Rebecca Raisin Valentines Interview

Rebecca Raisin is joining me today for a love-themed interview as part of my Valentines celebrations! Rebecca’s Gingerbread Cafe books are some of the loveliest, sweetest books I read last year, and I can’t wait for her to release Secrets at the Maple Syrup Farm next month!

• What’s your dream date?
  Hmmm, good question! I adore Paris, so when I think of a dream date it would have to be there! A stroll along the cobbled streets, a meander around the iconic bookshop Shakespeare and Co, before dinner somewhere romantic, and maybe a show? Just being in Paris would be gorgeous!
• What’s the worst/most embarrassing date you’ve ever been on?
  When Ashley met me at a hotel in the City I stepped out of the elevator and strode to the busy bar where he was waiting. As I walked in, the skirt I was wearing, sort of a fancy sarong, came untied so I was standing with just my knickers on. Not cool. Not cool at all!
• What’s your favourite Valentine’s gift you’ve ever received?
  A memorable one was Ash coming home with some gorgeous presents, and said to get dressed up because we were going out for dinner. Once I was all ready to go I walked outside to find a sparkly silver limousine parked there! We were driven up to King’s Park where you can see the view of the city at night-time and of course there was some nice cold bubbles on hand to toast with! It was a great night!
• What’s your favourite thing about love?
  My favourite thing is having that one person who knows everything about you. They’re the first person you run to when you’re happy, sad, and everything in between. I love that, especially now that I’ve had children, to share that kind of love, like we’re a team, is really special.
• Can you describe what love means to you in three words?
  Love is everything.
• What is your favourite memory of your wedding day OR what would be a detail of your dream wedding?
  We’re happily living in sin, but my dream wedding would be in Vegas, being either married by Dolly Parton herself or an impersonator! I heart Dolly! And it would be so much fun!
• What is your favourite romance novel?
  Chocolat by Joanne Harris…Roux, oh God I loved him!
• Who is your favourite romance author?
  Kristan Higgins
• What is your favourite romantic film?
  Love Actually
• What inspires you to write romantic fiction?
  The happy ever after! I adore that we can write about a world where we get what we want, and while there are ups and downs, love always wins!

      

Secrets at the Maple Syrup Farm is out next month, and you can pre-order now!

Amazon US – Amazon UK – Goodreads

Secrets…we all have them.

Clay’s inheritance of Maple Syrup Farm came at the perfect time. Leaving city life behind he headed for maple-tree surrounded Ashford, Connecticut. Getting the farm in working order again might be back breaking work – but it seems to be the only way for Clay to finally forget about the girl who once broke his heart…

Lucy’s had enough of rules and the stress of planning her life down to the very last detail. Looking for an adventure she stumbles upon Maple Syrup Farm and its gorgeously gruff owner. This could be the perfect place to hide out…!

But the tranquillity and warmth of Maple Tree Farm is enough to heal even the most battered of hearts. There are very few problems in life that can’t be cheered up by maple syrup!

     

Rebecca writes romantic comedies for Carina UK.

Connect With Rebecca

Twitter – Facebook – Goodreads – Website – Amazon UK – Amazon US

Fiona Gibson Valentines Interview

Avon UK have SPOILED us by releasing 10 gorgeous short story’s for Valentines Day!

I’m very excited to welcome Fiona Gibson onto the blog today. Fiona is one of Avon’s lovely romance authors, who wrote their Love…Maybe? story ‘The Valentine-Free Zone,’ The Funny One.

