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Author Meeting Place Interviews author Viviane Brentanos of Corfu, Greece
Bio: My life has been an interesting one, to say the least and I would probably need to write a novel to cover everything but here is a short summary.
I was born in Reading Uk in 1958. My father is English and my mother is French although there is a strong vein of Spanish on my maternal grandmothers side. I was educated at various schools before completing Sixth Form College at St Peter's Huntingdon. I somehow managed to collect A levels in English, French and History and I subsequently won a place at Sheffield University where I decided to read Classical Civilization. Once there, however, I decided that I had had enough of the academic life; I found the student mentality rather false and having been brought up in student circles, rather boring. Much to my mother's horror, I gave up my studies and went to London to begin a course as a Canine Beautician. In 1984, my first husband and I parted ways amicably and I decided to visit the Ionian island of Corfu to celebrate my new freedom. It proved to be a life-changing decision. I still remember to this day, sitting in a café-bar, overlooking the crystal clear azure sea and saying to my friend. "I never want to leave here". And here, I still am. I am now married again, to a Greek, Alexander {not the Great}, and I have two teenage children, 4 dogs and 4 cats and I absolutely love the life-style here. I would recommend it to anyone. In 2005,I was diagnosed with Breast Cancer - for the SECOND time in 5 years. It is when you are faced with your own mortality that one begins to put one's life into perspective. Thankfully, God was yet again on my side and I am now in full remission. But I decided that there was more to me than being a mother {although, I hasten to add, it is a worthy assignment.} I decided to finally get my head down and do what I'd always promised myself; I was going to finish a novel. I have been writing romance since my early teens, mostly for my own satisfaction and for my friends but now I really want to work at it. Writing has become my passion. I have always been a "Romantic", often accused of not living in the real world but who wants to do that? I like to call my work Romance with a quirky, humorous Brit twist and I am always striving to make my characters real, characters we can all relate to. I am a member of Romance Writers of America and of the LA chapter LARA. I still fly back to the UK at least twice a year - especially if Darren Hayes {my other passion} is performing but I have to say that my heart is now in Greece. I suppose with so much Mediterranean blood flowing through my veins, I didn't stand a chance against this magical Island. The imaginary island of Kuros, featured in DreamWeek has been inspired by my beloved Corfu and I hope it will inspire you all to visit.
How many book/s have you written?: To date, I have completed five single title novels
Please share with us your book titles: My first novel, Class Act I penned back in 2004, a great year for Greece. We won the Euro soccar championship and hosted an amazing Olympic Games so it was a year to remember and totally inspirational. In 2005, Letting Go followed and this was written under the influence of Chemo drugs [who says drugs don't work?} Dreamweek came in 2007, a real summer holiday read, inspired by my own holiday representative days.
Written in Stone 2008- now here is a strange story. this was a case of I knew I loved you before I met you. I actually met the hero - after I completed the ms, A sort of after deja vue.
2009 - Fragile Dreams - a follow up to Dreamweek Written in Stone and Fragile Dreams are currently on the submission road. Fingers crossed.
What genre/s would you like to write in?: What genre would I like to write in? Mmm - thats a tricky one. I love to read court and forensic medical dramas but I doubt I could pen such a tale. No, I am quite happy with my chosen genre. I like to keep my characters real and quirky and in tune with modern life.
Please share with us who or what encourages you to write and why?: Now, who can I say encouraged me to write. I suppose I should be high-faluting and say Shakespear, Austen but no, I have to be honest. It ws Enid Blyton. Growing up, I devoured her books with a passion. She drew me in to a fntasy world from which I never escaped. I wanted to create my own world. After her came Marageret Mitchell. For me, Scarlett O'Hara is the greatest heroine ever penned.
And then, of course, the delightful Miss Jilly Cooper, the inspiration, I am sure for many romantic comedy authors.If I can bring half as much of Jilly's wit and intelligence to my works, I will die proud.
How long did it take for you to write your book/s?: How long it took me to write depends on how you define 'write the book'. My head has swum with scenarios since I was twelve and wrote my first story for my school buddies. In terms of days, hours, I supppose I can write a rough draft of a new novel in less in weeks. My first attempt, Class Act, ook a lot longer but I was raw then and have since learned so much in terms of formatting and what is required by publishers. Some stories just flow. I never push myself. If I feel the muse upon me, i can churn out pges. Other times its a real struggle just to write a paragraph.
