What’s the story behind the story? What inspired you to write Ruthless Union?
I was inspired by Beauty and the Beast to write my book. It’s my favorite fairytale and any chance I get to draw inspiration from it, I do. I wanted something passionate and angsty and that helped me achieve it with my book.
If you had to pick theme songs for the main characters of Ruthless Union, what would they be?
I’m a huge fan of Lana del Rey and I think her song How to Disappear makes a great theme song for this book. It’s a more lighthearted song that really speaks to the fear of someone leaving you but deciding to stay because love is worth it. Even though Ruthless Union isn’t super lighthearted, there’s a sense of hope to the story that I think is beautiful and encapsulates this feeling.
What’s your favorite genre to read? Is it the same as your favorite genre to write?
I honestly love to read many different genres but I do love a good thriller/horror novel, which is probably why I love writing mafia romances because it’s a blend of romance and slight thrills. I used to love to read romance but now that I write it, I don’t read it as often but I still love a good love story.
What books are on your TBR pile right now?
The top book on my TBR pile right now is Queen of Thieves by Beezy Marsh and right below that is The Book of Cold Cases by Simone St. James.
What scene in your book was your favorite to write?
My favorite scene to write in my book was this one moment where the two leads interact for the first time. Marco doesn’t want Emilia to see him so he remains behind her while they talk but it’s such an intimate scene because they don’t see each other. He touches her face and it’s quite intense for how simple it is. I loved writing this because it’s different from anything else I’ve written.
Do you have any quirky writing habits? (lucky mugs, cats on laps, etc.)
I honestly don’t have any quirky writing habits. (I feel so boring haha). I do my normal morning routine – workout, shower, eat – and then I start writing. I outline everything so that helps me get right into the zone of writing and once I’m in it, I get absorbed into the world I’m creating and can’t think about anything else.
Do you have a motto, quote, or philosophy you live by?
The philosophy I live by is – take it one day at a time, one chapter at a time. It’s easy to get overwhelmed by writing a book so by taking it each day and one chapter at a time, it makes it so much easier. That’s also where outlining helps me out so much. It makes it easier to focus on one chapter at a time.
If you could choose one thing for readers to remember after reading your book, what would it be?
One thing I’d want readers to remember after reading my book is that past trauma doesn’t define you. That you can find happiness even in the toughest of times and that you can open yourself up to love because everyone is deserving of it.
Ivy Davis is the author of the new book Ruthless Union: An Arranged Marriage Mafia Romance
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