• Character Interviews

    Character Interview: Dante from Dante’s Flame

    Dante’s Flame.
    Janine, welcome to Romance Lives Forever. Tell us about
    your latest book, including its genre. Does it cross over to other genres? If
    so, what are they?
    DANTE’S
    FLAME is a medieval set in Naples, Italy, during the political struggle between the
    French and Spanish kings for control over Naples.
    Dante Santangelo sides with the French and is watching the Valente family for
    signs of Spanish loyalties. Alessandra Podesta is sent to Naples by her parents to get her out of the
    “tempting” Venetian environment, hoping it will stop the illicit tales she
    writes. She lives with her cousins, the Valentes. Dante thinks she was sent
    there to aid the Spanish king. She gets caught up in the politically tense
    situation while looking for adventure to write about. Her curious nature
    befuddles Dante and nearly gets Alessandra killed. She’s a firecracker, and
    he’s very intelligent, serious. Needless to say, they don’t see eye-to-eye.
    What is the single most important part of writing for
    you?
    Research. Because I write historicals, it’s imperative to
    know about the location and time of the story. During the research process, I
    usually discover reasons for conflict between the hero and heroine. Without
    becoming aware of 15th century Naples,
    I wouldn’t have known about the political war. Or about the people and their
    superstitions. All of which factor into the story.
    What do you enjoy most about life?
    1) Spending time with my husband of 40 years; 2) Being a
    grandma, or Nonna, as my 6 grandkids call me. I enjoy all of them, even the one
    who is more stubborn than his mother was, lol. 3) Besides my grandchildren, I
    enjoy my dogs and wish I could have more than just three. Dogs are refreshing,
    loyal, loving. 4) During the summer, I love getting outside and tending to my
    gardens, both floral and vegetable. The string beans, peppers, tomatoes,
    zucchini, fingerling potatoes, and everything else I grow tastes a whole lot
    better than what I buy in stores. 5) I love watching soccer, particularly the
    Serie A, which is Italy’s
    top-flight league. And, of course, I love the Italian national team. My
    youngest daughter began playing soccer nearly 32 years ago when she was four.
    She never looked back, and my husband and I were so proud of her accomplishments
    on and off the field. LOL, I had a difficult time watching her play. She’s a
    goalkeeper (she still plays), and that always made, and still makes, me
    nervous!
    What did you learn from writing your first book? 
    The first book I wrote was in 1980, or there about. I was so
    new to writing and broke every rule in the book. It was such a learning
    experience. At the time, I didn’t belong to RWA, which I joined in 1996. That
    first book, though, made me realize how difficult writing a novel really is. I
    probably would have ended my career there if I hadn’t received good rejections
    from editors and agents. Encouraging rejections. And the wonderful support of
    RWA.
    Would you consider self publishing?
    Yes, I’d love to self-publish. I might one day, but I’m so
    inept with the tech. side of the computer. I can’t even figure out Facebook or
    a blog I started that has only a name to it. It’s mind-boggling to me. I’ve
    taken classes, yet I still cannot figure them out! Twitter, too. But
    self-publishing will give me a chance to have control over every aspect of my
    book. There’s the potential to make a good living selling on my own. Right now,
    I don’t have a manuscript ready to self-publish.
    If you could give the younger version of yourself advice
    what would it be?
    It would be the same as I give all writers, whether starting
    out or advanced: Don’t give up! That was one of the hardest lessons I learned.
    Had I given up, I would have never published and likely would have always
    wondered if I might have achieved that goal.
    Also, read, read, read! Which I did. The only regret I have
    is not finding RWA 10 or so years sooner. The organization opened an entire
    world of insight to the craft, the one thing a writer should never stop
    learning.
    Lily and the Falcon
    If I was a first time reader of your books, which one
    would you recommend I start with and why?
    REBEL HEART. There is something about this book and the
    hero, Beau Hamilton, that has been my favorite ever since I wrote it in the
    80s. He’s irascible, gruff, but underneath it all, there is a man with a soft
    heart for the heroine and others who are important to him. But she drags him
    kicking and screaming all the way to the end before he finally admits he loves
    her. You’ll see his transformation in small degrees, and you’ll understand why
    when you learn his backstory.
    What do you hope readers take with them after reading your work?
    I hope they see that love does conquer all, that it can be
    quick or slow-building, and with an unlikely person. I think you have to
    believe in the power of love, and I hope my stories convey that.
    A biography has been written about you. What do you think
    the title would be in six words or less?
    I posed this question to my family, and they agreed on:
    Proud, Passionate…and Italian
    If money were not an object, where would you most like to
    live?
    Italy,
    of course! I’m not sure what city, but more than likely Rome
    or Milan. My
    favorite soccer team is A.C. Milan. Roma is my second favorite. Plus I’d love
    to live among the history and the medieval feel of thecities. The one time I
    visited Italy,
    I fell in love with the atmosphere and the way of life as well as the ancient
    and medieval architecture.
    Picture yourself as a store. Considering your personality
    and lifestyle, what type of products would be sold there?
    Books, music, Italian and soccer related things, anything
    for and about dogs. I’d also have a café in my store that served Italian drinks
    and pastries. It would be very eclectic but it would be warm and inviting.
    As a child, what was your favorite thing about school?
    I looked forward to writing papers. I think writing novels
    stemmed from that early desire.
    If you came with a warning label, what would it say?
    “Open carefully. Contents under pressure.” Admittedly, I
    have a temper, and it doesn’t take much to set me off, especially if I see an
    injustice being done.
    Please Fill in the Blanks
    I love pizza with cheese and pepperoni.
    I’m always ready for watching Italian soccer.
    When I’m alone, I listen to music and dance around the
    house
    .
    You’d never be able to tell, but I’m Italian. (blonde
    hair and blue eyes fool everyone).
    If I had a halo it would be an angel’s halo with the
    devil’s horns attached
    .
    Surrender to Honor
    If I could become a billionaire I’d help all the
    homeless animals in the world
    .
    I can never travel far from home because I’m
    afraid to fly
    .

