RACHEL LACEY interviews the lead characters in her new novel, STARS COLLIDE

About WHEN STARS COLLIDE

From Rachel Lacey, award-winning author of Read Between the Lines, comes a sexy slow-burn romance about two dynamic divas who collide on the world’s biggest stage.

Eden Sands has been a star for twenty years, but it’s lonely at the top. Her mediocre marriage just ended, and her inner circle is smaller than ever. The stage is the only place she’s ever felt like she truly belonged, and yet, her last album flopped, and her upcoming tour hasn’t sold out. Eden’s desperate for her star to shine bright again, but when her team suggests a collaboration with an up-and-coming young star to give her a boost, she balks.

Anna Moss is pop music’s rising star. She’s idolized Eden Sands for most of her life—so it’s a dream come true when she’s invited to perform with her at the Grammys. Anna’s tired of being defined by her bubbly persona. She wants to be taken seriously as an artist, and a duet with Eden could be just what she needs.

As Anna and Eden rehearse, they soon realize they have more in common than their musical talents. Now they just have to decide if what is between them is a one-hit wonder or the making of a romance worthy of one of the greatest love songs of all time.

RACHEL LACEY interviews the lead characters in her new novel, STARS COLLIDE (Montlake Publishing; May 2, 2023)

I’m so excited to sit down today with two of pop music’s biggest stars – industry heavyweight Eden Sands and up and coming star Anna Moss. They’ve just announced a joint tour, and I was lucky enough to chat with the two divas before they hit the road to find out just what we can expect from the After Midnight tour and how their collaboration came about.

First of all, I have to know – how did you two meet, and were you familiar with each other’s music beforehand?

ANNA: You’re joking, right? I knew every lyric to every one of Eden’s songs, of course. She was my idol long before I was famous, and yes, there was a lot of fangirling when we met.

EDEN (laughing): Only a little bit of fangirling…

ANNA: There was so much internal fangirling happening! You have no idea.

EDEN: Truly, Anna was very professional when we met. I didn’t realize how much of a fan she was until much later.

ANNA: I was trying so hard to keep my inner fangirl under wraps! We met for the first time to rehearse our Grammy performance, which was basically an out of body experience for me, and now we’re going on tour together? I’m still pinching myself.

EDEN: It’s been a great partnership so far. Anna brings a lot of energy to the tour.

ANNA: I also bring lots of glitter and rainbows!

EDEN: There is that, too.

I have no doubt Anna’s bringing the glitter and rainbows, but Eden, I’m sure you have some surprises up your sleeve for the tour, as well?

EDEN: This tour will have more elaborate costumes and staging than anything I’ve done before. I can’t wait for people to see it.

ANNA: I’ve seen it, and she’s not kidding. Fans are going to lose their minds when they see Eden’s performance.

Any chance you’ll be recreating that iconic Grammy duet for the tour?

ANNA: Well…

EDEN (coy smile): You’ll have to wait and see.

I have my suspicions – and my tickets to opening night! Will either of you be leaving someone special at home when you hit the road? Any love interests in your lives right now?

ANNA: Just my cat, Villanelle, who may or may not even miss me. She’ll probably enjoy having the house to herself, to be honest.

EDEN: Well, I’ll miss Villanelle. Anna keeps telling me she’s vicious, but I think she gets a bad rap. Villanelle loves me.

ANNA: You say that now. She looks sweet, but she’ll attack when you least expect it.

Sounds like she’s appropriately named. Eden, you’re recently divorced. Any new love prospects on the horizon?

EDEN: Who has time to date? I’ve been too busy getting ready for the tour.

ANNA: She’s a bit of a perfectionist when it comes to her performances. She really has been putting in the hours at rehearsal.

EDEN: The only person I’ve even shared a meal with recently is Anna, so…

ANNA (giggles)

It seems like a real friendship has developed between you two, and your fans are loving it, too. They seem to think you would even make a cute couple. How do you feel about them using the #Edanna hashtag online?

ANNA (giggling intensifies)

EDEN: We’ve had a few laughs about it.

ANNA: Actually, it’s great. We’ve become good friends, like you said, and we’re glad our fans enjoy seeing us together.

Anna, you mentioned earlier that you’re bringing glitter and rainbows for the tour. You’ve become known for your very queer brand. Was that intentional?

ANNA: Yes, it was, although I was just being true to myself. I came out before I became famous, so my pansexuality has always been part of my brand, I guess. It’s just who I am, and I can’t imagine trying to hide it. I’ve had so many fans tell me that my music has helped them come to terms with their own sexuality or helped them come out to their parents, and honestly, that means more to me than I could ever say. I love my fans so much, and I can’t wait to meet more of them while I’m on the road this year!

That’s beautiful. Eden, your legend speaks for itself. You’ve inspired a whole generation of young people, including Anna, it seems. Is there something you’re most proud of?

EDEN: Nothing as important as what Anna’s doing, I’m afraid. I find it easiest to share my truth through my music – all those difficult, painful things that I don’t otherwise like to talk about tend to come through in my songs. I hope those words have helped others going through similar things. If my music helps even one person through a difficult time, that’s really what I’m here for at the end of the day.

Ladies, it’s been a pleasure to interview you both today. I’ll confess to being a big fan of both of your music, and I can’t wait to celebrate with you on opening night.

Stars Collide is out now! 

BUY HERE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Rachel Lacey is an award-winning contemporary romance author and semi-reformed travel junkie. She’s been climbed by a monkey on a mountain in Japan, gone scuba diving on the Great Barrier Reef, and camped out overnight in New York City for a chance to be an extra in a movie. These days, the majority of her adventures take place on the pages of the books she writes. She lives in the mountains of Vermont with her family and a variety of rescue pets, and she’s a passionate fangirl: she has attended hundreds of concerts, sitting anywhere from the last row to the front, and even backstage.  

Tags: featured, women writers

Category: Interviews, On Writing