Guest Author, Christine Clemetson

Today's Guest Author is Christine Clemetson, fellow Wild Rose Press Author and part of the Goddess Fish book tour. Welcome, Christine!

Who are you?

Hi Liana! Thanks so much for having me! I’m a writer who loves writing romance as much as I love reading it! I write every chance I get. Recently, I even had to jot down ideas on a placemat at a local pizzeria. The server thought I was a little nuts, but you do what you have to do! My first book, A Daughter’s Promise, came out from the Wild Rose Press recently. And I yelled it from the rooftops. Besides my kids and hubby, that day was the proudest moment of my life. I literally felt my whole body beaming.

What type of stories do you like to write and why?

I love writing romance and creating relationships between people. Writing how the characters change as they grow with one another is like going on a journey and discovering new places.

What type of stories do you like to read and why?

My favorite stories are romances that grab the reader from the beginning of the story and don’t let go. There is nothing on earth quite like getting absorbed in a story that makes you forget about cooking dinner, or makes you forget where you are.

When do you write?

I write whenever I can. I fit it in between work and the kids, and everything in between. I’ve gotten chapters written during lunch hours as well as pieces of dialogue when I’m at the gas station. I’ve learned that whenever the time works, I’ll take it! I stopped being picky after my first son was born. LOL. But, I have to say that the time when I feel the most creative is in the morning.

When do you read? Where?

Usually at night before going to sleep, either in bed or downstairs on the couch. At night, the house is quiet, so it feels like “me” time when I can get absorbed in a good book.

Where did you get the inspiration for A Daughter's Promise?

I saw a newspaper article that talked about all the soldiers the US lost during a battle on Anzio beachhead during WWII. I wanted to give a voice to people that lived during this time period, and 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.

Where do you go to think?

That’s a wonderful question. I think everyone should have a spot to just think. For me, it’s usually in my living room or in my car. I have a funny story about that question too. When I was in 5th grade, moving up to the middle school, all of us had to decide nicknames for each other that were to show our most endearing qualities. My nickname? Thinker! LOL. Do you think that was a pre-cursor to how much I should think? My family still chuckles over that one.

How did you come up with your title and main characters’ names?

I tried to capture the core of the conflict in the title. The names came from a combination of the places..baby books, and searches on popular names in Italy during that time. I tried to fit the name to the personality of the character.

How long did you write seriously before your first book was published?

I started seriously submitted after college and then I had my family and kept writing, but not submitting. In the last few years I started submitting again.

Why do you write?

I write because I can’t imagine life without it. If I didn’t write, my head would be jam packed with all these characters, and they’d have no one to tell their stories. So I write for them. J

Thank you so much Liana! Your questions were so inspiring!

Growing up in a small beach town in New Jersey, Christine wouldn’t have been caught on her beach towel without a good book. Through all this, she caught the fire of creativity and discovered she had her own story to tell. Not just one, but many!

Blurb and Excerpt from A Daughter's Promise

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.