Category Archives: Author Interview

Blog tour, author interview with Carla Luna.

Author Interview, Blog Tour, Feel Good Friday, , , , , , , , ,

Today, I am delighted to interview Carla Luna as she celebrates the release of Blue Hawaiian, the first in the Blackwood Cellars series of books.

The blurb:

The first rule of serving as the maid of honor at your perfect sister’s destination wedding?

No mistakes. The second rule? No drama.

For Jess Chavez, a week in Maui is hardly a dream vacation—not when her sister expects her to be the perfect maid of honor. Not only does Jess have to fake perfection, but she can’t let anyone know she’s unemployed and barely scraping by. Above all, she needs to steer clear of Connor Blackwood, the sexy groomsman who broke her heart five years ago.

A family wedding offers Connor the ideal opportunity to convince everyone he’s no longer an irresponsible playboy. If they see he’s changed, they might support his decision to leave the family winery and strike out on his own. With so much at stake, the last thing he needs is an alluring distraction like Jess.

When Jess and Connor end up together, exploring the island’s lush, tropical beauty, the sparks between them become impossible to ignore. Throwing caution to the wind, they decide to make their ownrules.

Five days of passion. No strings. No tears. No promises.

What could possibly go wrong?

Purchase Links: Amazon.UK | Amazon.com

A story set in Maui sounds like the ideal way to escape right now; what made you choose this setting?

I wanted to write a series of books set at three different destination weddings, and Maui was the first location that came to mind. I spent my honeymoon there, and I still consider it a wonderfully romantic place, plus there’s loads to do.

I like to share feel-good reads. What do you consider to be the top three feel-good things about your novel, Blue Hawaiian?

  1. The joy of reconnecting with an old flame and realising the spark is still there.
  2. Spending time outdoors in a beautiful tropical setting.
  3. Delicious food!

I love the sound of your lead characters; if you were casting for the film of Blue Hawaiian (we can all dream), who would you like to play Jess and Connor, and why?

Jess – Gina Rodriguez (from the TV show “Jane the Virgin”) because she’s Latina and I like the humour she infuses into her character.

Connor – Colin O’Donoghue (best known as Hook from the TV series “Once Upon a Time”), who’s got the looks and the smolder.

OO great choices! Finally, before you go what is your favourite place or way to enjoy a good read and please could you answer my five for fun, quick questions?

I love going outside on a gorgeous sunny day and sitting at my patio table with a good paperback.

Coffee or tea? Coffee, preferably Fresh Roast.
Dog of cat? I’m a cat person.
Theatre or concert? Theatre, I’m a big fan of musicals.
Favourite film? Raiders of the Lost Ark.
Swimming pool or the sea? The sea because I love wave jumping.

About the author:

Carla Luna writes contemporary romance with a dollop of humor and a pinch of spice. A former archaeologist, she still dreams of traveling to far-off places and channels that wanderlust into the settings of her stories. When she’s not writing, she works in a spice emporium where she gets paid to discuss food and share her favorite recipes. Her passions include Broadway musicals, baking, whimsical office supplies, and pop culture podcasts. Though she has roots in Los Angeles and Victoria, B.C., she currently resides in Wisconsin with her family and her spoiled Siberian cat.

 Social Media Links: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram 

Thank you so much for stopping by, Carla. I wish you every success with Blue Hawaiian and the rest of your blog tour. For those who would like to follow along, check out Rachel’s Random Resources and these great blogs:

An interview with Evonne Wareham.

Author Interview, , , , ,

Welcome to my blog, Evonne, and huge congratulations on your new release, A Wedding on the Riviera. Please tell us a little more about it:

Hello – thanks for inviting me onto the blog.It’s nice to pay visits to other members of the Choc-lit/Ruby family.

Where shall I start? Well, I write romantic suspense for Choc-lit. The romantic suspense genre, for those who have not met the term before, combines a thriller element and a fully fledged love story – more dead bodies than your average romance. As you can guess from the title, this one is at the lighter end of the spectrum, although I do write grittier ones as well. This is the second in what I hope will be a ‘Riviera’ Series. The first was Summer in San Remoand it had an enemies to lovers plot, with a mystery to solve, and of course my hero and heroine ended up in San Remo, on the Italian Riviera.

