Author Interview
How to Bake a New Beginning by Lucy Knott : Blog Tour, Review & Exclusive Interview.
I have the very great pleasure to be the first stop on the How to Bake a New Beginning by Lucy Knott (one half of the lovely Blossom Twins) blog tour. I will be sharing my review on this wonderfully, uplifting book and I have an exclusive interview with Lucy.
About Lucy
Lucy is a new author her up-and-coming debut How to Bake a New Beginning is a feel good, heart warming romance about family love and food. She is also a Book, Food, Family and Lifestyle blogger with her twin sister; Kelly who own the charming Blossom Twins Blog.
Website / Twitter @LucyCKnott / Twitter @TheBlossomTwins / Instagram / Goodreads / Facebook / Pinterest
***
Interview
Frankie Hi Lucy, Congratulation’s on the book! Welcome to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today.
Firstly, what five words would you use to describe yourself?
Lucy Romantic. Sensitive. Passionate. Dreamer. Creative.
Frankie If you could take a holiday in any era and place, When and where would it be? And Why?
Lucy Ooh I would probably go back to The Beat Generation and the streets of San Francisco. I’d love to hang out with Jack Kerouac and experience a San Francisco night talking the night away and listening to music, then find quaint cafés to write in while drinking lots of coffee.
Frankie Can you tell us a little about your latest release? This can be your most recent or up-and coming release.
Lucy My upcoming release is my debut novel. It’s called ‘How to Bake a New Beginning.’ It follows the journey of three sisters; all at different stages in their lives, all dealing with job struggles, boy troubles and finding the courage to take that next step in their lives and follow their hearts. After losing their beloved Grandpa they travel to Italy and events occur where they must start taking ownership of their feelings and of their dreams and their futures.
Frankie It really is a wonderful book, who was your childhood hero?
Lucy My childhood hero was professional wrestler Jeff Hardy, one half of the WWE tag team The Hardy Boyz.
Frankie If you could have one of your books made into a film, which book would it be and who would play your lead character’s?
Lucy Ooh that would be pretty amazing. I’d love it if this book was made into a movie. Let me think:
Amanda: Britt Robertson / Sabrina: Rachel Bilson. / Louisa: Lily Colins.
Dan: Harry Styles. / Levi: Chris Evans. / Luca: Giulio Berruti.
Frankie Wow!! Gorgeous cast, this is a movie I would love to watch. Out of all your work, who is your favourite character and why?
Lucy Hmm, I love all my leading ladies because I feel like they are strong women, yet they have their vulnerable moments. It takes them a minute, but they go after what they want and follow their dreams. They all have good hearts and I love that about them. I do have a soft spot for all my boys too.
Frankie Where does your inspiration for your books come from?
Lucy My inspiration was very much love and my experiences. I’m a hopeless romantic and just wanted to write a romance that was quite simple, not too much drama, not too much back and forth, just something that focused on love conquering all and that fairy tales can exist. Also, my life in general, things that make me happy, things that I love, like Italy and sisterly bonds. I very much enjoyed writing about those things.
Frankie What three tips would you pass on to an aspiring author?
Lucy Always believe in yourself.
Don’t compare yourself/your book to others. No one else can write the book that you are writing. Your book is yours, it is special, and you must love it first and foremost and be proud of yourself for writing it.
Write, write, write.
Frankie If you were hosting a dinner party what three people would you invite? (They can be real/fictional, from any era)
Lucy Harry Styles, Sal Paradise (On the Road) and Angela Clark. (I heart series.)
Frankie Oooh, fabulous! I am a big fan of Angela and Alex. Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me today, Lucy. I have just one more cheeky question, just for fun . . . What is your all-time favourite naughty but nice food?
Lucy Eeek I love food, so that’s a tricky one, but probably any and all Italian cakes and biscuits.
Frankie Sound’s good to me, Thank you Lucy!
***
About the Book
Three sisters. One trip to Italy. The chance to change their lives.
Amanda has always taken the role of big sister seriously. She has her life in order; a fantastic job in a great restaurant, a wonderful house and a best friend who’s a Rockstar. But, Amanda’s beginning to realise that her life is missing one monumental piece…
Sabrina is living the high life in LA. Her Instagram is full of lavish parties, her tweets are brimming with celebrity names, but in reality she’s stuck behind a desk working for a boss who is determined to make her suffer. Is it time for her to stand up and take charge of her life?
Louisa has always been drowned out by her sister’s successes. As the university drop-out she’s always felt third best. But a chance encounter in a little Italian village may be about to change that…
When their beloved grandfather passes away these sisters are forced to take another look at their lives. These three sisters are about to embark on a journey of self-discovery that could just lead them down a road of romance (with a little help from the kitchen)!
Perfect for fans of Jenny Oliver, Carole Mathews and Lucy Diamond.
How to Bake a New Beginning is to be released on 9th September and can be pre-ordered at Amazon.
***
My Review
This is a wonderful debut from a talented new author, who I am positive is going to go far with her writing career. I found Ms Knott’s writing to be fresh, stylish and full of real passion for the story. I was incredibly interested in this book when I first saw the cover, which is cheerful and eye-catching. I know we should never base our opinions on a cover, but on the word’s inside, but for this one, I couldn’t really help it. The cover is as charming as the word’s within.
