I'm delighted to have the lovely Elsa Winckler here today, chatting to me about her new release 'Touched to the
heart'. The book sounds very interesting - fit cyclist who also happens to be a tycoon, who can resist? And isn't that cover just gorgeous?
Touched
to the heart
Discover beautiful South Africa in
this sweet, heart-warming Cinderella story about a blogger, a billionaire, and
one chance meeting.
When it comes to men, if physiotherapist Caitlin Sutherland
didn't have bad luck, she would have no luck at all. To help cope, Caitlin
starts blogging in her spare time, about the types of men she meets and the bad
dates she goes on. While on duty during the annual Wines to Whales bicycle
race, a gorgeous, sweaty cyclist walks in and sets her hormones dancing. But he
is Don Cavallo; one of the four Cavallo brothers — hotel tycoons, famous as
much for their business skills as for the number of beauties regularly seen on
their arms. Don Cavallo has his own issues with the other sex. He has yet to
find one who is interested in him and not in his money or hotels. But when this
sexy physio puts her hands on his back she not only touches his body, but also
his heart. They've both been burned before, but neither of them can stop themselves
from playing with fire.
So, Elsa
- Have you ever been out
with a hotel tycoon, like Don?! If not, what made you pick that as his
career?
No, I’ve never been out with a tycoon, hotel or
otherwise. I wanted the hero to be filthy rich, one who was never sure whether
a woman liked him or his money.
- Can you tell us a bit
more about Hermanus, in South Africa and why you used it as the setting
for your book?
Hermanus is a beautiful sea village about an hour’s
drive from Cape Town. When I was a student, my boyfriend’s (now husband)
parents had a beach house there so I’ve always had a soft spot for the place.
It has changed much over the years, from a little fisherman’s village to a
playground for the rich and famous. Caitlin, the heroine has her
physiotherapist rooms there and Don has inherited a house from his uncle.
- If you had a choice where
would you choose to live, and why?
I live exactly where I’ve always dreamed of living –
in Betty’s Bay. It’s another little seaside village, but much more rustic than
Hermanus. Here are no shopping malls for instance, just long beaches, a
beautiful mountain, a botanical garden and wind – gale force winds in winter J
- What comes first when
you write a story?
It differs, I find. But usually, I get an idea and
then decide on the characters. I like to give some background of the characters,
so that the reader understands why the character behaves as she or he does.
- Can you name five
characteristics we’re likely to find in your heroes, and same for
heroines?
I like my heroes to be assertive but gentle, firm but
loving, self-assured, except when it comes to understanding the heroine, he must
be brave, honourable and above all, caring. And after he meets the heroine, no
other woman will do – he is forever faithful.
The heroines in my stories are sassy, feisty,
independent (financially and emotionally), brave, smart, funny, and defiant.
- What’s your idea of a
perfect day?
The rare occasions when all our kids are around a
table for a long, drawn-out dinner.
- Can you tell us anything
about your next book?
I also publish in Afrikaans and have two stories
coming out in September. At the moment I’m working on what I hope will be the
next story of the Cavallo brothers – Dale’s story.
- If you weren’t a writer,
what would be your next choice of career?
I’ve done many different things in my life – I started
out as a primary school teacher, managed a clothing shop, somewhere along the
way I studied again, taught again an ended my ‘other’ career as an
administrator. At the moment I can’t think of anything else I’d rather do than
write.
And before you run off, can
you share a little excerpt?
‘Where’s your
girlfriend?’ Was the first thing that popped out of her mouth. Caitlin nearly
groaned out load. She looked away and unlocked her car. ‘Sorry, none of my
business,’ she mumbled and opened the door.
‘She’s just a
friend.’
‘Did you enjoy
your date?’ she asked.
He shook his
head. ‘I was watching you the whole night.’
Stunned, she
swallowed.
‘And you? Did
you have a nice time?’ he asked.
‘I…’ At a
complete loss for words, she frantically tried to think of a word, any word.
Nothing came to mind. She shook her head. He’d been watching her all night?
He stepped
around so that the car door was between them. Her hands were resting lightly on
the door.
‘Thought so.’
His smile was devastating. ‘I’d like to take you out, Caitlin.’
‘As in a date?’ she asked, still stunned.
‘Yes, Caitlin,
as in a date.’ He touched her cheek. ‘There is something here,’ he said and
motioned with his hand between them.
She didn’t
move, just stared at him. Was he really asking her out on a date?
‘I don’t know
what it is, but it’s keeping me awake at night. Let’s try a date and see how we
like it. Friday around seven?’ he asked. ‘I’ll pick you up and we’ll have
dinner.’
Caitlin stared
at him for another minute before she was sure she could string a few words
together. ‘Don, you…me…’ She shook her head and grimaced. ‘We live in two
completely different worlds, we have nothing in common. You are…you, the papers
are full of your businesses. I’m a physiotherapist from Hermanus. I don’t think
—’
‘Then don’t.
Think, that is.’ He smiled. ‘You do know that you can’t believe everything you
read in the papers. And I happen to like this physiotherapist from Hermanus.’
She looked at
him a moment longer. This was so not what she should be doing. Hannah’s warning
and her own misgivings about him swirled around in her head.
His eyes never
left hers.
She was a big
girl. And if she prepared herself for the worst, then surely she’d be fine.
‘Where? I’ll
meet you —’
‘I’ll pick you
up,’ he said and lowered his head.
‘You don’t know
where I live and I always drive myself,’ she managed just before his lips
touched hers lightly.
***
Here's where you can grab a copy of the book –
Amazon Kindle: http://www.amazon.com.au/s/ref=nb_sb_noss/377-2282561-6073300?url=search-alias%3Daps&field-keywords=9780857991676
Google Play: https://play.google.com/store/search?q=9780857991676
Thanks for stopping by and sharing Elsa, the book sounds great. Good luck with it!
About Elsa Winckler -
I married my
college boyfriend and soul mate and after 39 years, 3 beautiful children and 3
grandchildren, he still makes me weak in the knees. We are fortunate to live in
the picturesque little seaside village of Betty's Bay, South Africa with the
ocean a block away and a beautiful mountain right behind us. And although life
so far has not always been an easy ride, it has always been an exiting and
interesting one!
I like the
heroines in my stories to be beautiful, feisty, independent and
headstrong. And the heroes must be strong but possess a generous amount
of sensitivity. They are of course, also gorgeous! My stories typically
incorporate the family background of the characters to better understand where
they come from and who they are when we meet them in the story.
Where can your readers find you?
Personal Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/elsa.winckler
Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ElsaWincklerRomanceAuthor?ref_type=bookmark
Twitter: https://twitter.com/elsawinckler
@elsawinckler
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/elsawinckler/
Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/elsaw1
