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Alana Quintana Albertson is the author of Ramón and Julieta, which is out Feb. 1.
Alana Quintana Albertson has written thirty romance novels, rescued five-hundred death-row shelter dogs, and danced one thousand rumbas. A graduate of Stanford (B.A.) and Harvard (M.Ed.), she lives with her husband in sunny San Diego with her two sons and too many pets. Most days, she can be found writing her next heart book in a beachfront café while sipping an oat-milk Mexican mocha or gardening with her children in their backyard orchard and snacking on a juicy blood orange.
Here’s the synopsis for Ramón and Julieta:
Ramón Montez always achieves his goals. Whether that means collecting Ivy League degrees or growing his father’s fast-food empire, nothing sets Ramón off course. So when the sexy señorita who kissed him on the Day of the Dead runs off into the night with his heart, he determines to do whatever it takes to find her again.
Celebrity chef Julieta Campos has sacrificed everything to save her sea-to-table taqueria from closing. To her horror, she discovers that her new landlord is none other than the magnetic mariachi she hooked up with on Dia de los Muertos. Even worse, it was his father who stole her mother’s taco recipe decades ago. Julieta has no choice but to work with Ramón, the man who destroyed her life’s work—and the one man who tempts and inspires her.
As San Diego’s outraged community protests against the Taco King takeover and the divide between their families grows, Ramón and Julieta struggle to balance the rising tensions. But Ramón knows that true love is priceless and despite all of his successes, this is the one battle he refuses to lose.
Get to know Alana as she talks favorite novels, writing for the romance genre, the idea behind retelling Romeo and Juliet in a contemporary setting and more!
What are some of your favorite novels?
American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser, The Dirty Girls Social Club by Alisa Valdes Rodriguez, Marjorie Morningstar by Herman Wouk.
When did you know you wanted to become an author?
I actually never wanted to be an author because I didn’t think I was a good enough writer. I was a competitive ballroom dancer and used to tell people stories about dancing and I was encouraged to write a book. Once I started, I never stopped, and it became my passion.
Where do you get your story ideas from?
Everywhere. My life, my family, my culture. I read magazines often I’ll read a story and think what if that had a different ending/setting/characters and everything stems from there.
What do you like best about writing for the romance genre?
I love romance and will always write it. I love love and believe in happy endings. But most importantly for me, I find romance to be empowering to women.
Tell us about Ramón and Julieta! What drew you to the idea of retelling Romeo and Juliet in a contemporary setting?
It started because I was reading about the origins of both Taco Bell and Rubio’s Fish Tacos. Both chains are successful, and I wondered about the authentic recipes that inspired the now Americanized versions of Mexican culture. I wanted to write a book about Latine joy and celebration of our culture. So I thought using the framework of Romeo and Juliet to put a fresh modern spin on this classic tale. Ramón and Julieta is a passionate foodie romance about two star-crossed lovers with rival families.
What are you currently reading and what’s on your TBR (to be read) list?
I’m constantly reading. I just finished Finlay Donovan Is Killing It by Elle Cosimano and I adored it and can’t wait for the sequel. Also just read a great ARC of Our Last Days of Barcelona by Chanel Cleeton. I love all her books. I’m excited to read Amy Lea’s Set on You.
Click here to order Ramón and Julieta on Amazon.