• What’s your dream date?
  I was madly in love with the Brat Pack actor Andrew McCarthy all through my late teens and twenties and I still have a thing about him now. A date with Andrew would make my life complete!
• What’s the worst/most embarrassing date you’ve ever been on?
  It was an early date with Jimmy, my husband, who I’ve been with for 20 years. I thought I’d wear foxy hold-up stockings instead of tights. We were in the pub, and I was up at the bar getting our drinks when I realised the stockings had flumped down to my ankles. Turned out they weren’t hold-ups at all – they had no elasticky bits at the tops. They were just normal stockings and I spent all night holding them up!
• What’s your favourite Valentine’s gift you’ve ever received?
  Gorgeous lingerie, a book of love poetry, a necklace of tiny pink crystals… it’s impossible to choose!
• What’s your favourite thing about love?
  Sharing my life with a wonderful person
• Can you describe what love means to you in one sentence?
  Feeling warm, fuzzy and crazily happy
• What is your favourite memory of your wedding day?
  One of our rather sozzled guests climbing over a wall into a graveyard, and curling up on a gravestone for a little nap.
• What is your favourite romance novel?
  I loved One Day and Us, both by David Nicholls. Not strictly romance but completely moving and brilliant.
• Who is your favourite romance author?
  I’m not sure she’d class herself as a romance author – but Lisa Jewell.
• What is your favourite romantic film?
  Brief Encounter.
• What inspires you to write romantic fiction?
  I’m fascinated by how people relate, and the inner workings of relationships. I’m quite an emotional person and the whole, bonkers thing of falling (and staying) in love fascinates me.

        

  

  Amazon US – Amazon UK – Goodreads

        

  
  Fiona’s Bio

  Fiona is an author and journalist who has written for many UK publications including The Observer, The Guardian, Marie Claire, Red, New Woman, Top Sante and Elle. She writes a monthly column for Sainsbury’s magazine and is a Contributing Editor at Red magazine.

  Fiona lives in Scotland with her husband, their twin sons and daughter. She likes to draw, run 10k races, play her saxophone and lie in the bath with a big glass of wine, although not all at once.

  Connect With Fiona

  Twitter – Goodreads – Website

Claudia Carroll Valentines Interview

Avon UK have SPOILED us by releasing 10 gorgeous short story’s for Valentines Day!

I’m thrilled to welcome Claudia Carroll onto the blog today. Claudia is one of Avon’s fabulous romance authors, who wrote ‘The Feel-Good One’ for the Love…Maybe collection, Single, Forty & Fabulous!

• What’s your dream date?
  Ooh, good question! I know a lot of people say it’s a posh dinner followed by champagne sipped in his private jet on your way to Rio…but for me it’s something a lot more humdrum. I love a date where it’s just something very casual like coffee or a quick drink after work, but then you just end up having so much in common and so much to say to each other that next thing it’s 2a.m. and it feels like you’ve only been there for about ten minutes.
• What’s the worst/most embarrassing date you’ve ever been on?
  Oh God, it happened years ago and I’m still cringing. It was a blind date and he was so mind-boggingly boring and so up himself that I ran to the loo, then came back and pretended that I’d just had a phone call saying I was needed back home urgently. He drove me home and of course no sooner had I got rid of him then I scooted down to our local to meet up my pals. And bumped into him there, doing exactly the same thing…
• What’s your favourite Valentine’s gift you’ve ever received?
  Well, here I’ve a confession to make here. Thing is, February 14th is my birthday, so whatever about the love/romance element to the whole day, I can always count on getting an iTunes voucher from my Dad and an anti-ageing cream from my mother. A subtle hint, methinks.
• What’s your favourite thing about love?
  Well I’ve been single for so long that it’s hard to remember, but hauling myself through the fug of time, I’d say; laughter. After all if you can’t have a laugh with a potential partner, then there’s no hope, is there?
• Can you describe what love means to you in three words?
  Companionship. Giggles. And long lazy dinners where you chat and talk late into the night, taking the whole world apart and putting it all back to together again. Sorry, I think I exceeded the 3 word limit…
• What is your favourite memory of your wedding day OR what would be a detail of your dream wedding?
  Well, I’m not married, but I know exactly where my dream wedding would be. On a beach. In the Caribbean. At sunset. With both of us in our bare feet and only close family and pals with us. No Bridezilla carry on; in fact I think I’d wear just a little sundress from Topshop to really emphasize the point.
• What is your favourite romance novel?
  Without a doubt, Pride and Prejudice. And to think that Jane Austen wrote it at twenty-one? Astonishing.
• Who is your favourite romance author?
  Oh, I’ve so many! Jane leads the pack though, I think, she’s the mother of all women’s commercial fiction, if you ask me. but I also love and adore Jojo Moyes, Marian Keyes, Phillippa Gregory and Trisha Scanlan too.
• What is your favourite romantic film?
  Casablanca. It’s got everything. It’s a heartrending love story, a thriller, a musical and a war movie all rolled into one. When they made it, they had no idea who’d win the war, which I think it makes it not just the most romantic movie ever, but also one of the bravest.
• What inspires you to write romantic fiction?
  Anything and everything really. seeing a couple kiss passionately on a bridge in the lashing rain in the middle of January and wondering what their story is. Or seeing a couple clinging to each other with one of them in floods of tears at the airport departure gates. Because we all have love stories to tell, don’t we?

