What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write this book?
This book was not in my original vision board. It was only inspired after my last book, The Don’s Requiem, was released, and I heard readers saying they wanted a sequel or more from the same world. Once that idea took root, the story for this book came organically. The Don’s Requiem was about the journey of a woman in the shadows whose inner beauty and gifts are first recognized by her romantic soulmate, who just happens to be a powerful Don with endless resources. If The Don’s Requiem has a Cinderella theme, The Capo’s Redemption aims for not quite the stepsister but the one who was never going to be the belle of the ball.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of your book, what would they be?
Céleste (FMC): “Nasty Naughty Boy” by Christina Aguilera
Marcello (MMC): “Personal Jesus” by Depeche Mode
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I used to read exclusively literary fiction. But as my life got busier, I branched out into faster, more “blockbuster” reads and got addicted to the dopamine hits they’d give in the short windows of time I’d have. I landed on romance, and I’ve stayed there since. As an indie author, with a full life outside of books, I’m doing this work on less sleep than I’d like. So today, I read mostly for inspiration and craft, but with so many books out there, I’m always searching for my next 5-star read and author obsession.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
The list is long and always changing, but some permanent items: Liz Tomforde’s entire Windy City Series, Sierra Simone’s entire Priest collection, everything in L.J. Shen’s back catalogue.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
The spicy scene following the “f*ck-it” moment that ends the 20+ chapter slow burn. I wanted to make sure readers are rewarded for their patience throughout the drought!
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I will shamelessly revise my manuscripts on my phone at all hours of the day… in parking lots, kids’ birthday parties, bathroom breaks. Whether to fix a plot hole that I just realized, or to tweak a line of dialogue that isn’t landing right. Nobody sees how the sausage gets made, but for me it’s often less idyllic than sitting at my desk with my favorite coffee mug and cat on my lap.
Do you have a motto, quote or philosophy you live by?
“Keep going” in your most authentic self possible and stay connected with others.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
I want readers to feel satisfied and surprised, like they were fed a good meal but taken somewhere they didn’t expect. I’ve learned that what works is different for every reader, especially in a niche like dark romance, where readers want to see boundaries pushed without losing the essential shape of a romance, and I hope to hit as many expectations as I can while giving my own spin in my own voice.