This is the story of three completely different sisters, who are all at different stages of their lives and who are still trying to find themselves in such a hectic world. Even though two have great careers they are a little lost with the love side of things, as different as Amanda, Sabrina and Louisa are they are all devoted to their family, they may have gone down different path’s but that absolute love for family is the driving force for each of them. Which as someone who is as equally very family focused this really rang a bell with me. When their beloved Grandfather suddenly passes away, the sisters are forced to confront some very personal issues. They decide that to really say goodbye to their grandfather they travel to Italy, their trip turns out to be just as emotional as they expected, but in completely different ways. What started out as a farewell to grandpa trip, ends up with each of the sisters discovering themselves and learning how to take charge of their lives and more importantly how to love.
Each sister is so different, each has their own views and private heartaches, Amanda the eldest is the one with the real passion for cooking, she is doing what she has always wanted to do and is working as a chef, but beneath that stubborn and protective older sister mask there is a heartache, something is missing from her life, now she knows what but can she pluck up the courage to finally grasp it?
Second sister Sabrina is living the high life in LA, to the whole world she is a high-flyer spending night’s out at lavish celebratory parties, her social media is full of enviable pictures. But really, she is stuck in the office with a boss who wants to make her life hell and suffering her own heartache, she is far from the happy-go-lucky socialite that she present’s herself to be.
And finally, baby of the family; Louisa after dropping out of university she has always felt inferior next to her older and much more confident sisters. She is definitely the one most people can relate to, she has lost her way a little. She appears cocky and out spoken but beneath the surface there lies a shy, young woman who is desperate to find her way and I think she has lost a little self-confidence especially while sisters are around.
This trip to Italy is the chance all three of them never expected but also what they needed, but will they have the courage and take control of the lives?
This is a wonderful holiday read, the relationship between the sisters is very real and relatable, the love that they share for their family is the driving force of this story. Ms Knot has done a cracking job at engaging the reader with her relatable character’s, beautiful setting and wonderful storyline. From page one you are immersed into the sister’s lifes, the story and relationships develop and evolve in a natural way and the story moves along at a brilliant pace.
You can real get a sense of how much this book and story means to the author, her heart and passion is evident in every scene, the driving force of the story is absolute family love, this really resonates with me. Another thing I love is how each chapter starts with a recipe, it’s cute and personal and links each chapter together nicely.
This is a delicious book, that you will devour in one bite! (Sorry I couldn’t help the food reference)
This was an ARC copy via the author as apart of this blog tour in exchange for an honest review.
A Chat With….Author Andrea Bolter
I have the great pleasure to welcome contemporary romance author; Andrea Bolter back to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals for an exclusive chat.
About Andrea
Andrea Bolter has always been fascinated by matters of the heart. In fact, she’s the one her girlfriends turn to for advice with their love lives. She can’t help but analyze people and imagine what goes on in their brains. A city mouse, she’s the one eavesdropping on you at a café or in the long line for the ladies’ room at a concert.
She grew up scribbling in notebooks with a poem here, a snippet of dialogue there, and an essay in between. Studying both creative and news writing in school, the first words Andrea ever got paid to write were procedure manuals for an insurance company. Not too sexy but, hey, she was off and running! Along the way, she landed as a journalist. After hundreds of articles and a couple of awards, she decided to pursue her lifelong dream of writing fiction, first by publishing short stories.
Even with her soft spot for tales of loves, she credits more than just snooping and romance writing as her influences. She loves travel and music and movies. It might be a romantic comedy she’s seen a hundred times that inspires her forward into a new idea.
Lucky enough to have lived in great cities like New York and San Francisco, Andrea calls her childhood stomping ground of Los Angeles home. She’ll have to write her and her husband’s story into a novel someday. Meeting very young they dated for a few years, then separated for five, but found their way back to each other. Together, they have one marvelous daughter.
Andrea is jumping-up-and-down-thrilled to be part of the romance community! Say hi via email or social media
Website / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter / Amazon
Frankie Hi Andrea, Welcome back to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today.
Firstly, Can you tell us a little about latest release? This can be your most recent or up-and coming release.
Andrea THE ITALIAN’S RUNAWAY PRINCESS will be released in the end of August/beginning of September (depending what country you live in). I’d been wanting to do some kind of runaway bride story and also to set a book in Florence, Italy. Those two inspirations came together here, with the addition of making the heroine a princess. I gorged on Florence in this one. They visit so many locations in that breathtaking city. If you like being swept into the locale of a book, you’ll like this one.
Frankie If you could take a holiday in any era and place, When and where would it be?
Andrea I may have answered this for you when we’ve chatted in the past, and I said Los Angeles in the 1910s-1920s when the movie business was being established. So this time, I’ll say that same time period but in New York. I love how that was a time of great development and advances, but filled with scandal, corruption and bad behaviour!
Frankie If you could have one of your books made into a film, which book would it be and who would play your lead characters?
Andrea I have a habit of thinking of movie stars who are maybe too old to play the roles now but would have been right when they were younger. For Audrey in HER LAS VEGAS WEDDING I’d see a young Reese Witherspoon, a go-getter with high heels clacking across the room, like the vibe she captured so well in LEGALLY BLONDE. And for Shane, Bradley Cooper because he played the same kind of explosive chef in a movie called BURNT.
Frankie Out of all your work, who is your favourite character and why?
Andrea It’s Gio Grassi from this upcoming book. He’s a hottie tech billionaire, very Alpha while being a sexy nerd type at the same time. He was crystal clear in my head when I was writing him.
Frankie If you ever decided to write a different genre of book, which would it be?
Andrea Romantic Comedy. I find a lot to laugh about in the relations between romantic partners!
