Have you ever wondered what it would be like to be held hostage by an Italian stallion? My name is Clara, and I am part-owner of a brothel called "The Castle." My empire is my home which I've worked hard to build a life from. A future. But one day, the infamous Luca Belatoni stepped into my office and demanded that I pay him protection money. Of course, I refused. Of course, he wouldn't take no for an answer. Now he is in my castle-holding me hostage. Trying to control my mind in business and my body in bed. Neither of which I will allow. No matter how much his caramel eyes and Italian words of love puncture my hardened heart. So, being the hostage of an Italian stallion pretty much sucks. Because this man is a force to be reckoned with. And while I am not frightened for my life, I am definitely frightened for my heart.

GET TO KNOW YOU INTERVIEW

Tell us is there anything about you that people don’t already know?
I love shoes. My husband calls me a centipede.
Roughly 11 years ago I met my sister for the very first time. The reunion was a rather emotional, but fulfilling one.

Your books are so emotional. How long does it take for you to be able to get the characters out of your mind and move on to the next?
Sometimes it’s hard to get your head out of a book once it’s finished. Deviant actually made me ill. My blood pressure went down so much that I almost fainted at work once. Not nice. 🙁 In the end I had to take a deep breath and move onto the next project. I like to build scenes up in my head before I start writing them down. It makes it easier to flow that way.

Are the names of the characters in your novels important?
Sometimes the hardest part of writing a book is choosing the character’s names. I think they’re important because a good, strong name can have an inpact on the way you feel about the character. That’s what I feel, anyway.

What are the most important attributes to remaining sane as a writer?
Coffee, sweets, and wine. Did I mention wine?

What is the most demeaning thing said about you as a writer?
I tend not to dwell on the bad things that are said. Luckily, I haven’t had anything too bad that it has stuck with me. I count myself extremely lucky to have met some wonderful readers out there. I welcome reviews good and bad, and also welcome any people who have reviewed my books negatively to contact me. I seriously don’t bite… well, not that much. 😉

How do you react to a bad review of one of your books?
If they’re constructive, I welcome them. I once had a reviewer rate a book of mine 3 stars and emailed me to apologise. I had read the review and told her there was nothing to apolgise for. The review was constructive and well thought out. It’s these reviews that aid me in becoming a better writer. It’s the “Bash the Author” reviews I get upset about. There’s just no need for it.

What was the hardest part of writing your book?
Maintaining a flow. Sometimes I will sit there and my mind goes completely blank. I hate it when that happens. 🙁 The other part is writing scenes and then looking back on them thinking, are people going to get bored reading this?

Did you learn anything from writing your book and what was it?
That I can write emotionally difficult scenes. In Luca 2, something happens to Clara that hit a nerve with me. I cried writing it, and then cried reading it over again. I didn’t enjoy it, but if other people have the same emotions that I did then at least I know I have done the best I could regarding that scene.

Is there a message in your novel that you want readers to grasp?
I suppose only that in life you have to be grateful for the things that you have. Sometimes bad things can happen, but when it does you have to think to yourself that there are people in a much worse situation than me.

Have you ever read or seen yourself as a character in a book or a movie?
Not really. I have read and watched characters in a movie and thought, I wish I could be like her.

I love the covers. What made you choose them? What gave you the idea?
I went hunting for a hot Italian model. I found one and asked my designer if she could work her magic. I explained that having the castle somewhere on the cover was important, as it was important to my character.

Who designs your covers?
I don’t think I want to tell you because I want to keep her to myself! 😉 Only joking… Well, maybe just a little bit.

Kellie Dennis from Book Cover by Design. She’s awesome!

Describe in 5 words, your writing:
Drama, dark, angst, romantic and erotic.

When you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up?
A managing director of a crisp factory.

Only joking. Funnily enough I wanted to be a writer. I used to write poetry when I was 17. I even had a story of a young girl that moves from the country to London and works for an older CEO. Romance blooms, of course. In the end I never started it.

What do you use to write your book?
A lot of imagination. I think it’s imperative when starting a new project. I start the kettle for my coffee or tea, fire up my laptop, and start tapping away.

[picture removed]

Do you listen to music while you writing or reading?
Once in a blue moon I may put some music on just to have some background noise. Mostly, though I like peace and quiet whilst I’m writing.

Tell us your latest news?
I’m currently writing another stalker book called Scars. I’m quite excited about this one.

What book are you reading now?
I read Grey recently, so now I’m on Fifty Shades Darker.

Do you have a nickname?
Not really. My husband calls me James, which I find quite sweet. I just think of it as a shortened version of Jaimie.

What are your pet peeves?
I can be a little OCD about certain things. Toilet paper being put on the holder correctly, for one. 😉 The others are opened cupboard doors or drawers. I hate that! I also can’t understand how many socks we go through as a family. I seriously put on about ten pairs every time I do a wash, lol. Considering I have to do a wash at least twice a week, that’s a lot of socks.

I’ll shut up now.

Do you ever write naked?
Lol, I think my hubby would like me to, but no.

What is your favourite Starbuck’s/coffee shop drink?
I don’t have a Starbucks where I live. 🙁 Normally I have my coffee black.

What’s your favourite fruit?
Strawberries… preferably dipped in melted chocolate. Hmm…

What’s your favourite tv show?
Suits.

What’s your favourite genre?
Romance

One of your favourite quotes
The enemy of my enemy is my friend

Do you enjoy giving interviews?
I’m enjoying this one, so yes. :

Five Fun Facts:
I’m a bitch
I’m a lover
I’m a child
I’m a mother
I’m a sinner
I’m a saint

Oh wait, that’s 6! Actually, you can scrap bitch. I’m not really a bitch. My husband may disagree with me at times on that, though. 😉

Thank you so much for taking part. We can’t wait to read more work from you.