Welcome
to Immortality and Beyond. May I offer you a drink?
Hello,
I’m so happy to be here. I’ll gladly accept a witches brew. In
fact, please, make it double.
BK: My kind of gal! *grins* I'm so glad you could join me at the round table. Let's just dive right in, shall we? When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer?
Never…
LOL.
Although,
I've always written, I never thought I would be a writer. I used to
write for myself, poems, short stories, kids’ stories for my
daughters, these kind of things.
It
all started when I was bed-ridden, sick - and bored. I had a such bad
headache that I couldn't even read or open the curtains. So… I decided
to tell myself a story. The seed was planted. But it took me almost a
year to gather the courage to put some ideas on paper. Then I
discovered that I could speak of things that enchanted me and
inequities that aggravated me in a much more creative and lighter way
than my work as a lawyer.
What
started as a pastime, in a few days, turned into a huge project that
involved much more than just writing as a hobby. When I started
writing in February 2012, I used to spend more than 12 hours a day,
weekends included - dedicating myself to the trilogy.
So,
I wrote the book, edited it, then uploaded it to an Indie publishing house
and... that was it.
Or
so I thought. LOL. The problem started after: How do I make my book
known?
BK:
Please tell us a little bit about your current release...
The
TRUST trilogy is an intriguing - and hot - story about people who need
to forgive, forget and learn how to love again.
Trust:
A New Beginning is a love story where, just as in real life, it
doesn’t matter if you are rich and powerful, if you wear Channel or
drive a Mercedes 722SL, bad things - and good - will happen to you.
Yeah, money helps and rich people’s lives may seem easier,
smoother,
but tragedy strikes everyone and it doesn’t matter if you are rich or
poor. The thing is the richer never see it coming...
BK:
What inspired this particular novel/book?
Real
life. My trilogy tells the story of friends of mine. Real people.
People that have almost everything in life, but love. I put them all
in my cauldron, spiced it a bit and there they are. They have a lot
of life history and so many secrets hidden in their past that they’ll
need to relearn how to trust and give themselves the chance to begin
anew.
BK:
How do you keep your writing different from all the others that
write in this particular genre?
I
never really though about this. It just comes out. It’s
instinctive. Like life. I don’t have a format or a rule to follow.
I do what I feel like.
BK:
What was the hardest thing about writing this story?
About
writing… Nothing. I love, love, love the whole process. The
creation of the characters, the research, the imagining of the
settings, oh! This was fun, great fun! But then… OMG! Editing,
polishing, converting and marketing it are the hardest parts of it.
BK: I have to agree with you there. I HATE editing, and marketing is very hard. You have to be consistent that is for sure. Which character was your favorite to write for in this story? Why?
Sophia
and Gabriela. There is a lot of me in Sophia and in Gabriela. Many
things that they experience in the book I’ve drawn from my own
experiences. For example: I could read when I was three years old and
I entered my first University when I was fifteen. I love to ride
horses and since I was a kid I loved opera.
BK:
Tell us about the one scene you had the most fun writing…
This
is not a fair question… I loved all. But if I had to choose one, it
would be the one at Galewick Hall where all the characters are
gathered and a drama happens.
BK:
Will this become a series? If so, what inspired it to be a series?
OR If it is a series, what inspired it to become a series?
Well,
this is already a trilogy… However, I plan to write the whole Santo
family story. I don’t really know if they are going to be stand
alone or trilogies. This is up to the characters to decide. *grin*
BK:
Now for a little fun, and into your everyday life, What is a day in
your life like?
I
takes two coffee mugs and a yogurt while reading my newspaper,
because in the morning I’m a zombi. Hmmm… I think I’ll accept
one of your zombi blasts…
Hmm, thanks! That is very good. Cheers!
Back
on track, it depends on my mood. I usually answer my emails and say
hello to my friends on Goodreads! If I’m on the mood, I can bake a
cake or go running on the beach. Then I sit and start writing for
hours and hours and hours, until my children and husband arrive. Then
we have dinner together and sometimes we go for an ice-cream or see a
film.
At
the weekends, we go to the Copacabana Palace pool - with lots of
sun-block and a big hat - or to a club, or even we can go riding.
When we are on holidays, we go to Angra dos Reis that is a paradise
near Rio or to the mountains and relax. But… don’t tell them, my
Kindle and Mac go with me.
BK:
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
This
is easy: reading, working out, cooking, and I always go to cinema and
out dining.
BK:
What is one thing your readers would be most surprised to learn
about you?
You
won’t believe it, but I’m very, very shy!
BK: That's the second time I've heard that in 2 days, LOL. Maybe it's a trait of good writers *smiles* What do you like to read? Who is your favorite author?
