URL: www.jiannecarlo.com

ABOUT JIANNE

Jianne Carlo knows multi-cultural romance. Born to an Indian father and a Hispanic mother (intent on becoming a nun), she met and married her Dutch-bred immigrant husband in her last year at college. Their children check off the majority of the boxes under the category, Ethnic Origin.

Add to this the fact Jianne grew up on a sixty by forty Caribbean island where the population mixture represents the world's religious, cultural, and ethnic diversity (and some mixtures no one's dreamed up) and you have a multi-cultural woman who believes the word, 'Mutt' represents the best of human nature.

For the factually inclined, Jianne has a Bachelor's Degree in English and Sociology, and a Master's in Management Science with three areas of concentration, Computers, Finance, and Statistics.

She's lived and worked in Canada (Ontario, Vancouver), the United States (San Francisco, various small cities in southern California, Miami, and Parkland) and the Caribbean (Trinidad and Tobago, Jamaica, Barbados, Puerto Rico, Dominican Republic, Tortola) and South America (Guyana).

Her passions in life center around her proudest achievements, a happy marriage (measure of happiness varies with level of irritation), and three grown sons of the finest caliber who she's proud to call friends, although they're never allowed to forget the mom factor.

Other areas of interest include travelling, meeting new people, reading, working with all animals, Equestrian dressage, cooking, eating said food, and sipping good wine, while hanging out, ('liming' in Trini-speak) with friends. Jianne's proud to announce the only carbonated beverage she drinks is champagne. Who needs Coke?

And you never want to be in the same room if she picks up a dart and aims for the target.

Run for your life.

INTERVIEW

Q: When did you start writing?

A: I started writing in 2005. My husband and I went to a fairy tale wedding held at Clearwell Castle in Wales, and on the flight I read a romance novel. The setting, the castle’s history inspired me.

Q: How do you manage to find time to write while working full time?

A: I don’t sleep much. If you’re young (under 40), you’re shaking your head. If you’re pre-menopausal, you understand. If not, wait a while, you’ll get there.

Q: Do you base your characters on people you know?

A: No. But I do base some character traits on friends and family. Dee’s obsession with lists (D is for Desire) is based on my fixation with them. I have lists all over the house. And Tee’s equestrian talents (T is for Temptation) comes from my admiration for my friend, Stephanie's remarkable Equestrian skills.

Q: Do you plot, or write by the seat of your pants?

A: Seat of my pants. And I’m in computers for my day job, so that makes no sense to me at all. I write chapter by chapter and never really know what’s going to happen next.

Q: How does it feel to finally publish your first book?

A: Almost as good as getting married or giving birth—almost.

Q: Your sons have such interesting names. How did you come up with them?

A: My husband told me I could name the children whatever I wanted provided:
    1. Name had to begin with a J
    2. Had to be one he’d never heard of before
    3. If a boy, second name had to begin with a W (his middle initial), if a girl M (my middle initial)
    4. Each child had to have four names, including one for their Dutch Heritage.

Q: What cultural differences have you found between Trinidad and Florida?

A: Not a whole lot, because South Florida is such a melting pot for the Caribbean and Latin America. I’ve met Trinidadians I grew up with here in Coral Springs, and if I’m homesick, there’s always the Miami Carnival every October. Even native food is readily accessible; I can find a chicken and pumpkin roti not five minutes from my home.

Q: Do you find inspiration in your writing, from your life in Trinidad?

A: Definitely. My Witchy Women series features the different islands of the Caribbean. T is for Temptation - Trinidad, D is for Desire - Barbados, and H is for Hedonism - Antigua.

I try to mention my favorite places and restaurants for each island. So many people take cruises to the Caribbean and get stuck at all the tourist spots. I write about the places the locals favor. So, if you’re going on a cruise or traveling to the Caribbean, pick up the book corresponding to your itinerary.

Q: Does your better half read your books?

A: Every single one. My husband is my grammar critic.

Q: How did you find such a wonderful critique partner?

A: I lucked into Mary Ricksen.

Q: So, what are your sons’ names?

A: Jodan Wijbe Ian Joseph
    Jarin William Victor Andries
    Josun Warren Louis Jan