The Interviews By Lou – Questions answered by various actors, a presenter, authors

The Interviews

Conducted by Louise Cannon (Lou), featuring various guests, whom I am eternally grateful for giving the opportunity to interview them.

Ever wanted to know more about what inspires authors to write? What’s behind the written page? Behind the scenes of an actor’s life as they take to the stage? Plus much more? Here, I have 22 interviews I have created and conducted with authors, actors, a presenter from both sides of the Atlantic. Also included are a couple with blog tour organisers, where you’ll learn more about what this entails and an extraordinary secretary.
Get comfy and cosy with a cuppa, sit back and see what people have divulged for you. All interview answers are exactly as people have told me. So many genres, you may be inspired for what to read or who to look out for on a stage or TV.
Check out the links. They’ll open in a new tab, making it easy for you to navigate back to this page.

Actors/Presenter/Authors

Fern Britton on The Daughter’s of Cornwall, part of her family’s life, letters and more. The review also weaves through and more… Interview Here

Robert McNamara on the play – Report to An Academy By Franz Kafka, performing at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and more… Interview Here

Vanessa Heron on being The Secretary of the Oscar Wilde Society, how the society came into existence, her favourite play, how to join and more… Interview Here

Ronald Rand – Solo Transformation On Stage on getting into character, his acting, his book and his charitable works, and more… Interview Here

Laura Loane – The first interview I conducted. She talks about books, acting, disability and more…. Interview Here

Authors

Cecelia Ahern on PS. I Love You, Postscript, Freckles, themes around health and more… Interview Here

Matson Taylor on the Evie Epworth books. Discover more about what inspired him, his job out-with being an author and more… Interview Here

Lotte R. James on The Gentleman of Holly Street, the strong themes and advice for historical fiction authors… Interview Here

Anna Willett on The Newlywed where she talks of special crime squads, keeping writing fresh, getting into the psyche of the setting and more…. Interview Here

Val Penny on Hunter’s Chase, setting the book in Edinburgh, combining dark themes with humour and more… Interview Here

Isabella Muir on A Notable Omission, writing crime fiction, the fun of research, the 1970’s and more. Interview Here

Miriam McGuirk on Second Chances, the importance of finding new opportunities after seismic life changes occur, the importance of communities and their hubs and more… Interview Here

Jeanine Englert on Conveniently Married to A Laird, writing historical romance, the class system, marrying out of convenience and more… Interview Here

Viv Fogel on Imperfect Beginnings, writing poetry, an art installation, her birth mother, the noise and the silence within her writing and more… Interview Here

Candi Miller on Salt & Honey, Africa, Culture, Charities and more… Interview Here

Lela May Wight on Bound By A Sicilian Secret, the importance of relatable, gritty themes being included in romance, the inspiration behind the main character being Sicilian and more… Interview Here

Bobby Twidale on De-Ja-Vu, being a former teacher, engaging boys in the education system, writing complex relationships and more… Interview Here

Sarah Rodi on Claimed by the Viking Chief, writing about the Viking period, devouring books in the library, servitude and marriage and more… Interview Here

Tani Hanes on Puppily Ever After, writing a ‘coming of age’ story, values in the book relating to real life, pets and more… Interview Here

R.L Baxter on Blue Lunar and the Apex Grail, writing fantasy, building fantastical worlds, his varied career and more… Interview Here

Paul De Blassie III on Goddess of Everything, the mother/son relationship, the supernatural and his other job of Depth Psychology, the healing of the human mind Interview Here

Simon Van-Der-Velde on Backstories, his “office kimono”, the inspiration for short-stories, his ‘desert island’ books and music and more… Interview Here

Thank you for taking the time to read the interviews.

If you work in the world of stage and theatre or in the world of books and would like to be interviewed, then please do get in touch via my Contact Form

#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 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.

