A Q&A WITH VI CARTER
What first drew you to writing mafia romance, and what do you enjoy most about the genre?
I've always been drawn to darker characters, especially men who aren't necessarily good people but would burn the world down for the woman they love. Mafia romance gives me the freedom to explore those morally grey characters without too many rules. I love writing about power, obsession, loyalty and the lengths people will go to for love. And, of course, I love a man who's absolutely terrifying to everyone except his woman. Although, sometimes, he's terrifying to her too!
Shane is ruthless, possessive and dangerously obsessed with Una. What was your favourite part of writing his character?
Shane was so much fun to write because he doesn't pretend to be a good man. He knows exactly what he is, and he's perfectly comfortable with it. I think my favourite part was exploring the contrast between the man everyone fears and the man Una gets to see. He's not suddenly going to become sweet and gentle because he's fallen in love. He's still Shane. He's still dangerous. But Una becomes the centre of his world, and I loved exploring what that kind of obsession looks like.
If you could describe Shane and Una's relationship in just three words, what would they be?
Obsession. Possession. Devotion.
Which scene in Merciless was your favourite to write, and why? (No spoilers, of course!)
Oh, this is a hard one! I love the moments when Una challenges Shane, because he's a man who's used to being feared and obeyed. Una doesn't always make things easy for him, and I love that about her. Those scenes where they're pushing each other's buttons, and you can feel the tension building, were some of my favourites to write. Especially when Shane realises he's not quite as in control as he thinks he is!
If you could spend the day with one of your characters, who would you choose (and who would you avoid)?
I think I'd choose Liam O'Reagan. He's such a fascinating character, and I absolutely love writing him. Although, knowing Liam, I'd probably spend the entire day wondering whether I was going to make it home alive!
As for who I'd avoid? Shane. Definitely Shane. I created that man, and even I wouldn't trust myself in a room alone with him!
For readers discovering your books for the first time, what can they expect, and what are you working on next?
Dark, obsessive romance, morally grey men, strong women who refuse to make their lives easy, and plenty of twists along the way. My characters are flawed, sometimes terribly so, but I love exploring what makes them tick and how far they'll go for the people they love.
At the moment I'm working on Heartless, Liam O'Reagan's story and the fifth book in the Wild Irish series. I'm already having so much fun with him. He's probably one of the darkest characters I've written, and I think readers are going to have very mixed feelings about loving him. Which, of course, makes me love him even more!