I’m
delighted to welcome Colette Kebell
to my blog.
Hello
Colette – It’s lovely to have you on the blog and I’m sure your readers are
looking forward to reading what you have to share. But
before we discover more about, The Retail Therapist, here are a few questions
which will hopefully give your readers an insight into some of the things that
matter to you.
Arabella: Are there any
organisations, writing, or reader groups, you belong to? And, how do they
support or help you in creating such wonderful, inspirational novels?
Colette: I am a full member of both
the Romantic Novelists Association (RNA) and The Society of Authors (SoA). As to groups, I belong to a myriad of
Facebook Book Groups of various kinds.
Arabella: Where do you read? Sofa
or bed or ____?
Colette: Usually in bed, unless
I’m listening to an audiobook, in which case that is while I’m walking my two
waggly tails or shopping or doing the housework.
Arabella: In your latest release, The Retail Therapist, who is your
favourite character, and why?
Colette: My latest chick-lit release
is an audiobook, The Retail Therapist. Though
she isn’t strictly a character, I would say, my narrator. If I had to pick a character though, then I’d
be torn between GiGi, my protagonist and Julian, the drag queen. GiGi is a bit of a spitfire, but went through
some highs and lows to reach that point after ditching the mundane life of
office work; thus, her character appeals.
Julian took me back to my childhood and one of the first Saturday jobs
I’d had. You might not believe me, but
that element of the book is based on truth; I was put in a very similar
position while working in Croydon for the now defunct shoe shop, Olivers. For a teenage girl at the tender age of 14 ½
years, that was quite an experience, which is why it stuck and I drew on it for
my book J
Colette: I’m
not at all a plotter! I’m most
definitely a pantser. Don’t get me
wrong, I admire those who can spend time plotting and scheming and come out
with a great story, such as the likes of Jill Mansell, but I cannot. I sit at my PC and just start typing. My story either flows or it doesn’t. If it doesn’t happen after a while, then I
park it for another time and move onto something else. I’m quite eclectic as a writer, so don’t
stick to one genre, but then that reflects my entire employed working
life. The longest I held down the same
job was for around five years, due to liking variety. Having said that, I did find that in my
various roles as a Legal Secretary, before being made redundant.
Arabella: Which would you prefer to
do: 1) spend a morning vigorously working out at the gym, 2) be pampered from
head to toe at the spa and beauty salon, 3) indulge and pile on the pounds with
a romantic dinner for two?
Colette: OH,
if you had asked this question before my recent trip to Italy my answer would
most definitely have been number 3 as I am a major foodie and have an Italian
husband who is just the same. But,
having experienced my first ever manicure, I could lean towards being pampered
instead, providing it involves a chance to go swimming as well, which is
something I don’t do that often but adore.
Arabella: Which do you prefer to
wear: beach shorts and top, a long evening skirt and blouse, pyjamas and
slippers?
Colette: Having
been a tomboy throughout my teenage years, I would have to say beach shorts and
top. Having said that I seem to have
gotten slightly hooked on harem pants these days which are not only pretty and
sometimes elegant, but also comfy, practical and forgiving of any potential
weight gain.
Arabella: We all have a long list
of books we keep meaning to read but never have the time for --- which book is
a must-read for you this summer?
Colette: That’s
an easy question. It would have to be
the last book written by my idol, Jackie Collins, The Santangelos. I bought that book shortly before she sadly
passed away and haven’t yet found the time to read it. I have read every other from that series
though so plan on taking that away when we are next on vacation, as the French
say. There are two others I would like
to re-read both of which are by Judith Krantz those are Scruples and Scruples
2.
Arabella: What about your future
plans? Any books or series in the making?
Colette: I’m in both writing and
editing mode currently. I have two
audiobooks in production, two chick-lit novels at various stages of having been
written/edited and a new crime thriller on the go. Then, of course, there shall have to be a
sequel to my debut novel, Blue and Green Should Never Be Seen! (Or so Mother
Says). That I’ve been making vague notes
on while going through the audiobooks, but haven’t even started yet. Having
said that, in which order they shall launch entirely depends on my progress
with writing and editing. As like many
others, no doubt, my mood dictates a lot, which is why I tend to cross/switch
genre to bring a project to fruition.
