Melissa Koslin is a fourth-degree black belt in and certified instructor of Songahm Taekwondo. In her day job as a commercial property manager, she secretly notes personal quirks and funny situations, ready to tweak them into colorful additions for her books. The author of Never Miss, Melissa lives in Jacksonville, Florida, with her husband, Corey.
In this interview, Melissa shares some of her thoughts regarding her latest novel, Dangerous Beauty.
FF: Can you please provide a brief summary of your novel Dangerous Beauty?
Wealthy businessman Meric Toledan holds others at a distance, keeping his dark past and his secrets to himself. But when he meets Liliana Vela, a victim of human trafficking in need of asylum, he finds himself ready to protect her at all costs—including asking for her hand in marriage.
FF: What inspired you to write about human trafficking?
While it’s an extremely difficult subject for me to write about, I also think it is one of the most under-recognized atrocities of our society and needs more light blasted at it. How is this not a major talking point on the news every single day? It’s literally modern-day slavery.
I handle it very delicately, because I couldn’t handle writing anything graphic, I don’t think my readers want to read that, and I didn’t want the story to be about the horrors of Liliana’s experiences—I wanted it to be about her healing and triumph, and Meric’s too.
FF: Can you share some of Meric’s background and why he feels such a drive to help those affected by human trafficking?
I don’t want to give too much away, but he has a unique connection to human trafficking that fuels his motivations.
FF: What type of research was required to accurately write about drug cartels and human trafficking?
Lots and lots of searching government and legal websites about the laws associated with asylum, Green Cards, and marriage. The actual interactions are all fictional, of course, but I based the general behaviors on news stories that I’ve read over the years.
FF: Where did the inspiration for Liliana’s character come from?
I wanted to create someone soft and kind but also a fighter. I love the juxtaposition. I had her come from Mexico for logistical reasons and the SW area of Mexico because that’s the poorest area. I liked the idea of the buyer thinking he can do whatever he wants to her and her family because they’re powerless and poor, and in the end, she shows why you shouldn’t judge people based on outward characteristics.
FF: Dangerous Beauty includes the romance trope of marriage for convenience. What are some of your favorite romance tropes?
Marriage of convenience is probably my favorite trope. I usually don’t write tropes, but this story really struck me. I just had to write it. It was one of those ones that won’t get out of your head until you write it down.
FF: Liliana faces a terrifying future without Meric’s help. What was it like to write from the perspective of someone in that position?
I write a lot of very strong females (Kadance in Never Miss is a prime example). While Liliana is in a position of powerlessness, dependent on Meric, she’s not weak. Not in the slightest. I enjoyed exploring her strength—while she has no power, she never lets anyone control her and certainly never gives up. She never allows herself to surrender to victimhood.
FF: What did you enjoy most about writing Dangerous Beauty?
The emotional struggles both Liliana and Meric face.
FF: What do you hope readers will take away from Dangerous Beauty?
On an interpersonal level: never judge anyone based on outward circumstances or appearances. Everyone is a unique individual, valuable in their own right, and brings their own strengths to the table.
On a societal level: an increased awareness of the horrors and pervasiveness of human trafficking.
Dangerous Beauty
Melissa Koslin
Revell
Genres: Mystery & Suspense, Romantic Suspense
Release Date: September 6, 2022
ISBN-10: 0800740173
ISBN-13: 978-0800740177
Book Summary:
Liliana Vela hates the term victim. She’s not a victim, she’s a fighter. Stubborn and strong with a quiet elegance, she’s determined to take back her life after escaping the clutches of human traffickers in her poor Mexican village. But she can’t stay safely over the border in America–unless the man who aided in her rescue is serious about his unconventional proposal to marry her.
Meric Toledan was just stopping at a service station for a bottle of water. Assessing the situation, he steps in to rescue Liliana from traffickers. If he can keep his secrets at bay, his wealth and position afford him many resources to help her. But the mysterious buyer who funded her capture will not sit idly by while his prize is stolen from him.
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