Christmas Q&A with Caroline Roberts!

I'm delighted to welcome Caroline Roberts to the blog today for a Q&A session. 

Hello Kate, thanks so much for featuring me and The Cosy Christmas Teashop on your blog!

The Cosy Christmas Teashop is a follow up to your previous novel The Cosy Teashop in the Castle. Did the fact that it's a sequel make a difference to your writing process? How long did it take to write?

In a way, it was easier to write as I already had the main characters and setting in mind. But I also wanted to freshen it all up, so I added some new characters and situations. I had fun with it, as well as exploring the more difficult times they had to face. I felt I knew everyone so well by the end, like the castle team had really become firm friends.

It took me four months to write The Cosy Christmas Teashop. A bit of a miracle as the first book took over a year. But I had a deadline to meet, so got my head down and kept going. It was hard work, but also fun.

2) This is your first festive novel. Do you envisage writing another in the future?

Yes, I enjoyed writing about Christmas and all the lovely festive build up to that – Christmas markets, craft fairs, snow, tinsel, Christmas trees, Christmas cupcakes, mince pies and more. I’d happily write another Christmas-themed novel. In fact, I might be working on that right now!

3) What are your favourite Christmassy reads?

I loved Debbie Johnson’s romantic comedy “Never Kiss a Man in a Christmas Jumper”.  It was a warm and funny story, unique and rather sexy.

And, on Christmas Eve, I always used to read to my children “Twas the Night Before Christmas” in a fabulous pop-up version, and we also loved The Jolly Christmas Postman.

4) What are your own plans for Christmas? Do you have any special family traditions?

I love the tradition of Christmas stockings, hanging them up by the fire, and then them “magically” being filled – I still have them for my grown-up children even now! And we always have a real tree, it looks so pretty all decorated and twinkly, and you get that gorgeous smell of pine.

On Christmas day, we have a glass of champagne around ten am (mid-parcel opening) with cheese and ham croissants, a fresh fruit platter, or chocolate if you fancy, after all, anything goes - it’s Christmas! Then there’s the traditional Turkey Roast. I’m chef as I enjoy cooking, though I have to be well prepared as after a couple of champagnes and a G&T, it can all get a bit out of sync!

For me, Christmas is all about family and friends and having a lovely, sociable time with some fabulous food and drink.

5) What can your readers look forward to next?

I have a summer book coming out around April/May time. A gorgeous and poignant love story  about hurt and healing and making the most of those simple special moments in life. It’s set on beautiful Bamburgh beach in my home county of Northumberland (one of my favourite places to walk the dog). In fact, the family might have a wander down on the beach there on Boxing Day!

And by this time next year, there may well be another Cosy Christmas novel! Watch this space…

Have a really lovely Christmas everyone!

The Cosy Christmas Tea Shop is out now, published by Harper Impulse.

Autumn Q and A with Lynsey James *Carina Week*

Lynsey James, author of Just The Way You Are and the forthcoming The Broken Hearts Book Club has joined me today to answer some autumn- themed questions.  Welcome to Books with Bunny!

What's your favourite thing about Autumn?

I love the crunchy leaves and the feeling that Christmas is on the way. I even love the dark mornings because you can cosy up in bed and listen to the rain outside. And the autumnal flavours in Costa and Starbucks are yummy too.

And your least favourite?

I’m not a massive fan of the rain and wind, I must admit, especially when I get caught in it!

What's your favourite comfort food as the weather gets cooler?

Ooh, it’d have to be a slice of hot apple pie and some Scottish tablet ice cream. It’s become my new favourite this year.

What's your favourite film to snuggle up with on a cold, wet day?

I’m a rom-com addict all year round, but especially when it’s horrible outside. My favourites are Because I Said So, Must Love Dogs and Sex and the City.

Lots of readers will have had children going back to school this month or be going back to school/college/university themselves.  What were your favourite subjects at school?  And what subjects did you dislike?

I loved English and Modern Studies, and French and German. I absolutely hated Maths and I still do. Never did get my head around trigonometry!

Can you tell us a bit about your forthcoming release?