      

Amazon US – Amazon UK – Goodreads

      

Claudia’s Bio

Claudia was born in Dublin and is a graduate of UCD, the College of Music and of the Gaiety School of Acting. Since then she has worked extensively as an actress on the Irish stage, but is probably best known for her role as TV’s Nicola Prendergast in the long running Dublin soap opera, ‘Fair City.’

Connect With Claudia

Twitter – Goodreads – Website

Jenny Hale Valentines Interview

The gorgeous Jenny Hale is on the Book Nook today. If you follow my blog you may know I have a slight obsession with Jenny and her books, which are the most beautiful, wonderful, loveliest, just PERFECT romances ever so, yeah, you need to go read them. Now. Or maybe after you read Jenny’s interview, I guess…

• What’s your dream date?
  I’m really happy anywhere, but my favorite place to go would be a city that I don’t get to visit much, or a pub. Or both! I prefer a quieter atmosphere versus loud bars or dancing. I like to be in a place where I can spend long hours talking to the person I’m with.
• What’s the worst/most embarrassing date you’ve ever been on?
  I’ve never had one, thank goodness! All good dates here!
• What’s your favourite Valentine’s gift you’ve ever received?
  I was in college, and the man who is now my husband surprised me by taking me to Charlottesville, Virginia to go to a nice dinner, and then we did a pub crawl–just the two of us–around town, sampling different beers. (I have a particular fondness for beer and he knew that.) When we got back to the hotel where we were staying, I remember he was upset because there were supposed to be roses waiting for me and they hadn’t been delivered. I didn’t care at all because I was just as happy knowing he’d thought to do it than actually receiving the flowers. Maybe somebody else got a gorgeous surprise vase of roses that night. Who knows?
• What’s your favourite thing about love?
  My favorite thing about love is the excitement of it. Sure, it’s fun in the beginning, but that thrill does last with the right person. Even after fourteen years of marriage, I’m excited when my husband comes home, and I can’t wait to see him.
• Can you describe what love means to you in three words/one sentence? (Take your pick, I’ll delete as appropriate.)
  Love means being with someone who knows me better than I know myself, and loves what he knows.
• What is your favourite memory of your wedding day OR what would be a detail of your dream wedding?
  For the reception, all my family and friends were together in an old plantation-style house with candles lit, fresh Christmas greenery on all the railings, and fires in the fireplaces. That ambience, with all my favorite people there, is a good memory.
• What is your favourite romance novel?
  Oof. There are so many! I prefer romances that have other pieces to the story. I love the fun romances in Jill Mansell’s novels and I also really love anything by Harriet Evans.
• What is your favourite romantic film?
  Again, any/all. If I had to pick, my favorites are Sweet Home Alabama, Notting Hill, Sleepless in Seattle, and Love Actually. (I’m already feeling anxious having to narrow it down to four, don’t make me pick just one.) 🙂
• What inspires you to write romantic fiction?
  I think we all can relate to the feelings we get around someone we love, and that journey–for everyone–is a story in itself. I enjoy telling about the journey, and exploring all the emotions that come along with that journey.

I would just like to take this moment to point out that Jenny and I totally have the same favourite films, and this further reiterates my beliefs that we should be BFFs and watch chick flicks together. #JustSaying

If you need any more convincing to read Jenny’s books (you shouldn’t, just trust me) then you can here me gush even more in my reviews for Love Me For Me and A Christmas to Remember.

