#Interview – Q&A By Lou with Anne Cater and her #RandomThingsTours as part of Celebrating Blog Tour Organisers @RandomTTours #ReadingCommunity #WritingCommunity #Publishers

Interview/Q&A with Blog Tour Organiser and Blogger –

Anne Cater of Random Things Tours
By Lou at Bookmarks and Stages

As part of the lead up to my blog becoming 5 years old, I am celebrating various people from authors to actors to blog tour organisers. Today I am celebrating Anne Cater, a blog tour organiser of her highly successful and prominent company – Random Things Tours in the form of a Q&A session that gives you all an insight into what a blog tour is, what inspired her to go in this direction and how she goes about doing things, including what an average day looks like for her and the ups and downs. The answers are illuminating and highly interesting. Her route is unusual, and I rather like this, since so is mine. You will also see where you can find Anne Cater and what she offers below.

Anne Cater is the second blog tour organiser who took me onto her list of bloggers, way back when I first started blogging, which I am always grateful for with the review opportunities with great books from various publishers that still come my way. I will say, from a blogger’s point of view for what is required from being on her list, everything runs professionally. smoothly, fairly and she is approachable and it remains a pleasure doing business with her.

Without further ado, let us commence with the Q&A.

What or whom inspired you to become, not only a book blogger, but also a blog tour organiser?I always think of myself as a reviewer/blogger first. That’s how I started and I will never stop reviewing books and blogging about them.My route to becoming a blog tour organiser was a little unusual.Around seven or eight years ago I was at a book event in Nottingham organised by No Exit Press. I’d been reviewing their books for years. The publicity manager approached me and asked me if I’d consider organising a blog tour for them. It wasn’t something that I’d ever considered, but I have a background in Admin and knew that it was something that I’d like to try. That tour was a success and I’ve been organising tours for No Exit ever since.

I’ve worked with Karen Sullivan, the owner of Orenda Books since before Orenda was born, when she worked for another publisher. Karen asked me if I’d like to take over the organisation of the Orenda Blog Tours and I jumped at the chance. I’ve been doing those ever since too.

I didn’t intend to branch out but was asked by Judith O’Reilly to organise a blog tour for her independently published book. I had no idea what to charge and just plucked a figure out of my head. The tour was a success and Judith is now traditionally published.

That’s how it started, and I now organise around 30 – 40 blog tours each month for publishers and also directly for authors.

For those who don’t know, what is a blog tour organiser?

A Blog Tour organiser is exactly what it says on the tin! We organise a tour that focusses on one book (or a series of books). The book will appear on a number of blogs for a set amount of time.

Our job is to ensure that we get the right bloggers for the book. We make sure that the bloggers receive a copy of the book, create a schedule and then send out a media pack. We also share all of the blog tour posts on every tour.

What does a typical day look like for you?

When I first started this job, I already had another job, so blog tour organising was usually done later in the day/evening and at weekends.
In October 2020 I went full time as a blog tour organiser.
My average day begins at around 8am.

Every day I will share the blog tour posts for the day, and any that were posted later the previous evening.
I will go through to find any missing posts and contact the individual blogger with a reminder that they agreed to post on that day.

The remainder of my day is dealing with hundreds of emails. Creating new tours and sending out invitations. Sending out quotations to publishers and authors etc.

I try to finish by 6pm each day.

What are the benefits of going to a blog tour organiser for both author and publisher and for a blogger signing up to be part of a tour?

I think that the big publishers find it really convenient to be able to use blog tour organisers. Publicists have a massive job to do, and a blog tour is just a tiny part of the publicity machine, but for a blog tour organiser, it is their main focus, so they will get a truly dedicated service.

Blog tour organisers know most of their bloggers really well. They know what time of day they will post their slot on the tour, they know their genre preferences and they know if they will read digitally.

An author or publisher can hand over the whole thing to the organiser, without having to worry about getting the bloggers to take part, the organiser will do all of the work.

I think bloggers all have different reasons for signing up for tours. Everyone is different. I know some bloggers feel incentivised to read a book that they may already own by having a particular date to post, that’s certainly one of my main reasons for taking part in a tour as a blogger.

I also know that some bloggers really dislike blog tours, and that’s absolutely fine too. There’s room for everyone

Why should people choose you in-particular?