Sure! It’s called The Broken Hearts Book Club and it’s about a young woman named Lucy who returns to her hometown after eight years away to find she’s inherited a book club! It’s a lovely book to snuggle up with on a cold, wet day.

And what's next for Lynsey James?

I’m dreaming up ideas for books 3 and 4 right now! Watch this space…

 

Thanks for joining me today Lynsey! 

 

Just the Way You Are is out now in ebook format.  The Broken Hearts Book Club is due for release on October 12th.  Both published by Carina UK.

Q and A with Rebecca Pugh! *Carina Week*

Today's guest as part of Carina week is author Rebecca Pugh.  Rebecca's first novel Return to Bluebell Hill was a runaway success and she's now preparing for her next release, A Home in Sunset Bay.  Many thanks to Rebecca for kindly agreeing to answer my questions today!

 

 

1.      How different has it been writing your second book compared to your first?

I wouldn’t say ‘easy’, but I’d definitely say that the second time round, I feel much more clued up on what’s to come and what needs to be done. Writing ‘Return to Bluebell Hill’ and experiencing the editing process was a very steep learning curve for me, but having done it once, I feel better prepared now for ‘A Home in Sunset Bay’ and it’s fantastic! I’ve taken my editor’s notes in from working on my debut, and have tried very hard to put her wonderful help and insights into practice while writing my second novel. I hope that this shows if readers who read Return to Bluebell Hill decide to read A Home in Sunset Bay! I couldn’t put into words how much I’ve learnt so far, and I still feel like I have a long way to go, but I’m excited to hopefully improve as I continue to write, fingers crossed! There’s always something to change, something I can make better, and in a strange way, it’s cathartic to chop up and lengthen sentences to make the story better as a whole. I feel like I’ve gone off on a tangent here, but all in all, writing my second novel felt much smoother than writing my first! I really cannot wait to share A Home in Sunset Bay with lovely readers.

  2.      Return to Bluebell Hill had some fabulous reviews – what does it feel like to know readers are enjoying your book?

I don’t think that there’s any one word that can describe how it feels when someone tells me that they’re enjoying my book, or I read a glowing review. Sometimes, I find it hard to believe that they’re talking about my book, a book which I’ve written. Even now, it’s completely bizarre and I have to pinch myself to make sure it’s all real and truly happening. It’s a blessing, a pleasure and a dream come true, all rolled into one, and definitely the best thing that has ever happened to me. When I hear something positive about my debut, it fills me with warmth from the inside out, and I find it hard to wipe the grin from off my face for a very long time afterwards.

3.      As a big reader, have you found writing for a living has eaten into your reading time?

I guess it has, but that was always inevitable. I do the majority of my reading when in bed at night, thanks to the fantastic built-in light on my Kindle which is the best thing ever by the way. I’m still trying to find a balance between the two, but I know that my writing will now come first. Books have always been my first love, but it’s not every day that you’re given an opportunity to write and have your novels published. I’ll always read when I can, always blog and review, but not as much as I used to. Priorities change throughout life, so I’m not sad. Excited more like!

4.      Can you tell us about your next release?

Of course! My second novel with Carina is due for release February 2016. It’s titled, ‘A Home in Sunset Bay’ and focuses on the Chapman sisters whose lives, as they so often do, went off on their own paths. The sisters were once the best of friends, closer than close and birds of a feather. Now, so many years later, they’re about to be reunited, although under shaky circumstances. I have loved writing A Home in Sunset Bay. I’ll have the pleasure of introducing readers to Dolly’s Diner, a 1950’s eatery, two sisters who I hold very dear to my heart, and a tale of how they somehow managed to get their wires so twistingly crossed somewhere along the way. I’m really excited because I feel that everything I learnt with my debut has been put into play, and I just hope it shows when readers can finally step into Sunset Bay!

5.      What’s next for Rebecca Pugh?

More books, I hope! I want to become better with my writing, I want to make more readers fall in love, I want to share my writing for years and years to come! The past year has been the most exciting of my life, and I want to live every year in the same way, sharing book news and covers and just generally making a big song and dance about it. As I said before, it’s not every day this becomes possible. This time last year I had no idea what life had in store for me, but now I wince when I think of what I’d be doing if I hadn’t submitted and at least tried, you know? I hope to continue in this exact way, blissfully happy and constantly excited. It’s the best feeling in the world!