   

Jenny’s Bio

When I graduated college, one of my friends said, “Look out for this one; she’s going to be an author one day.” Despite being an avid reader and a natural storyteller, it wasn’t until that very moment that the idea of writing novels occurred to me.

Sometimes our friends can see the things that we can’t.

While I didn’t start straight away, that comment sowed a seed and several years, two children, and hundreds of thousands of words later, I completed a novel that I felt was worthy of publication. The result is Coming Home for Christmas, a heart-warming story about friends, family, and the magic of love at Christmas.

I released my second book, Love Me for Me, this past summer, and my next novel, A Christmas to Remember is out now.

When I’m not writing, I’m a District Teacher of English to Speakers of Other Languages, a mother of two boys, and a wife to a very supportive husband.

Connect with Jenny

Twitter – Facebook – Goodreads – Website

Jennifer Gilby Roberts Valentines Guest Post

I’m married and we have a toddler, so romance isn’t abundant these days. I was married at 27, which came as something of a surprise. At 20, I fully expected to still be single at the age I am now (32). Not in a self-pitying way, but partly because I was quite happy being single and partly because I was completely useless at dating.

First of all, I had a deep inability to tell when a man was interested in me. Even if everybody else knew, until I heard the words, “I fancy you” or “Will you go out with me?” I had no idea. It probably put a few guys off, because they thought I was uninterested when really I was oblivious.

Second, I had no flirting ability. I can’t do hair-tossing, leg-crossing or coy looks without looking like I’ve got a neurological condition (for a visual representation, watch this video of comedienne Sarah Millican, who is similarly afflicted: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7C40b8zO5mE), so I had precious little chance of making the first move in a subtle way. I’ve asked two guys out in my life (both said yes), because that seemed my only chance of making progress.

Fortunately, my husband is an old-fashioned type of guy. Having decided – apparently at first sight – that he was interested, he set about pursuing me. And it only took four years to get me down the aisle. Well, there wasn’t an aisle because we got married onstage at our local theatre, but the effect was the same. He sang for me at our wedding – how romantic is that?

    

 FREE FOR ALL EREADERS! 

A collection of ten contemporary chick lit short stories set around Valentine’s Day.

Stories by Geralyn Corcillo, Julie Farrell, Jean Oram, Amy Gettinger, Celia Kennedy, Kathryn R. Biel, Karen E. Martin, Lisa Bambrick, CeCe Osgood and Jennifer Gilby Roberts.

http://www.jennifergilbyroberts.com/mybooks/cupid-loose-anthology/

    

Jennifer’s Bio

Jennifer Gilby Roberts has a degree in physics and a postgraduate certificate in computing, so a career writing fiction was inevitable really. She was born and grew up in Surrey/Greater London, but now lives in North Yorkshire with her husband, small daughter, two middle-aged cats and a lot of dust bunnies.

Connect with Jennifer

Twitter – Facebook – Goodreads – Website

Holly Martin Valentines Interview

I’m thrilled to welcome Holly Martin onto the Book Nook as part of my Valentines feature! Holly’s gorgeous book One Hundred Proposals was one of the best books I read last year, and now one of my favourite romances. The Christmas sequel was equally gorgeous, so I definitely recommend them both!

Today, she has very kindly agreed to answer some love-themed questions here on the Book Nook, so huge thanks & warm welcome to the lovely Holly Martin!

• What’s your dream date?
  I think something fun, like sledging or bowling or ice skating, maybe something a bit different than just a meal in a pub, although those are good dates too when there’s time for talking.
• What’s the worst/most embarrassing date you’ve ever been on?
  I’m a big spiller, i always knock drinks over or spill food over myself.  I once had a first date where I ordered a BLT that had so much mayo and sauce on it, that as I was biting into it, sauce was dripping all down my hands, over the table. I gave up eating in the end, but the damage had already been done and I never saw him again.
  
• What’s your favourite Valentines gift you’ve ever received?
  It was a ring, it wasn’t anything flash or expensive, it was just something i had said i’d liked weeks before and he bought it for me.
  