I do find this question quite difficult! I work really closely with some other organisers, especially Rachel Gilbey, Zoe O Farrell, Tracy Fenton and the Bookouture team. They are all fabulous at what they do.

I’d suggest that authors and publishers should look at tours that I’ve already done, to see if I cover the genre that they want to tour.

Every single tour is treated in the same way by me. It doesn’t matter if it’s a debut self-published author, or an author who has had multiple best-selling novels, they all get the same service.

What are the upsides and downsides of being a blog tour organiser?

The upsides far outweigh the downsides!
What I love best is that I am my own boss. I choose when I work, and who I work with.
Working with books, and being a tiny part of a book’s journey is an honour and a pleasure. It’s something that I always dreamt about, but never ever imagined actually doing.

The positive feedback from authors and publishers is wonderful too. Helping to launch a book is a fabulous thing to be involved with.

I’ve made a lot of friends whilst doing this job, that’s such a bonus too.

Downsides few, but very frustrating!

Occasionally, I am not able to pull together a blog tour, for various reasons and I hate having to let an author know this.

I am fortunate to work on some hugely popular books and having to tell bloggers that the tour is full is one of the things that I hate the most. Some books are so popular that I have to turn away 40 or so bloggers and every time I send that ‘sorry’ email, I am sad.

Chasing bloggers who don’t post on their date is another time consuming job that I really hate. I’m really approachable, I think most of my bloggers know this and a little advance warning of a non-post, or late post is welcome
Over the years there have been bloggers who’ve arrived, committed to a tour, taken a book and then disappeared, never to be seen again.
I HATE this. It looks so bad, for me and for bloggers in general and I really wish it didn’t happen.

Oh, spoilers! Spoilers in reviews are a huge no-no!

Where can people find you?

Twitter @annecater

Email : anne.lcdp@hotmail.co.uk
https://randomthingsthroughmyletterbox.blogspot.com/p/services-to-publishers-authors-blog.html

Thank you Anne for your time in giving an interview to me – Lou at Bookmarks and Stages.

#Interview with a #BlogTourOrganiser By Lou with Kelly Lacey @KellyALacey #CelebratingBlogTourOrganisers

Interview with A Blog Tour Organiser
With Kelly Lacey
Conducted by Lou

I am celebrating various authors and actors on my blog in individual blog posts, until September, when my blog turns 5 years old. Part of my journey in blogging is also joining blog tours. I recently had the opportunity to interview Kelly Lacey who founded Love Books Tours. Find out more below, and then onto the Q&A.

Blog Tours! Lots of you will see this as a tag on social media or an intro before a review, thanking a particular organiser. I join in on quite a few, as do lots of other bloggers. I am aware this can be a bit of a mysterious world for some. So, I wanted to uncover for what this really means and what a day in the life of one looks like. Discover all of this from a Q&A I conducted with Kelly Lacey from her company – Love Books Tours, who, incidentally, along with Wendy H. Jones, who I wrote an article about recently, encouraged and persuaded me into starting a blog. Also discover Kelly was inspired to start a blog and then become a blog tour organiser, how to sign up if you are a blogger and how she can assist, if you are an author and some of the recent blog tours she has organised, including one I joined.

So, without further ado, let’s welcome Kelly Lacey, the founder of Love Books Tours onto my blog for 6 questions and her 6 informative, fascinating answers, plus links to social media and website at the end.

1. What or who inspired you to become, not only a book blogger but also a virtual book tour organiser?

Back in 2017, Joanne from Portobello Book Blog inspired me to become a book blogger. I remember sitting with her during lunch as she explained everything. After that day, I knew that I had to create my own blog. Through my journey as a blogger, I found myself connecting with a lot of authors. After my mother had experienced a number of strokes, I needed to find something I was good at that I could do from home. I realized my next step was to delve into book publicity. In 2018, I decided to take a leap of faith and started Love Books Tours.

From the get-go, LBT has always supported both indie and traditional authors. Not only do we work with big publishing houses such as Marvel, Penguin, and Canelo, but we also work with smaller publishing houses such as Fledgling Press. I am proud to say that we have really taken off, and it has been an incredible journey thus far.

2. For those who don’t know, what is a blog tour organiser?

As a virtual book tour organiser, LBT offers the perfect solution to promoting books and helping them reach a larger audience. With our 7, 10 and 14-day campaigns.

