Inheritance Books: Monique Devere

| Rhoda Baxter

This week on Inheritance Books, we’ve got Monique DeVere, who writes sweet and spicy fiction (which are a bit like those chili biscuits I had at Christmas, I imagine). Hi Monique. Grab a spot on the sofa. While I put the kettle on, why don’t you tell us a bit about yourself.

Monique DeVere

Thank you for inviting me on Inheritance Books to share the two books that had an impact on me growing up, Rhoda. I grew up on a plantation in Barbados and spent a lot of time exploring, looking for adventure, and getting up to a lot of mischief. Once I discovered books, I realised I could experience other people’s adventures and mischief, too. I moved to England with my mum and step-dad when I was fifteen, and by then I’d started penning my very own stories. At fifteen I wrote my first full-length novel called Love in a Mystery, about a diamond magnate who hires a female PI to find out who is smuggling his diamonds out of the country. By eighteen I changed my mind about becoming a doctor and started to pursue publication. I am married to an amazing guy and we have four kids. I’ve had stories read on radio, and I’m both traditionally and indie published. These days I write Sweet ‘n’ Spicy Romantic Comedy, and use my education in screenwriting to pen Christian Supernatural Suspense scripts.  

Which book have you inherited from a generation above? Why is it special?

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The book I inherited was If Tomorrow Comes by Sidney Sheldon from my mum who is an avid reader. It always amazed me how she worked so hard running her own consultancy business, and still always found time to devour books. Growing up with a mum who loved reading so much, it was hardly surprising that I inherited the same trait. Up until If Tomorrow Comes, I’d been reading teen romances, but it was only when I opened the Sidney Sheldon novel that something inside me clicked and I got a deep, deep desire to write my own novels. This is why If Tomorrow Comes means so much to me. It’s the book that started my dream to become an author. To this day, I still have that copy. It’s travelled with me from Barbados to the UK and from house to house. I don’t intend to ever part with my copy of If Tomorrow Comes.
Which book would you like to leave to future generations? Why? 

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The book I’d like to leave to future generations is Of Mice and Men. I haven’t got a paperback copy but I do have it on Kindle, so here is a photo of the cover on my Kindle App. I read the book in school, and I can’t tell you how much it impacted on me. The emotion, the loyalty to friendship, the hopes and dreams unfulfilled. It brings a lump to my throat just remembering this story, and Lennie’s sheer dumb innocence.

 It’s the ultimate, and original, Bro Love story. It’s about loyalty and friendship, and protecting your loved ones no matter what it takes. The kind of unconditional love I pray the generations to come remember is possible.  

Excellent choices! Thank you for sharing your favourite books with us, Monique. Good luck with your own book.

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Monique’s new book Party For Two is available to buy now. You can find out more about Monique by visiting her website, or catching up with her on Facebook,  Goodreads or Twitter (@MoniqueDeVere).

What are your inheritance books? Let us know in the comments.

24 thoughts on “Inheritance Books: Monique Devere”

  1. I love this segment! I wonder what Steinbeck would think about your labeling OF MICE AND MEN a bromance! Ha! Sounds like you’ve led a very interesting life, Monique. Although I’ve lived in three different states, I’ve always lived in the Midwest. Someday I’d like to visit your Barbados and England as well. ….and Italy, and Greece, and…. Thanks for sharing!

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  3. Wow…love this post! I adore Sidney Sheldon books. I used to devour them. My favorite of all time is Rage of Angels, I think. I thought it was so cool when I realized that he had also created and produced I Dream of Jeannie. What a talented man. Of Mice and Men, excellent choice. I get choked up just thinking about it. Thanks for sharing such an enjoyable, thought-provoking post. Party of Two is a wonderful read…congrats!

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    2. And Heart to Heart, Alicia. Did you know he was a screenwriter before he wrote novels? The Other Side of Me, his autobiography, is a fab read. I couldn’t put it down. Highly recommended.

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  4. Wonderful, thoughtful choices, Monique. I haven’t read either of those books in years, but now I’m definitely going to look for copies of both of them. So they’re on my TBR list, along of course with both of your books, Party for Two and Kiss Me Again.

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  6. Great selections, Monique! That’s so cool that you still have your copy of “If Tomorrow Comes.” I haven’t read it in years (decades, actually), but I might hunt down a copy. Same with “Of Mice and Men.” I read it in high school (required reading) and just remember crying. Best of luck with “Party for Two.” Sounds like a fantastic story.

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  7. Of Mice and Men is the most amazing book to teach in lit classes for secondary students. I always ask, “If every part of the protagonists’ plans works out–what are the chances they will actually achieve their dream?” It gets the students thinking–explains a lot of the flaws of a materialistic/capitalist society. Good luck with all your projects and thanks for a thoughtful post.

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