FEATURED AUTHOR: S. VALENTINE

ABOUT THE BOOK

When Gabriella Woods finds matches from a gentlemen’s club in her fiancé’s pocket, her suspicions require a search for answers.

At the club, she realizes it’s not her fiancé’s fidelity that can’t be trusted . . .
It’s her own.

Darion Milano is daring, intriguing, and unpredictable . . . 

Unable to get him out of her head — and against Darion’s explicit warning —
Gabi begins a torrid affair. No longer fighting the urge to enter the depth of his dark and mysterious lifestyle, she indulges in his most intimate desires.

They become the most exciting, wild, infatuated couple everybody knows.

Until his confession changes everything . . .

Her heart is telling her to stay.

Her instinct is telling her to run.

She can never match his outrageous ex-wife and become the fun, fearless woman he craves . . .
Or can she?

Discover a world of sex, secrets, and seduction.

 

INTERVIEW WITH S VALENTINE

How did you get started writing?
I started writing at a very young age in primary school. I used to write stories set in the Elizabethan era. I was obsessed with that time and how they lived. I guess I just found a passion for it when writing in English classes, and couldn’t stop doing what I enjoyed.

What's your favorite thing about the writing process?
Being able to create a story with my own unique voice to reach out and entertain readers.

Do you have a writing routine?
Pretty much. I can’t begin until I have had a coffee. I then respond to emails, messages, post blog stuff, and then I settle down to write for a few hours. Usually, I have music or the TV on in the background.

Do you write every day?
I try to, although this doesn’t always happen, as I end up blogging, or doing marketing stuff for my Booktrope authors, and before I know it, the day is up!

What do you wish you’d done differently when you first started the publishing process?
I wish I hadn’t let my writing take a backseat when I studied and worked in law. I wish I had sent my stories off at aged eighteen, when I completed some manuscripts. Who knows what would have happened.

What do you think is hardest aspect of writing a book?
Marketing and promotion is by far the most difficult. Also, overcoming writers block. Sometimes, the words won’t flow at all.

What’s more important – characters or plot?
Tricky Q. I try to let the plot come to me as I go along. I plan the outline very briefly, and sometimes the endings that come to me surprise even myself. Character development is probably the easiest, as I sort of know them inside out before I start writing. I know why they are the way they are, and what hurts them, and what heals them. You need to know what you’re characters are looking for, else how will the readers?

How often do you read?
I used to read a few books a week, now I barely get time. I do squeeze in a book a week though.

What is your writing style?
I write different genre’s, so I’d say my erotic romances were sizzling suspense stories. And my contemporary is bad-ass books that will entertain and enlighten you.


What do you think makes a good story?
The plot first and foremost – it’s not got an interesting blurb, who wants to read it. Also, interesting characters that you’re drawn to. If I don’t feel an emotional connection with characters, I won’t really care as much what happens to them, or root for their desired journey.

What books do you currently have published?
I have an erotic romance series being published this year. I also have two other novels which I’m hoping to pitch in the future. 


What do you know now that you wish you knew then?
I wish I had marketed/built a readership sooner. I also wish I knew that you can make your dreams come true, if you overcome the fear.

Do you have any secret talents?
I’m quite creative. I like making things. I also used to try my hand at DJ-ing, but I didn’t continue it to be able to get any good. Music is another massive passion of mine.

Is writing your dream job?
Yes. Other than writing, sometimes that involves music is my dream job. 


What is the worst job you’ve ever had?
I’ve had a mix of jobs, a carer, a legal secretary, a trainee legal executive, and a waitress in a hotel. The worst was waitressing. I haven’t a thick enough skin to deal with rude people. 

Do you have any marketing tips you could pass on to indie authors?
Yes. Start marketing and building a readership straight away! Also, have confidence in yourself. Everything you do, ensure it’s done professionally, from the editing, to the cover, to the website. People won’t spend money on poor quality products, so if you’re serious about it, do it properly.

If you could only watch one television station for a year, what would it be?
HBO. Or whichever Gossip Girl, Sex & The City, Sons Of Anarchy, or Dexter is on!

How often do you tweet?
Every day.

How do you feel about Facebook?
I love Facebook in terms of meeting new people, and sharing content.

For what would you like to be remembered?
For being a nice person, treating people well, and bringing great books into the world.

What scares you the most?
Spiders.

Would you make a good character in a book?
I believe so. My life has been pretty interesting. I packed up my job, sold my car, left the UK for Spain, and had a crazy season in Ibiza, and still here now.

What five things would you never want to live without?
iPhone, Kindle, CD player/iPod, cosmetics, perfumes.

What’s one thing you never leave the house without.
I used to say make-up, but now that doesn’t really bother me. My handbag. I feel a bit naked not having anything on me.

