As a young teen, I fell in love with Willie Nelson’s music and decided a career in music was for me. Mainly because I wanted to meet Willie Nelson, which I did when I was 28 and working in radio. 

Lee Adams – 19 June 2025

The Back Flap

Who knew a broken heel and bad fall would result in falling in love?

Though she has her dream job—finding new songs for singers in the booming country music industry—music executive Christine Matthews lives an unexciting life. That is, until a broken shoe sends her sprawling on the street right in front of Nashville singing sensation Austin Garrett’s tour bus, and Austin himself comes to her aid.

When Austin recognizes Christine as the woman who pitched him his recent number one hit, he invites her to be his date at the CMT Awards that night. Just like that, Christine is catapulted from a life of solitude to the spotlight, with Austin’s fans assuming she’s his new romantic interest. Suddenly, Christine’s the subject of much speculation—and criticism. Some jealous fans think she’s not pretty or thin enough, and they begin to cyber-bully and body shame her.

But that’s not the only reason Christine thinks accepting Austin’s invitation to join him on tour and help him find another big hit might be a bad idea. She’s also developing feelings for his tour manager, Matt. And one of her online bullies has turned threatening, bringing up trauma from Christine’s past. Is the turmoil worth it? Or is her only real solution to walk away from all of it—even the man who might just be the love of her life?

About the book

What is the book about?

Love On Tour focuses on a young woman, Christine Matthews, who works behind-the-scenes in the country music industry as a song plugger, finding hit songs for singers. She’s thrust into the limelight when new country singing star Austin Garrett, due to a mishap, offers her a seat next to him at an awards show. Her life takes a turn for fun when Austin wants her to be his main song plugger and invites her to concerts, events and to go on tour. Christine is having the time of her life, for the first time in her life, but as their friendship and working relationship grow, his fans take to social media to discredit her as not good enough for him. They bully and body shame her, and one stalks and threatens her. She rethinks her relationship with Austin, even though she finds herself attracted to his tour manager, Matt, and being with Austin means being with Matt. Along with her best friend, Julianna, she navigates her new way of life, making the best decisions for herself, her sanity and her safety.

When did you start writing the book?

I started writing Love on Tour in 2016. The call Nashville a ten-year town and I guess even a book about Nashville is almost a ten-year process. It’s gone through many edits, updates, and changes over the years to keep it current with the changes in the music industry.

How long did it take you to write it?

I wrote the first draft within a year, but the many edits and changes went on through the next 8 years as my agent and I worked to get it published. I learned a lot while editing and revising and making it the best version of the first draft.

Where did you get the idea from?

The idea for Love on Tour stems from my decades-long career in the country music radio and record industry. As a young teen, I fell in love with Willie Nelson’s music and decided a career in music was for me. Mainly because I wanted to meet Willie Nelson, which I did when I was 28 and working in radio. I love storytelling and country music is known for telling stories. I work behind-the-scenes as a record promoter and am in awe of the people who work tirelessly, spend many nights away from home, and never see the limelight or get the adoration that the performers do. I wanted to honor them. I also wanted to give special consideration to tour managers who can make or break a record promoter’s interaction with clients. Most of that interaction happens during concert tours, and a good tour manager is our lifeline to a great experience for radio partners, streaming partners, and all media partners. The ones who get what we do are invaluable.

Were there any parts of the book where you struggled?

In Love on Tour I struggled with how to handle Christine’s stalker. I wrote many different encounters before coming up with the final.

What came easily?

The character building came easiest as it was fun to write their storylines. Christine and Austin had a natural rapport, and it flowed. Matt, Julianna, and Phoebe complemented their storyline. I’ve been told many times, mainly when people passed on my past versions of the book, that my strength is in character dialogue and interaction. I have to work harder at scene and arc building, which doesn’t come as naturally. Luckily, I’ve worked with amazing editors.

Are your characters entirely fictitious or have you borrowed from real world people you know?

It’s a mix. I purposely made the singer, Austin, unlike any male act I’ve worked with so nobody would assume I was writing about one of them. The situations Austin gets into are fictitious. And Phoebe is unlike anyone I’ve encountered. She can be brutal, and I can’t say I’ve dealt with a personality like hers. For the other characters, I borrowed from some real-life experiences, mainly mine. But they’re a mix of multiple people. No character is completely built off one person.

We all know how important it is for writers to read. Are there any particular authors that have influenced how you write and, if so, how have they influenced you?

