Thank you to Krista Ames for
hosting me on your blog today. Tessa had an absolute ball answering your
interview questions for her. Krista writes contemporary romance and has a
cowboy one (yummy) published with Decadent Publishing. She also runs promos and
tours for authors with “Bridging the Gap Promotions.”It's the sixth stop of my tour today. Don't forget there are still great prizes to be won. Enter by clicking the rafflecopter link below.
This is for Tessa Calitz, my
heroine
How did you first meet your writer?
We met
years ago when she was very green. She forgot about me for a while because she
couldn’t really touch my soul properly, but then she learned some things and
was able to reach deep into my psyche.
Did you ever think that your life
would end up being in a book?
Never.
I’ve always been fascinated by stories but never considered my story was worth
it, but after I read the book, I realized that maybe people could identify
with the struggles I’d been through.
What are your favorite scenes in
your book: the action, the dialog or the romance?
The
romance of course. If it weren’t for Ryan’s romantic side, I probably would
have landed up very lonely.
Did you have a hard time convincing
your author to write any particular scenes for you?
My author
took a while to admit my secret yearnings for a baby of my own. She didn’t want
to reveal those secrets, but it was good she did so the readers could
understand why I pushed Ryan away so much.
What do you like to do when you are
not being actively read somewhere?
Paint. I
love to sketch and paint. It takes me into another world, and I love seeing
something come to life on a blank canvas or paper.
Are you happy with the genre your
writer has placed you in?
Initially,
no, I would have preferred woman’s fiction because I didn’t think I needed
romance in my life, but in the end, I can see she chose the best genre for my heart.
If you could rewrite anything in
your book, what would it be?
When we
look back on the struggles we go through, we sometimes wish we could rewrite
the stupid mistakes we’ve made, but in the end, they help us to discover who we
are and who we are meant to be, so, no, I don’t think I’d change a thing.
Do you like the way the book ended?
Well, if I
answer that, you may figure out the ending so I’m going to keep my mouth shut.
What
do you do for a living?
I run my own art
gallery and paint landscapes. I also paint clock faces.
What
is your greatest fear?
My greatest fear is to
grow old alone without kids and a family.
What
do you wear when you go to sleep?
I like an oversized
T-shirt and socks. Nothing else.
What
is your most prized possession?
My easel. It’s imported
and cost a fortune but it was well worth the effort of getting it here.
Did you have a pet as a child? What happened to it? How did you feel about that?
I had a yellow
lab and he took me for walks. Seriously, I couldn’t keep up with him, but he
kept me company as it was often lonely with just Mom and I.
What are you proudest of?
I went
back to college again even after I’d been working a while – changed careers
from a clerk to artist, and I’m so glad I took that step and followed my heart.
It was hard to work part time and study but now I’ve got my own art gallery.
What is something no one knows about
you? Why do you keep it a secret? And what would happen if everyone found out
about it?
I paint
mother and child pictures which I stash into my cupboard. I also buy baby
magazines whenever I see a new one on the shelf. No one sees them because I
don’t want anyone to know how obsessed I am about having a kid even though I’m
single. They would probably think I’m this crazy woman if they found out.
What do you find most appealing in
men/women?
I like a
man who is sure of himself and where he’s going in life.
What do you find most unappealing in
men/women?
Someone
who lacks commitment and stickability.
What do you like most about where
you live?
I live in
Johannesburg, South Africa. I love the busyness, the good array of shops and
entertainment, and being able to drive to just about any activity I can think
of except for the beach which is highly overrated anyway.
What word makes you the happiest?
Togetherness.
What turns you on?
Often what
turns me on has nothing to do with my inner aspirations. Often it’s when a man
has a rough, imperfect look and does impulsive things.
What turns you off?
Pushiness.
What
other profession would you like to try?
I’d like to run an
orphanage one day – help out kids without parents and give them love and a
home.
Are you a morning person or a
night owl?
I’m a night owl. Often my best painting times are late at night when the
world is silent.
Have you ever thought about getting
a tattoo, what would it be and where? If not, what if you had to?
I’d been wanting to get one for years but never plucked up the courage to
until Ryan took me to get one in the book. I haven’t look back and have gotten
about three others since. I’m an artist so I like to design my own.
What do you admire about your
parents?
I admire my mother the most. She looked after me as a single mom and always
had time for me even though she was so busy working and keeping the home in
order.
* * * * * *
Blurb:
Seven years earlier, a young and serious Tessa Calitz wrote
a letter to free spirit Ryan le Roux promising her undying love. As time passed
she forgot about that letter...but Ryan did not.
When he walks back into her life, Tessa is in a
relationship and busy setting up her art gallery in Johannesburg. She has plans
to start a family, and the arrival of Ryan throws her for a spin. He is the
worst thing that could happen to her dream of stability...or is he?
When everything she clung to starts to crumble, Ryan is
right beside her to inspire her to greater things. But her compulsion for
having marriage and children on her terms alone pushes Ryan away--until she
falls in love with an orphaned baby.
What can Ryan do to make Tessa realize that being with him
is what her heart has longed for all along?
Buy Links:
Where to find me online:
If you click on the Rafflecopter link below, you could
either win the grand prize of a $15 Amazon voucher or one of 5 dragonfly swag
bags. I've made beautiful beaded necklaces in a variety of colours and designs
- one for each bag.
Here's a pic of one of them
I loved reading Dragonfly Moments. Tessa's artwork sounded amazing. I would have loved to see what inspired it.
ReplyDeleteI just have some memories spending time with some loved ones. I don't have a specific memory to write down. Thanks for the giveaway!
ReplyDeleteNana, I used to paint. Somewhere between having lots of kids and writing, I lost my interest. Maybe one day I'll paint a turtle or dragonfly like Tessa. So glad you liked my story! Marissa, yes, it's sometimes hard to remember things but i suppose it's the happy feeling when get from an accumulation of memories that counts the most.
ReplyDeleteGreat character interview! thanks for sharing
ReplyDeleteProbably the most memorable times have been with my father when I was a kid. He used to bring me to the park and carry me on his shoulders. I miss him dearly.
ReplyDelete