What prompted you to write this story?

When I finished writing the first book I’d enjoyed it so much that I knew I wanted to do it again.  Jake, the hero of that book, has just taken over a detective agency in Bath, and it was a good starting point for more stories. I’m planning that each book will be self contained, with a new heroine and hero, but also with the chance to catch up on characters from previous novels. Once I’d decided that, it was a matter of finding a story. I’d read a couple of ‘runaway bride’ books and started to think about turning that around, and making it a runaway groom. I thought it would be fun to make him a villain – I have to confess, I do like writing villains. That gave me the idea that he should be a con man, making off with the wedding expenses. I then needed a hero who could identify him, which led me to someone who would attend a lot of weddings, which gave me a professional escort – my hero, Ryan – who would, of course, be at this particular wedding with his favourite client, my heroine Nadine. The detective agency came in by way of a sting to try and catch the thief, and we were off and running.

I love the setting, what made you decide upon this location? (And I hope you got to visit for research.)

As it was going to be a Riviera book, that came with the package. I have a bit of a weakness for glamorous settings and I do like to write about places where the sun shines – I hate the cold – so I had no trouble with that. The plot of A Wedding on the Riviera is a little darker than Summer in San Remo, but still with plenty of glitz and glamour, this time in the South of France. I had a lot of fun planning the wedding to end all weddings at a villa outside Nice, which was the bait to lure the con man. I did have a holiday on the Riviera booked in May when I was going to soak up atmosphere and take lots of pictures to use for blogs and location tours… but of course, that didn’t happen. I’m hoping to make it next year.

Without giving too much away, who is your favourite character and why?

It is difficult to choose. I have a new hero and heroine, but we also see quite a bit of Cassie and Jake, the central couple from Summer in San Remo, and I did enjoy showing the reader how their lives had moved on. For a favourite, it’s hard to decide between Ryan and Nadine. I like writing male characters, as it is challenge to get into the hero’s head. One of the big plusses for writing for Choc-lit is that they expect authors to write both points of view, and I find developing the story from both sides fits me perfectly. I have a lot of respect for Nadine as a character, as she had to take on running her husband’s family business when he died unexpectedly, and she is quite brave being in the forefront of taking on the con man who, I am glad to say, is a very unpleasant individual, under a smooth exterior.

What can we expect from you next?

I have a box full of partial manuscripts, a lot of them of the darker kind, which I do want to get back to, but for the moment I’m staying on the Riviera. The next one will be set on the Italian side of the border, in Portofino, which is a very glitzy location indeed. I’m building a villa and creating a garden for that one. I’m also researching Riviera Four. For some reason the hero is an Egyptologist – yes, I know – so I have to find out about Egyptology. I’m trying to talk him into being an art historian instead, but I’m not having much luck so far. His heroine works for the detective agency, and has a cameo part in A Wedding on the Riviera, so it will be interesting to see her take centre stage and get her man, even if he is being stubborn at the moment. I have a feeling that there may be a significant character trait emerging here…

About the book:

A return to the Riviera on the trail of a runaway groom …
When out-of-work actor Ryan Calder attends a wedding as the plus-one of successful businesswoman, Nadine Wells, he doesn’t expect to get in a scuffle with the groom.
But Ryan has a good reason. He recognises the groom from another wedding where the same man made a quick getaway, taking the wedding money and leaving a heartbroken bride in his wake. It seems he’s struck again, and Nadine’s poor friend is the target.
Ryan and Nadine decide they can’t let it happen to another woman, so with a group of friends they hatch a plan that will take them to the French Riviera, hot on the heels of the crooked groom. But could their scheme to bring him to justice also succeed in bringing them closer together?

Links to buy: Amazon | Kobo | iBooks | Barnes and Noble

About the author:

Evonne is an award winning Welsh author of romantic suspense – more crime and dead bodies than your average romance. She likes to set her book in her native Wales, or for a touch of glamorous escapism, in favourite holiday destinations in Europe. She is a Doctor of Philosophy and an historian, and a member of both the Romantic Novelists’ Association and the Crime Writers’ Association.

