Hi, Aurelia! Thanks so much for having me over your coveted blog ;)
ACT ONE – all about you…
Carmen Falcone learned at an early age that fantasizing about fictional characters and places beat doing Math homework any day. She traveled the world, achieved a B.A. in Tourism in her hometown in Brazil and was soon invited to work in the USA, where she met her Swiss husband. She’d always dreamed of becoming a published writer, and after her daughter was born, she revisited that dream of writing – this time, unwilling to give it up. She lives in Austin and enjoys reading, traveling and spending time with her family and three high energy pugs.
I’ve always been a closet writer. I used to write a lot when I was a teenager, then had a long writer’s block. Fortunately, I found my way back into writing a few years ago and haven’t stopped ever since.
2) Do you have a particular writing style or ritual?
I usually like to warm up by checking the news (and by news I mean celebrity gossip websites!) before I dive into writing.
3) Is there a book or an author that has influenced you in your writing?
I read a lot of romance novels by Jacqueline Baird growing up, and always enjoyed her style. She always wrote fast-paced stories filled with passion.
4) Is there one piece of writing (or life?) advice that has stuck with you, or that you would like to share?
Write no matter what. The long writer’s block I endured taught me to use writing as a way of expression and never go too long without doing it.
5) Can you tell us three things about yourself that we probably don’t already know?
If you read my blog or follow me on twitter, that’s a hard one! LOL. I’m the youngest of six, I lived in California for a year and I’m not circumcised (Sorry, couldn’t resist!).
6) What five luxury items or gadgets would you hate to be without?
iPhone, iPad, kindle, pop corn, laptop. I said pop corn to make sure you were paying attention ;)
ACT TWO – all about your new release…
There is just one person standing between Penny Ashbrook's dream of opening her own PR business or being stuck at her job: the formidable Luc Leoni - her first lover, and the man who lets nothing and no-one get in his way. Seeing him after so long brings all the hidden emotions after a life altering break-up to surface. Pain, denial...and lust.Luc has made many sacrifices for his career, including Penny Ashbrook, the woman who set his aspirations back a year. But now she has returned and is more alluring than ever. After all these years, he thought a self-made billionaire like himself could master everything, but to resist the strong pull toward the one woman he can't have is an impossible task.When this unlikely pair is reunited they will have to face the many challenges set in their way, especially an attraction that has only heightened with time and a deadline quickly approaching. Can their new bond surpass old—and new—fears?
7) Congratulations on your recent release of Heating Up Hawaii, what was your inspiration for writing Penny and Luc’s story?
Thank you! I always enjoyed the reunited lovers trope, and was dying to give it a try.
8) Did the story flow from your finger tips or did some scenes take a bit of cajoling?
I’ve made quite some changes from the first draft to the final one, but they all made the story stronger. I think. Please buy it and let me know J
9) How long did it take for the initial spark of the story to make it onto the page and then onto the publisher’s desk?
It’s hard to know, because I was in between projects and didn’t write this one straight through.
10) Do you have a favourite paragraph or sentence from your story that you would like to tantalise us with?
Sure! I love this section when she sees Luc again after eight years apart, at a networking event.
“But this man… He took a step in her direction, the setting sun illuminating his face as he moved out of the shade. She glanced at him like her eyes were old-fashioned camera lenses, capturing his features in slow motion and adjusting to his figure. His lips, sensual and rich like his clothes, twitched. As soon as her gaze collided with his, her heart skipped a beat for a few seconds only to resume and pound its way out of her beige linen dress.Luc Leoni.It couldn't be, could it? To see him again after all these years.Oh, but it was…”
11) Over to you, what can you tell us about Heating Up Hawaii, to make us rush out and buy it?
Heating Up Hawaii is a sexy contemporary novella filled with sexual tension, strong emotions and compelling characters. If you like reunited lovers, office romances or vacation romances, you’ll enjoy this read!
12) What can we expect from you next? Is there something you are working on right now?
I have an Entangled Indulgence releasing in December, and I just finished Heating Up Las Vegas, the sequel. I also have a couple of other projects in the works.
