Interview with Carla Caruso

Books-n-Kisses is pleased to welcome Carla Caruso to the blog today to chat about her new book CITY GLITTER.

Carla, can you please share with us a little about yourself.
Hello, I’m an Australian-based writer (with Italian ancestry!). My background is in journalism, but writing novels has always been a little pipedream for me, which has finally come true. I’m married, a star-sign junkie, running fanatic, sometimes vegetarian – and have a tabby with ‘tood called Luca.

Have you always wanted to be an author?
Yes! I used to annoy my kindergarten teachers by dictating long, detailed stories to them. As a teen, I used to hand-write 100-page stories (for fun) in my school holidays. And Mum always kindly took me to the library to sate my bookworm tendencies. It just took me a while to realize my childhood dream – journalism seemed a more practical course!

What is your most interesting writing quirk?
I have a mini notepad that I carry around in my handbag and scrawl notes in constantly. Everything goes in there, from hearing an actor’s name I like to throwaway lines I hear. It all inspires my writing. My family thinks I’m mad!

Can you please tell us about your latest book(s)?
Cityglitter (Destiny Romance) is about a gorgeous fairy living a glam life in the big city who does the one thing she promised herself she’d never do: fall in love with a human! The fairies in the story all look like Victoria’s Secret Angels – with actual wings. http://www.destinyromance.com/

How did you come with the idea for this story?
The book is based in the big city of Sydney, Australia, where I worked for three years in the magazine world (now back in my smaller hometown of Adelaide). The idea came about because I got to attend a ton of fabulous media parties through my work there and never felt so frumpy in my life! Night after night, manicured socialites and celebs would be on parade and I used to joke to my hubby that maybe they used magic to look so polished all the time. The idea was born! Oh, and we used to go cycling in the Centennial Parklands a lot on the weekend, which had a fairy-like feel – at least to my mind!

Can you share with us your current work(s) in progress?
I’ve just had a ‘90s time-warp novel accepted – another romantic comedy. A friend called it “Hot Tub Time Machine for girls”! I’m also working on a suspense-style one involving zodiacs and another that’s a rural romance in a coastal setting – featuring a ghost. Plus, I have a short story out with AlfieDog.com. It’s about young illustrator Frankie who accidentally discovers an ‘alter’ version of herself when she follows her wandering cat through a hedge hole. Her alter-ego seems to have the perfect life, including a big house and a gorgeous husband… but does she really?

Who is the one author that you would love to meet someday and why?
Definitely Sophie Kinsella behind the Shopaholic series (and the resulting Confessions of a Shopaholic film starring Isla Fisher). I’m such a fan of her work – and am hanging out for her new book, Wedding Night! I think I’d be a tad terrified if I met her, though, and would clam up, not knowing what to say.

What is the best piece of advice you would give to someone that wants to get into writing?
It will happen when the time is right. Just keep at it, enjoy it, learn from the critiques, keep polishing your work and learning – and join a writers’ group (or two) to hone your skills, keep you motivated and abreast of the industry.

Can you share with us something off your bucket list.
I’ve always wanted to (properly) learn Italian – that’s my family’s background. I know a few words here and there – and plenty of swear words – but I’d love to be fluent one day! It would definitely help when I’m travelling over there.

What is in your To Read Pile that you are dying to start or upcoming release you can’t wait for?
I’m looking forward to the new book from the very funny Lisa Walker, Sex, Lies and Bonsai, and Maggie Alderson’s latest, Everything Changes But You. Can’t wait!

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Please find me at www.carlacaruso.com.au, @CarlaCaruso79, and http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6541142. And thanks kindly for your time!

Christelle is like any other 20-something living in Sydney, Australia – except for one huge secret. She enjoys cocktails with girlfriends, luxury brand launches, gossip and shopping. For an added touch of spice, there’s also the sizzling connection with her new boss, the gorgeous Jasper.

Then Christelle’s younger sister, the hapless and naïve Trixie Fifi Panache, arrives unannounced, and things begin to fall apart. Not only does Christelle have to deal with her sister’s exploits and embarrassing mistakes, but she also has to live with the fear that her escapades will reveal the truth: Christelle and Trixie are half fairy, half human, and hidden beneath their clothes are a pair of gorgeous wings. To make matters worse, Christelle has fallen for Jasper, but knows that taking the relationship any further threatens exposure. And no love could survive that, could it?

Cityglitter is a charming, magical romance that leaves in its wake a glitter of fairy dust. With inner-city fabulousness and sophistication, this fun celebration of love will add more than a touch of sparkle to your life.

 Buy Link

Christelle is like any other 20-something living in Sydney, Australia – except for one huge secret. She enjoys cocktails with girlfriends, luxury brand launches, gossip and shopping. For an added touch of spice, there’s also the sizzling connection with her new boss, the gorgeous Jasper.

Then Christelle’s younger sister, the hapless and naïve Trixie Fifi Panache, arrives unannounced, and things begin to fall apart. Not only does Christelle have to deal with her sister’s exploits and embarrassing mistakes, but she also has to live with the fear that her escapades will reveal the truth: Christelle and Trixie are half fairy, half human, and hidden beneath their clothes are a pair of gorgeous wings. To make matters worse, Christelle has fallen for Jasper, but knows that taking the relationship any further threatens exposure. And no love could survive that, could it?

Cityglitter is a charming, magical romance that leaves in its wake a glitter of fairy dust. With inner-city fabulousness and sophistication, this fun celebration of love will add more than a touch of sparkle to your life.

Excerpt:

I look back at Mr Butterscotch Eyes, who looks a little bemused. Perhaps it’s my seven-second delay to his greeting. I think fast.

‘Hello again!’ I gush, like we’re long-lost friends, not virtual strangers.

Without thinking, I stand up on tippy-toe, leaning forward, intending to air kiss his cheek. Somehow, like a paperclip drawn to a magnet, I’m pulled askew, my lips brushing his.

The effect on my body is like switching on an electrical grid, as every pore starts to buzz. His lips, so soft, moist, kissable; his musky scent, spinning a web around me; my body, pinging like a microwave with his strong physique mere centimetres away.

Suddenly, though, the sensual warmth, the heavenly breath, has been pried away and my lips are cold, bare. I flutter my eyelids open, honing in on his gaze, detecting a flicker of something in those liquid gold-like orbs before it dies.

He clears his throat, playing with a tortoiseshell cufflink. ‘That’s certainly not the kind of greeting I’m used to – especially from someone I barely know.’