Social media links:  Twitter | Facebook | Website | Blog

Boomerville is Back! An interview with Caroline James.

Author Interview, , , , , , , ,

I am very excited to see that Boomerville is back. Please tell us a little about your latest novel Boomerville at Ballymegille:

Boomerville at Ballymegille is a standalone read following the success of my novel, “The Best Boomerville Hotel.” Newly opened Boomerville Manor is a retreat for ‘guests of a certain age’ and an eclectic mix gather for the opening weekend to enjoy a celebratory party together with some interesting, off-the-wall courses.

It is set in Ireland, what drew you to this location?

I’ve spent some time in Southern Ireland and love the friendly people and their sense of humour and ‘craic.’ What’s not to love about the beautiful countryside, fabulous coast line, wonderful food and drink? It’s a perfect location for a story. Ballymegille is a fictitious village, south of Cork, close to a fishing port which was based on my memories of glorious Kinsale (pictured below), a town that is a must for any tourist visiting the area.

That looks great, I’ve been to Dublin but would love to explore more of Ireland. Hattie was a beloved character in your previous novels, does she, or any other returning characters make an appearance in this book?

Ah…. Hattie! Larger than life and full of fun, she is a character that haunts me. Yes, Hattie is along for the Irish ride, so to speak, and as ever, up to her usual mischief, causing mayhem wherever she goes. I sometimes think that Hattie should pop her clogs but that may upset too many fans of the character. Jo is back too, the owner of Boomerville, but there is a new guest list that includes Melissa, an ex-cabaret singer running from her abusive husband, and Bill, a bachelor bullied from beyond the grave by the ghostly voice of his mother. The Boomerville Babes are an ageing female aquatic team and if they were to ever set up classes near me, I would join them in a heartbeat. Great fun with plenty of female loyalty as the story unfolds.

I can’t resist a dog, and I’ve spotted one on your promotional posts, who is the four-legged star of this novel and how much was his character influenced by your gorgeous Fred Westie?

Great question. I can’t write a book without a woofer appearing in the story. The puppy in the promotional posts is Teddy, a dog that Hattie reluctantly adopts. His history is chequered but he endears himself to everyone. He is completely ficticious and nothing like the rascal that lives with me. Fred Westie, our three-year-old, who is a little devil and always in trouble, but I love the bones of him.

If you can say without revealing too much of the story, what was your favourite scene to write?

I always like the build-up to a tense scene. On the surface all is going well at Boomerville’s opening party but there is an underlying event, created by a despicable character, that changes the course of the book. I love taking the reader on a roller coaster of emotions and hope that this part of the story does exactly that, creating a page-turning experience right through to the end.

Finally, what can we expect from you next?

Boomerville is going Greek. I am taking Jo and Hattie to Bassaloniki, a fictitious island in the Ionian Sea, where they will open a temporary retreat for the summer months. With a new cast of guests and curious locals, I am loving the writing process and yearning to return to the beautiful islands, for further research, when it is safe to travel again.

Thanks so much for hosting me on your lovely blog Carol and happy reading everyone xx

You’re most welcome, thanks so much for stopping by. I can’t wait to read your fab new book!

Discover more about Boomerville at Ballymegille:

Here’s the blurb:

Join Hattie and Jo as they head to Southern Ireland to open Boomerville Manor, a holiday retreat for guests of ‘a certain age’. There’s Irish craic and shenanigans aplenty for the colourful cast of characters as everyone gathers for the grand opening.

Meet Melissa, an ex-cabaret singer running from her abusive husband, and Bill, a bachelor bullied from beyond the grave by the ghostly voice of his mother. Along with local bobby Harry the Helmet, ageing aquatic team the Boomerville Babes, eccentric artist Lucinda Gray, and heartthrob Finbar Murphy, they gather in Ireland and the fun begins. But murder is in the air and there’s mischief afoot. Will the residents get more than they bargained for at Boomerville?