QUICK FIRE ROUND – it’s pop quiz time…
13) Plotter or pantser?
Pantser.
14) Secret Seven or Famous Five? (please tell me you know them!?)
Say WHAT? LOL!
15) Digital books or print books?
Digital all the way, baby.
16) Tea or coffee?
I’d have to say tea. I must be the only Brazilian who hates coffee!
17) Cats or dogs?
Dogs.
18) Extrovert or introvert?
Extrovert.
19) Save or spend?
Spend! ;)
20) Facebook or Twitter?
And that’s a wrap!
Thank you so much for taking part, Carmen, I wish you every success with your latest release.
To discover even more about Carmen – and believe me, you want to! – and to keep up with her latest projects and shenanigans, you can visit her at:
Author Website ∙ Goodreads
Twitter ∙ Facebook ∙ Blog
Buy it now…
ISBN: 978-1-77101-962-0
Heat Rating: 3
Word Count: 38240
Release Date: May 3, 2013
Amazon UKNook/Kobo coming soon
Only a few more months. Penny Ashbrook pressed her folded arms on the metal rail of the rooftop bar. She looked at the pallet of orange, yellow and pink colors dipping into the background as the sun set behind the Dallas skyline. A few more months, and she'd be debt free - and not just monetarily.
Although each day would stretch into the length of a decade, she knew she could handle it. Hell, hadn't she done just that for the past six months? She'd kept her head high and chin up even though her boss's passive aggressiveness often drove her crazy. She'd pretended not to listen when small-minded coworkers whispered behind her back. At thirty, wasn't she too old to be the talk of the office?
With a sigh, she stood straight and squared her shoulders. The much-awaited networking happy hour was not the place for a therapy session. She glanced around her. A sea of people occupied the large outdoor area. Elegantly attired men and women sought new contacts and hot leads while munching on caviar hors d'oeuvres and overpriced liquor.
She decided to stare at the blinding sun one more time, in hopes of extracting enough energy to walk around and get moving. After all, her client list wouldn't just materialize in front of her, would it? She'd had to fight hard and strong to get where she wanted to be.
"Penny, I've just run into an old friend of yours," her boss, Charles Dawn, told her while his fingers lightly touched her elbow. He prompted her to turn toward him and the tall, broad-shouldered man standing next to him.
Penny flashed her signature smile and squinted to get a sharper view of the man in front of her. An oversized palm tree shadowed him.
She guessed he was at least six feet two, which put her at a disadvantage at only five feet six. His dark gray designer suit looked tailor-made to fit the planes of his large chest, and good God, legs that went on and on.
Old friend? She couldn't remember having friends that looked this intimidating—old or current. If she was honest with herself, the few friends she had, all vanished like dust after she'd called off her wedding.
But this man... He took a step in her direction, the setting sun illuminating his face as he moved out of the shade. She glanced at him like her eyes were old-fashioned camera lenses, capturing his features in slow motion and adjusting to his figure. His lips, sensual and rich like his clothes, twitched. As soon as her gaze collided with his, her heart skipped a beat for a few seconds only to resume and pound its way out of her beige linen dress.
Luc Leoni.
It couldn't be, could it? To see him again after all these years.
Oh but it was...
Penny stared into his two-colored eyes—one lighter than a clear blue sky and the other reminiscent of murky seas. Yes, even they were ambiguous.
"Luc." She cleared her throat, and noticed a couple of fine lines around his mismatched pair.
"Penelope." Luc's velvety voice was like a warm caress. His French accent alone lured women to drop their underwear by his bedside. His deep pronunciation of her name hadn't changed... Pen-ay-looh-paay.
Penny stiffened her back, offered him a professional handshake under Charles Dawn's ambitious grin. Although she wished she could kick Luc Leoni where he deserved, she had to swallow her resentment and go along with it.
Luc took her hand in his larger one, and heat coiled low in her stomach. But instead of a professional handshake, he pulled her closer with a swift movement and leaned down. He kissed her on one cheek, his warm lips brushing gently on her skin. The whisper of a touch between his stubbled chin and her other cheek belted a wire of electricity into her system.