Frankie What are you reading at the minute? Or your last book you read?
Andrea The Girls’ Guide to Hunting and Fishing by Melissa Bank. It’s from 1999 and considered a very influential book in the continuum of what got dubbed “chick lit,” which I never exactly understand. (I just Googled that term and got this helpful definition – “literature that appeals mainly to women” LOL!!!!)
Anyway, Girls’ Guide was terrific. It comes in a little after Bridget Jones Diary, which was released in 1996, which I consider to be the crowning achievement and indisputable masterpiece of that era.
Frankie When writing do you plan the full book ahead, or do you just go with the flow?
Andrea I definitely don’t go with the flow. I have a basic plan. I know the setting, the important story points, the conflicts, what’s going to change things, what’s the worst moment for the characters, the ending (HEA, duh!). But I don’t necessarily know how many scenes or chapters I’ll have, or exactly what happens when or how.
Frankie How do you like to relax once you’ve finished writing?
Andrea Seeing friends without any time constraints. When I’m writing, everyone knows I can meet them for a late lunch but having spent the earlier part of the day writing, I have to do laundry and errands for my parents and grocery shopping and make dinner just like every other working mom. Having extra time with my awesome girlfriends is a great reward.
Frankie Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me today, Andrea. I have just one more cheeky question, just for fun….
If you were stranded in the middle of nowhere over-night, no civilisation around, with nothing but your backpack what four other things would you have with you?
Andrea Of course the practical things like water, food, flashlight and protective clothing. But in my special stash I’d wish for a way to hear music. Maybe an old-fashioned transistor radio and a big supply of batteries. I can’t go a day without listening to music! In a way, music would be my survival tool to keep me from freaking out. I’d have photographs of my family (wait, this question is making me sad!). I’d have a huge anthology of short stories. To pass the time, in my mind I’d expand each and every one of them into novels or film scripts. And I hope I’d still have my wedding ring to use as a touchstone that keeps me certain I’ll be rescued.
Frankie That sounds wonderful, Thank you!
Andrea Thank you!
About the Book
The Italian’s Runaway Princess
Is life outside the palace walls everything she dreamed of?
When billionaire Gio Grassi rescues a beautiful stranger on the streets of Florence he never imagined she’d be royalty! Princess Luciana’s vivacity intrigues him. With her arranged royal wedding only weeks away, can this chance encounter change their lives forever?
You can purchased The Italian’s Runaway Princess at Amazon.
A Chat With….Author Faye Hall
Today I have the great pleasure to welcome Faye Hall, author of the Sin’s of the Virtuous series to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals for an exclusive chat.
About Faye
Come on a journey with me through 19th century North Queensland, Australia and explore the passions and hardships of unique characters.
There is corruption, deceit and murder, as well as cattle rustlers, slave traders and hell fire clubs. Explore townships of Jarvisfield and Inkerman, as well as Ravenswood and Bowen. One book even incorporates my great grandmother’s cattle station ‘Inkerman Downs Station’.
As well as an author, I am also the most spoilt wife in the world, and a very contented mother.
Come and discover all the passion and drama of North Queensland history with me.
Website / Twitter / Facebook / Amazon / The Romance Reviews
Frankie Hi Faye, Welcome to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today…..If you could take a holiday in any era and place, When and where would it be? And Why?
Faye I would love to go back to anywhere in the British Isles during the late 1800s because I just love that time period and environment.
Frankie Can you tell us a little about latest release? This can be your most recent or up-and coming release.
Faye Latest release is Apathy & Vigor, the fourth book in the Sins of the Virtuous series. It a heart wrenching and passionate tale of two people whose lives are ripped apart by fire and death and the cruelty of one man certain to destroy any chance they have of finding love again.
Frankie Who was your childhood hero?
Faye I always thought my parents were the most heroic people I knew. I still do. After everything they’ve been through and their struggles they’ve been happily married for over 50 years.
Frankie If you could have one of your books made into a film, which book would it be and who would play your lead character’s?
Faye I’d love Heart of Stone to be made into a film, with Richard Gere and Julia Roberts playing the main characters.
Frankie Out of all your work, who is your favourite character and why?
Faye I really loved writing Phoebe Porter from Amorous Redemption. She was based on my great grandmother and she is fiery and stubborn and strong whilst still being so vulnerable.
Frankie Where doe’s your inspiration for your books come from?
Faye A lot comes from the stories I was told as a child about my great grandparents coming to Australia. I always found their struggles heartwrenching and admired the strength of them to survive what they did.
Frankie What three tips would you pass on to an aspiring author?
Faye Write from the heart. Learn to take criticism. And never give up.
Frankie If you were hosting a dinner party what three people would you invite? (They can be real/fictional, from any era)
Faye Sherlock Holmes, Veronica Franco and Agatha Christie.
Frankie Thank you, Faye for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me today, I have just one more cheeky question, just for fun . . . What is your all-time favourite naughty but nice food?
Faye Hot chips with tomato sauce.
Frankie Mmmm! Yumm, Thank you, Faye! 😊
About the Book
Will the love of a woman save him from his own apathy?
Tristen Brone lived a carefree life of wealth and passion – until one day it all came crashing down around him. In only a few days he lost everyone he loved in the world – the woman he loved, his best friend and his parents. The once confident, handsome young man, was now scarred for life and on a quick downward spiral of sorrow and depression. He no longer wanted to live.
