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| Jennifer Bohnet - Author |
Hello Jenni,
I’m so
pleased we were able to stay connected via the Romantic Novelists’ Association
and social media. A lot has happened in the intervening year since our last
“chit-chat”. But before we discover more about your latest release, A French Affair, here are
some questions which will hopefully give your readers and followers an insight
into some of the things that matter to you.
Arabella: When writing a novel are there any key
traits, such as virtuously good or shamelessly bad, you like to give your
characters?
Jennie:
I
don’t consciously set out to give my characters any particular key traits but I
do try and give them flaws. Usually something in the main character’s past
makes them behave the way they do, so as I get to know them their flaws show
up. Flaws can be anything from a character being commitment shy, too proud for
their own good, or vain, or too shy to socialise. I try and create characters
that the reader believes in whether they are a goody or a baddy.
Arabella: A book has a beginning, middle, and an end.
When penning your latest release, A French Affair, which part did you find the
hardest to write and why?
Jennie:
Writing the end
of this book was difficult. I don’t want to give any spoilers but there is a
sad emotional event close to the end and I needed to lift the mood after it
without lessening its impact and importance to the story in any way. After a
few e-mails with Caroline my editor, I re-wrote the ending to make sure it
ended in a positive way.
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 season?
Jennie:
Becoming by
Michelle Obama has been sitting on my bedside table waiting for me to pick it
up and start for months now. I really do want to read it but it’s such a big
book and a huge commitment in time. My husband has read and enjoyed it and
keeps telling me to make time for it.
Arabella: You’ve arranged to meet up with friends and family for an
afternoon of fun. Where do you go and what do you do?
Jennie:
Well, I’d
magically transport all of us to Paris where my son’s partner - who knows Paris
like the back of her hand (for want of a better cliché) having lived there,
would give us a whirlwind tour of both the tourist sites and also take us to
arrondissements rarely seen by the tourists. One well known place I long to
visit and would definitely be included is Shakespeare and Co the iconic
bookshop. We could take a stroll along the Champs-Élysées and then to finish the afternoon / day off, we’d go
for a champagne supper on one of the river boat restaurants that cruise the
Seine.
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| Champagne Supper on the Seine |
Arabella: You have a choice of footwear: house
slippers, walking boots or high-heels.
Jennie:
As I’m a
shortie, barely five feet, I used to live in high heels but having sprained
both ankles badly more than once over the years the nearest I come to high
heels these days are wedgies. I don’t own a pair of slippers so that leaves me
with walking boots which I just happen to have bought a new pair of. We do a
lot of dog walking here!
Arabella: What about your future plans? Any books or
series in the making?
Jennie:
I have a
deadline of Nov 30th for my 2021 summer release with Boldwood Books, so I’m
going to be busy over the next few weeks because, shh, I haven’t started it
yet, although the idea is taking shape. It will be set between Devon and the
French Riviera and will involve three or four friends, a wedding and secrets
from the past.
Thank you so much Arabella for having me back on your
blog - I’ve enjoyed it this time round as much as before.
Jennie, it was so good to catch up with your book news and have yet another good-old “chit-chat”. Thank you once again for being such a super guest on the blog and also for
sharing some of your writing secrets with your readers. I hope you manage to make
it to your publishers’ submissions in-box by November the 30th. Meanwhile,
wishing you all the best for your latest release: A French Affair
Arabella
About
Jennifer Bohnet
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| Jennifer Bohnet - Author |
I find it hard to believe but I've lived in France now
for twenty-one years. After eleven years down on the Cote d'Azur where Richard
was a guardien for a villa, we moved from the Mediterranean coast to a small
quirky cottage in the depths of Brittany. A bit of a culture shock to say the
least! I've sold hundreds of shorts stories to the women's magazine market in
the UK, Australia, Sweden, Norway, Denmark - I even had my own newspaper column
in a group of local Devon papers at one time. My latest book A French Affair is published by
Boldwood Books on 4th August.
Website
and Social Media Links:
Bookbub: jennifer-bohnet
Book
Blurb: A
French Affair
Belinda
Marshall’s
idyllic teenage life in Brittany, France, fell apart when her parents
dramatically separated and her mother took her back to England. Fast forward thirty-five years when Belinda’s world is once again turned upside down.
It’s the week before Christmas and
Belinda's employer 'surprises’ her by asking for her help to rejuvenate
their latest investment, a run-down campsite in Brittany. Memories and
anxieties that had lain dormant for years suddenly begin to resurface. As
secrets from a lost life threaten to overwhelm her, there is a realisation that
maybe she wasn’t told the whole truth by her mother all
those years ago.
Can Belinda reconcile her emotions and find happiness
once more in the place she so loved and called home?
Release
Date 4th August 2020 in all formats:
e-book, paperback and audio
Fascinating to find out more about you and your writing, Jennie. I didn't realise you were a short story writer as well. sadly that market is virtually gone but your novels keep you busy. They look as though they have a great feel good theme. Well done on your efforts and success.
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