1--What is the title of your latest release?
CODE WORD ROMANCE
2--What’s the “elevator pitch” for your new book?
When Max is hired by the CIA to impersonate Europe’s youngest female prime minister on an Italian vacation, it sounds like a dream—until assassins and her ridiculously hot handler, Flynn, complicate things. If you loved The Lizzie McGuire movie (ah, nostalgia!), this one’s for you!
3--How did you decide where your book was going to take place?
I knew I wanted this book to feel summery and cinematic. Italy perfectly fit the bill!
4--Would you hang out with your protagonist in real life?
Oh, absolutely. She’s a chef, so I think we could have some great conversations over dinner—maybe about the time she impersonated a prime minister. Or, I don’t know, the best places to find potato donuts in Maine.
5--What are three words that describe your protagonist?
Relatable, daring, foodie
6--What’s something you learned while writing this book?
I did a lot of research into luxury hotels on the Amalfi Coast, so I learned a lot about the types of rooms those hotels offer. Oh! And I had a great time learning about all the different flavors of gelato Max might like to try. Stracciatella sounds like a winner!
7--Do you edit as you draft or wait until you are totally done?
I edit as I draft—mostly the first act. Once I reach about a third of the way into the novel, everything flows, and I rarely edit while I’m writing then.
8--What’s your favorite foodie indulgence?
Currently, I am all about frozen bananas with cacao powder and some vanilla, blended into a smoothie for breakfast. Not an indulgence, per say, but delicious!
9--Describe your writing space/office!
I have a lovely office that I’ve barely stepped foot in since my son was born at the end of 2023. Right now, I sit in the rocking chair and write on my cell phone while he naps. One day I’ll make it back to my glorious wooden desk!
10--Who is an author you admire?
Katherine Rundell. A fiercely intelligent and gifted storyteller.
11--Is there a book that changed your life?
The Way Home: Tales from a Life Without Technology by Mark Boyle. There are few weeks that have passed in the last five years where I haven’t thought about that book.
12--Tell us about when you got “the call.” (when you found out your book was going to be published)/Or, for indie authors, when you decided to self-publish.
Code Word Romance is the second book in a two-book deal, and I found out that The Takedown (my debut rom-com) was going to auction when I was sitting in my back garden eating some French fries. Life is wonderful and weird!
13--What’s your favorite genre to read?
Rom-coms, always! But right now, most of the books on my nightstand are non-fiction. My current read is Digital Minimalism by Cal Newport.
14--What’s your favorite movie?
The Way, Way Back. It doesn’t get nearly enough credit!
15--What is your favorite season?
Autumn
16--How do you like to celebrate your birthday?
At Table & Main, my favorite restaurant in Roswell, GA (in the town next to mine). I always get the mac & cheese.
17--What’s a recent tv show/movie/book/podcast you highly recommend?
A Man on the Inside. A hugely important show about growing older, hilarious and poignant.
18--What’s your favorite type of cuisine?
Mmmmm, this is a tricky one! I’m like my character, Max, and love so many. But since my book takes place in Italy, I’ll have to go with Italian. It would be wrong not to!
19--What do you do when you have free time?
I have a toddler! So… I take a shower that is longer than six minutes.
20--What can readers expect from you next?
More love stories, for sure. I will never get tired of writing them.
One fake prime minister, one ridiculously hot handler, and one Italian summer collide in this thrilling adventure rom-com.
Max is just your average girl. She works odd jobs, has a soul-crushing amount of debt, and happens to bear an uncanny resemblance to Europe’s youngest female prime minister, Sofia Christensen. Sofia is powerful, beautiful—and unfortunately, someone is trying quite hard to assassinate her.
When the CIA approaches Max with a deal, a life-changing amount of money if she pretends to be Sofia on the prime minister’s annual Italian vacation, Max packs her bags for the Amalfi Coast. The delicious food, the breathtaking views—this trip would be a dream if it weren’t for those pesky assassins and Flynn, the handler assigned to Max’s case. Flynn, who has an unexpected history with Max, from another sun-drenched summer years and years ago. Now he’s instructed to stay in Max’s suite to protect her, as old passions and assassins collide.
Losing herself in the role of a prime minister is one thing. But losing her heart to Flynn again? Now that’s a risk she isn’t willing to take . . .
Fiction Adventure | Romance Comedy | Action [Berkley, On Sale: March 18, 2025, Trade Paperback / e-Book , ISBN: 9780593640418 / eISBN: 9780593640425]
Carlie is a big fan of rescue dogs, 90’s rom-coms, and books with happy endings. She lives and works in Atlanta, Georgia. The Takedown is her first novel for adults.
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