Return of the Untamed Billionaire

Hello!

I am late with my blog but then again I am currently late with everything as I am deep in the cave with a Greek billionaire called Costa. He’s a gorgeous man to be stuck in a cave with, it is my heroine, Mary who is causing me problems.

I know we are all missing travel so I am determined that this book shall be like a mini-holiday for my amazing readers. The story started coming to life a couple of years ago.

A question I am often asked is “where do I get my ideas?”. They can come from tiny little things that seem almost inconsequential at the time but are enough to have my imagination sit up and take notice. Sometimes though there’s actually a moment where I know a story is being born - as is the case with the one I am currently working on (no title yet -- I shall let you know). Even though they are not linked it all started with another book  -- RETURN OF THE UNTAMED BILLIONAIRE. I had a very sexy Russian (Roman) who had disappeared from the world in the series I was working on. I also had a bit of yearning to write a French hero. On top of that I had a very neurotic prima ballerina heroine, who had loved Roman forever. It was quite a tall order for my imagination but finally it came up with the goods - Roman had joined the French Foreign Legion. Ooh lala! I got to combine all my worlds. Anyhow, researching the French Foreign Legion was fascinating and I am certain there are more stories brewing there. I went to Corsica, where they are based in Calvi, with fellow author Alison Roberts. We headed off on our adventure and got an awful lot of blisters but finally we were there outside this rather nondescript complex with formidable guards at the gate and we were far too shy to ask to be let in. I’m rather certain they’d have said no.

Anyway, a bit weary, dejected and overheated (it was a very hot day) we sat on this concrete pillar by some bushes, talking to a lovely couple who were tourists too. The gentleman had been in the Foreign Legion years ago and they were so fascinating to speak with. And then suddenly, from the bushes and trees (it was an old railway station) all these soldiers started coming out. OMG! We ended up speaking with two of them and one was Russian, I kid you not!!! They wouldn't let us take a picture of their faces ( I guess they joined up for a reason) but it was beyond exciting and I managed to sneak one in as they walked off. Their mess, where they took lunch, was behind the trees. There must have been thirty of them and we were blushing fan girls as they all trooped past. So much excitement!!! Then the lovely couple kindly gave us a ride back to Calvi.

We were sitting having dinner that night, looking at all the gorgeous yachts and reflecting on our day and I saw a guy on a yacht, hosing it down and I *knew* there was another story there. I remember the moment exactly: I was having mussels in white wine and enjoying the stunning view after a wonderful day when Costa and Mary’s story became a germ of an idea.

Now, the answer to “where do you get your ideas from?” isn’t usually so exciting, but it truly was a magical day and I am so happy that I am finally getting to write Costa’s story.

I hope you enjoy the pictures I took that day and there’s also a link to Roman’s story below. For now I shall get back to Mary and Costa :-) 

Happy reading

Cxxxx