INTERVIEW: CHARLOTTE STOUT


This post is part of a virtual book tour organized by Goddess Fish Promotions. One lucky commenter will win a $75 Amazon GC. Click on the banner to see other stops on her tour.


Before I get to your questions, I would like to thank you for agreeing to host this stop on the tour. I appreciate your time and courtesy.


Why did you choose Seattle Delight as a title?

When I finished the book, I felt Charly (her character) was a delight to be around; the setting, Seattle, was delightful; and the storyline charming. Thus, the title Seattle Delight.

Can you tell us a little bit about the book?

Seattle Delight is a fun, endearing love story between a quirky Seattleite, Charly, and a transplanted wealthy Frenchman, Julien. It's fun to watch as Julien introduces Charly to a world of luxury and her libido, which has been dormant for oh so many years; while Charly helps Julien appreciate the deep bond and love found only with family.

Which character in the book is most like you?

I have been told by close friends that Charly reminds them of me. I don’t see it but there may be some truth there. I am a bit quirky in the way I do things, the way I think and my sense of humor.

I actually like Charly very much. I take it as a compliment that my friends see any part of Charly in me. I would love to be Charly. Her innocence, naïveté, sense of wonder at new experiences and strong sense of family are endearing qualities.

What is your favorite color personally? My favorite color to wear is black. Wearing it makes me feel sophisticated and confident. If you saw my wardrobe you would wonder how I ever put together an outfit with any color. Color is definitely in limited supply in my closet. When you think of Seattle Delight what color comes to your mind?

When thinking about Seattle Delight I think of bright colors, emerald greens, blues, reds, oranges, etc. Those colors call to me because I think the book is alive and vibrant like these colors.

Share any funny or dramatic event from your life.

In high school one of my friends asked if I would do her a favor and go out on a blind date with a friend of her boyfriends. Her parents wouldn’t let her go on a car date unless it was a double date. Silly naïve me said, “sure.” Oh my gosh! I learned quite a lesson that night.

At the time, I was a junior in high school with limited dating experience. He had roaming hands, a smart mouth and he was incredibly rude. The date was to be an early movie with a swing by the drive-inn scheduled for later. Well, I never made it to the burger joint.

I pulled my girlfriend into the ladies’ room at the theatre and told her I was leaving. When I told her my “date” would not stop touching me and breathing in my ear she didn’t really blame me. She went back to tell her boyfriend and they all wished me a nice bus ride home.

That was my first and will be my only blind date during this life time. It was miserable. Upon arriving home I told my mother what happened. She wanted to march down to the theatre and give those boys a talking to. I can laugh about it now but I was pretty steamed riding the bus home from the theatre.

What is a mistake you've made you would not want anyone else to repeat.

This might sound egotistical, but I can’t think about a mistake I wouldn’t want anyone to make. I believe everything I have done in my life, mistakes and all have made me who I am today. So, I’m not sure there were any mistakes, just choices that lead me to where I am today.

However, on a less serious note, I have a tendency to purchase items of clothing on impulse that should never ever make it to my closet and certainly should never be worn by me. I think an alien takes over when I go shopping and I see myself in these adorable clothes that are so wrong for me.

I have given away so many clothes because of purchasing mistakes. Some items were quite expensive and still had the price tags on them. I encourage everyone to learn their body type and purchase accordingly. When you accomplish that, would you please share your secret with me? I still have not learned my lesson.

What book would you recommend for everyone?

The Art of Racing in the Rain by Garth Stein. This is an irresistibly moving story. Enzo, a dog with the wisdom of an old soul, narrates a captivating tale of his life with a middle-class family; life with all its hilarity, devastation, challenges, fear, death and hope. This book will have you laughing, sobbing and cheering but leave you believing in hope, redemption and the power of love.

Who is your favorite author?

It is hard to pin down a favorite author. I believe there are so many wonderful published authors; I am hard-pressed to select one. I will share a few of my current favorites.

I’m a romance gal who loves really hot guys and strong women in a story. I don’t have an absolute favorite author. It depends on what my mood is as to what I am reading at the moment. I read so much that my favorite authors change from year to year. Here is a list of some of my favorites, not in any particular order.

I love J R Ward and the BDB. The men are hot, hot, hot and the women are not marshmallows. The storylines draw you in and you want to stay for a long time. I have found myself spending hours sitting outside reading and getting lost in the world of hunky vampires and the latest challenges awaiting them.

