
Hey, everyone! Once upon a time, I did character interviews on this blog. If you’ve been around long enough, I’m sure you remember them. If you’re new to the idea, each week I’d write a short story and then write a Q&A with the main character/s. This go around, I’ll be interviewing characters from either my, or my author friends, books. To kick this off, I have an interview with the leading lady of Love Derailed by CJ Ives Lopez.
Q. Hello Felina, thank you so much for taking some time to let my awesome readers get to know you a bit. In your story, you go through quite a lot. For goodness sake, you’re sixteen at the start and thirty-eight by the end! If you had to guess, what genre is your book?
A. I would say the book is women’s fiction. I will give you insight into my life and what I go through. I have an epic love, but that’s not everything. This is a journey through loving myself and never giving up on that love that I have for the journey of my life. I have to navigate a lot in my life, but no matter what, I don’t give up on me and that’s the core message I wanted to show everyone.
Q. Can you share one of your favorite memories from your life? (And why it’s your favorite.)
A. My favorite memory is how Magdalena showed me love even though she didn’t know me. Love comes in the most inconspicuous of places. When I lost her, I didn’t know if I would ever find that, but when I found Margaret, I showed her the same love that Magdalena showed me. It’s the love that all the women in my life shared across the years that is another core message that I share. Sticking together through hard times bonds us in a unique way.
Q. What is one lesson you’ve learned that you’d like to share with people?
A. Forgiveness is something that you give to yourself, not to another person. People change and you can’t hold hate or bad feelings for a lifetime. When someone is willing to change for you, allow them to. Regardless of if you let them back into your life or not, allow them to live their life in the freedom of forgiveness.
Q. Do you feel like a celebrity knowing CJ wrote a book about you?
A. I’m honored that she listened to me and stayed true to me as the character. CJ’s way of writing is different than most authors’ because she doesn’t write a lot of descriptions, but I’m collaborating with her on that because we are drafting more stories that intertwine with mine. I’m helping her understand the other women who I had the pleasure to hear their stories.
Q. Do you think your story will continue? Or will the rest of your life be kept from the public eye?
A. My story is just starting. I have the rest of my life to live and I’m doing it without abandon. I have bonds that need to be strengthened and I have stories to talk to CJ about so other women’s stories can be told that are connected to me. The Wrecked Love Series will tell of Love that isn’t what some call ordinary, which is why we called it “Wrecked Love”
Q. Where can people find your story?
A. www.cjiveslopez.com and of course on Amazon.

About CJ Ives Lopez: CJ spent twenty years touring the world thanks to the United States Air Force. During her time, she received two associate degrees, one in Logistics management and the other in business Management, a Bachelor’s degree in psychology, a Green Belt certification in process improvement, and her Special Education Certification.
Upon Retirement, she followed her dreams and became a published Author in 2018 and an Amazon Bestselling Author in 2022. She has published 20+ books under this pen name, and Auntie Nann combined.
In November 2020, CJ started The Authors Porch Podcast, blog, and magazine highlighting authors and their journey, which she continues today.
Wherever she is in the world, you can find a dog at her feet and a keyboard nearby.
Keep up with new releases by signing up for CJ’s newsletter at www.cjiveslopez.com
Read The Authors Porch Magazine or be on the podcast at www.theauthorsporch.com