Wednesday 27 February 2013

The Very British Blog Tour Continues



Q. Where were you born and where do you live at the moment?
A. Born and currently live in Leicestershire but have lived in Altrincham, Cheshire and Linlithgow, West Lothian over the years.
Q. Have you always lived and worked in Britain or are you based elsewhere at the moment?
A. Yes, always lived in Britain. 
Q. Which is your favourite part of Britain?
A. Can I have three areas? The Scottish Highlands, specifically the Badenoch & Strathspey area around Newtonmore & Aviemore; Grasmere in the Lake District, and around Egton Bridge on the North Yorkshire Moors.
Q. Have you ‘highlighted’ or ‘showcased’ any particular part of Britain in your books? For example, a town or city; a county, a monument or some well-known place or event?
A. Yes I have based books in all three of my favourite parts of the UK. My first novel (currently being revamped before trying it with publishers) was sent in the Lakes, my second book The Love Programme (recently published by Astraea Press) was set in the Scottish Highlands and my third novel How Do You Spell Love (published by Crooked Cat on March 1st) is set in North Yorkshire. The book I’ve just finished writing and am currently editing is set in Derbyshire’s Peak District – another fab place!
Q. There is an illusion - or myth if you wish - about British people that I would like you to discuss. Many see the ‘Brits’ as ‘stiff upper lip’. Is that correct?
A. I don’t think we are. I suppose some cultures seem to have this idea that we are but I think that’s outdated now.
  
Q. Do any of the characters in your books carry the ‘stiff upper lip’? Or are they all ‘British Bulldog’ and unique in their own way?
A. I don’t think my characters fall into either category particularly. I tend to write everyday characters who are pretty ‘normal’ – they talk about their lives with family and friends, show emotions (sometimes the wrong ones and the wrong times though!) get hurt, try to fix themselves and their lives and their relationships. I like the heroines I write to be modern, independent women with careers, probably more ‘tom boys’ than the type to want to go out and buy designer shoes or dresses. The heros in my novels are not alpha males, they are much more beta males, successful, ambitious but not driven to the point where work and power is everything. They usually have a great sense of humour, are flirty and much more ‘man next door’ than domineering alpha males.

Q. Tell us about one of your recent books?
My first novel, published by Astraea Press, is called The Love Programme, here’s more details:
Thanks to an embarrassing incident involving a wedding and her ex-boyfriend Marcus, Lucy has to leave her home town in a hurry and needs a place to escape to for a while.
Best friend Fiona is convinced now would be a good time for Lucy to get herself a new life with some potential for romance thrown in. Fate seems to agree when Lucy is given the once-in-a-lifetime chance to star in a TV show and be a contestant on The Love Programme - two weeks of luxury living on a grand Highland estate coupled with, she hopes, fun and romance in wildest Scotland.
When Lucy meets Paul - the young, handsome owner of the Highland estate - she thinks she may have found the love of her life but who is the mysterious Hannah and what part does she play in his life? When she discovers that Marcus is planning to follow her to Scotland to win her back Lucy has some serious soul searching to do. Does she have a future with Paul, with Marcus or is she yet to find the man of her dreams?

There’s a sneak peak at the first few chapters here on my blog and the book can be downloaded now on Amazon

Q. What are you currently working on?
A. I’m currently working on three books! I have just finished the first main draft of my fourth novel set in the Derbyshire Peak District revolving around a fictitious village and an outdoor activity centre and a developing – and very complicated – romance. I’m currently editing this book. I’m also writing my fifth book, this time set in Scotland and exploring the downside of fame. My sixth book is at planning stage and is another rom com with a magical element (like my book How Do You Spell Love, published by Crooked Cat on March 1st) set in the Peak District with lots of mysterious goings on.
Q. How do you spend your leisure time?
A. Reading books, gardening and walking the dogs.

Q. Do you write for a local audience or a global audience?
A. Global I hope but I think it’s probably mostly the UK market.
 
Q. Can you provide links to your work?
My novels are also available from: Barnes and Noble; Smashwords, Astraea Press and Crooked Cat

The following British, not necessarily British-based, authors have been invited to join in the fun, visit their blogs to learn more -


Jeff Gardiner
 
 
 
 
 
Nicola Quinn Mahood
 
 

2 comments:

  1. Good to read more about you, Zanna! (It's a very busy time for you just now- best wishes with all the promotions):-)

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