We are pleased as punch to welcome romance author, M. Harley, to Novels Alive to speak more about her writing process.
What drives your story forward in your books the most, the characters or the plot, or do you feel they are intertwined?
I think this has evolved over time for me. When I wrote my debut novel, The Story We Wrote, I started with a single line, one Boone says: “I am what you read in those books, darling.” From that moment, I built their entire story. In many ways, Boone was the catalyst who brought everything to life.
As I’ve grown as a writer and continued learning the craft, my process has become more layered. I’m still deeply character-driven and tend to let my characters lead, but with each book, I find myself weaving in more intentional plotting. The deeper I go, the more those two elements intertwine, but I believe there will always be a part of me that lives for the character!
If you had the power to make any of your books into a film, which would it be and why?
I love this question! I’ve actually been thinking about it a lot lately. Of the books I currently have out (or with upcoming release dates), I would love to see the entire
Faircloud series adapted for television or film. Those stories really center on adult growth and navigating the future, all layered with romance, and I think they would resonate deeply with audiences on screen.
There’s a character named Sandy who was inspired by my grandma. In the book, something happens to her that deeply impacts Penny, though in their story, things turn out okay. I pour so much of myself into my writing, and each book, in its own way, captures a piece of what I was going through at the time making them all a time capsule for me!
Was there somthing in your first edit that didn’t make it in the final copy that you sometimes wish you would have kept?
In my latest release, not really. With this story, everything seemed to fall into place in a way that felt natural, which I think comes from my character-driven approach. For me, the characters tend to lead so I listen, and they tell the story.
When I start with a heavily plotted outline, it often shifts as I get to know the characters more deeply. Scenes evolve, details change, and sometimes entire elements are removed to better reflect who they are. Ultimately, the story becomes stronger when I allow the characters to shape it organically.
What do you do to prepare your mind to write? To get into the mind of your characters.
Music! Country music is my go to genre while writing my current projects. And I’ve been lucky because all of my favorite artists have released new albums around the time when I’ve written. I also love to use Pinterest to help me visualize the vibes and energy of the characters.
One trick I also do is take a personality test as my characters so I can better understand their thoughts and motives.
What book as a child/adolescent most influenced you as a writer?
I wasn’t much of a reader growing up. I was always heavily influenced more so by music. The first project I ever wrote was actually a
Justin Bieber fan-fic on Wattpad. I went to see if I could find it not that long ago and I actually did! It had over a million reads which felt crazy to me. Little did 2013 me know she’d be a romance author 13 years later!
How much research went into your last book?
The last book I wrote, which is the second in a western duet releasing this fall, required quite a bit of research. It explores some darker, more mature storylines, including mafia ties and elements of mob life. Let’s just say my search history got… interesting. So far, though, no one’s come knocking on my door.
What’s one of the most important things you’d like your readers to know about you? What defines you most as an author?
I want readers to know that every story I write is rooted in intention and passion, that there’s care behind every word. As an author, and as a person really, my goal is to bring a little more joy and kindness into the world.
I often remind myself to be the light that can feel missing sometimes—whether that’s smiling at a stranger, complimenting someone, or simply wishing someone a good day. You never know what someone might be going through, and those small moments of kindness can truly make a difference.
Can you tell us what prompted you to write your latest release?
The Games We Play is a story about second chances, about learning to trust yourself again and believing that just because things didn’t go right in the past doesn’t mean they’re destined to repeat. There’s a deep level of vulnerability in Mac and Penny’s journey.
Interestingly, when I first envisioned their story, it wasn’t a second-chance romance at all. I think I had them as rivals. Penny is naturally full of sass, and at one point, she literally fills Mac’s car with pink glitter to get back at him. But as their story evolved, so did their emotional depth. After having her heart broken, Penny begins to lose trust in herself, which I think is something many people can relate to.
At its core, the story follows her journey back to trust, both in herself and in love, while exploring how closely vulnerability and intimacy are intertwined.
What’s next for you? What are you working on now?
My
Faircloud series will be coming to an end this July, with books three and four releasing just around the corner.
This fall, on October 13th, I’ll be releasing book one of my Stone Ranch duet, which was my very first true passion project. This story changed so much for me creatively. The characters and plot are very different from Faircloud, and I think readers will really fall in love with their grumpy dynamic. Eleanor has a way of pushing Colton’s buttons in all the right ways.
I’m also currently working on my newly announced release, The Love Ledger. It’s been challenging me in ways I haven’t experienced before, and I’ve been pouring so much into bringing these characters to life. Their story feels incredibly unique, and I’m so excited for readers to experience it.
Thanks for joining us today! We enjoyed your insightful answers! See below for M. Harley’s latest release!
Faircloud: Book 3
Publication Date: August 22, 2025
Penny Hudson found her family in the people she chose—new friends, found sisters, and one fiercely protective old lady who took her in when she needed it most. Life in Faircloud was never picture-perfect, but Penny survived it with laughter and her favorite music cranked up loud.
Mac Ridley grew up behind the bar at The Tequila Cowboy, always working, always watching. He’s built his life by keeping his head down, stacking tips, and staying far away from anything that could tie him to his father’s messy legacy. Emotions? Not in the game plan.
But when friends and circumstance throw Penny and Mac together, a secret six-month fling turns into something that feels dangerously like more until one mistake tears them apart.
Now, Mac wants a second chance. But Penny isn’t making it easy, and maybe that’s exactly what he needs. Because this time, charm won’t cut it. If he wants her back, he’ll have to prove it with effort, with honesty, and maybe even on his knees.
The man so used to being chased becomes the chaser in The Games We Play: a flirty, fiery, small-town romance about second chances and fighting for the love you almost lost.
M. Hartley is a hopeless romantic with a passion for crafting heartfelt stories about small-town charm and rugged fictional cowboys (with big hearts and big…) When she’s not writing, while drinking a glass of sweet red wine, she can be found doting on her beloved dog, Hank, or indulging in her absurd Swedish Fish addiction. Dedicated to making readers fall head over heels for romance, M. Hartley believes there’s nothing better than a love story that lingers long after the last page is turned.