I’m
actually a compulsive reader. At the moment, I’m re-reading The
Book of Disquiet,
by Fernando Pessoa. And, oh! I can’t forget! My oldest daughter,
Raphaela, have been pestering me to read Rick Riordan’s books! She
says he is the best there is, so… they are going to be my next
read! Also, in my TBR list, I have Gena Showalter’s and Kresley
Cole’s last books.
BK: I have yet to read her books, but I hear they are rockin' *hangsheadinshame*, I will get to them as they are on my TBR too :). What is one piece of advice you can give to aspiring
writers/authors?
A
few hints for those who are starting: Research what you’re writing
about if you are not familiar with the theme. Surely one of your
readers will be and will notice if you were lazy.
And,
of course, exhaustively review your manuscript and ask, at least five
of your friends to read it too. The naughty typos will be there if
you don’t polish your manuscript over and over again.
BK: Great advice! What are you currently working on?
I’m
finishing the last book of the trilogy, TRUST:
Pandora’s Box.
Where all the demons will be freed to terrorize the world of Sophia,
Ethan and Alistair. Will Hope survive?
After
the Trust trilogy comes another trilogy. LOL. I’m not kidding.
Carolina Santo’s story is going to rock Rio de Janeiro, Hollywood,
New York and London.
Lunches,
dinners, fashion weeks and gala balls will vie for her presence.
The
next trilogy will be full of gossip, beautiful and rich people,
drugs, sex and rock’n’roll.
BK: OMG! Sounds AWESOME! I can't wait :) Where can readers connect with you?
I
can be found online via my website cristianeserruya.com.br. On my FB
page and on the TRUST trilogy fan page. I have my twitter accounts
@CrisSerruya and @trustrilogy. I love to connect with readers and
exchange ideas. I personally answer all the questions and comments,
because my readers’ feedback are very important to me.
Thank
you for the opportunity to share my work and thoughts! I'd
like to thank you for this interview and for helping me promote my
book.
Hearing
from readers is very important to me. It always helps me to do a
better job. So, I want to invite everybody to leave a message on my
website http://cristianeserruya.com.br
Thank you so much for taking time to chat with us today! I can't wait to read your books and wish you much success in the future.
Trust
: A New Beginning
Trust Trilogy Book
One
Cristiane Serruya
Cristiane Serruya
Genre: Adult Contemporary
Romance
ISBN 13: 978-1480236295
Number of pages: 464
Book Description:
They
are beautiful. They are rich. They are strong willed and successful.
They have everything, but love. And each one of them has a dark
secret looming in their past.
Sophia
is a 25 year old Brazilian widow. Intelligent and ravishing, she
flees from her own country after a tragic incident. Hiding from
everyone and everything, she remains alone, torn between the love for
a dead man, the torment of living without part of her memory and the
fear of moving on.
Ethan
is one of the most important tycoons in the steel industry. As the
memory of an awful evening in his adolescence haunts him night and
day, he keeps looking for an elusive woman whom he could love - and
who would love him - as he never has in all his 35 years... Until he
finds Sophia.
Alistair
is a 34 year old powerful banker, searching for one–night stands
with women who will warm his bed. And that he can punish physically
to abate his anger for his late wife's black deeds and his own guilt
for being such a debauched man for so many years. Any woman will do,
and he has many to choose from, as they all fall instantly for his
manly, devilish charming ways.
In
Europe, in the months after October 2009, their paths will cross and
clash. Who will win the prize of love?
Excerpt:
Chapter 5
Saturday, January 16th, 2010.
10 a.m.