I’ve always been a voracious reader. As a young teen I discovered Harlequin Romance novels and eagerly awaited the next release. I’m sure that led to an interest in writing romance. I read everyone from Ken Follett to Emily Henry. I enjoy stories that make you think, which is why I’m a fan of Jodi Picoult. The author who most inspired me is Tracey Garvis-Graves, when she wrote On the Island. After being turned down for traditional publishing, she self-published and her book became a huge hit. I picked it up in an airport and loved the story, but also admired Tracey for not taking no for an answer when she knew she had written a great story. Every time I received a rejection letter, I thought of her, and determined to keep going.

Do you have a target reader? 

Love on Tour targets women 25+. It speaks to those of us who live outside the definition of “cool,” and have become comfortable with who we are while aiming to be successful and happy with ourselves. It’s also for anyone who loves music and wants to learn more about the music industry.

About Writing

Do you have a writing process? If so can you please describe it?

I wish I could say I have an extensive process with post it notes all over the house, but I can’t. I get an idea and start writing and I write until I’m finished. I didn’t study writing in college so I’m probably missing a few steps. I’m trying to get better about my process and have taken adult classes and tutorials, but I still tend to just write and write and write until I get to “the end.”

Do you outline? If so, do you do so extensively or just chapter headings and a couple of sentences?

I don’t. I have the basic storyline in my head, but I usually let the characters lead me in a direction that seems natural for them.

Do you edit as you go or wait until you’ve finished?

I don’t edit as I go which then leaves me with the overwhelming task of having to go back and refine the entire book. I’m not a trained writer. Maybe I should take a course in self-editing during the writing process.

Did you hire a professional editor?

I hired three professional editors before getting with She Writes who then further had an editor work with Love on Tour. Editors are inspirational and they amaze me with how they can see traits in your characters that you didn’t see. I’d never pitch a book without professional edits.

Do you listen to music while you write? If yes, what gets the fingers tapping?

I don’t listen to music while writing which probably seems odd since my book is about the music industry. I need quiet to keep my thoughts together.

About Publishing

Did you submit your work to Agents?

I did. I have a wonderful agent, Liz Kracht, with Kimberley Cameron and Associates. She’s stuck by me through the entire process.

What made you decide to go Indie, whether self-publishing or with an indie publisher? Was it a particular event or a gradual process? 

Love on Tour had some interest from smaller traditional publishing houses, but I kept coming back to She Writes. When I first started working at record label Broken Bow Records, it was owned by one man and was an indie record label. I loved the small “little engine that could” attitude of everyone involved. Over the years, we became very successful with dozens of #1 hits, awards, platinum albums, etc. I felt She Writes had the same style and was comfortable working with them. The key is major distribution, which they have through Simon & Schuster.

Did you get your book cover professionally done or did you do it yourself?

My publisher, She Writes, handles book covers so it was professionally created.

Do you have a marketing plan for the book or are you just winging it?

I hired a publicist and social media expert to help me with marketing. I work full-time and didn’t want to detract from my job, but also wanted to give Love on Tour every chance to succeed. They have both laid out a very specific marketing plan.

Any advice that you would like to give to other newbies considering becoming Indie authors? 

Since I’m still a newbie myself, I’m not sure I have a lot of advice. But if I did, it would be to follow their dreams and their heart. I don’t think you can go wrong with that. If you believe in what you’re doing, and are willing to work hard, there are many opportunities to get your book noticed.

About You

Where did you grow up?

I grew up outside of Baltimore, Maryland.

Where do you live now?

I live between southern Florida and the panhandle of West Virginia. I’m a water person and between the coast of Florida and the Potomac River in West Virginia, I get to enjoy water all year long.

What would you like readers to know about you?

I’d like readers of Love on Tour to know how much I appreciate them purchasing, reading and reviewing my book. It’s beyond my dreams that someone is taking the time to read what I wrote. I’d like to thank each one in person. As a reader, I know what it’s like to choose a book, buy it, and hope I’ll like it. I hope every reader of Love on Tour finds it enjoyable and makes them happy.

What are you working on now?

I’m editing a sequel to Love on Tour while also co-writing a time travel book with my mom and sister about my great-grandmother. Time travel is my sister’s genre more than mine, but the concept is fascinating and it’s fun to work outside my norm and to collaborate with them.

End of Interview:

Get your copy of Love on Tour from Amazon US.