by Jane Austen :)
1. Seneca Falls from The Summer Breeze - I'd love to live in the idyllic small town and weave myself into the lives of the characters who already feel like old friends to me.
2. Willstown from A Town Like Alice - I'd spend time out on Joe Harman's cattle station - sitting on porch and learning everything I can from Jean Paget about her unconquerable and entrepreneurial spirit.
3. Permberley from Pride and Prejudice and any other place written about by Jane Austen :)
Shail Rajan
I can do it in one sentence: My boys are making Rube Goldberg machines.
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