Tuesday 20 May 2014

Author Interview - Christine Ardigo

It is my great pleasure and privilege to do this interview with my good friend and talented new author, Christine Ardigo. Thanks so much, Christine, for featuring on my blog. Her fabulous debut novel, Cheating to Survive, is now finally released.


      When did you start writing?

About 2 years ago.

     What’s the story behind your latest book?

I had heard these radio shows where they caught men cheating on their wives. Some of the poor wives begged their husbands to come back, asked what they did wrong, and said “I still love you”. It was humiliating. I decided to turn the tables on the husbands.
    
 
What is the greatest joy of writing for you?

I love making up characters and scenes. It’s almost like lying about events and getting away with it!
What are you working on next?

Book 2 in the series: Every 5 Years. It takes you back in time to when it all began for lovers Heather & Nicolo.

When you’re not writing, how do you spend your time?

I am a full time registered dietitian and personal trainer. I love weight lifting and have done that since college. I also live by the phrase: Do something every day that you fear. I’ve gone white-water rafting, rock-climbing outdoors and jumped out of airplanes.

How do you approach cover design for your books?

I popped on over to group on Facebook called Book Covers and Cover Artists and every time I saw a cover I loved, It was from Kellie Dennis and Book Cover and Design. (http://www.bookcoverbydesign.co.uk/) I knew she was the one for me and never looked at another site.

Where did you grow up, and how did this influence your writing?

I grew up on Long Island, New York and my books are all based there. I have the beach, the bay, and the city all within a half hour away!

Do you remember the first story you ever wrote?

Yup. I was obsessed with Nancy Drew mysteries so I wrote my own: Linda Wells Mysteries. I wrote it in an old-battered, spiral notebook complete with hand drawings! I was eleven-years old. I still have it.

What is your writing process?

I follow Larry Brooks - Story Engineering 8 Plot points. I write what has to be in each plot point, and then fill in the blanks. (That’s the fun part!)

What do you read for pleasure?

Although I write Women’s Fiction & Contemporary Romance, I love books like Hunger Games, or stories from Stephen King and Dean Koontz. I do love a good romance though.

How much research goes into your books, and how do you tackle that?

Most of it I make up but if I don’t know something, I Google it, ask friends that have been in that situation or job, or even watch YouTube videos to get a better idea of what a scene or character should look like. For example, if I’m not sure what a four-year-old girl should be doing or saying, I watch a video of one and then I can picture her.

Have you ever had writer’s block? How do you deal with it?

Not yet. I usually get my best ideas driving to work. I have about a 40-minute commute. I will think of a scene, and then it comes to me as I drive. The only problem is remembering it by the time I get to work and writing it down. I’ve found myself writing things down on napkins in my car!

Describe a favourite scene in your current novel?

It’s a scene with Catherine. I don’t want to give any spoilers away, but her first encounter with her man, their first kiss, gives me Goosebumps every time I read it.

What is the best comment you ever received from a reader?

I love when people tell me my writing is so vivid, you actually feel like you’re in the room experiencing it. But my favourite was someone that said: “You got what you wanted. I finished the book and I can’t stop thinking about it. I can’t get it out of my head. I keep thinking about certain scenes.”

What else do you have in store for your readers?

All my books for now, will revolve around women having to make a decision: Do they stay with the man they are currently with, or look for someone that might be better.

Do you plan several books ahead or do you work on one book at a time?

I do have 3 other books in mind, but I’m not revealing any secrets yet. You’ll just have to stick around.

Book Synopsis


Can Cheating on Your Husband Bring Unimaginable Pleasure or Completely Destroy Your World?
To her three daughters, Heather is a fun-loving, silly mom. Her co-workers at Norlyn Plains Hospital think she has it all, including a handsome lawyer husband.
But when a flirtatious new doctor chooses Heather to spend his down time with, he reminds her of the man she regrettably gave up so many years before. Each interaction breathes new life into her and she gives in to the doctor’s seductions, threatening her fifteen-year marriage.
Her co-workers Victoria and Catherine, are stunned by her actions, but when they see the positive transformation in Heather, and question their own crumbling marriages, they wonder if she has the right idea.
Can cheating on their husbands bring the three of them happiness? Or will they be destroyed by the consequences?