#Interview #QandA By Lou with #author of Conveniently Married To A Laird By Jeanine Englert @JeanineWrites @HarlequinBooks @MillsandBoon @rararesources #RomanticFiction #HistoricalRomance #HistoricalFiction

Conveniently Married To A Laird
By Jeanine Englert
Interview/Q&A conducted by Louise (Lou) Bookmarks and Stages blog

Today I have the great pleasure to share with you, an interview with the author of Conveniently Married To A Laird – Jeanine Englert, published by Harlequin, Mills & Boon as part of the blog tour by Rachel Random Tours. Discover more about Jeanine Englert’s inspiration and more as I probe into the darker themes, history and characters within Conveniently Wed to the Laird. Find out why book she is reading, one is which I reviewed and enjoyed… First, take a look the romance oozing from the cover. Discover if all will be as it seems in the eye-catching blurb (no spoilers though). Then, you’ll be all ready for the fascinating interview I have conducted and have ready to present to you, just after the short blurb.

Conveniently Wed to the Laird

The laird’s bridal bid…

Is love too high a price to pay?

When new laird, Ewan Stewart, comes across a wife for sale at a market, he outbids everyone to rescue her. He never intended for Catriona to become his bride, but a convenient marriage could secure his clan’s future and her freedom. They agree that their arrangement must stay free of love, yet Catriona’s bravery and fire intrigue him. Can Ewan resist falling for his wife—the one rule he must not break?

Without further ado, onto the interview.

1. Who or what inspired you to write?

I have been writing since I was 8 years old. It was mostly poetry until I went to get my master’s degree in writing that I expanded into short stories and later novels. My first novel took me 11 years to complete and will never see the light of day, as it is horrendous. To quote Karina Gioertz: “I write because in the end it’s the only thing I don’t know how not to do.”

What inspired you to write Historical Romance and set it in Scotland, showing not only a bit of the class system, but also the selling of people, in this case, a wife in the Grassmarket, whom you have Ewan Stewart coming across and how and where did you research this?

I have always loved reading historical romance. Some of my early favourite historical romance authors were Jude Deveraux, Julie Garwood, and Judith McNaught.

I fell in love with Scotland when I studied abroad in England for a semester when I was in college. One weekend in late November, we took a train to Inverness and stayed the weekend. It was a magical experience that I often draw upon when I write my books set in the Highlands.

Much of my research is done from reading books, finding historical articles or letters online, exploring maps, as well as watching modern day videos on YouTube of the places my books are set in since I can’t visit. Having digital access to so many historical documents online has really helped my process.

Conveniently Wed to A Laird is darker than the title suggests, with flashbacks of losing a loved one and references to abuse from a previous husband and foster parent, how did that feel writing about such deep, dark topics and did you do anything after writing them to be in the next moment of your life outside writing?

I think I am naturally drawn to write about these topics based on my original desire and hope to be a social worker and the experiences I had during internships working with survivors of abuse. I suppose I don’t even think of them as dark or deep, but merely part of our society.

I also tend to write in the early hours of the morning before I go to work, so it is quite easy to jump back into my day. As a teacher, I am always busy, on the move, and in the moment when I am at school.

The characters Ewan Stewart and Catriona marry out of convenience to save the Stewart clan, before their romance evolves. Do you think this was commonplace and what inspired you to take this particular angle?

Marriage of convenience is such a uniquely historical trope that I am often drawn to it. The idea of marrying someone out of necessity or convenience rather than love has always interested me. And while I don’t think such marriages were entirely commonplace at the time, I do believe they were at times necessary for both parties involved. I also believe it served Ewan and Catriona’s characters well as they were both disappointed by their past experiences with love and reluctant to the idea of marriage.

What’s next for you, in terms of writing?

I’m currently editing book 1 in The Secrets of Clan Cameron series for Harlequin/Mills & Boon which is titled A Laird without a Past. It will be out in late July of 2023. I am also starting to draft book 2 in that same series.

Are you reading anything at the moment and if so, what?

I just finished Lenora Worth’s Deadly Holiday Reunion as I always love a good suspense, and I’ll be starting The Dead Romantics by Ashley Poston next.

#Book #Promo By Lou of One Night With Her Viking Warrior By Sarah Rodi @sarahrodiedirs @HarlequinBooks @rararesources #Blogtour #HistoricalRomance

Today I have a promo post for One Night With Her Viking Warrior. Discover the historical romantic cover By Sarah Rodi. Discover the blurb and purchase links below.

One Night With Her Viking Warrior

Her forbidden love is back to claim her!