Our LBT tour hosts are amazing and during the campaign period, they will read and review your book and provide constructive feedback every day. We pride ourselves on the honesty of our reviews as we believe that this is an integral part of improving and promoting a book.

But wait, there’s more! A book can have multiple tours, not just one at the time of its release.

Virtual book tours are an excellent way to breathe new life into your book, creating a buzz and generating interest among your target audience.

At LBT, we understand the effort and hard work that goes into writing a book. Hence, we make it our priority to provide a hassle-free experience and help your book achieve the recognition it deserves.

3. What does a typical day look like for you?

As a tour organiser, I stay busy with six to ten tours scheduled every week, along with a one day campaign and our beloved read-along service.

My mornings start bright and early at 6 am with the task of tackling emails and social media. There is a lot to do on social media, from sharing posts to choosing review quotes that best fit our client’s needs. I also have to regularly connect

with clients over video calls to ensure they have the best possible book package.

4. What are the benefits of going to a blog tour organiser for both author and publisher and for a blogger signing up to be part of a tour?

The benefit for my author/publisher clients is delivering a successful campaign with a high reach and the bonus of all the reviews. Their satisfaction and approval is my top goal.

For book bloggers, applying to be a tour host is a great way to support authors.

With LBT we work with new and established authors. I have created a small family of hosts on our Whatsapp chat who are amazing. We also have our super supportive host team. With over 2000 book bloggers signed with us and more applications each day, we love to build up the bookish support.

If you are considering starting book blogging or bookstagramming you can apply here. We work worldwide with all genres.

5. Why should people choose you in particular?

Embarking on a virtual book tour can be daunting, but luckily, the UK boasts a few reliable tour organisers. The key is finding the perfect fit for your unique needs. It’s crucial to select an organiser with an established presence and reach. Before deciding, read their testimonials and review the quality of their work. If you’re looking for someone who’s passionate about your success and will handle your campaign with the utmost professionalism, look no further than me.
I am dedicated to crafting a tailored tour that resonates with your readers and drives traffic to your platform. Let’s work together to bring your book to the masses!

6. What are the upsides and downsides of being a blog tour organiser?

The upsides are plentiful, all the amazing love for each book on tour is very satisfying. The feedback I receive after sending my client report after each tour always makes all the hard work worth it. Supporting the book community fills me with pride.

When it comes to the disadvantages of organising the tours. The only hiccup is the occasional book blogger who may take advantage of the situation by signing up for tours and not delivering on their end of the bargain by not posting their review. But fear not, as these delinquent bloggers are quickly caught and barred from any future opportunities. So, there’s really no need to worry about any major downsides when it comes to receiving a quality experience.

7. Where can people find you?

https://kellylacey.com/love–books–tours/

https://www.facebook.com/LoveBooksTours

https://twitter.com/KellyALacey

https://www.instagram.com/lovebookstours/

#Interview with Author of Claimed By The Viking Chief By Sarah Rodi @sarahrodiedits @MillsandBoon #ClaimedByTheVikingChief #BlogTour

Today, as part of the last day of the blog tour, I have an interview with author of Claimed By The Viking Chief –Sarah Rodi. Thanks to Rachel’s Random Tours for inviting me onto the tour.
Now, let’s welcome Sarah Rodi to my blog. First, check out the blurb and then onto the interview where we talk inspiration, the themes of her book, libraries, what she does on publication day and more… There are some really fascinating answers to gain lots of knowledge from…

Blurb

She can be his lover

…but never his wife!

Forced into servitude, Wren is quietly miserable…until Jarl Knud arrives at her settlement, seeking an alliance through marriage. Despite their initial sizzling attraction Wren despises everything the Jarl represents—and he needs a high-status bride to save his people, not a servant like her. As Wren uncovers the man beneath the fierce Viking chief she’s tempted to claim one forbidden night of passion…but will it ever be enough?

What or who inspired you to write historical fiction and in-particular, the Viking
period?

I’ve always loved reading Mills & Boon novels – you can lose yourself in them completely. It’s because I’m such a fan that I’d always dreamed of being published by them one day. I live in Cookham, a village on the Thames in Berkshire, and in the 8th century, the river here divided the territories of Mercia and Wessex. Cookham was built around a Saxon monastery and many names in the area are still linked to the Vikings, after they rowed up the river in 870. This fascinated me, and a spark was lit. I now write passionate romantic stories based in the Viking times of the 9th century. And now every family holiday is based around a different ‘Viking’ location in the UK! Sutton Hoo in Suffolk or Viking Bay in Kent, the Jorvik Viking Centre in York, the Holy Island in Northumberland, where the Vikings first invaded England… I use these historical settings to help inspire me and I can then ground my characters in a time and place and I get lost in the romance of it all.