Set in the beautiful Irish countryside, ‘Boomerville at Ballymegille’ is a heart-warming story of friendship, fears and new beginnings.

Click to buy: Boomerville at Ballymegille

About the author:

Best-selling author of women’s fiction, Caroline James has owned and run businesses encompassing all aspects of the hospitality industry, a subject that often features in her novels. She is based in the UK but has a great fondness for travel and escapes whenever she can. A public speaker, which includes talks and lectures on cruise ships world-wide, Caroline is also a consultant and food writer. She is a member of the Romantic Novelist’s Association, the Society of Women’s Writer’s & Journalists and the Society of Authors and writes articles and short stories, contributing to many publications. In her spare time, Caroline can be found walking up a mountain with Fred, her Westie, sipping raspberry gin and relaxing with her head in a book and hand in a box of chocolates.

Books by Caroline James: Hattie Goes to Hollywood | Boomerville at Balymegille | The Best Boomerville Hotel Coffee Tea the Gypsy & Me | Coffee Tea the Chef & Me | Coffee Tea the Caribbean & Me | Jungle Rock

Find out more about Caroline James and her novels here: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Blog | Amazon Author Page

Feel Good Friday with Chris Penhall.

Author Interview, Guest Post, , , , , , , , , , , ,

Rounding off my Feel Good Friday posts, I am delighted to welcome Chris Penhall, as she shares an extract from her new novel New Beginnings at the Little House in the Sun.

Hello Christine, thank you so much for stopping by.

Thanks for allowing me to be part of your blog.

You’re very welcome, anytime. In light of the year we’ve all been experiencing, I am asking each of my guests to share a top tip to promote wellbeing.

Events in 2020 have certainly proved that looking after ourselves and taking care of our general wellbeing is hugely important when things around us seem overwhelming and out of our control.

My top tip to promote wellbeing is to do something that takes your mind away from the day to day routine. I am an enthusiastic salsa dancer and have recently taken up tap – when the music is playing, all I can think about is the melody and the beat, and the rest of the world disappears for a while. But it could be anything like that  – cooking, swimming, yoga, an uplifting film, or a long walk by the sea.  I do them all!

That’s great advice, and I love that you are doing salsa and tap! I know some exciting things have happened for you this year too, with the release of your latest novel. Please tell us a little about it.

New Beginnings in the Little House in the Sun is the sequel to my debut novel, The House That Alice Built. Set in Cascais near Lisbon in Portugal, it follows Alice after she has finally dealt with the issues she had with her bullying ex and her beloved house in London.  She heads back to Portugal full of plans for the future, but a few surprises along the way put her relationship, work, and the dream of owning a house in the sun into question. So, what does Alice do next?

I loved The House that Alice Built, it really transported me to Portugal at a time when I was in much need of a holiday, so I am looking forward to New Beginnings at the Little House in the Sun. And I am delighted to say, you are sharing an extract:

This is the day after Alice arrives in Portugal having left London for good, excited to view a new house.

As Alice walked out into the morning sun the following day, she rummaged in her bag and made sure she still had the house details. The trees dappled patterns on the grass and swayed gently in the spring breeze. Everything smelt fresh and floral and alive. Her mind fizzed with excitement as she hurried through the back streets of the old town to the square. The birds sang happily, and the white, purple and pink of the spring flowers burst from verges and window boxes.

She heard the clink of china from a kitchen window as cups and plates were moved, a family chattering noisily over breakfast, and then she skirted around a workman painting a wall a bright, luscious yellow. As she walked closer to town, the cobbled streets widened slightly and she could see more people moving around, beginning their day. She loved Cascais first thing in the morning, when the cafés were just setting up and the shops were about to open.

Oh my goodness, you have such a wonderful way of depicting a sense of place. I love it. And for readers wanting to join Alice in her escape to Portugal, here are those all important purchase links:  The House that Alice Built | New Beginnings at the Little House in the Sun

So where will you be taking us next? What are you currently working on?

