Today features the rom-com writing duo, Elysia and Mark Stevens to chat with me about Smelling Daisies.
During their virtual book tour, Elysia and Mark will be giving away a $15 Amazon or Barnes and Noble (winner’s choice) gift card to a lucky randomly drawn participant. To be entered for a chance to win, use the form below. To increase your chances of winning, feel free to visit their other tour stops and enter there, too!
Welcome! Please tell us a little bit about yourselves.
Hi, I am Elysia Stevens, and I am a big fan of rom-coms, which should not be a surprise after reading this story. Most would describe me as eccentric in my personality, which really stands out in my choice of attire. I love to wear fun socks, and every Friday I celebrate “Fabio Friday” by wearing a Fabio T-shirt for all to enjoy (luv ya, Fabio!). Thankfully, my husband, Mark Stevens, has a lot of patience because I can’t sit still for more than five minutes at a time and always have my head in the clouds. He has been my partner in life for over eighteen years, and there is nothing we can’t and don’t tackle together. My husband’s taste generally ranges from Stephen King to classic literature, but being the great guy he is, he not only read my rom-com novel but also co-authored it with me! Unfortunately, he still doesn’t understand the appeal of a good naughty scene in a book, but I won’t hold that against him.
Please tell us about your current release.
From the moment the main character Daisy Dufresne steps onto the page, readers are in for a wild ride. Think modern-day war novel… until suddenly—bam—you’re whisked away to 13th-century Scotland, where the chaos of the 21st century collides hilariously with medieval life. Daisy’s the kind of character you can’t help but love. She is sharp-witted, utterly relatable, and endlessly entertaining, especially when her inner monologue goes off the rails. But don’t be fooled by all the laughs—Daisy’s got depth too. Beneath her facetious undertones, there’s vulnerability, heartache, and emotions that will have readers reaching for the tissues. From the romantic rollercoaster of love and loss to a finale that will keep you on the edge of your seat, Smelling Daisies will leave you craving more.
What inspired you to write this book?
When I was at a book conference with my mom, I noticed that readers were frustrated with the outcome of a popular book series. That’s when I thought, Wouldn’t it be great to give readers the choice to decide the fate of the characters in a book, and that is the way that we wrote Smelling Daisies. At the end of the book, readers are directed to our website where they get to vote on the direction that Mark and I take on the next book in the series.
A lot of the story’s inspiration came from real events in Mark’s and my lives — both personal experiences and those of the people around us. As we wrote, it was fun to see how one scene would spark ideas for another as we bounced ideas off of each other. In the end, the book became a reflection of both of us: Mark’s humor and way with words, paired with my crazy imagination.
Excerpt from Smelling Daisies:
Getting permission to cry was just what I needed because I let it all out. The cry started as a bit of a whimper that eventually turned into a snotty, wet mess that covered the cloth over Alick’s chest. He acted like a real trooper because I used his tunic as a tissue at one point by blowing my nose and mopping up the tears under my eyes. After that, it only took me a few more seconds to get a hold of myself. I pulled away from Alick and used the palm of my hand to wipe my cheeks and eyes.
“You were right. I do feel a lot better. A few tears and a little snot, but I am back in business now,” I said.
“You mean a lot of snot?” Alick said cockily.
“That is enough out of you. Race you to the horses!” I said to change the subject.
As soon as the words left my lips, I took off like a rocket and sprinted toward the horses. Alick was hot on my tail but disappeared from behind me again.
How many routes are there to the stable?
Panting when I burst through the door, I was pissed to see Alick was waiting for me. He grabbed me, kissed me on the cheek, and tossed me on the large mare before finding himself a spot on his own horse. His movements were as smooth as a model’s butt crack after a Brazilian wax, and I was jealous.
One of these days, I will get this horse stuff figured out.
What exciting project are you working on next?
We’re currently working on the next installment of Daisy’s series, Picking Daisies. We’ve got some rough ideas down, but the direction of the story will really depend on how the readers vote. Voting will close on April 22, 2025, and we’ll use the results to shape the next chapter. We’re hoping everyone gets the chance to vote before then!
When did you first consider yourself a writer?
I think it had to be the first time that we held the book in our hands. Up until that point, it felt like we were just making a story, but once you see your name in print and can hold a physical copy of something that you put your heart and soul into, it really hits you.
Do you write full-time? If so, what’s your workday like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
I wish that we could write full-time, but we are not that lucky. I am a kinesiologist at a physiotherapy clinic, a coach for my daughter’s basketball team. Mark is still in the Canadian military which keeps him quite busy but when he isn’t working, he enjoys flying single engine airplanes and plays a mean game of golf (his words, not mine).
What would you say is your interesting writing quirk?
We are both suckers for sappy music! We often find ourselves jamming out to Roxette or Otis Redding when writing.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
Mark wanted to be a red fire truck lol. His teacher told him that he could be anything that he wanted to be, so he told her that he wanted to be a red fire truck. She asked if he meant a fireman, but he was firm on his firetruck decision – I am told that she wasn’t too impressed. Me on the other hand, I couldn’t stay focused long enough to pick just one thing. One minute I was going to be a model/actress and next minute I was going to be a criminal investigator like the show CSI.
Anything additional you want to share with the readers?
If you enjoy a rom-com with a strong female lead that doesn’t cross into erotica but still has just the right amount of spice to keep your imagination engaged, Smelling Daisies might be the perfect read for you.
And if you do enjoy the book, we’d really appreciate it if you could help spread the word by posting a review. It’s a small gesture, but it goes a long way in helping a small indie book like ours stand out among the many great novels being published every day.
Thanks so much for your support!
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Thank you for hosting Mark and Elysia today!
Great interview! This looks really good.
Sounds like a good read.
This looks like a great read.