Under the Covers with Cherie Le Claire

Please welcome Cherie Le Clare to Under the Covers with Lynne.

Hi Cherie, I’ve been looking forward to this! First important question. Silk, satin, cotton, flannel. What is your sheet of choice and why?

CS: Cotton. Love the natural fibre.

Cotton it is! It’s a slumber party! Calories don’t count. What snacks would you like?

CS: Dark chocolate and salty crisps

Oh, a woman after my own heart!

So… for our curious readers, what are you usually wearing at three o’clock in the morning. What are you wearing?

CS: Can’t see - I’m fast asleep!

LOL I love a little mystery. Attempting a career as a writer is a daring thing, what’s the second most daring thing you’ve ever done?

CS: Swam naked at a public beach in daylight.

Wow! I’m impressed. I thought it was daring to swim naked at night in a public pool. Kudos to you! So how daring are you? Have you ever had a one-night stand?

CS: Yep

You go, girl. What is the craziest or most unusual place you’ve had sex?

CS: Crushed onto the backseat of a Mini.

Sounds interesting. What would you consider a romantic date?

CS: Preferably located somewhere private and luxurious, with food, drink and meaningful conversation.

If you could take that date anywhere in the world, where would it be? A picnic on a yacht.

Oh, nice! I have some random questions so our readers can get to know you better. What is your favorite thing to eat?

CS: Strawberries and cream

What is your favorite color?

CS: Peacock blue

What is your favorite flower?

CS: Daisy

What is your favorite season?

CS: Autumn

If you could have any car, which would it be?

CS: VW Beetle

Who is your favorite actor?

CS: Johnny Depp

Oh, me too! Who is your favorite actress?

CS: Julie Walters

Do you have a favorite band or singer?

CS: Michael Bublé

What is your favorite song?

CS: Blackbird by The Beatles

What is your favorite non-alcoholic drink?

CS: Coffee

Oh, mine too, but it’s a special occasion so what’s your favorite alcoholic drink? CS: Rosé wine

Nice. I’ll pour us a glass of Rose wine and queue up Finding Neverland, but first, a little businesss. How would you describe your writing style?

CS: Short on description, long on emotion.

I like that. What inspired you to start writing?

CS : A correspondence writing course.

Really? That’s interesting. How did your friends/relatives react when you told them you wanted to be a writer?

CS: When can we read your book? and Remember us when you’re rich and famous.

LOL I had to explain to several members of my family that published didn’t automatically transfer into buying a Mercedes. What is the best piece of advice on writing you’ve ever received?

CS: Keep the readers turning the pages by foreshadowing, and then rewarding with ‘surprise information’ or a twist in the tale near the end.

Good advice! What kind of goals to you set for yourself when writing? Word count? Page count?

CS: Word and page count goals don’t motivate me. I prefer to just go with the flow and take each day as it comes – some days I write a lot, other days very little.

Do you listen to music while you write?

CS: Sometimes, but I usually prefer silence.

Silence is golden. Where were you when you heard your first book was contracted. What did you do?

CS: I switched on my computer. And stared. Wow!! A contract offer. I phoned my husband, and phoned or emailed friends and family, bubbling with excitement.

 Do you have anything in the works?

CS: Yes. I have recently sold my second romance set in World War Two. This story takes place in New Zealand.

Congratulations! Do you write full time or part time?

CS: Full time.

Who is your favorite character in your novels?

CS: The hero – each and every one of them!

If you could have lunch with one writer, who would it be?

CS: Lee Child.

What is your favorite part of being a romance writer?

CS: It’s fun and flirty and sometimes downright dirty

*grin* Least favorite?

CS: Suffering put-downs by ‘literary snobs.’

If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be and why?

CS: I’m very happy here in New Zealand, but my very own Pacific or Caribbean island ala Ian Fleming style could tempt me!

Ah, the Caribbean. Where can we find you now?

CS: Please visit me at http://www.cherieleclare.com/

So tell us about your newest release.

CS: FRENCH KISS, published by The Wild Rose Press in their Vintage Rose category, is set in France during the Second World War. I’ve long been interested in the courageous and daring men and women involved in the French Resistance movement, and this is what prompted me to tell my heroine’s story. The hero was inspired by my Uncle who received a medal for bravery as a Spitfire pilot with the Royal Air Force.

Sounds good!

 Here is the blurb:

When Louisa, undercover agent for the British Secret Service, parachutes into war-torn France in 1944, she doesn’t expect to fall, literally, into the arms of fugitive Royal Air force pilot, Joseph Fisher. Seeking a safe sanctuary, Louisa and Joe battle constant danger from enemy forces and soon form a strong friendship. Joe, quickly realizing he can’t bear to leave France without her, rejects an opportunity to be smuggled onto the escape line, thus forcing Louisa to find the courage to face her biggest fear. What will it take for her to risk falling in love?

Excerpt:

Twisting her head to one side, she looked down to see how far she was from the ground. She would have to jump.

Suddenly, both shoes slid away, her tenuous hold gone. Cursing as her hands parted company with the rough bark, she fell heavily on top of a solid mound.

The mound moved.

And groaned.

Before she had time to react she was forcefully ejected and pitched onto her side. A heavy weight then knocked her flat on her back, one large hand covering her mouth.

“What the devil…?” The deep voice rumbled in her ears. The man looming over her appeared to be wearing a uniform. Pine needles were stuck to his collar. His face was close enough for her to feel his breath and the dark pools of his eyes glared into hers.

Stealthily, Louisa’s hand crept towards her pocket.

He gave a grunt of astonishment. “A woman?”

She made to whip out a revolver, but he was too quick for her. He clamped a hand on each of her wrists. She was no match for his strength.

“What are you doing here?” he demanded. His grip tightened when she didn’t answer. “Who are you?”