When Amalie Fergus arrives on his doorstep, a travel bag in her hand, begging him to take her in, he becomes suspicious. Despite his passionate past with this woman, and the feelings he still had for her, all he could think of was how quickly she abandoned him after the fire that killed her brother and left Tristen physically scarred. So why had she come back into his life after all these months?
Amalie Fergus lost her brother in a fire, her lover had abandoned her upon finding her with child, and now her father had been poisoned, leaving their properties to be repossessed. She had nothing and no one left to turn to. In desperation, she found herself forced to work for a living, trying to do her best as a maid for any rich gentleman who would take her in. What she hadn’t expected was for one of those men to try and force carnal favours from her, or for her now to be on the run for his murder.
Running from the scene of the crime, fearful what was to become of her, Amalie finds herself colliding with a man from her past who offers to hide her from the police on one condition – she return to Tristen and steal some property papers from him.
Trapped by the man from her past, and now forced back into Tristen’s life, Amalie searches for who murdered her brother. She could never have foreseen the cruelty she would discover, or the man she would willingly surrender her heart to.
The One That I Want by Lynne Shelby Blog Tour; Review & Exclusive Interview
Hi Everyone, welcome to my stop on the One That I Want blog tour, I have the great pleasure to welcome contemporary romance author; Lynne Shelby to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals for an exclusive interview plus my own review of this wonderful book.
About Lynne
I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t writing, and my dream was always to be a published author. I write contemporary women’s fiction/romance.
My debut novel ‘French Kissing’ was published in 2015 when it won the Accent Press and Woman magazine Writing Competition – sometimes dreams really do come true 🙂
My second novel, ‘The One That I Want,’ is due to be published in July 2018, and is the first in a series of stand-alone books set in the world of showbusiness.
When I’m not writing or reading, I can usually be found at the theatre or exploring a foreign city – with a writer’s notebook, camera and sketchbook in hand.
I live in north London with my husband and a lot of books, and have three adult children who live nearby.
Website / Twitter / Facebook / Instagram / Goodreads / Amazon
Interview
Frankie Hi Lynne, Welcome to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today.
Lynne Hi Frankie, Thank you for having me as a guest on your lovely blog.
Frankie It’s a pleasure having you here. Firstly, Can you tell us a little about latest release? This can be your most recent or up-and coming release.
Lynne My latest release, The One That I Want, is contemporary women’s fiction, set in the world of showbusiness. Its location is in and around London’s Theatreland, which is one of my favourite parts of London. In the book, Lucy Ashford lands a job at a leading theatrical agency – and literally falls into the arms of Hollywood heartthrob Daniel Miller. Handsome, charming and irresistible, Daniel is just what unlucky-in-love Lucy needs, and she is quickly drawn into his glittering celebrity lifestyle. But can she tame the A-list bad boy or is she just one more girl in Daniel’s long line of conquests? And then there’s up-and-coming actor Owen Somers, fiercely talented but as yet uncast in a starring role…
Frankie This is a wonderful book and one I highly recommend. If you could take a holiday in any era and place, when and where would it be?
Lynne That’s a difficult choice to make! I find so many historical eras interesting, but I think I would choose to visit Roman Britain. I enjoy exploring Roman sites like Hadrian’s Wall, and it would be fascinating to go back in time and see them in their heyday, and to meet the people who lived and worked in them. My trip to the past would have to be fairly short though, as I’m sure I’d miss modern technology!
Frankie If you could have one of your books made into a film, which book would it be and who would play your lead characters?
Lynne I’d love my debut novel, French Kissing, to be made into a film – especially if I could visit the cast and crew on location in Paris, where part of the book is set! For my heroine, Anna Mitchel, who is English and lives in London, I’d cast Dianna Agron (Glee, I Am Number Four) – she’s American, but I hope she wouldn‘t mind doing an English accent! For my Parisian hero, Alexandre Tourville, I’d cast French actor, Louis Garrel (The Dreamers, Les Chansons d’Amour).
Frankie Oooh, looks good! Out of all your work, who is your favourite character and why?
Lynne My favourite character tends to change with each WIP to one of the characters that I’m writing about, usually my hero or heroine, I think because they are the characters who I’m spending time with! In The One That I Want, my favourite character is Lucy because although she is suddenly thrust into a glamorous world and lifestyle, she manages to keep her feet on the ground, and remain loyal to her friends, especially her best friend from childhood. The importance of friends and family is one of the themes of the book.
Frankie If you ever decided to write a different genre of book, which would it be?
Lynne It would have to be a historical novel – I know I’d have a lot of fun doing the research.
Frankie What are you reading at the minute? Or your last book you read?
Lynne I’ve just finished reading The Song of Achilles by Madeline Miller, which is an original and atmospheric re-telling of ancient Greek myth for modern readers. It’s beautifully written, and at the same time, a real page-turner. I recommend it to anyone who enjoys historical novels.
Frankie When writing do you plan the full book ahead, or do you just go with the flow?
Lynne I know how my books are going to start and how they end, but when I start writing I have very little idea of what happens in the middle. Fortunately, there comes a point when it feels as though the characters have taken over the plot and decide for themselves what’s going to happen to them! When I’m about two-thirds through my story and have a clearer idea of the plot’s twists and turns, I plan future chapters to keep the action on track.
Frankie How do you like to relax once you’ve finished writing?
Lynne I read a lot – my tbr pile is taller than I am. I also very much enjoy visiting the theatre, especially musicals, and go to as many West End shows as I can.