In your bio you talk about devouring books from the library, what purpose do you think libraries serve today and how important do you think they are?

Libraries will always have a huge part to play in our communities. Not only are they a valuable source of information and a place to go to seek sanctuary and read, nowadays our libraries are often the hub of our towns and villages, hosting festivals and events to bring people together.

Claimed By the Viking Chief talks about servitude and, in turn, class when it comes
to marriage status. What drew you to this?

I loved writing Wren and Jarl Knud’s story – these two characters are made for each other, even though their stations in life couldn’t be more different! I can’t imagine anything worse than having your freedom taken away. My heroine, Wren, was taken captive in battle when she was just a girl. She was torn from the arms of her mother. Gifted to the enemy chieftain’s daughter to be her companion and thrall, she has lived a life of servitude. Jarl Knud knows he must make a marriage alliance with Earl Ingrid to keep his stronghold safe from attack, yet deep down, he doesn’t want to, and he ends up falling for her servant girl instead… This is a rags to riches, enemies to lovers, forced proximity story, but most of all, I wanted it to be about forbidden romance. Knowing they can’t be together because of all the constraints of their society gives their passion so much more depth, and their backstories and their journey to their happy ever so much more worthwhile.

Do you feel class, in-particular when it comes to marriage, still exists today?

Hopefully nowhere near as much as it did back then. Although I love writing about Viking times, I’m pretty glad those rules of society don’t exist like that today.

How do you celebrate your publication day?

I usually have a little dance around the kitchen when my book first comes through the door and I get to hold it in my hand. Publication day will be about spreading the word on social media that it’s now available to buy, and then hopefully having a few bubbles on the evening to celebrate it being out in the wild.

#AuthorInterview By Lou with Margaret Amatt – author of Just Friends at Thistle Lodge @AmattAuthor @rararesources #BlogTour

Just Friends at Thistle Lodge
By Margaret Amatt

Interview By Louise – Bookmarks and Stages

As part of closing the Rachel’s Random Blog Tour, I have a Q&A with Margaret Amatt, the author of Just Friends at Thistle Lodge. It is with great pleasure I welcome you onto my blog. Discover what inspires her to write and how her Glenbriar series came about, why she sets her books in Scotland and what she has to say about some of the characters as well as what she is reading and working on just now. Firstly, discover a little about her latest novel and then we will commence with the Q&A below.

Blurb

Just Friends at Thistle Lodge

One romantic getaway. Two friends. Seven days just pretending…

When Nina Copeland’s mates try to match her with the guy next door, she needs a plan. Because Matthew’s just a friend, and Nina has a secret she doesn’t want him to discover – not until she’s tidied her messy life.

After his divorce, physics teacher Matthew Gilchrist has kept his heart locked safely away. So why do people keep pushing him to date his chirpy neighbour? He and Nina are fine just as friends. Aren’t they?

Nina hatches a solution to get everyone off their backs: fake a relationship at a family reunion, then stage a break-up so life can go back to normal. What could go wrong?

Stuck together at a romantic highland lodge, new feelings lure them out of the friend zone. But if love is to find a way in, Nina must confront her past, and Matthew put his heart on the line.

Without further ado, onto the Q&A style interview.

1. Who or what inspired you to write books?

I’ve always written in some form or another and lots of things inspire me – people, places, life events, news stories, pictures… Pretty much anything really! I don’t think there was one specific event that started me writing; it’s just part of who I am.

How did this Glenbriar series, a spin-off series to your Scottish Island Escapes come about and how do they crossover?

It came about because I had three side characters from the Scottish Island Escapes series that I really wanted to write stories for but none of them really fitted an Island story. Initially, I thought I might just write a few standalone stories to go alongside the series but when I started writing, I needed a town and I decided to invent Glenbriar. Almost as soon as I started writing, I saw the potential for more stories, so I decided to make it a series.

