An Acute Attraction by AJ Walters
Meet....
.....Working single mother Isabel Chambers. She's not a size 12 or as you've probably guessed, a virgin either. She's lived her life, maybe not to the fullest, but now feels it is her time to re-discover herself.
.....Marc Sanders an attractive, successful Harvard Professor of Medicine visiting Cambridge. He has a secret past that has been well hidden until now.
An Acute Attraction is a heart warming, exciting and compelling story of love and romance, full of seductive, sensual and tantalising emotions and images, sexual exploration and passion. Isabel Chambers is an ordinary, working, single mother of two, who needs some “me” time, so, kids sorted, she books herself into a hotel for a week of rest and relaxation. Marc Sanders is an American professor at Harvard University and is in England to present research results to Cambridge University. Two people, out for adventure and excitement, meet and begin a journey of fun, thrills, lust and desire. But, is Mark all he seems to be? What is he hiding?
Warning: Has adult and sexual content. 18+ Advised
Hi
AJW- Hi and thank you so much for this interview.
Can you tell us about your book?
AJW- Sure. An Acute Attraction is a contemporary romance, which I have infused with other genre's. There is a mixed bag of romance, erotica, humour and mystery.
The main characters are British single mother, Isabel Chambers and American, Marc Sanders.
Isabel is a divorced, working, single mother who is maturer in age compared to most characters. At the ripe young age of 39 and with her children growing up, she thinks it is her time to live again. Isabel isn't a size 0 model, she's a fuller figured 'real woman'.
Marc is a 37 year old Professor of Medicine from Harvard, who is visiting Cambridge to present research results to them. He's tall, dark and handsome with a past and present he'd rather no-one know about, which is revealed within the book.
When they meet, sparks fly!
How old were you when you started writing?
AJW- I used to write poetry when I was younger, but then didn't do much when I started work, married and had my children. It is only very recently, last July, that I started to write again. I'm a working, single mother and wanted to do something for me. And so it began. I love reading and am a total book-a-holic, so to be on the other side, I want to rise to the challenge. Lol
Who are your favourite writers?
AJW- Eek!! I have quite a few, but I would have to say. Sylvain Reynard, Helen Fielding, Jason Luke, Cameron Lincoln, Katy Evans and Stella Knightley. There are so many others as well, I wish I could name them all.
What books did you read as a child?
AJW- I was more into my music and poetry in school, but later in teenage years I loved reading crime and suspense books such as Thomas Harris and Patricia Cornwell. I was also hugely into my Chiclit as well....P.S. I Love You and books by Trisha Ashley.
Your favourite book and why?
AJW- My ultimate favourite book has to be Gabriel's Rapture by Sylvain Reynard. SR is an amazing writer, his style is truly fantastic and I was already taken in with Gabriel's Inferno. I do love culture and learning more to do with it. So when SR took us on a journey through Florence, I loved the whole romance of it. I also fell in love with a lot of the characters in the book as well...Yes, especially Gabriel.
Do you have a favourite place you like to write and why?
AJW- Ooo!! Not really. It's anywhere that inspires me if I'm honest. My book is set inCambridge and so that place alone offers inspiration. I obviously couldn't do all of my writing down there, as I live further north. So I write at home or at the local pub!
What inspired you to take up writing?
AJW- It was my love for reading and wanting to tell my own story. I knew I had it in me, but I didn't think it would be good enough to put into print. It was through the support of fellow authors and friends that I went for it.
Are any of your characters based on people you know?
AJW- I have put some of myself into Isabel, mainly my personality and humour. I thought if I did that, it would make her more believable and easier for readers to relate and connect with. My muse for 'Jackie' was my best friend. We are more like sisters and the banter we bounce off one another is the best. When I wrote what I did for her, I could totally see my friend saying all of that.
Do you have a support network for your writing?
AJW- I would say my support network has been those that offered me advise in the beginning, along with my brother; John Walters, who drew the cover for the book. Without him and them I wouldn't have done what I have. Now as well though, the readers are a part of that. The feedback and encouragement they given me is overwhelming. It would be wrong not to mention my two sons, their patience and support has been the best.
What items are on your desk/where you write?
AJW- *whispers... I don't have a desk. Haha!! I sometimes write at the dinner table or in the sitting room. As long as I have a coffee or a glass of wine at hand, I'm happy.
Do you have a routine for your writing? ie time of day.
AJW- I don't have a routine as such. I work full time in a school during the day and with my other full time job being a mother, I have to work around those. As long as I can get to do some writing done every day, I'm yet again happy. It doesn't take much for me to be happy. Lol
Any tips for writers who are just starting out?
AJW- Go for it! Don't be afraid to put some of yourself into a character either. They don't have to be a main character, but it just helps to have someone 'real' in them.
Can you share a sneak peak at what you're working on at the moment?
AJW- Just for you, why not! I am currently writing the second book of The Attraction Series. An Acute Attraction being the first.
A Constant Attraction is the title I have given to the second instalment. I wanted to take a slightly different angle with this one. An Acute Attraction is seen solely through the eyes of Isabel. In order for readers to get to know other major characters better, I have written this one through the eyes of Isabel, Marc and Emelie.
Below is a teaser for you. ;-)
Below is a teaser for you. ;-)
Emelie
“Standing tall, at the large imposing window of her Cambridge hotel room, Dr Emiliana Acerbi presses the end call button on her phone. She is confident that she is the one in control. She is the one calling all of the shots, holding all of the cards and that she is the strongest out of the two of them, out of her and Marc Sanders. She has always been this way, since very early on in life and had to be in order to succeed, to succeed in what is mainly seen as a man's world.
