Today I have the always happy and generous Cecilia Roberts. Her lovely novella, Truly, Deeply is one of InkSpell Publishing’s launch stories. That says A LOT about the story, the characters and Cecilia’s writing talent. You know me, on to the interview…

Trumpets blaring, rolling out the red carpet, drumroll and…

Me: What was the first romance or book you read that grabbed you? Who is the author?

CeCe: I have read lots of romance books and enjoyed reading them. But the first I truly fell in love with is Whitney, My Love by Judith McNaught.

Me: Is there an author that you get fan-girl crazy over? Have you ever met him/her? Do you want to?

CeCe: Yes, I have about three. Nalini Singh and Karen Marie Moning, oh and Judith McNaught.

Me: What’s your:

•  Favorite color? Blue  
• Favorite season? Autumn
•  Favorite Hero – movie or book? Clay Westmoreland, the Duke of Claymore from Whitney, My Love.
• Snack weakness (food or drink)? Anything spicy (food)
•  What’s your Astrological sign? Gemini
• Do you write sweet and cuddly or toe-curling steamy lovin’ stories? Both.
• Do you read sweet and cuddly or toe-curling steamy lovin’ stories? Yes.

Me: What’s on your desk when you write?

CeCe: A cup of tea, a bottle of water, paperback novel, my kindle, lots of paper drawings from my daughter (She does the drawings while I write, and later gifts all of them to me, a pack of tissues, pens, pencils, a calendar, earphones, post its, a notebook… in other words, a total mess.

Me: Do you write to music or quiet? If you do write with music, can you share one song that’s significantly impacted this story?

CeCe: I rarely write when it’s quiet. If the TV is not on, then one of my children are up to their usual cheeky selves (which I adore, but at times want to lock them in a room for about 5 minutes). The only time I write when all is quiet is after midnight. The song that impacted this story was  Josh Groban’s ‘You are still you’, Life house ‘When you come back down’, and Rob Thomas’ Little wonders.

Me: What’s your favorite line from your most recent release? Why?

CeCe: “Because I love you. And because I always have, for the longest time. To answer your question, I was dying of jealousy, especially when you admitted you liked Ben.” This is one of my favourite lines in Truly, Madly. Frey never backs down or hides how he feels. I love it because of its honesty, as well as a sort of turning point for Liese.  

Me: What’s next? You don’t have to get specifics – but feel free to leave a tantalizing snippet or cryptic hook.

CeCe: I have a couple of projects I’m working on.

Reaper’s Novice (YA dark fantasy with sci-elements) – It’s about a girl who trades her soul for  the four souls of her family in order to save them, and becomes the Reaper’s Novice. After two years of Novicehood, Grim (who prefers to be called Ernest) decides to test her. If she passes the tests, then her family’s souls are off the proverbial hook. But then, you know how these things go.

Excerpt: I struggle to hoist myself on trembling knees. Grims hands drop from my head, and grasp my shoulders, helping me up. My hands tremble as I brush them on my hair, ready to bolt out of the door to witness what I can only say is a miracle. “Ana. Welcome to the world of Novicehood.” I stare at him blankly. “The price, Ana. That’s the price. My novice,” Grim..er..Ernest says patiently. I frown, bouncing from one foot to the other. “You mean you don’t want an arm or leg, or… my soul?” The latter I add in a whisper. Can a person survive without a soul? Wouldn’t that someone be…soulless? Images of movies I’ve watched about soulless creatures flit through my mind. I shiver. “I already own your soul. Besides, you are of no use to me without your hands or legs. You can keep those. As I said, welcome, Novice.” He is all teeth and wide smiles, and animated elegant fingers, very pleased with himself as if he has just handed me the whole world wrapped neatly. He has.

And…

Truly Addictive (that’s the working title) sequel to Truly Madly

This continues where Truly, Madly left off. Liese and Frey who have moved to the lovers level. They go through stuff trying to adjust. There is also an introduction of two more characters in the story. This snippet is from the two characters. Excerpt: “Do you get a kick out of this? Annoying me every chance you get?” Katarina asked. “No,” Vasyl said, his hands tucked inside the front pockets of his faded jean. He stood with one shoulder braced on the door, his head tilted slightly to one side.  The expression on his face shifted. Calm demeanor faded to uncertainty, as he rocked on his heels.  His grey eyes, wider and darker than moments before. “It’s the only way I know to get your attention, Katarina, to get you to look at me.”

Whoa. This was a side of him she’d never seen before. It was very… unsettling. She folded her arms across her chest and cleared her throat. “You succeeded. You have two minutes. Talk.”

They locked gazes. The air in the room seemed to have a life of its own. He shook his head, swiveled on his heels and stormed out of the room.  Her jaw dropped, her eyes glued to the door. What just happened?

About Cecilia Roberts…

Hopelessly in love with books. I read, review, and write. I am originally from Kenya, and currently living in Vienna. I’m assistant nurse and mother of two beautiful children. When I am not working my day job, I can be found acting as referee, judge, confider, sometimes the unfair one, but mostly the loving mom to my two lovelies. As I don’t like restricting my reading to a specific genre, I try to read as much as I can, and as long as there is an element of  romance in the story, and the novel/story holds my interest.  Music: Queen, Lifehouse, Pink, Ich & Ich, and whatever catches my mood at the moment.   I am currently working to complete my novel YA dark urban fantasy ‘The Grim Reaper’s Novice Soul Collector series which was previously published through Trestle Press.

 

My email contact: cecereviews@gmail.com and/or muoki.cece@gmail.com Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5263768.Cecilia_Robert Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/CeCeMR Blog: http://cecereadandwrite.blogspot.com/ Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CeciliaMRobert

Tags: Author Interview, CeCe Roberts, Cecilia Roberts, InkSpell Publishing, Truly Madly Deeply You

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