The characters who appear in the Glenbriar Series who have already had minor appearances in the Scottish Island Escapes series are: Nina in Just Friends at Thistle Lodge, who is the little sister of Troy, the famous footballer, in A Striking Result (book 8 in Scottish Island Escapes); Cha who appears as a side-character in Just Friends at Thistle Lodge was also featured in A Summer Sanctuary (book 3 in Scottish Island Escapes) and she will feature in her own story later in the series where she goes back to the island for a visit!

Gavin, who is Holly’s ex-boyfriend in A Festive Surprise (book 10 in Scottish Island Escapes) will star in his own story later in the series too!

What inspired you to set this current series in Scotland?

I live in Scotland and Glenbriar is loosely based on three small towns close to where I live: Pitlochry, Dunkeld and Aberfeldy. It has elements from all of them in it including lochs, a river, hills, forestry paths, whisky distilleries, hotels, coffee shops, upcycled furniture stores and a campsite (to name a few). Because it’s an area I know so well, it’s easy for me to imagine the scenery and the backdrop for the stories.

Your character – Nina, has, as you say, a messy life. What do you think appeals and draws readers into someone’s life who is a bit complex and perhaps with secrets?

Nina is such a lovely person in the story and like so many people she projects that happy front, when actually everything isn’t always rosy. She’s had tough times in the past and she’s doing her best to get on with things without much support or guidance. I think we can all relate to people like that as many of us have felt like that at some point in our lives.

Your central characters stage a romance, how easy or difficult do you think this would be in reality and what inspired this direction?

I always say real life is stranger than fiction! Some of the scenarios in this book are loosely based on family gatherings I’ve attended. I tried to imagine how I would feel in Nina and Matthew’s situation when surrounded by my extended family. It was inspired by an article I was reading about real life friends and how they’d stopped people badgering them about dating when they were perfectly happy the way they were. They said they’d pretended to date for a week then told everyone it hadn’t worked out and no one was cruel enough to suggest it again. It made me wonder how it would be if one – or both – actually had a secret crush on the other. How easy would the deception be then? What might go wrong? These questions were the start of this book.

Are you reading anything at the moment and how do you celebrate your book’s publication day?

I’m reading an ARC of Always Beth by Louise Hudson – she’s a new author and it’s a great book!

I celebrated the publication of Just Friends at Thistle Lodge with a day canoeing on a nearby loch! It may sound crazy but my family and I really enjoy doing it and it just so happens there’s a canoeing scene in the book. It was so much fun taking pictures of the book from the canoe! I then had a wonderful lunch in a local café afterwards and treated myself to a very tasty cheesecake!

Are you writing anything at the moment or have plans to?

I’m working on more books for the Glenbriar Series. I currently have drafts for the next four at various stages of editing. I’ve told myself not to write anything new until I get these drafts in good shape… We’ll see if that works!!

#Interview by Lou with Miriam McGuirk – Author of Second Chances @Miriam_McGuirk #SecondChances @rararesources #BlogTour

Interview with Second Chances author -Miriam McGuirk

Interview By Lou

Today I am part of closing the Rachel Random Resources blog tour on the book Second Chances with a Q & A style interview.

Welcome Miriam McGuirk to my blog – Bookmarks and Stages for a Q & A session on your new book – Second Chances. Firstly, find out a bit about what the book and then onto the interview, where we cover real-life second chances, empowerment, community hubs and more…

Second Chances is a touching tale that takes us on a journey from India to Kent, UK, following the intertwined lives of the residents of the same road. At the heart of the story is Molly—kind-hearted, resilient, and determined to start anew after her husband Rory leaves her and their son Jamie. But when Jamie disappears on the day they were supposed to move to Kent, Molly’s new life takes an unexpected turn.
As Molly settles into her new community, she befriends her neighbors, Florence and Colonel Bryce Beckwith, who share their own stories of love, loss, and longing for second chances. The three of them navigate their regrets and come to realize that it’s never too late to make a change.

Second Chances is a poignant, multigenerational tale of connections and community, showcasing the unbreakable human spirit and the hope that can come from taking a leap of faith.

1. What inspired you to write Second Chances?

With the many challenges we each have been through these last years I wanted to write an emotive fiction story, to include elements of daily life, relationships, the human spirit and of course a HEA.

The novel came from a short story I had written a few years before, about a particular street. I became curious about each of the neighbours’ backstories and how they could be linked. That led to the inspiration and wish to write Second Chances.