Once Lady Rebekah shared a life changing night with stable hand Raeden but he disappeared the morning after. Now she’s consort to a cruel Saxon Lord, and when Northmen lay siege to Ryestone Keep, Rebekah’s shocked to see Raeden leading the charge! This Viking warrior is not the man she remembers, yet she finds herself drawn to him again. Taken as his hostage, Rebekah must decide: can she trust him with her life…and her dangerous secret?

Purchase Links

https://www.millsandboon.co.uk/products/hqnsingle-07248001

https://www.harlequin.com/search.html?w=sarah+rodi

#Author #Interview Conducted By Lou for The Gentleman of Holly Street By Lotte R. James @lottejamesbooks @HarlequinBooks @rararesources #HistoricalFiction #HistoricalRomance #BlogTour #Christmas #ChristmasReads

The Gentleman of Holly Street
By Lotte R. James

Today I am delighted to be closing the blog tour with an interview session with Lotte R. James about her new historical fiction book – The Gentleman of Holly Street. Discover why she writes in this genre, but not always, the inspiration to themes and the rags to riches tale of her book, what’s coming next and more in 5 questions. I thank Lotte R. James, Mills and Boon and Rachel Random Resources for this opportunity. Without further ado, follow down to the blurb and then the interview.

Will this Christmas…
Change Their Lives Again…

When self-made gentleman Freddie Walton rescued penniless Philomena Nichols at Christmas eight years ago, he never imagined that he would build his empire with her. Yet whilst they have created a life together as friends, Freddie can’t let their special connection become more than that. Not when his dangerous past continues to haunt him… But what happens when Freddie’s feelings for Philomena also refuse to stay hidden?

Welcome to my blog Lotte. Thank you for agreeing to take part in a Q&A session with me about your book and what’s next for you.

What inspired you to write Historical Romance and choose Mills and Boon as your publisher, or did they choose you?

I’ve always loved history, and I think that prompted my interest as a reader in Historical Romance. From there, it was really just wanting to write something in the genre that I loved so much. I did write my debut with Harlequin/Mills & Boon specifically with the Historical line in mind, as it was a literal dream to be part of that collection of incredible authors. It went through quite a few revisions and rewrites, but then I was lucky enough to get the call!

You chose to work with some fairly strong themes – Anxiety, Houselessness, Childhood trauma, Mild violence, Mention of suicidal ideation. What inspired you to write about them?

I think all my books feature fairly strong themes to be honest. Merely because we face some very difficult things in life, and it’s important to me to represent that in what I write. I don’t believe all art should be a mirror of reality, don’t get me wrong, but I do feel that I am, and always have been, personally drawn to exploring the grey areas, of people, and of life. To exploring the challenges we all face, and I think to an extent, showing just how incredible humans are.

What sort of empire does your main character – Freddie build up and what inspires you to a rags to riches story?

Freddie builds up a sustainable and ethical shipping empire. I’ve always loved rags-to-riches stories myself, and I think that’s why subconsciously, when I first introduced Freddie in The Housekeeper of Thornhallow Hall, I introduced him as a self-made man. Throughout history, you have incredible stories of people who succeeded – in a myriad of ways, I don’t mean success here to be merely financial – by being at the forefront of change, and I think that’s an aspect I am often drawn to as well. People who have the vision to make change happen.

What advice do you have for anyone wanting to write in the Historical Fiction genre?

Be passionate about the period you want to write in, and of course, about the genre itself. It isn’t merely about loving old-time clothes, or more polite ways of courting. It’s about finding why you have to write Historical, rather than any other genre; what you want to say, and represent.

What book are you currently reading and are you working on a new book?

I’m currently reading Rogue by Jennifer Bernard – which I’m enjoying very much so far – and yes, I am always working on a new book. Currently, I am juggling three main projects – one Historical and two Contemporary – because my brain will not let me stop… Though I haven’t started my next Harlequin/Mills & Boon yet – that will likely be how I start off 2023!

About the Author

Lotte James trained as an actor and theatre director, but spent most of her life working day jobs crunching numbers whilst dreaming up stories of love and adventure. She’s thrilled to finally be writing those stories, and when she’s not scribbling on tiny pieces of paper, she can usually be found wandering the countryside for inspiration, or nestling with coffee and a book.