I seriously fussed at the author about 30% into this book. Luciano Morelli was such a butthead jerk! For crying out loud, the chick he met and had a whirl wind beach wedding with a year ago didn't even remember him! Jasmine Anderson had a nasty car wreck that knocked out her last year's memories. To make things worse, her overbearing, controlling father has mucked up much more than his relationship with Jasmine. The first part of the book takes place with Mr. Morelli out like a shark to get revenge on his soon to be ex-wife during a mandatory business trip they take. I took Nicole's promise it got better.
Oh-la-la, the romance and good man I wanted appeared! Romance readers can easily dive into this lovely story by Mrs. Focton and get family drama-rama, the rediscovery of lost love, and the beauty of past mistakes and their futures.
I had a good mix of emotions reading the book, which is the whole point of romance, right? Writing flowed well and the characters had their past and present spoken into the story by their individual voices. Good read, folks!
Tell us a bit about yourself.
I’m an Australian living in Houston Tx. I’m married to a wonderful man and have two kids who drive me crazy but I love them. I have the cutest Pomeranian Dog who always sleeps next to me when I write or on the floor behind me if I’m at my desk.
I love to read, have always read romance. I also used to do Ballroom Dancing. If I can avoid driving around Houston I do, so I tend to keep to my house and only go out if I have to. But I make an exception for Heather because she’s special!
When did you begin writing?
I began writing while I was pregnant with my daughter, so back in 2002. I was writing a time travel, Outlander style, story with a group of girls. We had a lot of fun with it. Then I started my first manuscript, which after many edits and some re-writes got contracted by Escape Publishing and became “Bound by Her Ring”.
Have you ever been discouraged in regard to your writing ability and if so, how did you get past it and move forward?
I’m going to be really honest here. I could say I’ve never had issues with being discouraged. Last year was a really bad year for me. I was continually doubting myself and everything I wrote. I did a lot of comparing which is absolutely the worst thing you can do, but it was where my head was at, at the time. To get past it I kept trying to write and eventually I sat back and realised that no one probably cared about what I was doing so I shouldn’t worry about what anyone else was doing. It’s still a struggle but I just keep moving forward and I know one day it will all fall into place – well I hope it does.
What's your favorite thing about writing?
Hmm I think it’s getting to create characters and putting them in uncomfortable situations and making them work hard for their happy ever after. It can be challenging but also fun.
What is your writing style? Do you like to outline or just write as you go?
I do a mix of things now, but I’m a pantser. On some stories I’ve mind-mapped ideas of where I think the story is going to go. Character traits and other times I’ll just sit down and write because I want to get to the story and not spend time planning. That can bite me in the butt, but it’s my process.
Do you have a favorite spot where you like to write?
Nope I can write anywhere. But I do most of my writing in my lounge chair.
What is something you've written that will never see the light of day?
Probably the time travel story I wrote with my friends. LOL I thought I was so good but really I was so bad!
What is your writer food?
I graze so sometimes it’s chocolate or mini cupcakes or pita chips.
What's the hardest thing about writing for you?
Trying to promo myself and get out there. I’m not aggressive like that and in this age of so many books being put up on a weekly basis. I’ve got to become a bit more pro-active and stronger. I need an alter ego who can do that for me. LOL
What inspires you to write?
I don’t know to be honest.
How many books have you written and which is your favorite?
I’ve written 7 full length novels and 4 novellas. A couple of those are pending publication but there are parts of all the books that I love. But I will say Bound by Her Ring is probably my favourite because it was my first book I wrote so it’s special to me.
What are some of your favorite books?
That I’ve read? Ooh you know I have a lot of them. “The Second Mrs Adams” by Sandra Marton is one I can re-read and love every time. I’ve enjoyed Debra Kayn’s Bantorus MC books.
What authors do you like to read?
The list is endless. LOL
What inspired you to write Bound by Her Ring?
I had a scene pop into my head of a woman standing in a ballroom, people all around her but she seemed alone, like she didn’t belong there.
If you could choose a dream cast for Bound by Her Ring, who would you pick?
Ugh I always have no idea how to answer this question LOL. I really have no idea. I don’t ‘cast’ people when I write my books. On the last book I wrote I had a couple of pictures of people but I have no idea who they are. So I really can’t answer this question. LOL
Would you say you relate to any of your characters? If so, which one and why?
Hmm I don’t think so. I try to give my characters a more glamorous life than mine. LOL
This or that.
Sweet or Salty? Sweet
Naughty or nice? Nice
Cats or dogs? Both as I have both and love them both LOL
Vanilla or chocolate? Chocolate all the way.
If you were deserted on an island, which author would you want to be stranded with?
Oh I don’t know LOL. But I think I’d like to be stuck with Debra Kayn. I’ve chatted to her online for so long so would love to meet her in person and I’m sure we’d have fun stuck on an island.
On her very first school report her teacher said ‘Nicole likes to tell her own stories’.
It wasn’t until after the birth of her first child and after having fun on a romance community forum that she finally decided to take the plunge and write a book.
The stories she writes are contemporary romances with either a medical setting or in the boardrooms of high powered businesses. She enjoys taking two characters and creating unique situations for them.
Apart from writing Nicole is busy looking after her very own hero – her wonderfully supportive husband, and two fabulous kids.Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/NicoleFlocktonWebsite: http://www.nicoleflockton.com/Twitter: @NicoleFlockton
