How
did you choose your genre? What made you write this book?
I
began writing my new novel Love Entwined before I was aware of its genre. In
those early days of the story brewing in my mind, I only knew that I wanted to
read a romance with an ancient mystery attached to it, preferably something to
do with reincarnation, which fascinates me. I came away with a contemporary
paranormal romance with a bit of historical in it and healthy portions of
horror.
Writers
write what they know, and must observe the world. Are you a first born, middle
or last child and how does this shape your view of the world? Being the ‘baby’
of the family was very enlightening. With four older sisters, there was much to
absorb in various stages of our lives. As children often do, you revisit
conversations, things that happened when you really weren’t paying attention.
When you’re older, these things come back to you and sort of click into place,
maybe answering a question you’ve always had or confirming a stance. It has
turned out to be a constant education, these little lessons of the past, and being
a contemplative individual I am really grateful for them.
Where
is your favorite place to write?
Besides
writing in a hammock surrounded by a beautiful garden (which I’m determined to
have one day), I love to write in a quiet corner of my busy living room. I must
have some sort of background noise around me, whether it’s an old mystery movie
on the TV or the dog playing nearby with his ball. Those mundane things are
very soothing to me.
How
do you feel about killing your darlings, and what do you do with the remains?
I’m
ruthless. J I kill my darlings all
the time. If a character’s story doesn’t work with my ultimate goal, they’re
gone. Sometimes I write to the end of the story and when I get there if I don’t
like what I read, character assassination begins. Sometimes it is character
enhancement. If you love a character in one of my stories know that they will
meet harm at some point because I love shock value. I’ve always enjoyed a story
that takes me someplace I had no idea where it was going.
You
are introduced to your favorite author. Who is it, and what is that one burning
question you must ask them?
I
have many favorite authors but since I’ve been reading a lot of Anne Rice
lately, I’ll go with her. I would ask Ms. Rice what was her inspiration for
creating the Vampire Lestat, what started it all?
Inquiring
minds want to know…tell readers something about you that no one knows.
I
would hate to be in a dark, windowless room, devoid of sights and sounds. With
my imagination, I’d probably scare myself to death.
You
are stranded on a deserted island with only a back pack for company. What three
items are in your survival pack?
My
cell phone, laptop and British model David Gandy! Wait, he’s not an item. I
guess my last item would have to be David’s latest magazine cover spread. When
I’m not writing, I’d be ooohing and aahing. J
If
you could have one super power in your existence, what would it be? The power
to root out evil in a person, just lay hands on them and take it away! I’d
travel all around the world and touch millions of people. I’d be known as the
Evil Undoer.
Favorite
snack?
Egg
Nog – tis the season!
Indy
500 - Do you know how to get where you’re going or do you drive the speed
limit? I definitely know how to get where I’m going although I’ve been good
lately. My son just received his driving permit, have to be an example now. J
Love
Entwined Blurb
Run,
little witch…
Amelie
Laurent is on her way to the top of the jewelry designing world with no time
for men. Her orderly life is about to come undone when jewelry tycoon Roman
Cardiff steals her away on assignment to a remote English estate. Roman wants
Amelie all to himself but St. Clair Manor’s resident ghost has been waiting for
her much longer than he has.
Run
home…
An
unseen gunman takes a shot at Roman and he blames a business rival. But Amelie
and Roman are to blame, for falling in love 200 years before in a time neither
of them remember.
From
the heartbreak of pre-Revolutionary France to modern day corporate
wars, Amelie and Roman uncover a history of blood jewels, lust and demons.
Good
witch, bad witch, you must decide…
When
Amelie discovers her inner witch she learns the real reason she was summoned to
St. Clair Manor. Il Dragone will kill to get her back. Amelie will kill if they
do.
Excerpt
Mr. Cardiff’s eyes burned into hers. There wasn’t anything
angelic about them now. She felt naked. Focus. He was saying something.
“…and I would like you to work on the designs.”
“Me?” She asked. Breathe.
She fought to regain her equilibrium. It wasn’t working.
“Yes and the timing is perfect, now that you’re no longer
working on that other project.” With a smug smile, Harold came out from behind
his desk to stand between them.
She needed some breathing room and stepped away from Mr.
Cardiff. She was still close enough to hear him chuckle under his breath.
He frowned at him. Was he making fun of her? No, what she
read in his eyes was a challenge.
