Carla Caruso Under The Spotlight and Giveaway!

We have author Carla Caruso Under The Spotlight and she will be giving away one eCopy of her SECOND CHANCE to one commenter!

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What do you love most about writing? Well, I’m a journalist by trade, so what I really love about fiction is that you can make things up! It’s so nice not to have to interview anyone, or wait for them to call you back, or triple-check facts for a change (though you do have to check your research). I can push the characters onto whatever path I want to (so long as it suits the plot) and make them utter witty one-liners on the spot in a way I could never do in real-life.

What do you think makes a good story? Likeable characters, a truth/honesty about a story – as in, it being relatable to readers and touching on everyday issues and the like – a happy ending, a hunky hero you can have a massive crush on, believability, a dash of humour, and a bit of fantasy escapism.

What is your ideal holiday destination? I have ALWAYS wanted to go to New York. I think I’ve watched my Sex and the City DVDS, oh, about a trillion times, and I adore it when films are set there. Hmm, maybe if I plant the seed in print, it’ll be like one of those affirmation thingies, and actually come true. A girl can hope!

Anywhere you haven’t travelled you would like to go? The Big Apple, as above! But also the Maldives sounds pretty swish. I wouldn’t mind having one of those celebrity-style private villas on the water... I’ve done a little of the South of France and wouldn’t mind exploring that region more either. St Tropez, here we come!

What one item do you always pack when you travel? My tweezers. Perfectly manicured eyebrows are a must, even on holidays (and I’m a dark-haired Italian!)

Tell us a little about your current release ….. It’s called Second Chance and it’s out through Penguin’s Destiny Romance (www.destinyromance.com). It may have been a little inspired by my youth in the nineties. Here’s the blurb… On the night of her 35th birthday, Flora Brunelli is full of regrets. The celebrations have turned sour and life hasn’t gone according to plan. She wishes she could be 20 again. Then she finds herself zapped back in time, landing in the summer of 1998 when she was 20 years old. The Spice Girls are at the top of the charts and the X-Files is the hit TV show. It’s also the week Flora's life unravelled.

For Flora, this is a chance to change her future: win back the love of her life, stay friends with her former best mate and succeed in landing her dream job. It should be easy. But her ex’s best friend, Lance Devic, who she never really noticed before, keeps popping up and messing with her head.  And after a while Flora begins to wonder if living in the past really will deliver her the happiness she seeks?

40 comments:

  1. I agree with Carla - likeable characters are a big factor in a good story. Oh yes, and a happy ending, I like that too! Nice to meet you, Carla. Thanks, Nas, for the intro. :)

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    1. Nice to meet you, Karen! Thanks for stopping by.

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    2. Welcome to Romance Book Haven, Carla!

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    3. You welcome Karen!

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  2. I enjoyed the interview!

    I also have a journalism background, and I agree that one of the best things about writing fiction is the ability to make things up. :)

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    1. Hi Dana, Ah, another journo turned novelist - I love it. Hi!

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    2. Thanks for coming by to chat with Carla, Dana!

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  3. This book is so much fun! I love the 90s vibe and Flora is a great character! :)

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    1. Thanks Jemi. Hope the 90s references took you back - way back :)

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    2. Thanks Jemi for coming along!

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  4. I love the sound of this book. Another for my TBR pile, I think :0)

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  5. Sounds like a really fun book! Good luck :)

    Waving to Nas!

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    1. 'Fun' is what I'm hoping for! Thanks Carol!

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    2. Waving right back atcha Carol!

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  6. Your #1 and #2 answers strike a chord with me. I believe you hit the nail on the head with those. Of course, who doesn't like New York? Yes, a trip there would be amazing indeed!

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    1. Glad you related, M.J.! Means I'm not crazy hehe...

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    2. Hi MJ!

      Thanks for coming by!

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  7. I love places like this. I get to read and converse with other people who love to read. Me I've been a book worm for as long as I can remember. Looking forward to the new stories that are coming out.

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    1. Hi Alexia, I'm a self-confessed book worm too - and love your name! It's a fave of mine, Carla

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    2. Thanks for dropping by Alexia!

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  8. For the dark comedy I've written, I'm not sure the characters are exactly likeable. But I think that's how it is with the dark comedy. :)

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    1. All the best with your dark comedy, Tonja!

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    2. Hi Tonja, Sometimes it can help if there are other likeable characters around the more flawed ones so there's a bit of a balance, like with Sherlock (flawed) and his sidekick, Watson (relatable)!

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  9. Tons do make up a good story, think you hit most if not all of them there.

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  10. love the sound of that book! nice interview!

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  11. I enjoy writing fiction, too, and creating interesting worlds and characters! Your book sounds really good!

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    1. It's a great escape, hey, Sherry?

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    2. I would love to read some of your books one day, Sherry! Thanks for dropping in!

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  12. Oh how fun! I don't mind getting older if we start having nostalgic/time travel books about the 90s. Loved our popular culture back then!

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  13. Wow! Love the time travelling with a difference!! If I had to time travel it'll be to the 80's but the 90's were just as amazing too!!

    All the best Carla! take care
    x

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  14. Nas, it's always nice to hear from the authors. Thanks for this. Cheers

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  15. Thanks Old Kitty and Carole :)

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  16. Hi Carla and Nas, I googled the book and found this post, I loved the story Carla, it was FUN with a capital FUN. If you ever do a book about the 80's be sure to let me know :D

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You can discuss your romance novel addiction too!