There have been a few books with the theme of seeking out Second Chances in life or starting anew and rebuilding after things change. How important do you think finding new opportunities after seismic life changes occur, such as in your book?

I believe, when life is not working or we have been sorely challenged, being open to change and embracing new opportunities can and will lead to positive outcomes and personal growth. Perhaps we find answers to unfinished business at levels within our lives, which of course the storyline and characters do in Second Chances.

An example :- I took a leap of faith in 2003. I moved with my husband to the mountains of south-west Turkey. I became healthier and enjoyed a calmer and more balanced way of life. I found my true purpose and passion. My dream of becoming a published author is now a reality.

How empowering do you think portraying Second Chances can be for people, within books and presenting this in an uplifting way?

Books and the style in how they are written can affect change in us, those around us, and our outlook on life. Through books and great storytelling, we can grow and perhaps become role models or champions for others to follow.

Your book is about community and their hubs. What inspired you to focus on community and how important do you think hubs within them truly are?

My husband has been involved in community hubs for many years. Based on his experience of people who come from every walk of life and age group, along with their challenges with health or living alone, it seemed like an interesting story for me to write about. As people our greatest needs are to be loved, respected, accepted and valued. Community hubs provide the opportunity to engage with life and people.

That is exactly why Molly, one of the main characters, in Second Chances, set up Yoga Karma and Calmer classes and Frolics Food and Fun Friday’s.

Do you do anything to celebrate your book’s publication day?

In the past on publication day, I have held a launch event that is relevant to the theme of my book.

With Second Chances, I shall happily celebrate lunch with my husband, close family, and a few dear friends.

Are you writing or reading a book just now?

I immerse myself in reading a diverse range of books in between my writing.

I am currently reading -The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles –

a first to read this authors work. I am thoroughly enjoying Janet’s style of writing along with the storyline that resonates.

#AuthorInterview By Lou With Lela May Wight About her latest book – Bound By A Sicilian Secret and more (includes a bit of exclusive info) @LelaMayWight @MillsandBoon @HarlequinBooks @rararesources #RomanticFiction #ContemporaryFiction #HarlequinPresents #Interview

Bound By A Sicilian Secret
By Lela May Wight

Interview By Lou

Welcome Lela May Wight to my blog. Recently we did a Q&A to share with you all. I can, rather excitedly contains some exclusive content within one of the answers.
Find out about what inspires her, the gritty themes and the protagonist of her book, how she celebrates publication day, her next book and more…

First of all, a bit about Lela: She grew up with seven brothers and sisters. She lives in the UK with her sons and her very own hero, who never complains about her book addiction – he buys her more books! She also gets to write books, with her latest – Bound By A Sicilian Secret. Find out about the book and then let’s begin the interview.

The proof of their passion: she’s carrying the Sicilian’s child! Read this thrilling secret baby romance from Lela May Wight.

When their worlds collided…

They became tied forever!

Flora Bick once strayed from her carefully scripted life and lost herself in the uninhibited kisses of a stranger. Overwhelmed, she fled his bed and returned to her risk-free existence. Now, he’s found her and together they discover the unimaginable—she’s pregnant!

Demanding Flora accompany him to Sicily, Raffaele Russo finally reveals his vast wealth—and his determination to give their child the stable upbringing he never had. But for the time being, their secret remains theirs alone, and it will bind them even closer than their ever-present desire…

From Harlequin Presents: Escape to exotic locations where passion knows no bounds.

The book sounds mysterious. Without further ado, let’s begin the interview.

Who or what inspired you to write, an in particular, romance?

I blame my primary school teacher. I’d written a very long-winded story, and he said, “I can see you’re going to become a novelist!” The dream was born. No, not really. (Well, maybe a little…)

I’ve always read romance novels. Gobbled them up throughout my teens, like so many romance readers. I always wanted to write, but as life does, it got in the way for a long time. But during late-night feeds after my first was born, I rediscovered romance books and the powerful ability they have to transport the reader.

The urge to write was born again, because I wanted to do that! I wanted to write full-throttle escapism about complicated and emotionally messy people who got their chance at love and earned their happily ever after.

Your book has some gritty themes, such as: grief, abandonment, suicide, adoption, unplanned pregnancy. What inspired you to deal with these themes within your book and did you need to do research?

