Today I have the pleasure of interviewing debut author, Cleo Scornavacca. Cleo's book, Miss Taken, went live on Amazon just last week. I had the honor of reviewing an ARC of it earlier this month and you can find my review for Miss Taken, here.
I am a wife. My husband is a sculptor. He creates nudes out of old steel as one of his passions. I'm a mom. My daughter is 21 years. She was an English major turned speech pathology major. I am an avid reader of romance. I started out working in pharmacy and then became a makeup artist for companies such as Princess Marcella Borghese, Bobbi Brown and MAC. I write every chance I get. I love writing adult romance and Miss Taken is my debut novel. When I was younger books were my escape and they still are.
What is it that you do when you are not writing?
I love to read. I love to go to the Jersey shore every chance I get. Spending time with friends and family.
What are your ambitions for your writing career?
I am assuming I am like most people who write and work full time jobs. Someday I hope my passion will be my full-time career. I would love for more and more people to love my novels and I hope that people will feel i am a good write. Striving to be recognized in the industry is of a big dream that I hope i will achieve one day.
If you could turn Miss Taken into a movie, who would you cast as Dominick? As Rain/Raven?
Its slightly hard for me to say. For me David James Gandy has the look of Dominick. I 'd be curious what the readers think. And Rain/Raven Nina Dobrev (she is young for the age of Rain) but I love her and she plays a dual role now. They would just have to die her hair black.
Time and inexperience. I wanted it to be a very good story. My time is limited because I work a regular job. I wanted to put out a great book and was not experienced in the indie world so I learned as I went. I think being more prepared with time and deadlines will better with book two.
Can you tell us a little about the Miss Taken series?
Miss Taken was going to be a series of two. But now it will be three novels. Miss Taken really is all Dominick and Rain but mostly Rains life before and during her relationship and kidnapping. Identity will still be about the couple but the secondary characters will be more involved and this will be more about Dominick and some surprises he didn't even know about. The third and final one in the series for and about Tommy. Everyone loves Rain's best friend and sexy business partner. So now he needs to get the girl (maybe). Its going to be called Sibling Rivalry.
What are your thoughts on writing a series? Is it quite the challenge?
I think its a huge challenge. All though you know where you want the story to go, it has to make sense and not repetitive. It has to be fresh, with twists and turns and hopefully a happy ending.
Who designed your gorgeous book cover and how did it come about?
Stephanie White of Steph's Cover Design. She helped me learn a great deal about what to ask for. Being clear on my vision for the book. Her work is amazing and I was referred to her by Ryn of First Class Book Blog.
How do you relax?
I read and I like to watch movies. I love 80s brat pack movies, Romantic Comedies like Somethings Gotta Give, When Harry met Sally. You've Got Mail.
What is your favorite motivational phrase to get you going?
My longtime friend and author Joseph Grant, has been a huge supporter of me venturing out on this journey. We went to school together so he knew how scared I was too do this. But he talks to me everyday. Whether I am in a good mood and excited. Or in a bad mood, he is always there to listen. No matter what is going on he always says to me "Cleo don't worry, JUST WRITE, KEEPING WRITING. He's right just keep at it and I do.
What advice would you give aspiring authors?
For them to just write as my friend Joe says. Don't worry about what others are going to say. Do it for you and when its done the overwhelming support you get from your readers will tell you it wasn't a mistake. My mom told me when I was starting this that if I didn't do it i would be the only one to blame. It's worse if you don't try because they you'll will never really know your potential.
Is there anything else you would like to add that I haven't included?
I just need to thank everyone who is reading Miss Taken and following and supporting me. Readers are the best fans and very passionate people. It is an escape and I hope my characters really do that for them. just like many authors have done for me.
How can readers discover more about you and your work?
Facebook| Goodreads | BookLikes | Twitter
Love........................The Ultimate Loss of Control
Rain and Raven Medici are identical twins. Although they come from a loving close-knit family their childhoods couldn’t have been more different. Raven went to school and was exposed freely to the outside world. Rain on the other hand was born with a blood disorder and denied many normal childhood experiences.
Once grown, Raven becomes a lawyer at their dad’s firm Kane & Medici in NYC. Rain along with her only childhood friend Tommy Conte, builds a very successful business as professional photographers. Traveling between Europe and Manhattan, and enjoying a world that was kept from her, Rain vows never to be controlled again.
Dominick Kane is a product of his upbringing. He’s powerful, self-assured and knows he can achieve anything he desires. Nothing gets in his way. There is only one thing he has ever failed at. A relationship with his father Vincent Kane. Upon his father’s death, Dominick vows revenge. The events he sets in motion put him on a collision course he himself will be unable to control.
In a bizarre twist of fate, Dominick kidnaps Raven as part of his plan for revenge. Only to discover afterward, he has taken Rain by mistake. Rain knows she can never survive being confined again. So she strikes a bargain with the devil and agrees to help Dominick get back what he feels rightly belongs to him. His father’s share of Kane & Medici.
Dominick decides to use the strong attraction growing between Rain and himself to control her in every way imaginable. Too bad no one ever taught Dominick you can’t control the heart. Nothing could have prepared him for the effect Rain would have on his.
Will this plan of revenge turn into unconditional love? Or will Dominick and Rain’s need for control ultimately destroy them and any possibly chance for a real future together.......
Rain and Raven Medici are identical twins. Although they come from a loving close-knit family their childhoods couldn’t have been more different. Raven went to school and was exposed freely to the outside world. Rain on the other hand was born with a blood disorder and denied many normal childhood experiences.
Once grown, Raven becomes a lawyer at their dad’s firm Kane & Medici in NYC. Rain along with her only childhood friend Tommy Conte, builds a very successful business as professional photographers. Traveling between Europe and Manhattan, and enjoying a world that was kept from her, Rain vows never to be controlled again.
Dominick Kane is a product of his upbringing. He’s powerful, self-assured and knows he can achieve anything he desires. Nothing gets in his way. There is only one thing he has ever failed at. A relationship with his father Vincent Kane. Upon his father’s death, Dominick vows revenge. The events he sets in motion put him on a collision course he himself will be unable to control.
In a bizarre twist of fate, Dominick kidnaps Raven as part of his plan for revenge. Only to discover afterward, he has taken Rain by mistake. Rain knows she can never survive being confined again. So she strikes a bargain with the devil and agrees to help Dominick get back what he feels rightly belongs to him. His father’s share of Kane & Medici.
Dominick decides to use the strong attraction growing between Rain and himself to control her in every way imaginable. Too bad no one ever taught Dominick you can’t control the heart. Nothing could have prepared him for the effect Rain would have on his.
Will this plan of revenge turn into unconditional love? Or will Dominick and Rain’s need for control ultimately destroy them and any possibly chance for a real future together.......
Where can readers purchase Miss Taken?
Kindle Edition| Paperback | Smashwords
Oooh exciting! Sounds great. :)
ReplyDeleteThis book sounds so good. Thanks for the chance to win.
ReplyDelete