Frolic-Exclusive Interview:
Keira Soleore: Welcome to Frolic, Alexis. How exciting that A Timeless Christmas has been made into a movie that is releasing on November 15. I have a few questions for you regarding this. How did you come to write this book for Hallmark Publishing?
Alexis Stanton: I was approached by Bryn Donovan from Hallmark Publishing to take an existing synopsis that was about three or four pages and develop it into a full-length novel. Because my other pen names (Eva Leigh and Zoë Archer) write historical romance, Bryn felt that the time-travel element would be a great fit for me, and I truly enjoyed writing about a 1903 “tech whiz” being transported to the modern era. What’s great about Charles is that he’s excited about the future and greets all the innovations with eagerness. It’s easy to have a negative view of technology, so to have a character who sees these changes through a positive lens was fun and refreshing.
Keira: When was your book optioned for a movie? And when did Hallmark sign up to do the movie?
Alexis: The book was optioned in June of 2019 and was finally greenlit for production in August 2020. Yes, it took over a year! It might have been a shorter process, but the pandemic happened, and I think that altered the whole process.
Keira: Did you always know that A Timeless Christmas would be made into a movie?
Alexis: There was always the possibility that it could be made into a film, but the development process can be very long, so honestly, I was starting to believe that it would remain a dream, especially in the long period time between it being okayed for development and final, the production. Given that I write historical romance, I never believed that any of my books would be made into films (due to budget constraints). So when I got the email in August, I was so excited! I wanted to visit the set, but due to Covid-19, everyone had to be safe, which meant a visit wasn’t possible. They had rigorous safety protocols for the set, including the cast quarantining for two weeks in Vancouver. But I stalked the production through social media.
Keira: Did you have any say in the script? Casting?
Alexis: By the time I heard about the production happening, the script had been written and the actors cast, so I didn’t have any say. But I honestly couldn’t be happier when I heard that Ryan Paevey and Erin Cahill were cast as Charles and Megan, respectively, with Ron Oliver directing. I couldn’t have asked for a greater team.
Keira: Have you seen it? Are you happy with the way it turned out?
Alexis: As of yet, I haven’t seen it, so I’m extremely excited to watch and see Charles and Megan’s story brought to life!
Keira: Do you plan on having a watch party for it on November 15 on social media?
Alexis: We’re definitely having a watch party, complete with a signature cocktail and using the hashtag #timelessxmas. Please join us!
Keira: So what book project is next for you?
Alexis: I have a new kisses-only holiday romance, Operation: Holiday Matchmakers, out on November 10 about two rival matchmakers who must reluctantly work together during the holiday season to save their small town.
Keira: Alexis, thank you for joining Frolic for a short interview.