Excerpt


 
Dr. Silvatri’s head sprang up. “You mean if you and I were on a more personal level than it would be okay?”
                “Of course, yes, I mean no, I think it would be something that if you and I were...”  She squeezed her fist in between her thighs. “Well, we couldn’t anyway.”
                “Why not?”
                “We’re both married.” 
                “Is that a problem?” 
                Heather’s heart pounded so furiously against her chest she felt dizzy. She stared at him for a good fifteen seconds. “Your call,” she heaved out, her breathing rapid now.
He no longer inched toward her. Extensive thrusts propelled him across the room as if he had waited forever for her to say those words. Right before his chair knocked into hers, Silvatri leaped up, whipped it around in a half-circle and crashed back into it, removing the obstructive backrest. He secured her cheekbones under his thumbs and drew her lips in to his.  
His juicy mouth smashed onto hers, biting and sucking, like former lovers reunited. The feel of his powerful tongue against hers, was exactly as she imagined. She drove back wanting to climb inside. Silvatri’s right hand clutched the back of her head and clamped down on her hair.
They say it’s in his kiss, and it was. Passionate and yearning, a deep desire concealed for months. There, in his kiss, she felt it. Heather snagged it. A kiss. A tiny wish of hers, finally granted and her life took on new meaning. One kiss and hope restored.
But in one swooping motion, he removed his hands from her face, grabbed her ass and lifted Heather onto his lap. Heather froze. Only a kiss. His mouth covered hers again, but with each motion, she unraveled and let go. His commanding precedent erased the past fifteen years of faithfulness she maintained with Lance. She wanted him, wanted this.  
 She wrapped her arms around his neck. His hands travelled from her ass, down her skirt and back up her legs. His thumbs probed the tiny folds between her thigh and pelvic bones, teasing. 
                He glided his hands to the underside of her skirt and cupped her bare ass. He pulled away and they looked into each other’s eyes while their breaths poured out in quick successions. “Wasn’t expecting that,” he panted.
                She smiled, hoping her face remained colorless. At least the thong she threw on this morning redeemed her lifeless mommy apparel.
                He snapped up, hoisted her by her ass into the air like a small child, and took two large strides over to the wall, pushing her against it. Silvatri released her and then leaned in, rubbing his loose scrub pants against her body. She questioned if he wore underwear as his erection hung down across his thigh. The cucumber she cut for Rori’s snack yesterday entered her mind.
                No. Not now. No kids! 
                He pulled away and staggered into the wall behind him, breathing as heavy as she. “How private is this office?”
                He wouldn’t. Not here. Would he? Would she?
                “No one knows I’m in here.” He looked at the door. “It’s locked,” she continued, “I’m the only one with the key.”  
                That’s all he needed to hear.
 

Author Links:

 
 

5 comments:

  1. Thank you Danielle, for everything, all you help. This is fantastic. I hope everyone enjoys the book!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. How could they not?!?!? It's fantastic. Sorry it has taken me a little time to reply. This week has been mad, but great. Love you Christine. I wish you all the success with this book. You totally deserve it. :)

      Delete
  2. Steamy hot, crazy and sinful excerpt!!! Wow!

    Hi Christine, great interview. I can imagine you scribbling ideas on a napkin as you drive.

    I go to bed with a notebook and pen on my bedside table or my phone within reach to scribble down conversation or thoughts.

    Congrats on your new release. I wonder if I want to quickly download this book or hesitate for fear of being thought crazily sexy ideas. Lol!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Great interview, ladies. I always love hearing how authors come about their stories. I loved reading Cheating To Survive. Christine is a talented writer who made the book come alive. I look forward to the next book.

    ReplyDelete
  4. Thank you everyone, Just saw this now, I hope you all enjoy it! <3

    ReplyDelete