You are the very first author interviewed on this blog, so thank you for taking the time for us. Could you tell us a little about yourself?
Thank you Debbie. I am really, really honoured to be the first to appear on your blog. I’m a mother of two wonderful, albeit energetic children, living in Vienna. I work as an assistant nurse. My hobbies range from knitting, crocheting to Archery.
How does it feel to have brought yet another novel to life?
It feels really good to know that I’ve brought another novel to life. And the best thing about it is there are people who enjoy reading it, and that the story brought a smile on someone’s face.
What makes this story different from what you have done in the past?
Truly Madly Deeply You is more character oriented. How the two characters, who have been best friends, relate to one another. I’d say it’s more about exploring the feelings, how they feel towards each other. The other stories I’m writing revolve around the plot and characters.
I think the cover is beautiful, did you design it yourself, just have an idea of what you wanted or trusted the artist to create one for you?
Thank you. The cover was done by the very talented Najla Qamber. http://najlaqamberdesigns.blogspot.com/ The first time she sent me the first draft, I almost fell off my chair. She had literally designed the couple, exactly like I had them in my mind. Given that the Truly, Madly, Deeply, You is a sweet romance, the cover was ideal for this type of story.
I see you have several novels. How long have you been writing and what brought you to publishing your work? (I ask because there are so many people walking around with stories to tell, yet very few in comparison who actually write a book).
Do you have a favorite genre, either to read or write?
I don’t really have a particular genre I’d say is my favourite. I enjoy reading most genres. Same goes to writing.
Where do you find your inspiration?
It depends. For my contemporary romance, I found my inspiration from an aged couple while doing house visits. They first met and became friends, then got married some seven years later. (Before the second world war)
The second story I am working on is a YA dark fantasy with some Sci-fi elements. I work as an assistant nurse, therefore confront death very often. So I kept wondering what happens when they die. Where do the souls go to? That and sitting and relaxing inside one of my favourite places here in Vienna, the 11th century St. Stephen’s Cathedral allowed me to explore this idea.
What kind of writer are you, (structured with outlines and plans, take it as it comes?)
Oh, I am the ‘take it as it comes.’ I’ve really tried outlining and planning but ended up putting those aside and letting my fingers and mind direct the story. This way, the story takes me to places that weren’t even in the plot. I love it.
How did the reality of marketing your book hit you? Did you know what you were getting in to? Do you have someone to help with marketing (publicist)? Do you have any advice on marketing for other authors?
I have a publicist, courtesy of Inkspell Publishing. Even that is not enough. Being an author, one needs to put themselves out there. Mingle with the readers through social media (that’s easy now that there is the internet). There is only so much a publicist can do. The rest is upto the author. The advice I’d give to other authors is to interact with your readers through social medias, respond to emails from readers and fans, get into social medias networks. The competition is high. There are so many wonderfully written books out there and just as vigorous advertising. Link up with other authors and promote them. What goes around comes around.
What do you think about reviews and people who review books?
Reviews are important, if they are done correctly and unbiased. It depends on the person who does the review. Some are really quite honest, and some are generic reviews. Everyone is entitled to their own thoughts about a book. My thoughts are if someone doesn’t like the book, then be polite in doing sharing the thoughts about it. Maybe it’s not tailored for that particular reader, but someone else would enjoy reading it. I’ve read reviews that are really, really horrible, to the extent of saying bad things about the authors. Probably they get a high on trashing a novel to pieces, I don’t know. But it is good to respect the fact that the author spent time writing that story, no matter how horrible the reviewer finds it. Politeness is the keyword, and respect.
Book Excerpt
“You all right, Li?”
She nodded as her eyes swept the room, then back at him. “Really, Frey, you didn’t have to do all that. I was going to clean after the four days.”
He shrugged. “No worries, sweetheart. What are friends for?” He smiled and beckoned her to him with his free hand. She followed the delicious smell of food more than she obeyed him, and stood beside him. He smiled at her, and pulled her into one arm hug and placed a kiss on her forehead. “Feeling better?”