What do you love about where you live?
The weather and beaches. 


What’s your favorite thing to do on date night?
Either the cinemas, as I love movies, or a restaurant, as I love food.

What's your favorite treat for movie night?
Chocolate.

What's the biggest lie you ever told?
Hmmmm. Sometimes I tell little white lies to protect people’s feelings. I’m not a fan of huge lies, and can’t stand compulsive liars.

What’s your favorite fast food?
Chinese. 


What’s your favorite beverage?
Cosmopolitan, or strawberry daiquiri.

What drives you crazy?
Messy people, I’m a bit of a neat-freak. Oh and rude people, there’s no need.

Totally agree! What is your superpower?
Having tolerance when it comes to not so nice people. It takes tolerance and willpower to overlook things, and not let people turn you into someone you’re not. Never lower yourself to other people’s levels. 



What do you wish you could do?
Help the world, the poor people, the system, everything.

What is one of your happiest moments?
Anything where my family are all together is a happy moment.

What do you like to do when there’s nothing to do?
Read.

Where is your favorite place to visit?
The beach, or a library, or a café overlooking the beach with a coffee.

What would you name your autobiography?
The Journey, as it would take you through my life to where I am now, the obstacles, the bad and good times, and those who lived it with me.

What’s your least favorite chore?
Washing up. Hate it!


Would you rather be a movie star, sports star, or rock star?
Movie star. I could then star along Charlie Hunnam.

Do you procrastinate?
All the time.

What’s one thing that drives you crazy?
People that eat loudly. It really grates on me, lol.

What’s your favorite/most visited Internet site?
Sadly, it’s Facebook or my blog.

What’s in your refrigerator right now?
Chocolate, chocolate and more chocolate.

What is the most daring thing you've done?
Released a book into the world. It’s very scary!

What is the stupidest thing you've ever done?
I rarely do stupid things. I’m too much of an over-thinker/worrier, so I tend to think of pro’s and con’s before I do most things. Unless you count ‘blonde moments’ which I have, which are many. LOL.

What is your most embarrassing moment?
Ah too many. Like above, I have a few ‘blonde moments.’

What choices in life would you like to have a redo on?
I would have pitched my stories to agents/publishers sooner, aged 18. I would have liked to re-do my teens, and told myself not to worry so much, and just enjoy it.

What’s one of your favorite quotes?
What’s goes around comes around. I’m a massive believer in karma.

What would your main character say about you?
That I’m an extremely loyal friend.

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever had to write?
Infidelity, as I’ve experienced it, and heartbreak.


Who is your favorite fictional character?
Tough one! I really like F Scott Fitzgerald’s Mr. Gatsby. He loved Daisy, and all he ever wanted was to be liked. He seemed like a nice caring character. It was a shame as no-one really cared about him in return.


What’s one thing that very few people know about you?
I’m shy when I don’t know someone. 


You have a personal chef for the night. What would you ask him to prepare?
A nice pizza. 


How do you like your pizza?
LOL! Boring as it sounds I only like cheese and tomato, but a bit of strong cheese makes it much better.


What is the wallpaper on your computer’s desktop?
A landscape photo that changes into different ones. 


Describe yourself in 5 words.
Outgoing, shy (at times,) loyal, friendly, caring. 


What’s your favorite song?
Oooh TOO many! Maybe Hard House "Heaven’s Cry" – "Til Tears Do Us Part." Love the vocals, and it’s an uplifting song.


What’s your biggest pet peeve about writing?
When I get writer’s block and it won’t flow. 


What would you do for a Klondike bar?
What’s that? I just Googled. Us Brits call them choc ices. I wouldn’t do much for that, but for a white chocolate Bueno bar, I may be swayed to dance in the street.


What is your favorite movie?
I have SO many! Savages was brilliant! So was Blow. 


Do you have a favorite book?
Too many faves. Again, I loved Savages by Don Winslow. His writing is fresh and unique.


If you had to choose a cliché about life, what would it be?
You never knew what you had until it was gone. Not true. Sometimes, I knew what I had and was glad it was gone, lol!


What are you working on now?
The Black Door Trilogy series, published this year.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

S. Valentine grew up in England. Studying English language and literature, as well as law, she worked in a  solicitors for many years before moving to Spain. She does however still visit the UK, which in a way, will always be home.

Returning to her lifelong passion of writing books, she’s also a weekly columnist for The Ibizan newspaper on: lifestyle and fashion. Her other interests include reading, shopping and a nice glass of wine to shows such as Sons Of Anarchy, Dexter, Gossip Girl and SATC. She’s a social media addict, and loves connecting with new people.

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Buy the book:
Amazon