Thank you so much for joining me today Rebecca, as always it's been a pleasure talking writing and books with you!

 

Return to Bluebell Hill is out now, published by Carina UK.

Question and Answer with Jennifer Bohnet *Carina Week*

 

I've been admiring this beautiful cover for weeks now, so when Jennifer Bohnet agreed to answer a few questions for Books with Bunny I was over the moon!  Let's hope we've got some more beautiful blue skies ahead before autumn comes.

You set your new novel by the sea- what are your own memories of the seaside?

I was born at the seaside - Weston-super-Mare - and spent a large part of my childhood there, so I have lots of memories. As many people will know the tide goes out a long way at Weston leaving a wide expanse of sand. I was very into horses as a teenager and some of my fondest memories involve lots of exhilarating early morning canters along the sand before the holiday makers arrived.

How long did it take you to write the book, and what were your inspirations?

For various reasons writing The Little Kiosk By the Sea took a couple of months longer than planned - about six months in all. My inspiration came via two things - a friend who had managed a kiosk organising boat and fishing trips and had lots of tales to tell. Dartmouth, where the book is set is one of my favourite places in the world and I wanted to set another story there.

If you had a kiosk by the sea, what would you sell?

 

In a previous life I did have a kiosk by the sea! Richard and I ran a beach cafe and takeaway for several years in Devon.  This ancient black and white photo shows my mother, me and my daughter standing behind the takeaway counter of our wooden kiosk on the beach!

What is your must-have seaside buy?

 

Nothing beats a coffee ice cream with a dollop of clotted cream on top!

My favourite word ever happens to be in your title.  'Kiosk' is just a delight to say!  What's your favourite word? 

 

Not sure I have one but I think ‘Author’ would have to come high on the list!

Thank you for answering my questions Jennie, it's been a pleasure to have you visit Books with Bunny.

 

Thank you so much Kate for inviting me on your blog.

***

Buy The Little Kiosk by the Sea on Amazon.  It's out now, published by UK Carina.

 

Author Bio: 

 

I’ve lived in France for 16 years now. After 11 years down on the Cote d’Azur where Richard was a guardien for a villa, we moved from the Mediterranean coast to a small quirky cottage in Finistere, Brittany. A bit of a culture shock to say the least! When I’m not writing I love reading, cooking and having friends around for lunch - lunches that follow the French tradition of lasting for several hours. 

Question and Answer with Liz Tipping, author of Five Go Glamping BLOG TOUR *Carina Week*

Today I'm joined by Liz Tipping, author of Five Go Glamping, who has very kindly agreed to answer some questions just for Books with Bunny.

What are your own experiences of camping/glamping?  

I went glamping for the first time this summer and it was such an enjoyable experience. There were five yurts in a paddock, next to a field of dairy cows and the glampsite owners had three lambs who were absolutely beautiful. The sweetest things you ever saw!  In the morning, we had tea and coffee in a covered patio area overlooking the river and the little lambs would wander over to say hello. Inside the yurt was a wood stove and big comfy bed. It was lovely.

But I do love camping too and have been lots of times. The first holiday I went on with husband was a camping trip around Devon and Cornwall, so that’s one of my favourite memories. Our first stop was on a campsite near  Woolacombe in Devon and there was an incredible view. It was amazing to unzip the tent and the first thing I saw was the blue Atlantic sparkling! Lovely!

 

 What five things do you most miss when you're away from home?

Oh my goodness, I miss my bed so much! And my pillows! Whenever I return from a trip I can’t wait to get into my own bed and I say “Ah, bed. Bed, bed, bed. Bed.”

And I miss my sofa too- it’s getting a bit old and battered now, but whenever I think I will buy a new one, I spend the money on holidays instead.

I miss the telly loads as well! Well, perhaps not while I am actually on holiday, but whenever I come back from holidays, I always have a full tivo box and I’m all “Television, I have missed you!” and I get excited about catching up on what I’ve missed and getting back into whatever box set I am watching.