How long did it take for you to publish your book/s?: In terms of time, I was extremely fortunate in getting a ms picked up by a publisher. Letting Go was contracted withing three months of putting out on the long submission trail. Class Act - I'm still waiting. Lol. Dreamweek was initially contracted by the now defunct Tiger Publication and I can tell you, that was a bit of a set back but I didn't mope for too long. I sent it back out there and to my great excitement, t was picked up by Red Rose Publications.
Who did you publish with and why?: I am most fortunate to have two amazing publshers
The Wild Rose Press and now, Red Rose Publishing.
Both of these houses have been fun to work with and I owe a debt of gratitude to my editor Diane Parkinson at WWP both Keren Childrs and Rebecca Hunter at RRP. I especially appreciate the fact thatI was allowed to keep my 'Britishness' even though I realise that my readers will be, for the most part from the USA. It was very important to me that my Brit caustic wit was appreciated. I realise sometimes our humour can be a little of the wall. Hey - we are the home of Monty Python.
Please share with us how you prefer to market your book/s?: Living on a small island, my promo options are limited so i do heavily rely on internet. The various reader/author loops are a God send as is Facebook and My Space. I also have a website and a blog.
Please share with us any event/s that you have planned in marketing your book/s: I would love to be able to set up a book signing but unfortunately, living on Corfu, it isn't an option.
Do you wish to share any additional information with our readers?: Iwould like to take this chance to say a huge thank you to all who have supported me along this rocky road to reaising my dream. I write because its what I love to do and if, somewhere long the way, people appreciate what I do then it's a huge honour.
Thank you to Author Meeting Place for giving me this platform.
Backcover Description: Twenty three year old Isabella Stevens is too young to be tired of life. Her job as a holiday representative for the prestigious Dream Villas located on the beautiful Greek island of Kuros has provided her nothing but grief. Demanding, unreasonable guests and a cantankerous boss pale in comparison to the problems she has with her love life. After 12 years as Paul’s childhood sweetheart, she’s learned the hard way he’s moved on with the island trap, Mel’s and he’ s the audacity to blame her for his indiscretions. Charismatic, handsome actor, David Wells is a man on top of the world. At least that’s what the casual observer would think. When he escapes his crumbling marriage on a Kuros vacation, he’s no idea what’s in store. A rocky first meeting does nothing to dissuade him from his attraction to the beautiful Izzie Stevens, a young woman with a mysterious air of pain in her eyes. It’s up to him to convince her Paul is not her man. It is he who longs to care for this girl so long abandoned to life’s cruelties and fates. For David, the emotional battle is equally daunting. Finally free of his wife’s hold on him, he is frightened by his new vulnerability and love for Izzie. But can David open the door to Izzie’s heart when tragedy shakes her world apart<
Backcover Description: Elysiana Rouva and the young Michael are drawn together by an inexplicable bond. They share so much more than mere physical attraction. Ellie is at the point where she is questioning her life. Recently overcoming a long, hard battle with breast cancer, she is vulnerable and depressed. Her husband, Pavlos, although outwardly supportive, provides her with no real comfort.
Their marriage is a farce. She no longer loves him and is not threatened by his numerous affairs or his obsession with his work. Her friends say all the right words but she cannot make them understand.
Enter Michael. Michael becomes Ellie's salvation. The young man Pavlos sends to tend their garden turns Ellie's world on its head. As for Michael, Ellie provides escape from a past clouded with bad memories.
Backcover Description: Dumped five days before her wedding, Cassandra Hall decides not to waste the honeymoon.
She sets off to London. What was supposed to be her dream week turns into a nightmare time of introspect, self-doubt. Then she meets James, literally falling at his feet in an attempt to save his Afghan hound from colliding head on with the traffic.
James is witty, charming, too good-looking and also—not available. Despite this, Cassie is captivated by him. What follows is a week of fun, companionship and a bonding Cassie has never experienced.
James, sensing Cassie's unhappiness, goes out of his way to make up for her jerk of a fiance's rejection. He is drawn to her vulnerability—something he finds disturbing, threatening to shatter all he thought he knew about himself. Cassie, he senses, is falling in love with him. He ought to back away but cannot. Cassie bravely makes her true feelings known and when he rejects her, he knows he has broken her heart. He is left confused, guilty because James has a secret.
Email to share: viv4daz@yahoo.com
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