Frankie Thank you so much for taking the time to chat with me today, Lynne. I have just one more cheeky question, just for fun….
If you were stranded in the middle of nowhere over night, no civilisation around, with nothing but your backpack what four other things would you have with you?
Lynne A pen, a notebook, a torch and a novel.
Frankie Thank you!
Lynne Thank you, Frankie, I enjoyed chatting.
About The Book
The latest sparkling romance from the award-winning author of French Kissing.
When Lucy Ashford lands a top job at a leading theatrical agency in London, work mixes with pleasure, as she literally falls into the arms of Hollywood heartthrob Daniel Miller.
Handsome, charming and irresistible, Daniel is just what unlucky-in-love Lucy needs, and she is quickly drawn into his glittering celebrity lifestyle. But can she tame the A-list bad boy or is she just one more girl in Daniel s long line of conquests?
And then there’s up-and-coming actor Owen Somers, fiercely talented but as yet uncast in a starring role. After she takes him onto the agency’s books, Owen and Lucy’s friendship slowly grows. If she looks closely, Lucy’s leading man might be right before her very eyes…
The One That I Want id available now and can be purchased at Amazon.
My Review
Well this is a wonderfully, romantic story! This is the first book I have read by Ms Shelby and I thoroughly enjoyed it, and I am looking forward to reading more from this talented author. The One That I Want is a fun, entertaining and very romantic. It’s a good old fashioned rom-com, where girl meets boy – or in this case boys – and she goes on a once in a life time journey to find who she is and who has stolen her heart.
When an old school friend who is now a famous children’s tv star, suddenly turn’s up on her doorstep, Lucy’s life changes completely. She is offered the chance of a life time to move to London and make a name for herself. She moves in with her old friend and her not-so-nice PA, t first Lucy is a little rabbit in head lights, everything is new, and the bright lights of London turn her head, but she soon gets over her initial awe of the city when she lands a lucrative job at one of the leading theatrical agencies.
As her career starts moving in the right direction Lucy soon finds herself torn between two completely different men. She meets the agencies leading star and ladies’ man Daniel who turns Lucy’s head with his silky charm and she soon falls head over heels for the charming attention loving Daniel. She is swept along in his fast and glittery lifestyle of showbiz parties and premiers. Then after signing her first client; the hugely talented, yet unknown actor and incredibly down to earth Owen, who has a genuine sparkle in those blue eyes and soon they are growing steadily closer. But which life does she want and more importantly which of our leading men claims Lucy’s heart?
Lucy is such an ordinary, down to earth young woman, who before she took the chance to move to London she was a bit stuck in a rut. She has a great open personality that believes and trust’s everyone she comes into contact with, even though at times I think that she maybe a little too naive when it comes to people as she later comes to learn. I really like the interactions between each of the character’s, they banter, flirt and have fun. There is drama and in each of their lives, that is engaging and keeps you reading.
This is the perfect book for lazing the summer days away, the story is charming and will appeal to all, not matter what you read. The story sweeps you away in a flurry of stardust that will leave you wanting an encore. The One That I Want is a wonderfully, glittery romance that is highly enjoyable and just like it’s lovable characters it’s fun and dazzling and very highly recommended.
This was an ARC copy via the author as apart of this blog tour in exchange for an honest review.
Why not check out the other stops on the tour.
A Chat With…Author Jayne Davis
I have the great pleasure to welcome Historical Romance author; Jayne Davis to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals for an exclusive interview.
About Jayne
I write historical romance, set in the late Georgian/Regency era, published as both ebooks and paperbacks.
I was hooked on Jane Austen and Georgette Heyer as a teenager, and longed to write similar novels myself. Real life intervened, and I had several careers, including as a non-fiction author under another name. That wasn’t quite the writing career I had in mind…
So here I am, finally publishing fiction. I hope you enjoy my stories.
Website / Amazon / Goodreads / Facebook / Twitter
Frankie Hi Jayne, Welcome to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today.
Firstly what five words would you use to describe yourself?
Jayne Reader, writer, chocolate-eater, lover-of-the-outdoors*, romantic
*yes, I know that’s probably cheating!
Frankie Hahaha, not cheating at all. If you could take a holiday in any era and place, When and where would it be? And Why?
Jayne 12th Century England (with a suitable armed escort).
As a lover of the British countryside, I’d be fascinated to see how it has changed since then. Today, in Britain, we are used to a landscape outside cities that is mainly fields and small patches of woodland, or bare mountains and moorland. Back then, much more of the country was covered in trees. I’m also a fan of Ellis Peters’ Cadfael books – although I feel no inclination to set my historical romances in that period.
Frankie Oooh, yes! That sounds fabulous, Can you tell us a little about latest release? This can be your most recent or up-and coming release.
Jayne I have only one book out so far – The Mrs MacKinnons, a romance set in England in 1799. I had this and another full-length novel written as a hobby before I decided I really could publish them. Both have been extensively critiqued and revised, and are now so much better than my initial attempts! However I have also learned a lot more about book marketing, and the next novel (Playing with Fire) will sit well as the 2nd or 3rd book in a series, so now I am writing a novella to start the series (Sauce for the Gander), and possibly another novella that will be the 2nd in the series. They are all set in England, in the late Georgian period. All can be read in isolation, but it makes sense to publish them in chronological order of the stories. So maybe Sauce for the Gander will be out by Christmas (crosses fingers and resolves to spend less time procrastinating on the internet!) Find out more on my website.
Frankie This sounds brilliant! Who was your childhood hero?
