Maria Jane is an award-winning author and Georgia native who has called Colorado’s Front Range home for almost 20 years. She began her writing career as a technical writer in the patent field and added fiction to her resume with her first published novel, penned under Tricia Copeland, in 2015. Tricia/Maria has released over 20 novels in young adult fantasy fiction, dystopian fiction, women’s fiction, and romance genres. Learn more at mariajaneromance.com or triciacopeland.com.

SunLit: Tell us this book’s backstory – what’s it about and what inspired you to write it? 

Maria Jane: “Perfect Office Pact” is the fourth book in the “Perfect” romance series that follows college friends in search of their happily-ever-afters. The series highlights a diverse group of characters as they spread their wings in search of fulfillment in their personal lives as well as careers. As a young adult, I had a narrow view of what succeeding looked like, so the aim of this series is to highlight that there are multiple ways to define success.

UNDERWRITTEN BY

Each week, The Colorado Sun and Colorado Humanities & Center For The Book feature an excerpt from a Colorado book and an interview with the author. Explore the SunLit archives at coloradosun.com/sunlit.

SunLit: Place the excerpt you selected in context. How does it fit into the book as a whole and why did you select it?

Jane: My excerpt begins with the first chapter of “Perfect Office Pact” as we’re introduced to the main characters, Mira, a Hispanic 20-something on the first day of a new job, and Declan, the quirky company owner.

SunLit: What influences and/or experiences informed the project before you sat down to write? 

Jane: My grandfather’s Hispanic heritage inspired the back story for Mira, a first generation college graduate who’s desperate to prove that she can be one of the best real estate agents in the city. Declan’s character was inspired by those who identify as on the autism spectrum and what personal interaction struggles they can face.

SunLit: What did the process of writing this book add to your knowledge and understanding of your craft and/or the subject matter?

Jane: This is my first romance written in a third-person close multiple point-of-view style. I really wanted to stretch my abilities and tell the story not only from a male as well as female viewpoint, but the outlook of a character who is neurodiverse.

SunLit: What were the biggest challenges you faced in writing this book?

“Perfect Office Pact”

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Jane: I heavily researched neurodiversity and variations of personalities of people on the autism spectrum. I utilized an editor and proofreader for sensitivity checks. In addition to Declan’s character challenges, I introduced a main character who makes a somewhat morally gray decision for their own gain. It was a tight rope walk to portray the character as someone who you wanted to root for but perhaps felt made a wrong choice.

SunLit: What do you want readers to take from this book? 

Jane: First, I want readers to be engrossed by the story and on the edge of their seats waiting for the first kiss and wondering will they or won’t they fall in love and live happily ever after. Second, I’d love for readers to embrace their own challenges and flaws, as these characters do, and learn to give themselves, as well as those around them, grace. 

SunLit: Tell us about your next project.

Jane: The next book in the “Perfect” romance series, “Perfect Secrets,” with tag line “All’s fair in love and war, said nobody that was ever in love or war,” releases June 2026. “Perfect Secrets” follows Elle and Tanner as they try to rebuild their lives after major losses.

A few more quick items

Currently on your nightstand for recreational reading: “Fairy Lore” by Ralph Harvey

First book you remember really making an impression on you as a kid: “Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz” by Frank L. Baum

Best writing advice you’ve ever received: Just keep writing 

Favorite fictional literary character: Edward, “Twilight”

Literary guilty pleasure (title or genre): Vampire fiction

Digital, print or audio – favorite medium to consume literature: Audio

One book you’ve read multiple times: “Gone with the Wind”

Other than writing utensils, one thing you must have within reach when you write: Diet Coke

Best antidote for writer’s block: A walk

Most valuable beta reader: Lisa Hunt

Type of Story: Q&A

An interview to provide a relevant perspective, edited for clarity and not fully fact-checked.

This byline is used for articles and guides written collaboratively by The Colorado Sun reporters, editors and producers.