Rita Finalist Carla Laureano

The Craftie Ladies of Romance welcome Carla Laureano, author of Five Days in Skye.  She is one of two inspirational authors who finaled in the esteemed RITA contest.  The following interview is from the viewpoint of the book!

Where were you born?

I was born in Denver, Colorado in 2012, but I actually take place in present day Scotland (with a little London and Dayton, Ohio thrown in for good measure.)

Do you have any brothers or sisters?

I do! I have two younger siblings, due to arrive in 2015 and 2016, both romances like me. I also have cousins in the form of a three book fantasy series my author is releasing in 2014/2015.

What do you think made you a RITA finalist?

I’m an inspirational novel, but in many ways, I read much more like a general market romance. I’m just a little gentler and less racy than my GM sisters. But I think the flirty tone and slick style my author chose for me made me stand out.

Plus, it doesn’t hurt that my hero is a gorgeous celebrity chef with a Scottish accent. Enough said. 

Please share the backcover blurb of Five Days in Skye.

Hospitality consultant Andrea Sullivan has one last chance to snag a high-profile client or she'll have to kiss her dreams of promotion good-bye. When she's sent to meet Scottish celebrity chef James MacDonald on the Isle of Skye, she just wants to finish her work as efficiently as possible. 

Yet her client is not the opportunistic womanizer he portrays himself to be, and her attraction to him soon dredges up memories she'd rather leave buried. For James, renovating the family hotel is a fulfillment of his late father's dreams. When his hired consultant turns out to be beautiful, intelligent, and completely unimpressed by his public persona, he makes it his mission to win her over. He just never expects to fall under her spell.
Soon, both Andrea and James must face the reality that God may have a far different purpose for their lives—and that five days in Skye will forever change their outlook on life and love