He gave her a repentant grin.
Maybe it was three months of pent up anger at being—for
lack of a better word—manipulated in her home. Or, maybe it was three months of
the best sex—real or imagined—she’d ever had in her life with a phantom who
chose to introduce himself at this very inconvenient time when she was trying
to quit her exhausting job. It was also just as likely the fact that her warm
and generous dream lover was actually a pampered and conceited heir who
probably had more woman than the time required to service them.
Whatever the
reason, she had reached her limit.
Amelie faced Mr. Cardiff. Folding her arms, she
acknowledged what had passed between them and accepted his dare. “It would be
my pleasure.”
Harold gave her an odd look and guided her to the divan as
if she needed some guidance, which only served to irk her more. “You will be in
good hands with Amelie. Did you know that she was lead designer behind Bijou’s
Artisan Collection?”
“I had no idea.” There was a slight edge to Mr. Cardiff’s
tone, but it was nothing compared to the arrogance that frosted his eyes. “And
how is our old friend Garamonde?”
Was it possible to hate someone at first sight?
“Still old, I suppose.”
Harold coughed, and she refused to look at him. She would
stare Mr. Cardiff down until closing time, if need be.
As quickly as his eyes had frosted, they warmed up again
with amusement.
She could not quell the sinking feeling she had lost
control of the situation. She suspected it had never been in her possession in
the first place. But now that the fateful words of acceptance were out of her
mouth, the wind went out of her sails.
Mr. Cardiff smiled as smoothly as he had just engineered
this desired outcome. He sat down on the other end of the sofa and stretched
long, muscular legs out. They nearly reached the desk Harold leaned against. A
swimmer’s physique, she thought, and then shut that errant thought down as
quickly as it had surfaced.
“Excellent,” he said. “When will you be ready to
leave for St. Clair Manor?”
“Mr. Cardiff, this is highly irregular. I cannot be
contracted out…” She looked at Harold.
He shrugged.
She schooled her voice back to a modicum of
professionalism.
“Mr. Cardiff, we have everything we need here at Penrod’s
to do the job. I can forward the sketches to you in just a few weeks’ time.”
Harold cleared his throat and belatedly, she realized what
he was going to say.
“Actually, Amelie, we are also contracted for a
refurbishment project.”
Merde, it would
take months.
She had gone
from the verge of resigning her position to yet another commitment, to him, no less.
Still, she had been cornered by powerful men before. Men
who were born with advantage in the corporate sector. Men who obtained
everything they wanted and many things they didn’t, without even trying.
Some men, she snorted inwardly, don’t deserve the women
they have. Or had. But she’d promised herself she would not think about Emil
Garamonde anymore. As much as it hurt to know she’d lost control with Emil, she
had finally convinced herself that what happened between them was a normal,
human mistake.
It was ok to make mistakes as long as you learn from them. And,
oh, how she’d learned. She would never let her guard down again.
Mr. Cardiff’s good looks hardened her resolve. She tried
again to dissuade him from this kidnapping Harold was consenting to because
this time she wanted to win. She put cold steel in her voice.
“Another few weeks, and the jewels will be safe here in
our vault while I work on them.”
His chiding chuckle said they were both aware he had her.
It made her feel chastened, but it also made her legs weak with an unwelcome
tremor of desire.
The handsome devil had dimples to boot.
“Ms. Laurent, I am afraid that is impossible. The Cardiff collection never
leaves St. Clair Manor. I’m sure you will find our facilities more than
adequate. As for the sketches, I will need to work closely with you on
concepts.” His eyes raked her form again. “I am very hands-on.”
Her legs did
give way then. She sat down on the divan. How
could I have ever thought his smile was angelic?
Bio
Danita is a member of Romance Writers of America. She is a lover of chocolate, a good, scary movie, kittens and pubs--especially Siberian Huskies. When she is not writing, she exercises her lungs at her son's soccer matches and their favorite theme park, because everyone knows it's easier on the stomach to scream your way down a roller coaster.
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The Cardiff
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Amazon UK
Thanks so much for having me on today Nina! I love doing interviews and am so excited to share Love Entwined with your readers. :)
ReplyDeleteI loved your interview and the excerpt. You chose a wonderful superpower.
ReplyDeleteHi Michelle! Thanks, I wish it could come true. :)
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