Life is gritty, hard, and complicated for most of us. I love that the romance genre doesn’t shy away from human life, or how difficult it can be to navigate those very real emotions, but gives the reader the promise, and the safety, to explore the dark parts of life knowing it will all end with a happily ever after.

(Okay, sometimes monster life. Love me some monster romance, but all still very human… I digress!)

The themes chosen to explore in, ‘Bound by a Sicilian Secret,’ were chosen, I hope with care, and treated with the same, as my characters navigate the impact of these difficult themes as individuals, and together.

Research is always important, for facts, for sensitivity, and I do all my research with those two things in mind. I hope I’ve achieved that in this love story whilst also bringing my life experiences to the book. *Crosses fingers! *

How important do you feel that themes, such as yours, that are gritty and relatable to be included in romantic fiction?

Very important. We all have our own experiences, difficult and some very difficult ones. It’s why, I as a reader, always go for a romance when I want to escape. I know I can relate, not always to the themes, but to the emotion. The difficulty of navigating them. But I know I’m safe to let myself feel all the feelings, because in the end, that’s what romance promises, a safe return to the world embraced by a happily ever after. Life isn’t always this way, but romance is about reminding us all to find hope. To embrace it for better tomorrows.

I, as a writer, won’t shy away from the difficulty or the beauty of living, because the hope of a happily ever after is powerful! As I believe, the entire romance genre is. A powerful tool of escape, but for so much more, too.

What inspired you to focus on your male protagonist being Sicilian?

Raffaele came to me, Sicilian, with a deep accent and strong roots. I didn’t think to ask him why he was Sicilian, he just was, and told me so. *winks*

But if I was to think about it more deeply (and I am) I love Carol Marinelli’s Sicilian heroes. So many of Carol’s books are on my keeper shelf and I have re-read them many times. So at heart, maybe I wanted my very own Sicilian on my shelf that I had given life to.

Fingers crossed, I’ve written Raffaele with a smidge of Carol’s talent. I highly recommend Carol’s books. All of them.

Do you do anything to celebrate on publication day or anything to wind down once books are completed?

Publication day (so far) has been a strange and surreal kind of day… For the release of my debut, ‘His Desert Bride by Demand,’ I bought a princess dress like the one my heroine wears on the front cover and had grand plans of walking into WHSmith, in said dress, and buying a copy of my book.

But alas, the introvert in me stayed at home in my dress, with my beautiful family, and ate cake.

Publication day can be a little overwhelming, exciting (and scary) so for this one, I’ve decided to be kind to myself and stay in my PJs! But I think the tradition will become cake. Lots of cake!

The wind down for books (or the last two in my case) has been surreal. Part of me doesn’t believe I did it. The first time, or the second… But I think that’s called imposter syndrome?

So I try to not let myself sit with those feelings for too long and push myself to settle in for the next adventure. And hopefully, the characters of my next story let themselves appear!

What do you like to read and do you have a book you’re reading right now?

Harlequin Presents! I’m a hard-core fan. Always have been, but now I can call it research for my job. (Job? *Pinches self*) I love the fantastical settings and plots, but mostly I love the raw internal conflict and the visceral journey to their happily ever after. Finding love together, but also learning to love themselves too…

But the romance genre, as a whole, is my go-to, and where I find the perfect escape. I’ve just finished reading Kennedy Ryan’s, ‘Before I let Go,’ and wow, the talent—the love story. It broke me apart and put me back together in only the ways (I think) romance can.

I’m very privileged to be currently reading an early advanced copy of Bella Mason’s new book, her second for Presents, out in May, ‘Secretly Pregnant by the Tycoon.’ And it is everything Presents fans will love! Emotional, sensual and delicious! *Bites fist*

Do you have another book you are writing?

I’m currently working on my third book for Harlequin, Mills and Boon, and although many things might change in revisions, the title won’t and it’s *just* been confirmed. *drum–roll please…*

The title of my next love story will be… THE KING SHE SHOULDN’T CRAVE. (Exclusive info for Bookmarks and Stages. Eeek!)

I adore this title! It captures the core essence of Angelo and Natalia’s royal romance. It hints at the yearning threaded throughout their story… Both characters think they know what they crave—what they want—but—oops—they’ve got it all wrong. And the last thing they thought they wanted—needed—they find together. Love for each other, but also acceptance for the people they are beneath their crowns.

Or, that’s the plan! I’m about halfway through their story and they keep surprising me!

*Thanks to Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to the blog tour.