You’re Still the One
by Claire Highton-Stevenson
Released: Aug 14, 2024
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Why this book and why now?
For me, there’s no real planning on when what kind of book I’ll write. The idea comes from the first few lines of a book, and it won’t leave until I’ve worked it out and written it.
My writing structure is to get four books out each year. One every three months.
So, that’s my time frame and once a book is finished, its off to the editing team and then it has to be put it out into the wild, and all I can do is hope that everyone finds it and loves it as much as I enjoyed writing it. Otherwise, I’ll have to get another job to pay the bills.
Bills are my deadline as an Indie author!
What is a significant way your book has changed since either the first draft or the way you thought it would turn out when you first had the inspiration?
The story is about two women who fall in love in 1999, and then don’t meet again until 2024. I thought initially that it would be a lot spicier with the 2024 versions of themselves, but actually, it made much more sense for them to be a little precautious around one another, and for their younger selves to be the carefree, jumping into bed pairing.
Would you and your main character(s) get along?
I always think I’d get along with all of my characters, they’re all good people at heart, regardless of what life ( Me) throws at them. We have the same sense of humour too.
Do your character names have special significance or meaning?
Some of my friends have appeared as characters, apparently they quite enjoy being immortalised. Mostly though, names are random. I’ll generally just pluck any name to start with and then as the story progresses I’ll decide if it suits them still, or whether I should change it up. A lot of the time I find side characters names from TV credits, or Grave stones. Mixing and matching them.
What TV show would your main character(s) most likely binge watch and why?
Sadie would probably love Traitors, unless she was feeling nostalgic and then it would be tipping point (its explained in the book). As for Natalie, I think she’s more of a reader, but she’d probably enjoy a soppy romantic comedy film from the 80s, like You’ve got Mail.
One of your main characters is planning a romantic night. Tell us about it.
Not from the book. I figured a scene was fun though! sans editing!
Entering the home she shared with Natalie, Sadie kicked off her Converse shoes and considered a long hot bath. She needed it after today’s shift. Running a bar again after all these years was taking some getting used to, but Natalie would be back soon. Home from a week away on business in Geneva. Home of her birth and least favourite place to return to.
Sighing, Sadie shuffled into the kitchen and smiled.
“What are you doing here?” she asked. Her lover’s back to her as she stirred something delicious in the pot.
Spinning around, Natalie ginned. “I took an earlier flight. I missed you.”
“I was going to cook you dinner.” Sadie said as she closed the gap between them.
“Shall I leave and come back in an hour?”
Sadie reached out, grabbing Natalie’s hips and pulling her closer. “Don’t you dare.”
Lips met and kissed slowly, a tenderness always.
“I thought…” Natalie dragged her finger down Sadie’s chest, against the visible flesh on show where the buttons to her shirt where undone. “We could cosy up on the sofa and you could do unspeakable things to me.”
“I think…” Sadie reached behind Natalie and turned the oven off. Taking her hand, and smiling, she began leading her out of the kitchen. “We should skip the sofa and just go upstairs…shower and then…”
“Unspeakable things?”
Publishing a book is a huge accomplishment and it’s time to party! Choose a celebratory beverage for one of your main characters to toast the release of your new book.
Older Natalie would go for an old fashioned. Reliable, never out of fashion, always a good choice. Her younger self would choose a watermelon Bacardi Breezer!
As for Sadie, she’s now more of a sophisticated, smooth and sexy kind of drink. Something creamy but with a kick. Maybe a Brandy Alexander.
As for me, I’m quite partial to a Negroni now and then.