If there’s not a great reception where I am and there’s no wifi, I do tend to get a little bit twitchy. I’m not quite as bad as Fiona in Five Go Glamping, but I do like to know at least  twitter and email are accessible should I need them!

And big mugs! Tiny hotel cups always upset me greatly. In Ireland this January I was in a lovely hotel but it had the smallest teacups so I went to Dunnes and bought myself a big mug- but the first one I picked up from the display had orange juice in it. I’d love to know how it got there!

So bed, telly, sofa, wifi and big mugs!

 

Five go Glamping is set at a music festival- what are your five favourite songs to listen to at the moment?

These are the last five songs I’ve listened to- I have them in mind for the soundtrack for my next book!

Taylor Swift – Style
Jana Kramer – Whiskey
Mother Love Bone – Chloe Dancer
Carly Rae Jepsen- I really like you
Soundgarden - Fell On Black Days

What are your five essentials for camping/glamping?
1. I think sausages are an essential component for any glamping or camping trip because otherwise, what even is the point of going?

2.Cold beers ( ginger or otherwise!) – I made a beer box the last time we went camping. I filled around ten  freezer bags with water and put them in the freezer. When they were frozen,  I put them into a cardboard box with some already chilly beers and they stayed really, really cold for over two days. As the ice in the freezer bags melted, I used the water in the saucepan for cooking and making tea.

3.Warm clothes- even if it is a sweltering day, tents are often chilly at night, so don’t forget to pack a cardigan and socks!

4. Make up remover wipes- whether you are glamping or simply having a glamourous camping experience, you will bump into people on the way to the shower in the morning, so you can’t sleep in your make up the night before even if you do that at home. You don’t want to scare other campers off first thing in the morning because you look an extra from the Walking Dead.

5. And don’t forget the most important thing - a good book!

Finally, what five words would you use to describe your books?
I hope that readers will find them funny, romantic, inspiring, optimistic and heart-warming.

Many thanks for joining me today, Liz!

The Blurb

Glamping Check list
Festival tickets
Double check best Instagram filter
Avoid thinking about work/Connor/five year plan!!
A four day break from her hectic life to relax in the countryside and hang out at a local festival (for free!) is just what Fiona Delaney needs. With her best friends, great tunes and a cool looking hat her Instagram shots are going to look A-Mazing!
Until suddenly glamping starts to feel a lot more like camping and Fiona’s in desperate search of a comfy chair, wi-fi and a chilled glass of wine. But when she finally makes it to the local pub she discovers this trip could be more than just a holiday, it might just change her life forever…  Five Go Glamping is out now, published by Carina.

 

 

Summer Q and A with Chrissie Manby!

Today my guest is the wonderful Chrissie Manby, whose new novel  A Proper Family Adventure is released today!  To celebrate summer, Chrissie has kindly answered some seasonal questions just for Books with Bunny. 

Ice cream or ice lolly?

Chrissie Manby

Ice cream. Preferably Bacio flavour (chocolate and hazelnut) from an Italian chain called Grom. They also make Bacio hot chocolate in winter.

 

Sea or Sand?

Sand. It has to be sizzling hot before I go into the water. My favourite beaches are in Wales and Cornwall so you can imagine how often that happens.

UK or abroad?

Both. There's nothing as beautiful as a wild beach in West Wales but I am also in love with Florence and Tuscany for the countryside, the people and the views.

Vacation or staycation?

Vacation. I love to travel. I live in Balham. I'm always looking for an escape.

Bikini or swimming costume?

Bikini. I'm long-waisted so one piece costumes never fit.

A glass of Pimms or a chilled beer?

Neither. Aperol spritz.

Tennis or cricket?

Neither. I'm afraid I am utterly disinterested in sport.

And finally, what's your favourite summer read?

Anything by Lucy Dillon, Fiona Walker or Alex Potter. Three immensely talented ladies I am lucky enough to count as friends.

 

Chrissie Manby’s new novel A Proper Family Adventure is published in paperback and eBook today (16^th July) by Hodder & Stoughton, £7.99. Follow Chrissie on twitter @chrissiemanby

 

With many thanks to Chrissie for taking the time to answer my questions!  My review of A Proper Family Adventure will be up in August.