Melinda Curtis

Count on Love: the ideas & inspiration behind the story

   Have you ever seen Oceans 11?  Or 12?  Or 13?  After I saw the first Oceans movie, I wondered about those people.  Had they always had that kind of skill?  Even as a child?

   And so Annie was born to a man who loved to gamble.  And wouldn't you know?  Little Annie had a knack for math, including counting cards (which involves remembering which cards have been played so you can increase your odds of winning the next hand or so - considered by casinos to be "cheating").  And of course, Annie's father got into trouble with Annie trying to use her to help him win money, which turned out badly for everyone.  Years later, when Annie is trying to rebuild her life after a divorce, I wondered what would happen if she has to move back in with her father?  And now she's got a little girl of her own with a knack for math...

   I had to teach myself how to count cards to write this book and let me tell you - Vegas has nothing to worry about!  I am easily distracted. 

   And because I like a little comedy to balance some of my characters' more tragic backstories, I created a hero who faints when he gets near children.  It evens out the balance of power between the h/h.  He gets to cocky and Annie's daughter enters his line of vision.  Ooops!

   Cover buzz:  Speaking of cards, Harlequin was reluctant to depict a card game on the cover, although they did compromise and have the little girl playing.