Lindsay Gibson's "Fly Away Summer"
Harpeth Road Publishing hit the bullseye when it signed Lindsay Gibson’s latest novel, Fly Away Summer, already making waves on social media AND the beach read for your summer vacation! If you like Hallmark movies and/or the New England coast, go check it out.
Rebecca: As I always ask authors first, what sparked the idea for Fly Away Summer.
Lindsay: Cape Cod is my absolute favorite place to vacation. As a native to New England, I spent my childhood summers there and now take my girls to experience the magic that Cape Cod summer entail. I knew when I wrote my first summer novel, that would be the place it would be! I also have a love for seagulls! Most think they are just pesky birds that annoy us at the beach, but I really enjoy watching them fly over the waves. Putting it all together, with one piece of Lana’s story—losing her family’s beloved inn for a second time—the idea of Fly Away Summer began!
Rebecca: It's set at the seaside in New England and made me feel like I was there in person; it reminded me of the time I visited Plum Island in Massachusetts. Did you visit several locations to help set the mood, or was one spot in particular inspirational?
Lindsay: I have been to every town on Cape Cod and I knew that I would set my story along the bay versus the ocean side of the Cape. It’s quieter and very serene!
Rebecca: Food also plays a huge role in Fly Away Summer. Often, romance novels feature a coffee shop or a bakery as a setting. A seafood restaurant was a nice twist on that. Incidentally, my cat latched onto your novel and wouldn't give it up--probably because of the yummy seafood in every chapter. Tell us more about how you found those seafood dishes.
Lindsay: A close friend of mine from college is now a wonderful seafood chef up in Rhode Island. She gave me ALL of the delicious dishes in Fly Away Summer…but she will not share her recipes! (Understandable!) She was my point of contact throughout the writing of this story for questions. I got to sample a lot of what she shared!
Rebecca: Have you planned any more novels set at the seashore?
Lindsay: Absolutely! My debut novel, The Christmas Promise was set in a seaside town in New Hampshire and my current summer 2025 release is set in the stunning Martha’s Vineyard.
Rebecca: On to your main characters, Lana and Hunter! I can see them as if they were in a movie. If Fly Away Summer were made into a movie, who would play the main roles?
Lindsay: Ryan Paevey- he’s known in Hallmark to play characters that come off a bit “snooty” which is how Hunter can be perceived! We all learn Hunter’s heart in the end though! Lindy Booth- I love how versatile she is as an actress, playing in so many different roles in her career. She’d make a perfect Lana because she can play “the girl next door cute” but with spunk—just like my fiery Lana!
Rebecca: You've described Lana and Hunter VERY realistically. What tips do you have for writers on making characters believable?
Lindsay: With a background in Psychology as my undergraduate degree and a master’s in Nutrition, with a focus in mental health…I have been able to utilize these studies into my characters. When I create my storylines, there is always a theme I work out. For Fly Away Summer it is grief. Lana loses so much…but amongst all that she has lost, she keeps going and learns how to move forward and grow. There is a lot of what I call, "psychology of the character" when I am writing scenes the highlight human emotions. My biggest tip for bringing those emotions to the page for writers when describing their characters and their stories…ask yourself: “how would this make you feel?” You always have to put yourself in your characters shoes and what emotions come up? What would you do in their situation? This is what makes it all come to life!
Rebecca: Thanks for the writing tip! I’m looking forward to more novels from you—especially those set at the seaside. Check it out, readers, and follow Lindsay Gibson on social media to stay updated for the latest from her.
Website: https://www.authorlindsaygibson.com/
Twitter (X): @lgibsonauthor