Jayne The Apollo astronauts and Amy Johnson! This might seem strange for a writer of historical romances, but my first career was as an engineer, and as a teenager I was fascinated by space and aeroplanes.
Frankie Not strange at all, If you could have one of your books made into a film, which book would it be and who would play your lead characters?
Jayne Playing with Fire – possibly an unfair answer as it’s not published yet (but if anyone fancies being a beta reader, get in touch!). I love the characters in The Mrs MacKinnons, but a lot of the story depends on characters feelings and thoughts rather than actions, and I’m not sure how that would translate to film. Playing with Fire has more action, a feisty heroine and likeable hero. I’d pick Aiden Turner for Alex (although he won’t need to take his shirt off, sadly), and maybe Emma Watson as Phoebe.
Frankie Sounds great! Out of all your work, who is your favourite character and why?
Jayne I like most of them (apart from the villains!). I’m going to pick a secondary character from The Mrs MacKinnons. Sergeant Webb had a horrible childhood (as many of the ‘lower’ classes did in the 19th century), but still has an underlying decency. He’s just the kind of managing sergeant any officer needs, and he still acts like that when he finds himself in civilian life again.
Frankie Where does your inspiration for your books come from?
Jayne Thin air? It’s difficult to know, really. The idea for The Mrs MacKinnons came about when I wondered what would be involved in renovating a derelict house a couple of centuries ago, then the rest developed from that. Given that I wanted to write a romance, I needed to work out who the house belonged to, why it became derelict, why the owner (who would almost always have been a man in those days) would need help to renovate it, why a woman would agree to do so, and so on. Some of the characters seemed to just appear on their own. Webb, who I mentioned above, was initially just a means of getting Matthew out of prison in the prologue to the story – but then he seemed to elbow his way into the story. If that makes me sound a bit of a nutter – welcome to writer’s brain!
Frankie What three tips would you pass on to an aspiring author?
Jayne Just write. Even if it’s rubbish, get it down. You can edit it later.
Join a critique group. This can be a local author society, or a website – I’ve made good virtual friends on a site called Scribophile, where we critique each other’s stories. To me, this is easier than showing my work face to face.
Get an editor, doesn’t have to be a professional, but someone with a good grasp of grammar. You can never spot all the mistakes in your own writing.
Frankie Those are wonderful tips, Thank you. If you were hosting a dinner party what three people would you invite? (They can be real/fictional, from any era)
Jayne Ooh, difficult! I’m going to stick to women, as men have had most of the chance to express their views over the years. Mary Wollstonecraft, I think, as a free thinker of her time. Caroline Herschel, sister of William Herschel (who discovered Uranus, amongst many other things) but was an astronomer in her own right. Finally, Lady Mary Stanhope, explorer and archaeologist.
Frankie Brilliant! Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me today, Jayne. I have just one more cheeky question, just for fun . . . What is your all-time favourite naughty but nice food?
Jayne A cream tea! Scones, jam, clotted cream. Yum!
Mmmmm! Yummy, Thank you!
About the Book
The Mrs MacKinnons
England, 1799
Major Matthew Southam returns from India, hoping to put the trauma of war behind him and forget his past. Instead, he finds a derelict estate and a family who wish he’d died abroad.
Charlotte MacKinnon married without love to avoid her father’s unpleasant choice of husband. Now a widow with a young son, she lives in a small Cotswold village with only the money she earns by her writing.
Matthew is haunted by his past, and Charlotte is fearful of her father’s renewed meddling in her future. After a disastrous first meeting, can they help each other find happiness?
The Mrs MacKinnons is available now and can be found at Amazon.
A Chat With….Author Eve Pendle
I have the very, great pleasure to welcome Historical Romance author; Eve Pendle to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals for an exclusive chat.
About Eve
Eve writes snarky, angsty and passionate historical romance. She loves dresses, chocolate,
equality, liberty, her husband, her dog and her cat (not necessarily in that order). Living in South-West England, she gets inspiration from the beautiful old houses and countryside around her.
You can chat with Eve on twitter about what she’s writing and reading at the moment, and get a
free sexy story from her website
Website / Twitter / Facebook / Amazon / Goodreads
Frankie Hi Eve, Welcome to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today.
Eve Nice place! Thanks for inviting me. <Sips tea, takes a bite of biscuit.>
Frankie It’s a pleasure! Firstly, what five words would you use to describe yourself?
Eve Snarky. Tenacious. Curious. Caring. Liberal.
Frankie If you could take a holiday in any era and place, When and where would it be? And Why?
Eve For a pure holiday, where I can’t go and try to do any good or change anything, I’d probably go to Victorian London to see the Great Exhibition in 1851 at the crystal palace. I’d wear a crinoline and corset, buy lots of souvenirs, people watch, and look at all the amazing Victorian innovations. Young, old, rich, poor – everyone went to the Great Exhibition to see the technical wonders of the age. The massive glasshouse that housed the exhibition burned down some years later, so all we have is the place name in London left to remember it. So that period is unique. We don’t have anything left of what the exhibition was like, which is unusual for the UK.
(View from the Knightsbridge Road of The Crystal Palace in Hyde Park for Grand International Exhibition of 1851. Dedicated to the Royal Commissioners., London: Read & Co. Engravers & Printers, 1851. Courtesy of Wikipedia. )
Frankie Oh, that is perfect! Can, you tell us a little about latest release? This can be your most recent or up-and coming release.