Lynn Viehl is another author who is fabulously talented in her character development, storyline development and creating hot and delicious men who are attracted to strong women. I keep track of when her next book is due for release and I always pre-order it.

Laurann Dohner and her New Species series intrigue me. I find the concept believable and horrifying at the same time. She creates this fabulous “New Species” that we can’t help be attracted to. The New Species men and women are created and held captive in a medical facility until they are released by a special unit of our government.

Having been a human resources executive for twenty-five years, I abhor discrimination and promote diversity and acceptance of everyone’s differences at all levels. Laurann’s New Species books had me so angry at how these people, who were so different from “normal” people, were abused and harassed. I enjoy how the New Species triumph in every circumstance. But getting to the triumph is a wild, hot and sensual ride.

Tess Gerritsen who writes the Rizzoli and Isles series is another author whose work I enjoy. Her characters are strong, sharp, and her who-dun-it storylines are intriguing.

In closing I want to thank you again for taking time to interview me and sponsor me on your blog. Your interest and willingness to do this are very much appreciated.

Bonne Journée
Charlotte

About the Author:
Charlotte lives in Arizona with her hunky husband Warren, and her spoiled Silky Terrier, Tess. Her life has been filled with serious endeavors, including earning a Master's degree, owning her own business, consulting and working in the corporate world as a human resources executive. Before penning her first novel, Charlotte had written several practical guides for business applications, not exactly steamy stuff. Luckily, she never lost sight of her dream to write a novel that would encompass her passion for gorgeous men, adventure and a love of life. Enjoy.

Find Charlotte online at:

Web site: www.CharlotteStout.com
Blog: www.ChalotteStout.com/blog


Charly’s life was simple and uncomplicated, just like she wanted it. Or so she thought! One chance encounter with a devilishly handsome stranger in her local coffee shop would turn her world, and her heart, upside down. She would be thrown into a realm of privilege and romance, and more than just a little danger.

How will she handle the dark gorgeous man who has inserted himself into her domain? When danger threatens those she loves, will she have the strength of heart and spirit to do whatever it takes to save them? Share Charly’s adventures as she navigates through the quickly changing landscape that has become her life.

Comments

  1. Thank you for hosting Charlotte today.

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  2. I like quirky books...will have to check out this book.

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  3. I went on a blind date & it was a nightmare.

    I love the idea of the vibrant colors you described.

    marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com

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  4. Dru;
    I hope you do check out the book. Thanks for taking time to check in on this stop and comment.

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  5. Marybelle;
    Thanks for the comments and thanks for following the tour.

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  6. My World of Dreams;
    Thank you for hosting this stop on my tour.

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  7. Does anyone have a good blind date? Charlotte, Tess is very cute and cuddly.
    Kit3247(at)aol(dot)com

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  8. Ingeborg;
    In real life, Tess is VERY cute and cuddly. She is a special little gal.

    Thanks for stopping by this blog too.

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  9. Glad the bad experience on the blind date didn't spoil your sense for adventure. That is obvious from your writing and books you enjoy reading.

    I really enjoyed reading your book!

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  10. Anonymous1:23 PM

    I wear a lot of black, too. And I've had several awful blind dates...

    vitajex(at)aol(dot)com

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  11. Chelsea B.7:54 PM

    I am the same way with clothes!! I'll buy something, try it on, love it so much that I excitedly rip the tags off only to discover, oops, it really doesn't fit. Oh well. Something else to go to the sister ;-)
    I love the TV series Rizzoli and Isles-- I need to check out the books!

    justforswag(AT)yahoo(DOT)com

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  12. I like Tess Gerritsen's books and I also watch Rizzoli & Isles...although Maura is very different in the series from how she is in the books!

    I also have a bag of Milanos right here next to my chair. I'll occasionally have a treat of one or two cookies with milk.
    catherinelee100 at gmail dot com

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  13. Catherine Lee - Thank you so much for taking time to read the interview and make a comment.

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  14. Anonymous11:19 AM

    This sounds like a fun read...
    Blackhippiechick@rocketmail.com

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  15. Anonymous10:27 PM

    Thank you for an interesting question and answer session. I don't think I ever went on a blind date. So many of the ones I went out on with guys I knew we bad enough. On one, his dad drove and we sat in the back seat. He wouldn't keep his hands to himself and his dad was giving pointers from the front seat. First and last date with that guy.

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  16. Rebecca Hipworth7:38 AM

    I shall check this one out. :)

    Becky01x(at)gmail(dot)com

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