Spotlight & Giveaway: Affinity by LaVerne Clark

Today it is my pleasure to host LaVerne Clark at HarlequinJunkie

Welcome LaVerne and thanks for celebrating the release of "Affinity" with us here today

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself?

LaVerne: I’m a proud Kiwi (New Zealander) born in a town called Te Puke (pronounced Tear poo-care). Now I call Nelson in the South Island of New Zealand home. Nelson is the sunshine capital of the country blessed with sea, mountains and National Parks surrounding it. We are also the geographical centre of the country which just adds to the magical feel to the place in my opinion .

I have two children – a boy and girl – and been married to my older brother’s best friend for almost 14 years – but I’ve been in love with him for much longer! Is it any wonder I became a romance writer? 

How long have you been writing? And who or what inspired you to write?

LaVerne: Since I could pick up a pencil, I’ve loved to write. There has always been a need in me to write stories and explore feelings and relationships. I had a wonderful teacher in my early years of school who believed in me and whose words of encouragement have stayed with me ever since. I also overheard my mother and her sister one day joking about romance novels and how easy it would be to write one together. Their plot was hilarious! I think that is the day I started thinking maybe I could too.

FYI – they never did write that book, but I wish they had of!

Did it take a long time to get your first book published?

LaVerne: I was lucky in that my very first submission was accepted for publication. I’d been paralysed with fear of sending anything in before then, and it was thanks to a critique buddy of mine giving me the courage that I finally did. Now the dams have broken and the stories are coming thick and fast.

  

What one thing that has happened in your life has made the biggest impact on who you are today?

LaVerne: I was bullied for a whole year during Intermediate School. It was a group of three girls who called me ugly and generally just delighted in taunting me. Finally, I had enough and stood up for myself – and it stopped. As a result, I’m a sucker for the underdog and can’t stand bullying of any description. I will wade in when I see it happening anywhere. I still have a hard time believing it when a person compliments me on my looks – but then this probably isn’t because of bullying -  what woman doesn’t?

Let's Talk about your Brand new Release "AFFINITY"

Affinity

LaVerne: Jenna’s family moved to NZ after the atomic bombing at Hiroshima changed their lives – and their DNA. Years later, living a quiet life isn’t possible when she saves a life and suddenly she’s in the spotlight – and the radar of local policeman, Nick. But he’s not alone in wanting her.

What sparked the idea for your novel “Affinity”?

LaVerne: A publisher had been looking for stories about super-heroes and it got me thinking. What powers could people have and how did they come about them. I’ve always been fascinated and horrified by the bombing at Hiroshima, and I suddenly had an ‘aha’ moment.

How did you come up with character in this book?

LaVerne: Jenna is half-Japanese and introduced herself to me as soon as I thought ‘Hiroshima’.

Nick is a jaded policeman working off steam from a particularly nasty case when he happens across the incident which brings Jenna to world-wide attention. His character is defined by what he does – he doesn’t believe in things he can’t explain.

What were the challenges you faced in bringing this book to life?

LaVerne: Time. With a young and busy household to keep together, time is my biggest challenge in getting any writing done. One of the reasons I write late into the night.

What was your favorite part of the book(s)?

LaVerne: I love writing sexual tension. I play on it until it is impossible to keep them apart any longer. But my favorite part? The initial scene where Jenna has saved a little boy from drowning, and Jenna and Nick meet for the first time. There is nothing like that first moment they lay eyes on each other is there?

Is your book in Print, eBook or both?

LaVerne: Affinity is available in eBook.

On a lighter note...

Which of your characters would you most/least invite to dinner, and why?

 LaVerne: love to have Gabriel Ryan from Guardian of the Jewel for dinner – oops! Make that OVER for dinner. There is something so incredibly sexy about a deep male voice with an Irish accent. His job as a recovery agent would be fascinating to learn more about and his wicked charm is irresistible.

least like to have Ryoichi Takeda from Affinity over for dinner. On the surface – he is an intelligent and successful man – but underneath his veneer is a vengeful man without scruples. You’d never know what he is thinking behind those eyes of his. 

Sing in the rain or dance in the streets? 

LaVerne: Im definitely a sing in the rain kind of gal. Blame my mother 

What is your favorite movie & song?

LaVerne: Ooo! Can I have two?? If so, I’ll sneak in ‘The Princess Bride’ and ‘While You Were Sleeping’. My favorite song would be ‘Feelin’ Good’ by Muse.

Your favorite quotes?

LaVerne: ‘Don’t waste your time or time will waste you’ by Muse

    

      What’s the deal with 'I before E'

     LaVerne: It’s not after ‘C’. But I was hoping you could tell me what the deal is! 

   You can contact LaVerne on the web at the following places:         

    Novel Natterings: http://www.laverneclark.blogspot.co.nz

    Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/AuthorLaVerneClark

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