Eve Six Weeks with a Lord is what happens when an author who loves marriage of convenience reads Cecelia by Frances Burney and hears about rinderpest. Cecelia was written in 1780 and the eponymous heroine has to marry a man who will take her surname or she won’t inherit. Rinderpest is a cattle disease that devastated the English countryside in the mid 1860s. These make up the central conflicts for Grace and Everett respectively.
It also explores the fall-out of an aristocrat taking what he wants without any regard for anyone else. i.e. acted as most powerful men do, then and now. The repercussions of that selfishness, and the naïve arrogance of Grace’s father, flow through the book.
All that makes it sound very serious, and it’s not a frivolous book by any stretch, but it has moments of levity. Not sure whether it’s for you? I made a quiz to help you figure out if you like it…..HERE 😉
Frankie I love it, I’m reading it as we speak and loving it! 😊 That quiz is so good, Thanks! Who was your childhood hero?
Eve I wasn’t much for heroes when I was a kid. But I suppose I thought my Aunt and Grandmother were pretty amazing. They bought the best presents and they always looked so beautiful and poised. They were both funny, too. My aunt had a cat, and I loved that. My grandmother was so cool, she would talk to me about boys and sex and tell me what to wear. So yeah, my Aunt and my Grandmother were my heroines when I was a kid.
Frankie That is perfect, and something I totally agree with. If you could have one of your books made into a film, which book would it be and who would play your lead character’s?
Eve I’d love to see A Pineapple in a Pine Tree as a Hallmark movie or a BBC drama. It’s my novella coming out in charity Christmas anthology (in aid of Planned Parenthood) and I can imagine the Regency costumes, the snow, and the setting like Downton Abbey. It would be visually stunning. Amelia, the heroine loves embroidery and has a clandestine business making embroidery for women who want the appearance of accomplishment without the hassle of actually sewing. Sarah Jessica Parker would be perfect as Amelia. The hero is Robert, a quiet botanist widower who loves his daughter. Colin O’Donoghue has his vibe of tortured but kind.
Frankie Oooh!! Sounds good, Out of all your work, who is your favourite character and why?
Eve She’s not published yet, but I have a short story featuring Lady Charlbury. She sponsors science and engineering innovations – i.e she’s a patron of the sciences. She’s also not averse to a bit of pain and pleasure in with her business, especially when she’s in control. She’s a widow, damaged in some ways, incredibly strong, and utterly no nonsense. Unlike most of my other characters, she doesn’t suffer from crippling self-doubt (author self-own there?). I’d like to write a full novella or novel for her, maybe just to spend some time with someone who doesn’t second guess herself.
Lady Charlbury is in The Price of Patronage and it’ll be in the next Erotic Teasers anthology published by Cleis Press. I’ll probably give it away as a freebie to my new releases email list subscribers. Hint-hint. 😉
Frankie Where does your inspiration for your books come from?
Eve I don’t know, sorry. It just turns up. And the harder I work, the more turns up. Inspiration is easy. Finding time to get ideas down coherently is more of a problem.
Frankie What three tips would you pass on to an aspiring author?
Eve Don’t do it. Just really, don’t. Honestly.
Ah. Sorry. I guess you probably want something more nuanced than that.
- Don’t do it for the money, there is none. Do it for the love, because there is lots of that.
- Bring people up. Bring them with you as crit. partners, big-up your favourite authors, appreciate the beauty in what someone writes even if it’s not your thing, and celebrate the lovely things you write sometimes.
- Enjoy the journey, try not to stress about the destination. You might never be a famous best-selling author, but you can make something you’re proud of. You can bring people joy and be joyful whilst doing it.
Frankie That’s brilliant. Thank you! If you were hosting a dinner party what three people would you invite? (They can be real/fictional, from any era)
Eve Queen Elizabeth I, who ruled solo and brought peace and tolerance to a divided Britain. Lady Ada Lovelace, who came up with the concept of programming a computer. Emily Wilding Davidson, who was a key leader of the suffragette movement for women’s suffrage. I’d like to tell them about the progress we’ve made, and hear what they think we should do to take things further.
Frankie Brilliant, just brilliant! Now, that is a dinner party I would love to attend. Thank you, Eve for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me today, I have just one more cheeky question, just for fun . . .
What is your all-time favourite naughty but nice food?
Eve Bendicks bitter mints are the best. They’re like really classy Junior Mints. They’re practically orgasmic.
Thanks so much for having me. It’s been fun! If you’d like to chat to me about mints, Victoriana, romance or British wildflowers, you can find me on twitter as @evependle. 😉
Thank you, Eve, it has been a pleasure!
About the Book
Six Weeks With a Lord
Grace Alnott is out of time. To save her younger brother from an abusive guardian, her merchant father’s will demands she must marry a peer. Handsome but destitute Everett Hetherington, Earl of Westbury agrees to her offer of a marriage of convenience but stipulates she must live with him for six weeks. No matter how honorable he seems she can’t allow him to get too close, because the aristocracy cannot be trusted.
Six weeks. Major Everett Hetherington, new Earl of Westbury, has exactly six weeks to convince the very independent Grace Alnott to spend the rest of her life with him. Despite her belief she doesn’t belong in his world, he must tempt the alluring Grace into staying, because he has fallen for her. Hard. He just has to ensure she never discovers his secret.
Six Weeks With A Lord is to be released on 25th June and can be pre-ordered at Amazon.
A Chat With….Author Elizabeth Ellen Carter
Today I have the great pleasure to welcome award winning, Historical Romance author; Elizabeth Ellen Carter to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals for an exclusive chat.