• What’s your favourite thing about love?
  Those wonderful butterfly moments, when you can’t stop smiling, even something as simple as a text can light up your whole day
  
• Can you describe what love means to you in three words?
  Heartpounding, glorious bliss.
  
• What is your favourite memory of your wedding day OR what would be a detail of your dream wedding?
  I’m not married but I have attended many wonderful weddings. One of my favourites was my two best friends who got married in a tiny castle in Wales. They had hired the whole place so we were the only ones there apart from the staff, we had every room to ourselves and we all stayed over there after. There was only about 40 guests and it was really sweet and intimate made all the more special because they were and still are clearly head over heels in love with each other.
• What is your favourite romance novel?
  Waiting for Prince Harry by Aven Ellis, there was something about Harrison that I absolutely fell in love with.
  
• Who is your favourite romance author?
  So many, Aven Ellis writes the most gorgeous addictive stories, I love Jill Mansell too.
  
• What is your favourite romantic film?
  Bridget Jones is fantastic and funny, The Holiday and Love Actually are super romantic. One of my favourite romantic films is The Truth About Cats and Dogs, i can relate with the girl in that film so much.
  
• What inspires you to write romantic fiction?
  I love a happy ending and that ridiculously sublime head over heels kind of love, i could write about that kind of love all day long.

    

 Holly’s Bio

I live in sunny Bedfordshire in a house with round windows. I studied media at university which led to a very glitzy career as a hotel receptionist followed by a even more glamorous two years working in a bank. The moment that one of my colleagues received the much coveted carriage clock for fifteen years service was the moment when I knew I had to escape. I quit my job and returned to university to train to be a teacher. Three years later, I emerged wide eyed and terrified that I now had responsibility for the development of thirty young minds. I taught for four years before History Off The Page came to my school to do a Tudor day. I now drive round the country in my little white van, dressing up as a Viking one day and an Egyptian High Priestess the next.

I love to write. The characters do exactly what I want them to do, most of the time. Sometimes they do seem to go off and do their own thing without my permission. It is complete escapism into a world where I have full control.

I’ve been writing for four years now, every spare second I have, I’m scribbling ideas in a notebook or typing a scene on my laptop. I have written three romantic fiction books. Changing Casanova and The Chainsaw Masquerade were recently shortlisted for the Festival of Romance New Talent Award. My short story, One Hundred Proposals, won the Belinda Jones Travel Club short story competition and was published in the Sunlounger anthology.

Connect with Holly

Twitter – Facebook – Goodreads – Blog

Valentines Weekend Celebrations

Hey lovebugs!

Now, as a book worm obsessed with Romance novels, it probably comes as no surprise that I am a totally hopeless romantic! I love everything about love and romance. And while, yes, I know, Valentines is a totally commercialised blah blah blah blah…you know what? I love it. I don’t care. Ultimately, it’s an excuse to spend a totally lovely, romantic day with someone special. What’s not to love? The truth is, even though we can be romantic and lovely and make an effort every single day for the ones we love, we often don’t. So what’s wrong with having one day a year where you make a special effort and celebrate your love in style?! Even in past years when I’ve been single, I’ve spent amazing Valentines Days with friends, where we’ve always had a great laugh celebrating our friendship.

So in the spirit of things, I have a very special love-themed weekend planned here which I am SUPER excited about as I have a whole bunch of amazing guests on the Book Nook! I’ve added a ‘Valentines Weekend’ tab in the menu up there, so you can go straight to all the latest lovey dovey stuff 🙂

Here’s what I’ve got in store for you:

Friday 13th February

Holly Martin Valentines Interview

Jennifer Gilby Roberts Guest Post

Jenny Hale Valentines Interview

Saturday 14th February

Claudia Carroll Valentines Interview

My Favourite Romances Post & Giveaway

Amelia Thorne Guest Post

Sunday 15th February

Fiona Gibson Valentines Interview

A.L. Michaels ‘My So-Called Love Life’ Blog Tour Review

Rebecca Raisin Valentines Interview

Pretty darn amazing, huh? Thank you SO MUCH to all my amazing guests for taking part in the Valentines Weekend celebrations here on the Book Nook – you’re all stars!