I’m working on my third novel now, which is set in the UK this time. It’s about Miriam, a successful businesswoman who rents a house by the sea for a 6 month break away from everything. However, due to an administrative error, she finds that the solitude she is looking for is in short supply.

That sounds fun. Finally, before you go, I like to ask all of my guests five quick fire questions for fun:
Mountains or beach – Beach
Cinema or Netflix – Cinema
Trainers or heels – I wish I could say heels, but if I’m being honest, it’s trainers!
Favourite season – summer
Who would you give your last rolo to? – Keanu Reeves, of course. (Very good choice!)

Huge thanks for rounding off my Feel Good Friday posts with such a wonderful extract, Christine. And a very big thank you to all of the authors who have stopped by over the summer to share  their top tip for wellbeing and an extract from their novel. I really appreciate it! xx

About the author:

Chris Penhall won the 2019 Choc-Lit Search for a Star competition, sponsored by Your Cat Magazine, for her debut novel, The House That Alice Built. The sequel, New Beginnings at the Little House in the Sun is published on 25th August 2020.

Chris is an author and freelance radio producer for BBC Local Radio.

Born in Neath in South Wales, she has also lived in London and in Portugal, which is where her two novels are set. It was whilst living in Cascais near Lisbon that she began to dabble in writing fiction, but it was many years later that she was confident enough to start writing her first novel, and many years after that she finally finished it!

A lover of books, music and cats, she is also an enthusiastic salsa dancer, a keen cook, and loves to travel. She is never happier than when she is gazing at the sea.

You can find out more about Chris and her work here: Website | Twitter | Instagram | Facebook 

 

 

Feel Good Friday with Morton S. Gray.

Author Interview, Guest Post, , , , , , , , , , , , ,

Welcoming the return of Morton S. Gray to my blog, as she shares her latest novel Sunny Days at the Beach, a fabulous feel-good Friday read:

It’s lovely to have you back, Morton, and I know you have shared your top tip for wellbeing with us before, but for those who missed it, perhaps you could share what you’ve discovered during lockdown: 

 I discovered that a daily long walk of at least 10,000 steps helps my wellbeing tremendously. I am always in danger of telling myself that I don’t have time to spare for my walk, but I have now recognised that it is a necessity and not a luxury. The added bonus is that I actually lost weight during lockdown, which I gather not many people can claim.

Now, to the exciting news! You have a new book out and I can’t wait to read it. Please tell us a little about Sunny Days at the Beach:

Sunny Days at the Beach was published on 18 August 2020. My fourth novel for Choc Lit, Sunny Days at the Beach is a contemporary romance with more than its fair share of intrigue and mystery. The book features Mandy Vanes, who runs Owl Corner Crafts in my fictional seaside town of Borteen. Mandy arrives at work one morning to find teenager, Nick Crossten sitting on the craft centre steps. Nick is distraught as he tells Mandy that his mother has left him home alone and gone off with her boyfriend to start a new life. As if that wasn’t enough, gin distiller, Graham Frankley arrives on the scene and tells the pair that Nick’s mum has written to him to say that he’s Nick’s dad!

Here’s the blurb:

From party nights at the pub to sunny days at the beach …

Craft shop owner Mandy Vanes has always enjoyed a commitment-free singleton lifestyle — in fact, she’s well-known for her wild ways in her small seaside town on the coast.

But when local teenager, Nick Crossten, turns to her for help, Mandy has the opportunity to prove she can be a responsible adult. Although things get tricky when gin distillery owner Graham Frankley comes to town with some unexpected news.

Could this mean that Mandy the party girl is finally ready to grow up?

It sounds great, and I remember Mandy as a minor character from previous Borteen books and so I’m excited she has her own story.

Here are the links to buy Sunny Days at the Beach: Amazon | Choc Lit

Please do share an extract from the story:

Nick glanced up as Mandy approached. His face looked ashen, just as hers had been in her morning reflection and his eyes were hollow and dark ringed too. He was shivering in the cold air.

‘Nick? What’s up?’ She tried to sound bright, even though her heart lurched as she could tell something was terribly wrong.

‘Mum’s gone.’