Thank you for joining me on Arabella's Blog and Chit-Chat, Colette. Your latest release - an audio edition, sounds amazing. Congratulations...
Best wishes and lots more happy-ever-after writing.
Best wishes and lots more happy-ever-after writing.
Arabella Sheen
ABOUT: Colette Kebell
Colette
Kebell is an eclectic author, though a
relatively new one and thus far has self-published her books. Her books are
light-hearted, fun and quirky and even considered by some to be
inspirational. She publishes mostly for the English speaking market and
the Italian one. Colette Kebell does not stick to just one genre when
writing though, as you shall discover from her latest book to be launched on 5th
April 2019
As
a career, Colette spent her later years as a legal secretary. After a first
attempt at writing many years ago (a book that still remains in her drawer) she
resumed this passion a few years back, after being made redundant. After
few book signing events and a book talk, which almost caused her to collapse
with nerves, Colette now spends her time between her home in the UK and her
home in France.
Colette
has two adorable dogs and, when not writing and marketing her books, she
likes cooking for herself and her husband, gardening or designing various items
for their home. Amongst her other hobbies, she has also experimented with
furniture upholstery, and she might, from time to time, have a paintbrush in
her hand.
SOCIAL MEDIA:
Twitter: @ColetteKebell
Facebook: https://facebook.com/ColetteKebellAuthor
Instagram:
@ColetteKebell
BLURB: The Retail Therapist
Window shopping! Don’t you just hate the term?
It is like going into a sweet shop and not being able to buy
anything, or not knowing what to buy first. That is exactly my line of
business, helping people make the right choice.
I’m one of those fashion consultants that are so popular nowadays amongst the upper crust, although I started ages ago. Choosing the right clothes for the right occasion is not an easy task: the dress has to match your personality and, if it can, enhance it.
This story is about how I abandoned the rat race, spending days in a legal office, and followed my dream of becoming a fashion consultant. I believe I’m something more though, I’m a Retail Therapist and I’m sure you are itching to know the story about how I started and how I helped my clients look fabulous! So, what are you waiting for? Hurry up, click that “buy” button up there and be prepared to enter the mysterious world of a Berkshire Retail Therapist girl.
I’m one of those fashion consultants that are so popular nowadays amongst the upper crust, although I started ages ago. Choosing the right clothes for the right occasion is not an easy task: the dress has to match your personality and, if it can, enhance it.
This story is about how I abandoned the rat race, spending days in a legal office, and followed my dream of becoming a fashion consultant. I believe I’m something more though, I’m a Retail Therapist and I’m sure you are itching to know the story about how I started and how I helped my clients look fabulous! So, what are you waiting for? Hurry up, click that “buy” button up there and be prepared to enter the mysterious world of a Berkshire Retail Therapist girl.
BUY LINKS:
Colette gave a talk about self-publishing and
one of her books mentioned below at the Folkestone Book Festival on Sunday 22nd
November 2015 at 11.00 am. This is the link to her YouTube post if you
are interested:- https://youtu.be/r0Ss8bKv4bY
Colette also gave an online live interview
which can be viewed via this link:-
Her new Financial Crime Suspense
Thriller, "Arbitrage".
Available to purchase from Amazon https://mybook.to/Arbitrage
"The
Retail Therapist", the prequel to "Blue and Green" available from
Amazon and all major bookshops for just £1.99p as an ebook or £6.49 in
paperback http://mybook.to/RT
Audio Book available from Audible, iTunes and #Amazon http://mybook.to/AudioRT
"Blue
and Green Shall Never Be Seen (Or So Mother Says)" to purchase from Amazon and all major bookshops for £2.99 as an
ebook or £8.99 in paperback http://mybook.to/BandG
If you like
Chick Lit you should enjoy these.
En Francais
"Ma Therapie Shopping" est disponsible sur Amazon http://mybook.to/Shopping
Italiano
"Missione Impeccabile" http://mybook.to/MI
"Senza Tacchi non mi Concentro!” http://mybook.to/Senza
Portuguese " A Terapeuta de Moda e Estilo" http://mybook.to/TME
Thanks so much for a lovely chit chat, Arabella :) Hope your readers enjoyed my answers :) Have a fantastic weekend :) xx
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