LITMIR.BIZ

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      Yes, in fact … I did. I wanted to go to London and stay at Claridge’s, but could not wangle the time or the travel partner. So I took my youngest daughter for a long weekend to a very swanky hotel in San Francisco (where my heroine hails from) and did a ton of research on the city and the type of hotel that might be The Chatsfield San Francisco. We did so much walking about the city that falling into the cushy beds at the end of the day felt more like relief than research.

       What did you most love about writing your story?

      Besides what I’d mentioned earlier about working with some very talented creative people, I adored my characters and getting inside their heads. It’s what makes writing romance so very satisfying for me. I always want to know why people do what they do and with my own characters, I usually get the answer!

       When writing your hero and heroine’s story, did they surprise you in any way?

      I’ve found that if I’m really immersed in the book, my characters will always surprise me. In Sheikh’s Scandal, I wasn’t expecting Aaliyah to take to Queen Durrah like she did and vice versa. Sayed’s honourable nature came as no surprise, but even I was a little startled when I realised he’d been celibate for three years. Talk about a to-die-for alpha hero!

       To your mind, who is the most scandalous Chatsfield?

      Gene. He was better at hiding it, but his penchant for chasing (and catching) chambermaids is where Sheikh’s Scandal really began.

      If you could have given your hero or heroine a piece of advice before they started on their journey in your story, what would it have been?

      I would have told both of them that the unpredictability of life is what makes it so wonderful and not to worry so much about following their plans, but to pay more attention to following their hearts.

       Name five things on your desk when you write.

      Pen cup.

      Stereo speakers.

      A ‘Mom’ poem plaque from my children.

      A pink crystal heart paperweight from my husband.

      The inspiration sheet for my current book.

       Do you listen to music when you write?

      Yes. My iTunes library is large and eclectic, but I tend to gravitate towards a certain set of playlists for each book I work on. I listened to a lot of Adele, Terry McDermott and the Beatles while writing this book, but the whole time I wrote about the characters’ time in Zeena Sahra, there was a Middle Eastern soundtrack playing in the back of my mind.

       What is your worst habit when writing?

      Forgetting to get up. When I’m really lost in the story, I can sit at my desk for eight to twelve hours and that is so not good for my back or my bladder!

       Do you have a writing routine? If so, could you share a bit about it with us?

      I write new pages daily. The next day, I begin by editing the pages from the day before and then move on to add more. I write when my mind is freshest. So, when my sleep schedule is normal—that’s in the morning. However, there are times my slumber clock gets out of whack and I’ll write through the night instead.

       UNDER THE MICROSCOPE

       Read on for an exclusive interview with Aaliyah Amari

       If you had to pick your most public scandalous moment, what would it be?

      Even if I hadn’t lived a rather sheltered existence prior to meeting Sayed, I would still definitely have to say being outed publicly as his lover in the press. Those pics of us kissing with that obvious (to me anyway) post-coital glow still make me blush.

       Was there an even more scandalous event that didn’t make it into the press?

      Oh, yes … let’s just say that the first night we kissed had a lot of other firsts too and leave it at that.

       What is your biggest secret?

      I’m not princess material. At all. But I love Sayed and I’ll do my best by the people of Zeena Sahra.

       What do you love most about Sayed?

      His heart. It’s hidden behind his nobility and strength, but he has such an amazing capacity to care for his family, for his people … for me. I never thought I would know this kind of love and I hope I never take it for granted.

       What were your first thoughts when you saw Sayed?

      Thoughts? My brain stopped working completely.

       If your house was on fire and you could only save one thing, what would it be?

      My mother’s locket.

       What is the naughtiest thing you did at school?

      I wasn’t naughty at school. I would have been mortified to disappoint my mother in any way. Until I met Sayed, Aaliyah Amari could have been synonymous with the word ‘repressed’.

       What is your guiltiest pleasure?

      Watching Sayed sleep, but shhh … please don’t tell him.

       What is your worst habit?

      Sayed says it’s thinking too little of myself. For that matter, so does his dear mother. Maybe it is.

       What is your favourite film?

      Until I met Sayed, my favourite film was the documentary Grey Gardens (1975)—the story of Big and Little Edie Beales, the agoraphobic eccentric relatives of Jacqueline Bouvier (Kennedy). However, Queen Durrah introduced me to romantic comedies and I’ve fallen in love with the genre. I’ve watched Valentine’s Day three times already.

       What present would you put beneath the Christmas tree for Sayed?

      I’m not sure what gift I’ll give Sayed this year, but it will have an ornament hanging from the bow: a pregnant woman with Baby’s First Christmas. Yes, we are expecting and I’m not at all sure I’ll be able to wait to tell him!

       How will you spend your first anniversary as a couple?

      Knowing the romantic streak that runs in the men of Sayed’s family, I’ll be shocked if he doesn’t do something like fly us to Venice for dinner and the opera. He’s discovered my secret passion for it and my Emir seems quite dedicated to seeing all my passions met.

       A ROYAL WARDROBE

      by Princess Aaliyah’s designer

      From royal affairs to the simple cross-country excursion, princess duties require a certain level of versatility. It’s all about proper balance. A princess strives to be stylish and practical and, thanks to the lovely Kate Middleton, our modern-day rulers are expected to convey both. This makes the royal designer’s job infinitely more … delicate. Although Princess Aaliyah’s striking dark hair and emerald green eyes do provide the perfect canvas for designs, making the job entirely worthwhile.

      For Her Royal Highness’s attendance at her father the hotelier Gene Chatsfield’s wedding, I created looks that include all of the elements that I consider vital to jet-set design: sophistication, class, comfort and pockets (because, yes, even Her Royal Highness must carry her own mobile

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