She nodded, peeking inside the pot. “Yes, I am,” she said, hoping her voice came out cheerful. She didn’t want to have him worried. “Smells good. What’s this?”
“Healthy food.” He turned his attention to the pot of whatever delicious concoction he was cooking and continued stirring.
Liese glanced around for something to do while he went about preparing the meal. She frowned, as her gaze zeroed in on the sofa.
“Er, Frey, what’s that?”
He glanced up from the pot, and followed her pointing finger. “Oh, that. My overnight bag,” he said nonchalantly. “Didn’t I tell you I’m staying here for those four days? No? Well, I am.” He turned, unconcerned, and continued stirring, dipped two fingers inside the array of bottles of spices in front of him, pinched small amounts and sprinkled dashes into the pot. He repeated the action a few more times before he grunted in satisfaction.
She glared at his back, watching the rise and fall of the muscles there. “No, you’re not.” She glanced up, then poked his arm with her finger to make her point. “You can’t do this to me, Frey. Another time, but not these four precious days. I need to be alone.”
Frey tilted his head slightly, his midnight blue eyes gentle and kind as they’d always been. “Sorry, I’m not leaving. Get used to the idea, Li. Besides, I have five votes from your mom and dad. We voted who should come over and stay with you. I won.” He grinned, and turned away to stir what she now saw was red sauce. The scent of mint filled the air, and her stomach grumbled.
She ignored it and twisted out from under his arm. He snatched her back and held her snug and tight against the length of his body. She leaned into his soothing touch, savouring the comfort of his fingers as they caressed up and down her arm. Her body began to relax. “If I needed you, I’d have called you and asked—”
“Eat, and then if you want to talk later, we’ll talk.” Frey pecked her on the forehead once again, then brought his hand to her face and tucked a few strands of her wayward curls behind her ear. He let her go. “Now sit over there like a good girl.”
She grunted in frustration and stalked away, well, as much as her weakened body would allow her to stalk without losing her pride. She plopped down on the sofa. “You’re no better than my parents.”
He chuckled. “You bet I’m not. I’m worse.”
Buy Links:
http://www.amazon.com/Truly-Madly-Deeply-You-ebook/dp/B007MNX5UU/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1333725554&sr=8-1
Barnes and Nobles http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/trulymadlydeeplyyou-cecilia-robert/1108349496
All romance books http://www.allromanceebooks.com/product-trulymadlydeeplyyou-761701-149.html
Editorial Reviews:
From Rae Lori/Author and Reviewer
My hats off to Ms. Roberts for steaming up my reader with the most sensually hot kiss I've read recently! The later scenes between Frey and Liese prove that with the perfect description, a kiss and some tension can go a long way in place of hardcore sexually explicit scenes.
From Brooke Moss/Author
She really captured Frey's thoughts beautifully, and I think he is my favorite character because of that. I absolutely cannot wait for more from Ms. Roberts. Grab this novella when it comes out, you won't be disappointed!
From Arlena Dean/Reviewer
I found Truly, Madly, Deeply, You by Cecilia Robert was a good sweet beautiful romance novel and I believe anyone who would like a quick short romance will enjoy this good read.
From Shilpa Mudiganti/Author of Always You
I LOVED this book! Sensual, sweet, sad and addictive is what I felt as I turned the pages.
Contact info:
Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5263768.Cecilia_Robert
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/CeciliaMRobert
Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/CeCeMR
Blog: http://cecereadandwrite.blogspot.com
About the Author:
Cecilia Robert enjoys the play and weave of words that make up a good story. She enjoys creating fantastical worlds and getting lost in them. She often meets a prince, a princess, a pirate, ordinary and badass boy or girl who take her through the wonderful world of dreaming and fantasy.
She doesn't have particular leanings to any kind of story as long as it captures her attention She reads and enjoys urban/dark fantasy romance, paranormal, contemporary, sci-fi, mystery or horror as much as her children's school books.
Some nights, you can find her reading Puss in Boots for her daughter, or trying to understand how to read Manga comics from her son.
Thank you for stopping by Cecilia! It's been a pleasure!
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