The winner of Riley Quinn's "Blood Diamond" is...Jill James! Congrats Jill and thanks so much for stopping by : ) Enjoy!
I don't know about you, but I'm loving the opportunity to find out how other authors tick, how they go about their work, and anything else that pops up along the way. Please help me welcome Christine DePetrillo to Novel Natterings, and enjoy a sneak peak at her book, "Lazuli Moon". It sounds like an exciting read!
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Thank you for taking part Christine. I have a few questions to find out a bit more about you and your Jewel of the Night story.
Firstly, how long did you give yourself to write it?
It took me about a month to write LAZULI MOON. Once I got started, I just couldn't stop. I had to be with Nivia and Ben all the time.
What was it like writing for a series?
Writing for a series was a fun challenge. The publisher wanted romantic suspense that revolved around a blue diamond. This was like getting a homework assignment, and being a teacher by day, I just LOVE homework assignments!
Where did you come up with the idea for the plot?
This is the other thing I liked about writing for a series with a specific assignment. Even though there were some "rules" for the story, I had a blast thinking of how to incorporate a blue diamond into a romantic suspense. I wanted LAZULI MOON to have an Indiana Jones feel to it and wanted an exotic location like the rainforest. I learned a great deal about the Valdivian Rainforest in Chile while writing this tale. For me, research is half the fun!
How smooth was the publishing journey and was it different to others because of the tighter deadline?
The publishing journey was smooth and painless as it always is with The Wild Rose Press. I've worked with three editors so far, each from different lines, and I've loved them all. Knowledgeable and attentive to every detail, this publisher has been a pleasure to work with.
Favourite part of the book/favourite character? Why?
My favorite character is Nivia. I like her adventurous spirit. I feel as if I got to go to the Valdivian Rainforest through her.
It took me about a month to write LAZULI MOON. Once I got started, I just couldn't stop. I had to be with Nivia and Ben all the time.
What was it like writing for a series?
Writing for a series was a fun challenge. The publisher wanted romantic suspense that revolved around a blue diamond. This was like getting a homework assignment, and being a teacher by day, I just LOVE homework assignments!
Where did you come up with the idea for the plot?
This is the other thing I liked about writing for a series with a specific assignment. Even though there were some "rules" for the story, I had a blast thinking of how to incorporate a blue diamond into a romantic suspense. I wanted LAZULI MOON to have an Indiana Jones feel to it and wanted an exotic location like the rainforest. I learned a great deal about the Valdivian Rainforest in Chile while writing this tale. For me, research is half the fun!
How smooth was the publishing journey and was it different to others because of the tighter deadline?
The publishing journey was smooth and painless as it always is with The Wild Rose Press. I've worked with three editors so far, each from different lines, and I've loved them all. Knowledgeable and attentive to every detail, this publisher has been a pleasure to work with.
Favourite part of the book/favourite character? Why?
My favorite character is Nivia. I like her adventurous spirit. I feel as if I got to go to the Valdivian Rainforest through her.
Blurb: 
Three people search for the legendary Lazuli Moon in the Valdivian Rainforest.
Two of them will find a treasure they never expected.
One won’t live to see another day.
Archaeologist and professor Dr. Nivia Charu can’t let the Lazuli Moon remain hidden forever. With her teaching position threatened and no funds for an expedition, Nivia fears the blue diamond fabled to have healing powers will never be unearthed.
Physician Dr. Benjamin Forrester wants to cure his uncle’s cancer. His attempts at manufacturing a remedy, however, have failed. Desperate and out of options, Ben needs a miracle, and Nivia may just hold the key.
Up against a crazed boat captain and ancient curses, Ben and Nivia join forces to seek the Lazuli Moon. What waits for them in the depths of the rainforest will either make them famous or kill them.
Excerpt:
There was something about Ben…
Heat burned Nivia’s cheeks, and it wasn’t due to the fire in the center of their camp. She was far enough away from the flames to not be overwhelmed by their heat. The temperature change occurring on her skin had to do with Ben and only him. Nivia risked a glance across the campfire.
Ben scraped his fork along the inside of his food pouch trying for the last remnants of his dinner. He placed the emptied pouch by his feet and used his napkin to wipe at a spot on his jeans. Nivia couldn’t hold in the laughter, and Ben looked up.
“What’s so funny?” he said.
“You’re a little uncoordinated in the eating department,” Nivia said.
Ben shrugged. “Been that way since I was a kid. My uncle says it’s because I’m always in a hurry. That I’d rather be doing something else instead of eating.”
“Is that an accurate assessment?”
“I suppose so. I eat to live, not live to eat, I guess.” He looked down to the spot on his jeans. “I could try to be neater though.”
“Don’t change a thing,” Nivia said before she could stop herself.
Ben’s lips turned up into a smile that hit Nivia square in the heart. She didn’t know if it was because she now knew what those lips felt like on hers, or if Ben was just one of the sexiest men she’d met in a long time.
Three people search for the legendary Lazuli Moon in the Valdivian Rainforest.
Two of them will find a treasure they never expected.
One won’t live to see another day.
Archaeologist and professor Dr. Nivia Charu can’t let the Lazuli Moon remain hidden forever. With her teaching position threatened and no funds for an expedition, Nivia fears the blue diamond fabled to have healing powers will never be unearthed.
Physician Dr. Benjamin Forrester wants to cure his uncle’s cancer. His attempts at manufacturing a remedy, however, have failed. Desperate and out of options, Ben needs a miracle, and Nivia may just hold the key.
Up against a crazed boat captain and ancient curses, Ben and Nivia join forces to seek the Lazuli Moon. What waits for them in the depths of the rainforest will either make them famous or kill them.
Excerpt:
There was something about Ben…
Heat burned Nivia’s cheeks, and it wasn’t due to the fire in the center of their camp. She was far enough away from the flames to not be overwhelmed by their heat. The temperature change occurring on her skin had to do with Ben and only him. Nivia risked a glance across the campfire.
Ben scraped his fork along the inside of his food pouch trying for the last remnants of his dinner. He placed the emptied pouch by his feet and used his napkin to wipe at a spot on his jeans. Nivia couldn’t hold in the laughter, and Ben looked up.
“What’s so funny?” he said.
“You’re a little uncoordinated in the eating department,” Nivia said.
Ben shrugged. “Been that way since I was a kid. My uncle says it’s because I’m always in a hurry. That I’d rather be doing something else instead of eating.”
“Is that an accurate assessment?”
“I suppose so. I eat to live, not live to eat, I guess.” He looked down to the spot on his jeans. “I could try to be neater though.”
“Don’t change a thing,” Nivia said before she could stop herself.
Ben’s lips turned up into a smile that hit Nivia square in the heart. She didn’t know if it was because she now knew what those lips felt like on hers, or if Ben was just one of the sexiest men she’d met in a long time.
Visit Christine here:
Website: http://www.christinedepetrillo.blogspot.com/
Group blog: http://www.apinchofromance.blogspot.com/
I'm first!
ReplyDeleteHi Christine, I love your cover! And another great setting, too. So many unique stories have been created from one central idea of a blue diamond.
Best wishes,
Cherie.
Thanks, Cherie!
ReplyDeleteThis sounds like a wonderful story Christine! I love nature so a forest draws me right in. Great job on the setting. And I enjoy Indy too, so that's another plus. Congratulations and good luck!
ReplyDeleteLazuli sounds terrific. Love suspense with romance and the exotic setting is extra nice for tension.
ReplyDeleteLiz Arnold
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