Author Spotlight: Melissa Roos
Author Melissa Roos book is a page-turning romance mystery that keeps readers on their toes
What is Cherry Hollow about?
For Cami Parker, Cherry Hollow represents . . .
Twins.
Tragedy.
An old stone house.
Her best friends and a high school crush.
But after being away for ten years, she wants a second chance at the life she was denied.
She returns with big dreams, determined to make them a reality.
Wanting to start a new business, rekindle old friendships, and find out the truth about the tragedy that haunts her.
But not everyone is happy to see her, and not everyone wants her to uncover the truth. Some things are better left buried in the past.
My Review:
Cami walks into another party her twin sister Charlotte throws with the hope of telling her high school crush her true feelings. But what starts as fun and games takes a twisted turn no one expected, Charlotte dies in the woods.
After an investigation and long conversations between her parents and the police department, Chalorette’s case is closed quickly and without answers to help their parents move on. It isn’t long before Cami’s family feels the loss of Charlotte and needs to surround themselves with new and better things in order to move on. So they force Cami to move to New York City.
But Cami can’t move on and has been trying for the last ten years to do so.
Feeling a pull back to her home in Cherry Hollow, Cami returns despite her parents’ arguments to begin a party planning business and connect with her old friends and life. However, Cami knows deep in her soul that something about her sister’s unsolved case isn’t right, and wants to find answers. When things begin happening around her childhood home in Cherry Hollow, it becomes clearer to Cami that she was right all along.
I loved this book so much and it was honestly difficult to put down. Author Melissa Roos creates a diverse cast of characters who allow you to empathize with each of them in some capacity.
The beginning of the book pulled me in immediately as you see the events unfold in the past, feeling the whiplash of the incident as the characters do. The story also does a good job of showing how not only the death of Charlotte but Cami’s family moving away affected everyone in the story and how it changed them all specifically. This is something I feel many books don’t do well, but this book excels in.
Throughout the book, I had my suspicions of how the story was going to go but questioned what I thought now and again as another wrench was thrown into the mix. And the ending itself totally caught me by surprise.
This book is perfect for mystery readers who are looking for small-town drama, mystery, and a dash of romance all mixed together.
I give this book a 5-star review.
An interview with author Melissa Roos
What inspired you to write Cherry Hollow?
There was a set of twins who were close friends of mine–sisters who shared an undeniable bond that fascinated me. Their connection was beyond the ordinary: sometimes, they spoke in unison, dressed alike, thought alike, looked alike, and even shared similar interests. It was as if they were in perfect sync, a silent communication that needed no words.
The idea came to me: what would happen if one twin was involved in a murder? Would the other twin know? Would she feel anything, see anything? Wouldn’t that be a great way to solve a case if one twin knew what had happened or they could communicate with each other even beyond death? That’s how the idea for Cherry Hollow came about.
2. What drew you to write in the mystery/ romance genre?
I love both genres. They both intrigue me. I love following the breadcrumbs of a mystery, trying to figure out who-done-it and thinking I’m one step ahead of the main character. Or in regards to romance — I love the first look, the little flirtatious banter, and mind-blowing first kiss. And if you put them together, you have mystery romance — the best of both worlds!
3. What advice would you give to aspiring or new authors?
My advice to new authors would be — write, anything, and everything — until you find the genre or niche that truly excites you. Don’t be intimidated by the blank page or the fear of making mistakes. Don’t be afraid to put pen to paper or fingertips on keyboards. Get your ideas down. Let it all spill out.
The most important thing is to start, to let your thoughts flow without holding back. Whether it’s a short story, a poem, a random journal entry, or even a half-formed idea, just get it down. Don’t worry about perfection in the beginning. The key is to allow yourself the freedom to explore different styles, voices, and topics. With time, you’ll discover what resonates most with you and what sparks your creativity. Writing is a journey, and it’s only by experimenting and pushing through the early drafts that you’ll uncover your true passion and voice as an author. So, let it all spill out — let your imagination run wild, and trust that the process will guide you to where you truly belong.
4. Can you tell readers about yourself?
I grew up in the Midwest, Iowa, to be exact. I love my home state, the vast fields, the endless horizon, and the people, and I am a die-hard Cyclone. I have always wanted to write, but I didn’t seriously start writing until 2018, and my first novel came out in 2020. I have four standalone books and am releasing number five — Tennessee Wishes this spring.
5. What does your writing process look like?
A hot mess! I’m a pantser (I fly by the seat of my pants!). I usually start with the title. That’s where I get my inspiration. Just a few words, I will write down the title and then as much information/inspiration/ideas as fast as I can…and so it begins!
6. What other projects do you have coming up for readers?
I hope to have a crossover coming soon and several mystery romance projects in the works.
7. Do you have anything else you want to share with readers?
I love to read. I love picking a book, looking at the cover, reading the back, opening it, diving right in, and getting lost in the pages, the characters, and the storyline. I love it when a plot sucks me right in, keeping me guessing or wanting to know what’s going to happen next. I laugh and cry while reading; yes, I have done both. I stayed up too late to finish it and was terrified to be alone while reading because the story drew me in so much. I hope that I can do that with and for my readers. At some point, I hope they feel and experience all these emotions.
8. Where can readers find you?
Please check out my website or message me through social media. I love to connect with readers or other writers!
Website: www.MelissaRoosAuthor.com | fiction romantic suspense books
Goodreads:Melissa Roos (Author of Cherry Hollow) | Goodreads
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AuthorMelissaRoos
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/melissaroosauthor/
Amazon:_Melissa Roos
9. What drew you to exploring each character at the depth that you did?
I loved it as a reader and felt it rounded out the story well.
I feel every character has a purpose in the story — whether it’s to be a big part of the story or simply deliver a pizza. So, I try to make each character be ‘seen.’ After all, real-life people come and go in and out of our lives regularly. Some have small parts, and some are big, but they are each significant in their way and help move our lives or the story along.