Penny smelled his earthy masculine cologne, where rich woodsy notes blended with a light citrus. Luc Leoni was a fantastic gift wrapping for an unworthy product.
He stepped back.
This can't be my imagination... The hot breeze ruffled a few lustrous black strands of his hair, warning her that it was all too real.
"What a small world," Charles said. "I did fail to ask where you two know each other from."
Excerpt…
Only a few more months. Penny Ashbrook pressed her folded arms on the metal rail of the rooftop bar. She looked at the pallet of orange, yellow and pink colors dipping into the background as the sun set behind the Dallas skyline. A few more months, and she'd be debt free - and not just monetarily.
Although each day would stretch into the length of a decade, she knew she could handle it. Hell, hadn't she done just that for the past six months? She'd kept her head high and chin up even though her boss's passive aggressiveness often drove her crazy. She'd pretended not to listen when small-minded coworkers whispered behind her back. At thirty, wasn't she too old to be the talk of the office?
With a sigh, she stood straight and squared her shoulders. The much-awaited networking happy hour was not the place for a therapy session. She glanced around her. A sea of people occupied the large outdoor area. Elegantly attired men and women sought new contacts and hot leads while munching on caviar hors d'oeuvres and overpriced liquor.
She decided to stare at the blinding sun one more time, in hopes of extracting enough energy to walk around and get moving. After all, her client list wouldn't just materialize in front of her, would it? She'd had to fight hard and strong to get where she wanted to be.
"Penny, I've just run into an old friend of yours," her boss, Charles Dawn, told her while his fingers lightly touched her elbow. He prompted her to turn toward him and the tall, broad-shouldered man standing next to him.
Penny flashed her signature smile and squinted to get a sharper view of the man in front of her. An oversized palm tree shadowed him.
She guessed he was at least six feet two, which put her at a disadvantage at only five feet six. His dark gray designer suit looked tailor-made to fit the planes of his large chest, and good God, legs that went on and on.
Old friend? She couldn't remember having friends that looked this intimidating—old or current. If she was honest with herself, the few friends she had, all vanished like dust after she'd called off her wedding.
But this man... He took a step in her direction, the setting sun illuminating his face as he moved out of the shade. She glanced at him like her eyes were old-fashioned camera lenses, capturing his features in slow motion and adjusting to his figure. His lips, sensual and rich like his clothes, twitched. As soon as her gaze collided with his, her heart skipped a beat for a few seconds only to resume and pound its way out of her beige linen dress.
Luc Leoni.
It couldn't be, could it? To see him again after all these years.
Oh but it was...
Penny stared into his two-colored eyes—one lighter than a clear blue sky and the other reminiscent of murky seas. Yes, even they were ambiguous.
"Luc." She cleared her throat, and noticed a couple of fine lines around his mismatched pair.
"Penelope." Luc's velvety voice was like a warm caress. His French accent alone lured women to drop their underwear by his bedside. His deep pronunciation of her name hadn't changed... Pen-ay-looh-paay.
Penny stiffened her back, offered him a professional handshake under Charles Dawn's ambitious grin. Although she wished she could kick Luc Leoni where he deserved, she had to swallow her resentment and go along with it.
Luc took her hand in his larger one, and heat coiled low in her stomach. But instead of a professional handshake, he pulled her closer with a swift movement and leaned down. He kissed her on one cheek, his warm lips brushing gently on her skin. The whisper of a touch between his stubbled chin and her other cheek belted a wire of electricity into her system.
Penny smelled his earthy masculine cologne, where rich woodsy notes blended with a light citrus. Luc Leoni was a fantastic gift wrapping for an unworthy product.
He stepped back.
This can't be my imagination... The hot breeze ruffled a few lustrous black strands of his hair, warning her that it was all too real.
"What a small world," Charles said. "I did fail to ask where you two know each other from."
Hi Aurelia, Hi Carmen.
ReplyDeleteGreat interview. I loved reading HEATING UP HAWAII Caren and wish you every success with it. A great summer read for sure. Oh and Carmen? I love tea too. I nearly always have a cup of tea in my hand.