Author Interview ““ Romy Sommer

Why were you inspired to feature the particular profession that one of your main characters is involved in?

Before I even knew who Kenzie was, or had a name for her, I knew what she did for a living. I work as a production manager in the film business and part of my job is to work quite closely with film location scouts. Their role of finding and securing the perfect locations for every film or TV show or advert is a crucial (and frequently unrecognised) part of the film making process.

But what I admire most about the job they do is the incredible places they get to visit as part of their job. Trekking through miles of undergrowth to find just the right waterfall hidden in a state forest? Persuading building managers to let them up onto the roofs of buildings for a view of the sunrise most of us will never see? All in a day’s work for a location scout.

So when I started this book, I knew my hero was in hiding in the Caribbean, and I knew my heroine was there to scout for film locations. Everything else grew from that point.

Serious Question #2

What other influences or inspirations are behind your writing this book?

The Trouble with Mojitos is the second in a series (though each can be read as a stand-alone). It answers the question a lot of readers had after book one, Waking up in Vegas: what happened to the disinherited Prince Fredrik?

But more importantly, The Trouble with Mojitos sets up the soon to be published (but as yet unnamed) book three. Book Three takes place during the filming of the movie Kenzie scouted for, and it ties in to the old legend of the pirate and his princess that starts The Trouble with Mojitos.

Fun Question #1

What career or profession would you never ever consider trying to do?

Sticking with the film industry theme, I’d have to say that I would never ever want to be a film set caterer.

Aside from the fact that I’m not the world’s greatest cook (huge under-statement) they usually start work an hour or more before the rest of the film crew (and I’m so not a morning person!). Since we often breakfast before the day’s work begins, and since most exterior shoot days start with filming in the golden light of sunrise, that’s one helluva early start time!

Fun Question #2

What did you dream of doing when you were a kid? (Besides writing!)

I dreamed of standing up on the stage at the Oscars, in my designer evening gown, and making my Oscar acceptance speech. I even had the entire speech by heart.

As I was a tremendously shy child it was obvious I wasn’t going to win awards for being in front of the camera, so I went behind the cameras and after film school I drifted into working in Production. I was finally in the business whose magic had captured me as a child!

But the reality was nothing like the dream. It was only years and years later that I realised what had always fascinated me about the movie business wasn’t the actual process of making films (though for many people that’s a passion). For me it was the movies themselves, the stories, the emotions. And so I turned to writing, where I found that same magic. Now I get to be the director, cinematographer, art director for every story I create ““ and best of all, I don’t have to be limited by a production budget!

Now I just need to figure out how and where I can get to use that acceptance speech.

Fun Question #3

What is your guilty pleasure or secret vice?

Hmmm”¦ are chocolate and red wine too obvious an answer? My only other guilty pleasure is reading erotic romance. I especially love erotic novels that combine humour with the sexiness ““ authors like Emma Chase, Alice Clayton and Zara Cox.