Author Interview

Good morning ya'll. I had the pleasure of interviewing fellow author, Christine Clemetson. Her book, A Daughter's Promise, is available at The Wild Rose Press. Grab some coffee and enjoy our conversation:

Deborah- Hi. Thanks for stopping by to answer a few questions. Can you tell us a little about your latest release?

Christine: Hi Deborah! Thanks so much for having me stop by! My first release, A Daughter’s Promise” came out from The Wild Rose Press. It’s set in war torn Italy, 1944, where Serene Moneto made a promise to her dying mother—a promise so haunting that it directs the course of her life. When she chooses to save an American soldier from death, she risks everything—her name, her life, and capture by the Germans. Finding forbidden love with this soldier tears her world apart.

Deborah: Sounds interesting. What or who inspired you to write it?

Christine: I wanted to give a voice to people that lived during this time period in WWII. I wanted their stories of survival and hope to be heard by others. So I decided to place an American soldier right in the middle of Italy on Anzio beach head and the only chance of his survival would be through a local woman. When they find love, they ultimately look to each other for hope. I wanted to capture that inspiration on paper.

Deborah: How long have you been writing, and did you know at a young age you wanted to be an author?

Christine: I think I’ve been writing all my life. In the third grade, I wrote a story by hand and asked my mom to staple it together. I knew early on that I had these stories to tell and once I got my first library card and read some of the greatest stories in the world, I was hooked!

Deborah: Do you have a special place in your home where you like to write? If so, what does it look like?

Christine: I have an extra bedroom with a beautiful view of our backyard. Nothing on earth compares to having the windows open on a warm day and writing. My favorite place outside of my house is on my beach chair, writing with pen and paper.

Deborah: Okay, it’s time for a list of your favorites.
A. Color: Pink, of course!
B. Number: 7
C. Food: Chicken Parmigiana
D. Drink: A warm Coke.
E. Music: Keith Urban, hands down!
F. Author: LaVyrle Spencer. Any one of her books.
G. Actor/Actress: Harrison Ford. Charlize Theron
H. Movie: The Notebook.

Deborah: If you were stranded on a deserted island and you could have only one person there with you, who would it be, and why?

Christine: Great question! It would have to be my hubby. He’s supportive not just of my writing, but me as a person. There are people in your lives that help us reach our dreams and help us grow—that would be my husband.

Deborah: What advice would you give someone just starting out in this business?

Christine: Keep writing and don’t let go of your dreams. Every time you put a word on the page, you’re moving closer to your dream.

Deborah: And last but not least, is there anything else you would like to tell your readers? Perhaps something that no one would guess about you?

Christine: Thank you for stopping by and reading my interview! I hope you enjoy my story. It’s all of you that keep us going as writers and creating the stories we love!

Again, thank you for stopping by. It has been a pleasure talking with you. Take care.
Thanks so much Deborah for having me as a guest! I really enjoyed your questions.

Deborah: Thanks Christine, I really enjoyed having you as a guest on my blog. Check out 'A Daughter's Promise'. Available at www.thewildrosepress.com

Christine Clemetson – A Daughter’s Promise

Blurb

A Daughter’s Promise, by debut novelist Christine Clemetson, is a sweeping love story of sacrifice and unexpected hope. In war torn Italy, 1944, Serene Moneto made a promise to her dying mother—a promise so haunting that it directs the course of her life. When she chooses to save an American soldier from death, she risks everything—her name, her life, and capture by the Germans. Finding forbidden love with this soldier tears her world apart. Against the backdrop of a war raging right outside her door, can she choose happiness? Despite the promise she made those years ago?
See the trailer at http://www.christineclemetson.com/trailers.html


Excerpt

They both knew Serene’s turn had come. She took in a deep breath and touched his arms in a stiff embrace. She hugged him the way she had rehearsed in her head over and over, the way a mother would hug her son going off to war.

“I don’t care who sees,” he said gruffly, pulling her closer. He pushed her chin up with his
fingertips, and bent his head to kiss her.

She took his lips, his body, all of him, into her heart for the last time. Feeling the rapid beating in his chest, she fought the urge to mold her most intimate part against his.

When their lips parted, his warm breath on her neck made her body shiver. Wrapping her arms around his neck, she buried her face into his jacket. “I’m not ashamed about
what I said to you last night or what happened between us.” Her voice cracked. “It’s a sin, I know, but it was the most beautiful—”

“Ashamed? I don’t think I’ll ever have that kind of love again.”

Trembling, she stood back a little, clinging to her emotions with the delicacy of a spider web. “But you were right. We made the most logical decision.”

“Jesus, Serry. I want to tell you so bad that I—”

“You’re all set, then?” Sam said, coming back into the house.

Serene let go of Miles, letting her one finger intertwine with one of his pinky fingers. She couldn’t let him go.

Slowly, he released her and went to the door, putting one foot on the outside pavement before hesitating and turning back. His eyes were red, and she clutched the stair banister to keep from running to him. How much she loved him would be a secret
she’d take to the grave.

Carrying a bottle of whiskey, Marcus passed him at the door and gave him a friendly slap on the back. “I came to give you a goodbye, Coulson.”

Serene stood up straight and froze.

Miles jerked himself away. “Change of heart about me?”

His answer was Marcus’ deep kiss on Serene’s cheek and an arm around her waist. “I realized, Coulson, that I’m proud of her for taking the responsibility for you. I thought it was about time that I offered my apologies for the undiplomatic way I acted. We’re all in this for a cause, no? Why don’t we share a bottle to celebrate?”

“No, your change of heart doesn’t rub me the right way.” Miles offered an apologetic glance to Serene and then shifted his gaze back to Marcus. “You hurt her, and I’ll hurt you. You understand me?”

“Have a safe trip,” Marcus drawled.

Serene watched the driver help him in and her knees weakened. As the truck’s engine started, she braced herself against the wall.

“Don’t worry. Serene. Just think of this as a wedding present from me. No more worries about your American. He is well now and gone for good. Your only thanks is to marry me.”

She couldn’t hear him. Her throat ached and she made no effort to wipe the tears spilling freely from her eyes. She started for the door, but he grabbed her by the shoulders.

Remember, check out Christine's new book.

Take care ya'll,

Deb