Today I’m joining the publication day blog tour for The King She Shouldn’t Crave. I’m sharing my Q&A with the author with thanks to Rachel Gilbey at Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me on the tour and to Lela May Wight for answering my questions!

Have you always wanted to write?

Yes! I always wanted to write but as life does, it got in the way for a long time. But after my first was born, I rediscovered romance books and the powerful ability they have to transport the reader. The urge to write was born again, because I wanted to do that! I wanted to write full-throttle escapism about complicated and emotionally messy people who got their chance at love and earned their happily ever after.

What were your previous jobs? Have they helped you with your writing process?

So many! I’ve worked in catering, retail, telecommunications and education. There’s probably a few more but my mind is drawing a blank…

I think every experience supports my writing process, in the sense of how people interact in certain situations. Would I say one job specifically? No. But all stories are about human interaction, so I guess all of them have helped in one way or another…

What was your inspiration for The King She Shouldn’t Crave?

Story and character inspiration is everywhere! Sometimes, the spark for a new story is as simple as a word, or a scene in a book I’m reading, the news, or offshoots from the story I’m currently writing. 

Although none of my books are currently related to one another, the inspiration for, The King She Shouldn’t Crave, actually came to me while I was writing, Bound by A Sicilian Secret. Raffaele, the hero in this book is an illegitimate son of a count, and has a few legitimate half-siblings, and so, the inspiration for Angelo was born! These two books aren’t related at all lol, but the seed of the idea was planted when I considered who might those siblings be…

How do you construct your characters? Do they have traits of people you know?

When constructing or getting to know my characters everything tends to be a reaction to their up bringing, their job, family, and the experiences that are the core foundation of who they are.

I think every writer can’t help but use their experience in their stories, but none of my characters are based on anyone in the real world. BUT some of my experiences are buried in there in terms of how a character may respond to a certain situation…

What does your writing process look like? Are you a plotter or a pantser?

I have, after much trial and error, decided I’m a … *drum roll please* Planster!

I need a plan, but I very rarely stick to it lol.

I’m still tying to nail down my writing process because as yet, I don’t have an exact cycle of events I do when starting to write a new story, and so far every book has been different…

How did you research? Did you enjoy it?

I *love* research! From researching my characters place of birth, or where they work, to the intricacies of their jobs. 

Research is always important, for facts, for sensitivity, and I do all my research with those two things in mind. I hope I’ve achieved that in my love stories whilst also bringing my life experiences to the book. *Crosses fingers! *

Who are your favourite writers? Are you influenced by them?

Oh, I have so many favourites, but the authors who are always popping up again and again in my TBR are Bella Mason, Therese Beharrie, Maya Blake and Carol Marinelli. These authors rip me apart and put me back together in the best ways!

And yes! I’m absolutely influenced by these fabulous authors. The way the create emotion, and make the reader care is motivation for me to tell the best story I can.

If you could invite three people, living or dead, to dinner, who would they be and why?

Only three? But my dream dinner guests would be all the authors who write for Presents. A dinner party if you will, so we can all chat and twirl about the wonderful world of Harlequin Presents / Mills and Boon Modern, and what a wonderful thing it is to write these iconic and amazing stories. Such a dream! 

Who would you least like to be stuck in a lift with and why?

Myself! I have terrible anxiety about being in enclosed small spaces. I would be a terrible person to be with in this situation!🤣

Who would play the main character/s in a film version of The King She Shouldn’t Crave? 

Easy peasy! Michele Morrone and Ella Rumpf.

I spent much time on Pinterest selecting gorgeous images of them both to inspire me while I was writing. And you can have a look on the link below!

Lela May’s Pinterest Board for, The King She Shouldn’t Crave. https://pin.it/5m3v05JYq

What do you like to do in your spare time?

Eat, read, and write! 

Reading and writing will always be a way for me to escape for the hustle and bustle of the day and relax. With of course, tasty food! But when I need a shot of serotonin, and to recharge the well without thinking about words, I turn to K-Dramas! 

What is next for you?

I’m currently working on my 4^th Harlequin Presents, Mills and Boon Modern! *Pinches self* I’m having so much fun writing Emma and Dante’s love story (currently untitled.) 

So far there are secret gardens in the moonlight and broken down glass elevators!

So hopefully, in the future I get to write lots more love stories of emotionally messy people, finding their light in the darkest of places and realising they are worthy of loving another human being, but are allowed to love themselves too.

Favourites:

Book? I have so many! *cries* I couldn’t possibly choose just one. But, I’ll think outside the box and tell you what type of books are my favourite. Physical books. The smell, the feel… *sighs* And I will confess, I am a monster. I write in my books, dog ear the pages, crack the spines… And I love it. The physical evidence I have loved this book for a time and it is mine. 

Film? I used to have a set selection of films as my go to comfort watches. Only you, Moulin Rouge and others! But these days I tend to reach for a K-Drama when I want to watch anything. My latest obsession is, Doom at Your Service! 

Band/Singer? Hozier. 

TV show? My Demon.

Colour? Green.

Place? Torquay in Devon. My favourite place to be!

Biscuit? Digestives.

***

The King She Shouldn’t Crave is available from Amazon.