From a young age men had been the authoritative figures within her family and community in Italy. There the men were still very firmly set in their ways. The men were the bread winners, head of the family and everyone looked up to them. This became more apparent after her father passed away, after losing his battle to lung cancer, when she was only six years old and her mother had to turn to Emiliana's uncle, her father's elder brother for help and support.
As it was him who they had to rely upon, to avoid being homeless and put out on to the street, he used and abused the situation. Emiliana wasn't allowed to do anything without his permission and in time, her mother turned into the ghost of a woman she once was. Valeria Martinelli had no say in what discipline or punishment was handed out, or which direction her daughter was to take, therefore just blended into everything else around them.
However Emelie wasn't a daft or silly little girl. In fact, she was the complete opposite. Yes, she played by the rules and did what was expected of her. She kept her mouth shut and continued to do what was asked of her. The display and theatre she put on for her uncle was enough to pacify him, but not too obvious for him to question the reasoning behind her way of living. At the age of ten, Emelie made the conscious decision that she was not going to lead the rest of her sorry and turbulent life like that. So, she buckled down at school and any spare time she had in between having to do chores around the house and entertaining her uncle, she would do extra studying. As any spare time was sparse, she would often stay awake late into the night and, either using the bright moonlight or what little street lighting there was, she would cram as much as she could in. Emelie knew her uncle would never fund her college or university fees, as he wanted her to become another little woman, just like her mother, who stayed at home and did nothing else.
With this she needed to prove to herself and others, such as her teachers at school, what she was truly capable of doing.
Striving to be the best, to be at the top of her classes, taking home extra work, Emelie hoped it would lead to her getting a scholarship or grant.
As it went, she did ace her exams and at the age of sixteen, Emelie packed the one case she could get a hold of and left for Milan, her only possessions being a few clothes, her diary and a photograph of her parents taken during happier times. Her uncle hadn't been a complete tyrant. He would give Emelie 'pocket money' as he called it, for when she worked incredibly hard for him, entertaining him and his comrades. Six years of saving and stashing the money in an old antique tin under her bed, meant she had enough to buy her ticket and pay for the first couple of months rent. It broke her heart to sell the one item that had belonged to her father, but she knew that her father would approve of her using the money from the sale of the gold pocket watch, to fulfil her dream of becoming something and someone. So, until her grant kicked in, she had to use the cash to live off.
Her living conditions may not have been great, but she was free!”
What do you like to do when you're not writing?
AJW- Erm! Any free time I get is either spent with the kids/friends, dining out, supporting local charities on social media and chatting to readers/friends on there. I do enjoy singing, so will occasionally go to a local pub for a karaoke!
Do you like it quiet when you're writing or do you need background noise?(music or TV)
AJW- I do like to have quiet, although I might have the sound of a washing machine/dryer going on in the background. Lol
If one of your books was made into a film/TV series, who would you like as the leading lady/man?
AJW- Arrgghh!! lol Oh my gosh! It would be so cool if it was made into a film!
This purely my own view. I did envisage British Model, David Gandy when writing the book, but I can totally see Henry Cavill playing Marc. He is a remarkable actor and pretty darn good looking.
For Isabel, I had British Plus Size Model, Tara Lynn in my mind when writing. If it was made into a film I think Rachel Wiesz would make a great Isabel.
I am open and love hearing other suggestions.
For Isabel, I had British Plus Size Model, Tara Lynn in my mind when writing. If it was made into a film I think Rachel Wiesz would make a great Isabel.
I am open and love hearing other suggestions.
Do you have a process for planning your books? Ie do you talk over an idea with a friend or a partner.
AJW- I have run past idea's through my best friend and have got her to proof read the books as well.
Non book questions
Favourite holiday place? America
Favourite food? Steak and salad
What kind of music do you listen to?Pop/chart/classical/jazz music...eclectic mix. lol
Favourite film? Bridget Jones
Favourite Chocolate? Anything minty
Favourite drink? Pinot Grigio (White Wine)
Phew!! Thank you for that. I really enjoyed it. x
Thank you so much for answering my questions and for a sneak peak at your next book.
Jo xx
About the Author
AJ Walters is a new contemporary romance author who has just made her first appearance on to the indie circuit. Having interests in history, romance and elements of erotica, she has brought all of these together in her debut publication; An Acute Attraction.
Wanting to break the trend of size 12 virgins in books, A J Walters has introduced a new real woman in Isabel Chambers. She's a size 18-20, working single mother who now feels is it her time to start living her life again. At the ripe young age of 39, A J Walters also wanted to show that you can experience everything that a twenty-something would.
"I saw that a 39 year old isn't quite at retirement age for fun, sex and finding love again. There are so many women out there that can be represented in books as well as the slim, innocent and beautiful types. Don't get me wrong I love reading books with them in, but there is so many of them around now I felt it is time for something different. I'd like to think I brought my sense of humour across in it as well. I am ditsy, I suffer from 'foot in mouth' syndrome, but I can also be serious and sentimental. From the feedback I've had, apparently it makes for a great writing voice."
A J Walters currently live in Staffordshire, England with her two children.
Follow Aj Walters on::
Twitter @AJWaltersAuthor
Facebook::https://www.facebook.com/pages/AJ-Walters
Excerpt Link::
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