Sophia opened her eyes to find Ethan seated on the edge of the bed looking at her, a mug in his hand, his hair damp from the shower, dressed in faded jeans and a blue turtleneck sweater that did wonders to his eyes. “I could go for hours just looking at you.” She stretched, raising her arms above her head and entwining them; the sheets moved, showing a breast. “Good morning,” she smiled at him. Ethan put his mug on the bedside table. “Do that again and you’re not getting out of this bed, Ms. Santo.” Sophia grinned wickedly and stretched again, this time writhing her body, sheets bunching at her waist. “Vixen.” Ethan bent to kiss her but she rolled to the other side of the bed and jumped to the bathroom. “Don’t move,” she ordered. “I’ll be right back.” When she emerged from the bathroom, he was in the same place, an amused twist on his lips. “Good boy.” She smiled and picked up his mug, smelling it. “Mmm!” She raised her brows to him and drank his coffee. He smiled at her impudent gesture. She tugged him from the bed by the sweater. “Take it off,” she commanded. “You like to give orders, huh?” “Sometimes,” she smiled and quirked an eyebrow. “Do you know how to obey?” “Sometimes,” he replied and took off his sweater. “Let’s see.” She perched on the end of the bed, tapping her index finger on her lips, admiring his muscles as he moved. “Now what, Ms. Santo?” She could see a bulge in his jeans, her lips twisted and curled unbidden. “Jeans. Off.” He peeled off his jeans, amused, and threw them on the armchair. “Briefs. Off!” Her eyes gleamed and she bit her lip. He took off his briefs and stood proudly in front of her. He knew he had a great figure. Sophia motioned, with her finger, for him to make a complete turn. “Do you approve?” he asked huskily. “Oh, yes, Mr. Ashford, I do!” she nodded. Jesus! The woman is hot. Sophia rose from the bed and circled him, her fingers tracing his chest and his shoulder; she ran her hands over his arms and his buttocks, without touching his straining erection. “A fine specimen, Mr. Ashford.” She pinched his chin lowering his head a bit, to better look at his azure eyes. He hadn’t touched her and she was already turned on. “A very fine specimen,” she murmured. He let out a laugh. “I will tell my personal trainer that I made the grade.” He grabbed both of her wrists in his grip behind her back and pulled her flush onto his body. “I wasn’t finished, Mr. Ashford,” she frowned at him. “Seems I’m not that good at following orders, Ms. Santo.” She smiled at the admission. “Ethan. I never thought you would be.” And pressed tighter to him, parting her lips. They met halfway and he savaged her mouth, leaving Sophia with no ability to think.
Saturday, January 16th, 2010.
10 a.m.
Sophia opened her eyes to find Ethan seated on the edge of the bed looking at her, a mug in his hand, his hair damp from the shower, dressed in faded jeans and a blue turtleneck sweater that did wonders to his eyes. “I could go for hours just looking at you.” She stretched, raising her arms above her head and entwining them; the sheets moved, showing a breast. “Good morning,” she smiled at him. Ethan put his mug on the bedside table. “Do that again and you’re not getting out of this bed, Ms. Santo.” Sophia grinned wickedly and stretched again, this time writhing her body, sheets bunching at her waist. “Vixen.” Ethan bent to kiss her but she rolled to the other side of the bed and jumped to the bathroom. “Don’t move,” she ordered. “I’ll be right back.” When she emerged from the bathroom, he was in the same place, an amused twist on his lips. “Good boy.” She smiled and picked up his mug, smelling it. “Mmm!” She raised her brows to him and drank his coffee. He smiled at her impudent gesture. She tugged him from the bed by the sweater. “Take it off,” she commanded. “You like to give orders, huh?” “Sometimes,” she smiled and quirked an eyebrow. “Do you know how to obey?” “Sometimes,” he replied and took off his sweater. “Let’s see.” She perched on the end of the bed, tapping her index finger on her lips, admiring his muscles as he moved. “Now what, Ms. Santo?” She could see a bulge in his jeans, her lips twisted and curled unbidden. “Jeans. Off.” He peeled off his jeans, amused, and threw them on the armchair. “Briefs. Off!” Her eyes gleamed and she bit her lip. He took off his briefs and stood proudly in front of her. He knew he had a great figure. Sophia motioned, with her finger, for him to make a complete turn. “Do you approve?” he asked huskily. “Oh, yes, Mr. Ashford, I do!” she nodded. Jesus! The woman is hot. Sophia rose from the bed and circled him, her fingers tracing his chest and his shoulder; she ran her hands over his arms and his buttocks, without touching his straining erection. “A fine specimen, Mr. Ashford.” She pinched his chin lowering his head a bit, to better look at his azure eyes. He hadn’t touched her and she was already turned on. “A very fine specimen,” she murmured. He let out a laugh. “I will tell my personal trainer that I made the grade.” He grabbed both of her wrists in his grip behind her back and pulled her flush onto his body. “I wasn’t finished, Mr. Ashford,” she frowned at him. “Seems I’m not that good at following orders, Ms. Santo.” She smiled at the admission. “Ethan. I never thought you would be.” And pressed tighter to him, parting her lips. They met halfway and he savaged her mouth, leaving Sophia with no ability to think.
About
the Author:
I
live in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, with my husband and two daughters.
I'm a lawyer, who specializes in cases of sexual abuse and violence
against children and women. I also have a Masters in Business Law and
a BA in Fine Arts.
I've
always loved to read, write and listen to music. I lived and studied
in England, France, Italy and Switzerland. Traveling is one of my
passions - as is keeping fit and healthy.
After
twenty-two years of practicing law, I decided to give writing a go.
And - amazingly - it was just the piece that was missing in my life.
@CrisSerruya
Author's
page: http://www.amazon.com/-/e/B00A85DHT8
@trustrilogy
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