- What inspired you to write this book?
I wanted to introduce myself as a published
author, period. This series is me in a nutshell. Like, here I am, take it or
leave it. I had no plans or plot when I started the prologue and allowed the
story to guide me naturally. I’m so happy I did because I couldn’t have written
this series any better. I have no regrets.
- What can we expect from you in the future?
Honestly,
expect nothing. I’m an emotion based writer who could write a psychological
thriller one month, then a soulmate fantasy the next. What do they say? Expect
the unexpected.
- Do you have any “side stories” about the characters?
Yes,
Ethan will be coming 2021.
- Can you tell us a little bit about the characters in the Stay with Me series?
Mia,
the main girl in the story, suffered from a tragic event which caused her brain
to shut it out and force to forget as well as turned off all emotion. She’s
quiet, a loner, making reckless decisions to feel something again. Ollie is the
male lead, and he’s the complete opposite. He’s an empath, one who has
hyper-sensitivity. He’s an aspiring poet, a dreamer, and believes everything
happens for a reason.
- How did you come up with the concept and characters for the Stay with Me series?
I
wanted to create a book (series) to show that we are all villains and heroes.
The story is about accepting every part of us, even ones that we dislike about
ourselves, so we can move forward with self-love, growth, and purpose. Each
character of the story is a side of myself, some in which I’ve learned to
accept and love during my writing process.
- Where did you come up with the names in the story?
The
two main characters had different names in the beginning, but they ended up
changing as I wrote because it didn’t feel right. All my characters always end
up naming themselves.
- What did you enjoy most about writing this book?
I
enjoyed every bit of writing this entire series, especially the first book.
It’s relieving, like stepping into a gym and beating a punching bag. My stress
reliever. But I think the challenge into writing such complex characters is my
favorite part. I’m constantly trying to challenge myself. I think I wrote an
entire sex scene based on pure emotion without writing any “action”. It was
difficult, but it ended up being my favorite sex scene in all three books, and
there is A LOT of sex.
- Tell us about your main characters- what makes them tick?
Without
a doubt, Mia’s is sex and touch. She’s so lost inside her head that touch brings
her back, grounds her, especially once Ollie showed the difference between sex
and lovemaking. Everything makes Ollie tick considering he feels everything. Is
it possible to feel a scream? Because Ollie does, as if it physically affects
him. He’s always trying to see the good in people, understand and save them.
Ollie wants to save the world.
- How did you come up with the title of your first novel?
I
had a different title in the beginning, but about half way through the book, it
changed. Stay With Me (as generic as it is) just seemed more fitting. No other
title fit. I actually hate the title of the first book, but when a book names
itself, you don’t question it.
- Who designed your book covers?
I
did!
WOW! They are fabulous, you are multi-talented!!!
- If you had to do it all over again, would you change anything in your latest book?
Nope,
not a thing. I’m completely satisfied with how the last book turned out. It
could have gone down a completely different path, one that the readers were
expecting and probably hoping for, but as I wrote it, it didn’t feel right. I
had to backtrack numerous times until it did feel right.
- Did you learn anything during the writing of your recent book?
Yes,
I learned to continue to write for me and publish for the readers.
- If your book was made into a film, who would you like to play the lead?
I
watched Arrow the other day and I was speechless when a character reminded me
so much of Mia. Willa Holland or Lily Collins for Mia. For Ollie, I have no
idea.
- Anything specific you want to tell your readers?
Try
new reads. I always hear things like “I only read first person, this trope,
this genre, etc…” There are so many great authors and books out there, and just
because you couldn’t connect with one, don’t shut out the entire group. You may
find a gem or a new author you never knew you would love.
- What is your favorite part of this series and why?
Oh,
I have so many favorites. The growth in myself as a writer, the vibe of the
series (each book is different), the growth in the characters … I could go on.
- If you could spend time with a character from your book whom would it be? And what would you do during that day?
Oliver
Masters. We would probably go to a local coffee shop in Surrey and talk about
love, life, poetry, writing, and philosophy. He’d show me his favorite book
store, and if I’m lucky, take me to the cemetery to show me where famous
writers were buried. Mia can come along and take pictures. I’d be cool with
that.
- Are your characters based off real people or did they all come entirely from your imagination?
Entirely
from imagination.
Do
your characters seem to hijack the story or do you feel like you have the
reigns of the story?
