Sizzling PR VBT: Interview with Carla Caruso, author of Cityglitter
Welcome, Carla! Tell us about your new release.
CC: Cityglitter (Penguin’s 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/
Describe the heroine in three words.
CC: Beautiful, humorous, magical!
What traits does the hero possess that makes the heroine swoon?
CC: Good looks, charm and a sharp business mind (as well as an open mind!) Jasper Lezark is the head of an international lighting company and definitely has heroine Christelle’s wings all aflutter.
What was your inspiration for this story?
CC: 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!
Who is your favorite character from this book? And can you include an excerpt involving this character?
CC: Heroine Christelle’s younger sister – the hapless, naïve, ginger-haired Trixie Fifi Panache – was a blast to write. Here’s a scene with her, below…
‘Hi, how are you?’ the voice chirrups, not knowing it’s not the done thing to introduce yourself at A-list parties. There are a few confused hellos in return.
‘I like your glitter—very pretty,’ the voice suddenly exclaims. ‘Are you a fairy?’
I can hear a camp male voice respond, ‘Of course, I am, sweetheart! Would I wear a man-bag if I wasn’t?’
The guy obviously means “fairy”, as in, his sexual preferences though, not fairy (Sydney being Australia’s gay capital and all).
‘Wow, can I touch your skin?’ The voice has seemingly moved onto another victim. ‘It’s orange! What kind of creature are you?’
Oh dear.
Turning, I see the owner of the voice in full glory. Trixie. In her pink tutu get-up—oh God—questioning Style’s accessories editor about her tangerine tan. The bottom of the pool twinkles at me enticingly. If only I could dive in right now. I should have known better—like my apartment’s deadlock would deter my Houdini of a sister.
What genres do you write in, and what appeals to you about those genres?
CC: Romantic comedy. Favourite authors include Sophie Kinsella, Maggie Alderson and Zoe Foster. They all serve up romance with a healthy dose of glamour and fun, which I love!
What other titles do you have published?
CC: Mommy Blogger (Eternal Press) is about copywriter Stella who lands a great job as a mommy blogger. The catch is she’s never had children. Plunged into a world of insanity every mother faces, she must learn to cope as her lies build upon one another. A sexy ex comes into the picture, forcing her to choose between him or the job and a handsome ‘keeper’ of a co-worker. It can’t last forever!
I’ve also recently written a short story called The Grass is Greener for AlfieDog.com 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?
What are you working on now?
CC: 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…
What writing/writer’s organizations are you involved with? Can you explain how they help your writing and/or your writing career?
CC: I started writing seriously about a year before I joined any writers’ groups, and I can tell you it’s much more fun being part of a group than a loner writer! I’m with the critique group, Novelist’s Circle (http://novelistscircle.weebly.com/), the South Australian Romance Authors (SARomanceAuthors.weebly.com) and Romance Writers of Australia (www.romanceaustralia.com). It’s a great way to hone your writing skills, stay abreast of the industry – and make great (likeminded) friends. I also go along to an annual romance writers’ conference, which is always very fun and inspiring.
Where can my readers find you?
CC: Please find me at www.carlacaruso.com.au, @CarlaCaruso79, and http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6541142. And thanks kindly for your time!
Thank you for stopping by, Carla!
Cityglitter by Carla Caruso: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.’
About the Author:
Carla Caruso grew up amid a boisterous extended Italian family in Australia – yet somehow managed to become a bookworm…
Carla always wanted to be a novelist, annoying the kindergarten teachers by dictating long, detailed stories to them. It just took her a while to realize her childhood dream – journalism seemed a more practical course. Her media career has included stints as a newspaper and magazine journalist, government PR and fashion stylist. These days, she works as a freelance journalist and copywriter. She began seriously writing fiction three years ago when she went freelance full-time.
The romance genre appeals as she is a sucker for rom-coms (especially if Channing Tatum is in the mix) and likes to think her Italian ancestry means she lives with passion. Hobbies include watching trashy TV shows, fashion, astrology and running.
