Discover the inspirations and personal experiences that shape her award-winning novels
Nikki A Lamers discusses her personal inspirations, the impact of travel on her writing, and offers insights into her award-winning novels and upcoming projects.
Nikki A Lamers is a literary force to be reckoned with, captivating readers with her heartfelt narratives and richly developed characters. Growing up in Wisconsin and now residing on Long Island, New York, Nikki’s journey has been as dynamic as the stories she crafts. Her passion for writing is matched only by her love for family, friends, and the simple pleasures of life, such as coffee and chocolate. Nikki’s works, including the award-winning “Breaking Cycles” and the beloved “Unforgettable Series,” have garnered critical acclaim and a devoted readership. Her ability to weave personal experiences into her novels, as seen in “Dreams Lost and Found,” adds a layer of authenticity and emotional depth that resonates with readers. It is this unique blend of personal insight and storytelling prowess that prompted us to sit down with Nikki for an exclusive interview.
In our conversation, we delve into the inspirations behind her celebrated works, exploring how her personal journey and travels have shaped the settings and themes of her novels. Nikki shares her insights on the importance of authenticity in storytelling and offers a glimpse into her upcoming projects, which promise to take readers on new and exciting journeys. Join us as we uncover the stories behind the stories and celebrate the remarkable talent of Nikki A Lamers.
Your life experiences, particularly being adopted, have inspired Dreams Lost and Found and Finding Home. How did your personal journey influence the characters and themes in the Home Duet?
I’ve always known I was adopted and wondering about my background is something I never stopped questioning. In 2013, I sent in my paperwork to search for my birth parents and less than three months later, I received information on my birth mom. This story took me a little longer to write because of the emotions that go along with it, but this was a story I needed to write. Samantha’s story is not my own, but the questions and emotions she deals with as she searches for her birth parents are real. I used my own experience with being adopted and searching for my birth parents to tell Samantha’s story. The different ways being adopted could impact your relationships like it does not only with Samantha and Brady, but also with her friends is genuine.
In this story, I used a town I created in Wisconsin because that is where I was adopted and I know the laws there, keeping the story consistent with reality. The letters Samantha receives are inspired by conversations I had with my birth mom when we first met and all the what if questions I asked myself over the years. Samantha and this story have a lot of me.
Your Unforgettable Series is inspired by your annual trips to Maine. How does the setting of Maine shape the stories and characters in the series, and why is it such a special place for you?
Maine holds a special place in my heart for those unforgettable memories of family trips on the lake and vacations with friends. I spent so much time there with my husband, our kids and both friends and family enjoying the fresh air with a scent of pine, the calm of the water, exploring the coast, the small towns, and events in all seasons. The beauty, the picturesque areas, the activities all bring a touch of romance, giving me inspiration right from the beginning. The town I created was modeled after Damariscotta, Maine, using pieces of some of the surrounding areas.
Breaking Cycles explores themes of redemption and love between a bad boy and a good girl. What drew you to this dynamic, and how do you ensure that the story remains authentic and relatable to readers?
First of all, I do also have a degree in public health and incorporate various health and wellness issues in my books. I think it’s important to let people know they are not alone.
Breaking Cycles can be taken literally, but it is a mental health term. With everything going on today in the world, I believe it’s important to show you can work through it when things are tough. With Breaking Cycles, I wanted the opportunity to show a resilient female main character who has been through her own struggles only to come out stronger, while the male main character learns it’s okay to ask for help. We all have struggles, but asking for help is an asset and can be a superpower.
With the re-release of The Unforgettable Summer in 2022, including new content and a new cover, the novel won multiple Firebird Awards. What motivated you to revisit and update this book, and how do you feel about its renewed success? (And an Imaginarium Imadjinn award for Best Romance).
All my books are a representation of me and I want them to be the best they can be. For me, everything comes back to this book, as it was my first published novel. Not only do I want to share Bree and Christian’s story, but I believe it’s a relatable story of first love, loss, and second chances. When the cover designer created Unforgettable Mistakes, I knew the entire series needed an updated look. At that time, I went back and reread the story. Although I still loved the story, I believed this was the perfect opportunity to fix a few things and give it more to make it even better.
As a romance author who enjoys exploring different places for inspiration, how do your travels and experiences influence the settings and plotlines of your books?
Each series is set in a different location, all places I’m familiar with or gotten to know. Whether I’m exploring or just sitting and enjoying my coffee while I take everything in, and watch people, my head and heart start to create stories. Sometimes it’s the people, or the way something is done. Other times it’s the atmosphere, location or what may have happened. It could be simple or complex, but it is always something that inspires. Names, places, activities, jobs, dates, language and more are a few of the things impacted by the location of the story.
One of my favorite things about reading is being able to escape into a book. Being able to travel through the stories I share is a way I’m able to do that for others.
You’re currently working on new books in various directions. Can you share a sneak peek into what readers can expect next, and how these upcoming projects differ from your previous works?
I just released my first romantic suspense, Leave of My Duty, and I’m working on books in each of my series, along with a few in all new areas and themes such as rock star romance, sports romance, and billionaire romance. I’m participating in a romantasy anthology and co-authoring a paranormal romance with fantasy elements. No matter what directions my stories take, there are two things you can always depend on with my romance books; I will remain true to the characters and bring out their emotions of what is impacting them. My heart is in every single one of my stories and I’m always looking for the next one.