About Elizabeth
Elizabeth Ellen Carter is an award-winning historical romance writer who pens richly detailed historical romantic adventures. A former newspaper journalist, Carter ran an award-winning PR agency for 12 years. She lives in Australia with her husband and two cats.
Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads / Amazon / Instagram
Frankie Hi Elizabeth, Welcome to Chicks, Rogues and Scandals! Thank you for taking the time to chat with me today.
Firstly, what five words would you use to describe yourself?
Elizabeth Playful, witty, curious, adventurous and ready to laugh (which is technically seven words, so add ‘rule breaker’) 😉
Frankie If you could take a holiday in any era and place, When and where would it be? And Why?
Elizabeth I would love to see Ancient Rome in all its glory – those beautiful buildings, temples and monuments brand new.
Frankie Oooh, That wold be amazing! Can, you tell us a little about latest release?
Elizabeth Shadow of the Corsairs is the final title in my Heart of the Corsairs series. It’s a Regency with a difference because it’s not set in England – it’s set in Sicily and Tunisia when Sicily was an English protectorate with the threat of Napoleon’s Empire along the Italian peninsula and the Barbary Coast pirates on the African Coast.
The Past Casts a Shadow Over a Second Chance For Love….
Palermo, 1810
Morwena Gambino is struggling to keep her family’s business going against mounting troubles. Her widowed father, once shrewd, is now increasingly forgetful, letting debts mount and disavowing his sons. Morwena runs the shop behind his back, forced to hide her enterprise not only from her father but also her bitter older brother.
In Tunisia, Tewodros “Jonathan” Afua is struggling to stay alive. Once an Ethiopian prince, he is a captive of the corsairs who slaughtered his wife and children. When a US naval bombardment provides an opening for escape, Jonathan falls in with a seemingly deranged English pirate. Aboard Kit Hardacre’s rundown ship with its ragtag crew, Jonathan learns the real reason he was taken by slavers.
Reluctantly joining Hardacre’s crew, he meets Morwena in Palermo. The fiery young Sicilian woman is the opposite of his quiet reserve, but he is attracted to her despite mourning for his late wife. As he and Morwena grow closer, it emerges that they have something in common – secret betrayal by those close to them – and they must count what they’re willing to risk for a future together.
Frankie Wow, that sounds amazing, Who was your childhood hero?
Elizabeth My mum. She raised my sister and I on her own and gave us a love of reading, and a passion for education.
Frankie Aww, that’s lovely. If you could have one of your books made into a film, which book would it be and who would play your lead characters?
Elizabeth Alex Pettyfer from Magic Mike as Captain Kit Hardacre; Josh Whitehouse, who plays Hugh Armitage in Poldark as Elias Nash and Kit Hardacre – just turn his hair blond and give him coloured contacts. And Lance Gross from Deuces as Jonathan Afua who is the hero of my upcoming releases.
Frankie Out of all your work, who is your favourite character and why?
Elizabeth I do have to say Captain Kit Hardacre, not only is he a pivotal character in all the three Heart of the Corsairs books but his influence will be felt in the series I’m started to write The King’s Rogues.
Darling Kit is brave and reckless, damaged and yet romantic. He inspires loyalty but struggles to love.
Frankie Where does your inspiration for your books come from?
Elizabeth I love history – especially the bits that people have forgotten, so I like to tease out a human story – what was it like to live in a particular era going through those particular circumstances.
Frankie What three tips would you pass on to an aspiring author?
Elizabeth :
Persevere, write that story, give your character their voice.
Know your craft, always read, always keep learning more.
Reach out to other authors. We’re really friendly .
Frankie If you were hosting a dinner party what three people would you invite? (They can be real/fictional, from any era)
Elizabeth :
GK Chesterton
CS Lewis
JRR Tolkein
Three great authors, three great thinkers, three great raconteurs…
Frankie Thank you for taking the time out of your busy schedule to chat with me today, I have just one more cheeky question, just for fun . . . What is your all-time favourite naughty but nice food?
Elizabeth Right now I’m eating Dark Chocolate Digestives…
Frankie One of my favourites, Thank you Elizabeth.
About the Book
Elizabeth’s up and coming book; Shadow of the Corsairs is to be released on 26th June and can be pre-ordered at Amazon.
The Past Casts a Shadow Over a Second Chance For Love….
Palermo, 1810
Morwena Gambino is struggling to keep her family’s business going against mounting troubles. Her widowed father, once shrewd, is now increasingly forgetful, letting debts mount and disavowing his sons. Morwena runs the shop behind his back, forced to hide her enterprise not only from her father but also her bitter older brother.
In Tunisia, Tewodros “Jonathan” Afua is struggling to stay alive. Once an Ethiopian prince, he is a captive of the corsairs who slaughtered his wife and children. When a US naval bombardment provides an opening for escape, Jonathan falls in with a seemingly deranged English pirate. Aboard Kit Hardacre’s rundown ship with its ragtag crew, Jonathan learns the real reason he was taken by slavers.
Reluctantly joining Hardacre’s crew, he meets Morwena in Palermo. The fiery young Sicilian woman is the opposite of his quiet reserve, but he is attracted to her despite mourning for his late wife. As he and Morwena grow closer, it emerges that they have something in common – secret betrayal by those close to them – and they must count what they’re willing to risk for a future together.
Shadow of the Corsairs will be out on June 26. It is available in Kindle Unlimited at Amazon