‘Gone? What do you mean gone?’ All thoughts of herself, her reflection in the mirror and even her sore head fled.

‘Met a man and left with him.’ The unhappy youth shrugged and looked away, as if he didn’t want her to see his expression.

‘But she can’t just leave you. Can she?’

He looked back at Mandy, his eyes full of tears. ‘Well, she has.’ He shrugged again.

‘Are you absolutely certain? She’s not just gone on holiday?’

‘She’s gone, Mand. Gone forever. Said horrid things to me before she went.’ His thin shoulders began to shake, no longer able to hold back the sobs. Mandy didn’t quite know how to react. You thought twice about putting your arm around someone else’s child these days. ‘But who’s going to look after you? Did she at least leave you some money? A phone number for emergencies?’

‘Nope.’ He gulped the bleak word out through his emotion. ‘Said I didn’t deserve anything, that I could support myself with my “poncy” art. Left her keys on the table, took her suitcases and slammed the door.’ He looked up at Mandy, blatant fear in his eyes. ‘What do I do now?’

Mandy sank down to sit on the step next to Nick and an ache started up in her chest in response to his woeful expression. ‘First of all, Nick, your art is wonderful. Never let anyone say otherwise. And you, young man, deserve the best the world can give to you.’

Nick had always appeared scruffy and slightly neglected, but this was the first time she’d seen him looking beaten down by life. He’d always had a ready smile before.

‘What about your dad?’ Her tone sounded falsely bright even to her own ears.

‘Never known a dad. Mum always says I haven’t got one.’

Mandy resisted the obvious retort that he must have been fathered by someone and wondered how Nick’s mother could have been so cruel to her son to say such a thing. She felt a spark of determination growing inside of her. ‘We’ll work this out together. You can come and stay with me for now, until we decide what to do.’

Aw, goodness, that’s moving and I hope life takes a turn for Nick. I know you are always busy but I hope you are finding time to write too, what can we expect from you next?

My next book is a Christmas novella set once more in my fictional seaside town of Borteen. This one features the Borteen solicitor and a woman he meets by chance on the beach.

I loved my last Christmas trip to Borteen, so I will look forward to it. Before you go, please could you answer five of my quick fire questions:

Mountains or beach (though I expect we can guess)? Beach every time – a walk on the beach is good for my soul.
Sweet or savoury? Unfortunately sweet – I love puddings, cakes, chocolate, etc.
Tea or coffee? Coffee, not instant, proper coffee of course.
Trainers or heels? Haven’t worn heels for years, but I tend to wear walking shoes rather than trainers.
Favourite season? Autumn – I was born in September and I often wonder if that’s why I prefer the autumnal days and cooler temperatures.

About the author:

Morton lives with her husband, two sons and Lily, the tiny white dog, in Worcestershire, U.K. She has been reading and writing fiction for as long as she can remember, penning her first attempt at a novel aged fourteen. She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and The Society of Authors.

Her debut novel The Girl on the Beach was published after she won the Choc Lit Publishing Search for a Starcompetition. This story follows a woman with a troubled past as she tries to unravel the mystery surrounding her son’s new headteacher, Harry Dixon. The book is available as a paperback and e-book.

Morton’s second book for Choc Lit The Truth Lies Buried is another romantic suspense novel, The book tells the story of Jenny Simpson and Carver Rodgers as they uncover secrets from their past. This book is available as an e-book, paperback and audiobook.

Christmas at Borteen Bay is Morton’s first Christmas novella. It is set in her fictional seaside town of Borteen and follows the story of Pippa Freeman, who runs the Rose Court Guesthouse with her mother, and local policeman Ethan Gibson, as they unravel a family secret as Christmas approaches.

Morton previously worked in the electricity industry in committee services, staff development and training. She has a Business Studies degree and is a fully qualified Clinical Hypnotherapist and Reiki Master. She also has diplomas in Tuina acupressure massage and energy field therapy. She enjoys crafts, history and loves tracing family trees. Having a hunger for learning new things is a bonus for the research behind her books.

You can find out more about Morton and her work via: website | Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | Apricot Plots