My
characters definitely hijack the story. I’m a panster writer at heart,
preferring to allow the story to develop naturally, and follow a very loose BPP
(bullet point plot) to make sure this happens. Some of the best scenes and plot
twists came because I didn’t follow the rules or put restrictions on myself.
- Have you written any other books that are not published?
Yes,
a lot, and they will be published. I’ve grown a lot as a writer and would like
to go back and re-write my earlier projects. I’m a firm believer that every
story deserves to be out there in the world. The story came to us for a reason
and needs to be heard. Someone, somewhere is waiting for it.
- What did you edit out of this book?
A
sex scene with Ethan and Mia. Numerous times. Lol.
- Is there a writer which brain you would love to pick for advice? Who would that be and why?
Dead, I’d pick Edgar Allen Poe. Alive would be Marshall Mathers
because he’s brilliant with word play, or Stephen King because I feel as if
we’d click and understand one another. I’ve watched plenty of interviews and
even read his “on writing” book and we have the same beliefs when it comes to
story development.
- Fun Facts/Behind the Scenes/Did You Know?'-type tidbits about the author, the book or the writing process of the book.
Hints
for some of my future projects are sprinkled throughout the entire series.
Mostly everything is done in threes. A library in my hometown was the
inspiration for the library at Dolor. With each book, I incorporate all song
titles from a favorite musician and each book has a new artist (you will never
find them). I learned to play the piano for Mia’s character.
Stay With Me
Stay With Me Trilogy Book 1
by Nicole Fiorina
Genre: New Adult Romance
In a desperate final attempt to save nineteen-year-old Mia from herself, she gets transferred to Dolor University, a reformatory college in the UK that housed deranged and dangerous young adults who viewed the private institution as their own personal playground. Mia didn’t care. She needed feelings to care. She’d keep her head down, ignore everyone, and make it through the next two years effortlessly.
Though Mia never anticipated Ollie Masters.
With green eyes, tattoos, and the voice of a poet, she is quickly drawn to him. But because of her sociopath tendencies, she knows it could only end in one of two ways. Either he will be the one to free her from her past, or she will be the one to destroy him.
**WARNING: Mature content, adult language, graphic sexual content, and disturbing matters may trigger an emotional response. Read at your own risk.**
Even When I'm Gone
Stay With Me Series Book 2
The second book in a heart-consuming series.
Ollie.
Forget everything you thought you knew. Hell, I don't even know myself anymore. For seven months I've been gone only to come back to be tested in every way possible. They say keep your enemies close, and my demons welcomed me back with open arms. My downfall is a necessary evil. But Mia is my endgame.
Mia.
Seven months ago, Ollie surrendered to the darkness, abandoning me in the process. He stripped me of my walls only to leave me defenseless. Now he's back, along with fresh new faces and obstacles standing in our way. He says trust no one. Not even him. How am I supposed to be strong for us both when I'm losing my grip?
"Just stay with me, Mia."
"Even when you're gone?"
"Especially when I'm gone."
Now Open Your Eyes
Stay With Me Series Book 3
MIA.
It was so close, I'd tasted it–the freedom.
But the only thing I could taste now was the end.
Over the last two years, I’d let all outside forces dictate my life, my feelings, my head.
I’d allowed everyone to control what my punishment should be for all my wrong-doings.
I’d been tested and learned my lesson.
I’d paid my dues and suffered long enough.
Because in the end,
even the once-upon-a-damned deserved to be happy too.
OLLIE.
How far are you willing to go?
I’d asked myself this very question countless times.
But never in my wildest dreams thought I’d go back in time,
chasing ghosts from my past for a chance to save our future.
So, there was no limit.
No boundaries.
I’d cross time, the world, my morals.
Yes, I’d even double-cross myself.
So, how far would I go?
The answer had always been simple.
I’d go an eternity plus a day past crestfallen.
Nicole Fiorina is an independent author, debuting with the Stay With Me series. She lives in Florida with her loving husband, Michael, two children, Christian and Grace, and Great Dane, Winston.
Her writing style is unapologetic and emotional, striving to push buttons, hearts, and limits. Nicole's books fall under New Adult Romance, with a suspenseful, poetic, and gothic twist.
A lover of music, especially classic rock, she can rap most Eminem songs, dance, dabbles on the piano, and likes to use power tools and a paintbrush. She's addicted to coconut berry Red bull, coffee, and root beer, and makes sure to force down water to appease her mother. When she's not writing, she's probably chauffeuring her kids around, at family gatherings, or sleeping.
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