    Character Interview

    Tell us about the main character in your current book.
    What is he like?
    Dante Santangelo is a highly educated, intelligent man with
    a secret he hides until the very end. He was born in Naples
    but left at an early age and grew up in Provence.
    His eyes are a captivating blue/violet. He teaches Latin and French at the University of Naples and speaks four languages. Dante
    is fairly easy-going but can get intense over injustices to human or animal. On
    the surface he seems to be quiet, agreeable. But beneath the surface, his
    seldom lost ire lurks.
    If your main character was here today, what would he say
    is his strongest point?
    His patience.
    Does he think he has a weakness? (If so, what does he
    think it is? What does his lover think it is? What does his enemy think it is?)
    Alessandra is his weakness. She constantly tries his
    patience. A man can only take so much!
    What drives your hero to do the things he does? What
    makes him want to be the “good guy?”
    Dante lived a privileged life, but his mother and father
    wouldn’t let him forget that their wealth and lifestyle could be taken away in
    a heartbeat. He was taught to help others, treat women with respect, and to be
    open-minded. His parents had a strong influence in his life. They’re responsible
    for the man he became. But don’t let that fool you. He is by no means a Beta
    male.
    What’s your main character’s favorite guilty pleasure?
    Besides the heroine, lol? Sugared almonds from Rome.

    Answered as Dante Santangelo:

    If you didn’t know how old you were how old would you be?
    Judging by my maturity, knowledge and wisdom, I would
    probably be in my mid- to late 30s.
    A biography has been written about you. What do you think
    the title would be in six words or less?
    The French-Italian Connection.
    If money were not an object, where would you most like to
    live?
    Most likely Naples or Northern Italy.
    As a child, what was your favorite thing about school?
    The pranks I pulled. My teachers did not have a sense of
    humor.
    If you came with a warning label, what would it say?
    Do not provoke. Volatile beneath the surface and may cause
    physical pain.

    Please Fill in the Blanks (as the character)

    I love sweet cakes with thick cream filling.
    I’m always ready for making love to my wife.
    When I’m alone, I’m pensive.
    You’d never be able to tell, but I do know how to have
    fun. I’m not always so serious
    .
    If I had a halo it would be fairly
    straight because of my kind-hearted nature
    .
    If I could have the power I’d end the conflict
    between countries.
    I can never figure out my wife because she lacks
    fear and has a strong sense of adventure
    .

    About the Author

    Jannine Corti Petska was born in New
    York but raised in Southern California.
    Her parents’ first language was Italian, and Jannine was raised in an Old World environment. She began writing romance novels
    when her three daughters were young and she was a stay-at-home mom.
    In-between writing and caring for her family, she tutored Italian, Spanish,
    German, and English as a Second Language at a local college. Although she loves
    placing her stories in medieval Italy,
    she has also written romantic tales of the cowboy in the American West. Jannine
    lives in Southern California with her husband
    of 40 years and three high-energy Rat Terriers. To find out more about Jannine,
    please visit her website. www.jcortipetska.com

    Booklist

    Blurb, DANTE’S FLAME

    Alessandra Podesta writes illicit tales unsuitable for a
    young lady. Exasperated, her father sends her to visit relatives in Naples to curb her wild
    imagination. But in her undying need for adventure, she toys with the
    affections of her tutor and is forced to marry him. When she unknowingly falls
    into a dangerous game of supremacy between two countries, she trusts the wrong
    people and endangers her life.
    French tutor Dante Santangelo is secretly aiding the French
    in maintaining their rule over Naples.
    When he is manipulated into marrying the visiting cousin of the Valente Family,
    he seizes upon the perfect opportunity to infiltrate the family, who are under
    suspicion of helping the Spanish. When Alessandra’s life is in jeopardy Dante
    must choose between love and duty. Will he offer up his life to save
    Alessandra? Or remain duty-bound to the French?

    Buy Links:

    The Wild Rose Press
    Amazon
    http://www.amazon.com/Dantes-Flame-Italian-Medieval-ebook/dp/B008JEEY38
    REBEL HEART, American western
    CARINA AND THE NOBLEMAN, book 1 of my medieval psychic
    sisters trilogy
    CHARLOTTE AND THE GYPSY, book 2 of my medieval psychic
    sisters trilogy
    LOVE’S SWEET WAGER, love along the California Trail
    THE LILY AND THE FALCON, book 1 of my Italian Medieval
    series
    SURRENDER TO HONOR, book 2 of my Italian Medieval series
    DANTE’S FLAME, book 3 of my Italian Medieval series
    Short stories, both Medievals set in Italy
    KNIGHT’S DESIRE
    MINE TO KEEP
    Books Coming Soon
    MINE TO KEEP, release date Aug. 15, 2012
    Janine Corti Petska

    Contests

    I will give away an e-copy of DANTE’S FLAME to one lucky
    commenter.

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