Simone Soltani is the author of the new novel Cross the Line. It is set in the world of Formula 1 racing.
Q: What inspired you to write Cross the Line, and how did you create your characters Dev and Willow?
A: I’ve always had a soft spot for sports romance. However, I noticed there weren’t very many that centered around F1, so as a fan, I knew that one day I wanted to add to those numbers.
When the idea of an F1 driver facing a PR nightmare came to me, I started thinking about who I wanted to tell the story and I landed on Dev—a sweet-talking, wide-smiling, Indian-American racer.
It further evolved when I decided to add another element—the sibling’s best friend trope. That led me to Willow, the younger sister of Dev’s best friend and the one person Dev thinks can help fix his reputation. I wanted her to be able to play off of Dev with her own humor and sweetness, and together they’re pure sunshine.
Q: Why did you decide to focus on the world of Formula 1 in your novel?
A: As my favorite sport, and one full of drama and intrigue both on and off the track, it felt like the perfect world to build a romance within. There’s just so much material and history to work with! Plus, I couldn’t resist writing about elite athletes doing what they do best—driving fast cars—and also finding love.
Q: The Publishers Weekly review of the book said, “Soltani's sensitive, diverse take on the typical sports romance is a breath of fresh air...” What do you think of that description?
A: I think it’s a wonderful description and I’m very honored! The main characters in Cross the Line are both biracial and Willow has a chronic illness, so it’s lovely to know the reviewer thought I handled these topics with the care they required.
As someone who is also biracial and deals with a chronic illness, it’s great to be represented on the page. Knowing that it’s appreciated by others as well is even better.
Q: Did you need to do any research to write the book, and if so, did you learn anything that especially surprised you?
A: While my background of being an F1 fan helped with the basis of writing about the sport, I definitely had to do my research regarding behind-the-scene logistics of race weekends, certain roles within the teams, and dynamics between real life drivers to draw from.
I certainly fell down the rabbit hole of researching past scandals and drama, some of which I’d heard of, and some that were completely new to me. Everything that happens on track is dramatic enough, but off-track is where the real drama happens.
Q: What are you working on now?
A: I’m currently working on book 2 in the Lights Out series, so you can expect more Formula 1 action and plenty of steamy romance!
Q: Anything else we should know?
A: If you’re just now hearing about F1 and interested in getting into it, now’s a great time. I would love to see more people become fans, so come join in on the fun!
--Interview with Deborah Kalb
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