Wednesday 12 June 2019

Welcome to Contemporary Author - Daisy James

I’m delighted to welcome Daisy James to my blog.


Hello Daisy, Thank you for joining me on Arabella’s Blog and Chit-Chat today. Before we discover more about - Summer Dreams at Villa Limoncello - here are a few questions which will hopefully give your readers a chance to get to know you a little better and discover 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?
Daisy: Hi Arabella, a huge thank you for having me as a guest on your blog today - it’s great to be here. So, yes, I’m a member of the Society of Authors as well as the Romantic Novelists Association, both of which I find incredibly supportive. I’ve met some really good friends at the meetings organised by the RNA, people who really understand what life as a writer of romance is like and who are willing to share their own experiences, offer suggestions, or just listen and offer advice. I’m really looking forward to attending the Afternoon Tea party in York this year – I had such fun last year!


Arabella: Where do you read? Sofa or bed or ____?
Daisy: Both! I have a very comfortable sofa in our bay window which faces south and gets lots of sunshine so that’s my favourite place to read during the day. I do love to read in bed though – it’s the perfect way to wind down after a busy day at the computer.

Arabella: In your latest release, Wedding Bells at Villa Limoncello, who is your favourite character and why?
Daisy: Can I choose two characters? I love the main character Izzie Jenkins because she’s in such turmoil after the loss of her twin sister, battling a myriad of emotions such a traumatic event produces. However, I also adore Carlotta, a local Italian chef who is not only a whizz in the kitchen but also the local, unofficial matchmaker that Izzie comes into contact with. She understands Izzie straight away and she’s exactly what Izzie needs to start to move on.

Arabella: When writing a novel, how do you work? Are you a plotter or pantser?
Daisy: I’m definitely a plotter. I write with a pen and paper, and hundreds of post-it notes and index cards and notebooks – a writer can never have too many notebooks, right? There’s never any worries about what to buy me as a gift!

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?
Daisy: Definitely number 3! I’m not a lover of the gym – I prefer to walk through the woods, or stroll in the park, or take a cycle ride. Also, for some unfathomable reason, I’m not keen on being pampered at the beauty salon. But I do love a good meal out at a restaurant – preferably a family-run business rather than a chain.


Arabella: Which do you prefer to wear: beach shorts and top, a long evening skirt and blouse, pyjamas and slippers?
Daisy: I’m a jeans and tee-shirt sort of girl – comfort is a must when you’re sat at a computer all day, although I do like to dress up occasionally, but it would be a short dress rather than a long evening skirt & blouse.

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?
Daisy: My favourite genre for holiday reading is Travel autobiographies – stories written by people who have journeyed to all four corners of the world, then written about their adventures. I love Anne Mustoe’s story about cycling around the world, and I enjoyed reading More Ketchup than Salsa by Joe Cawley and the wonderfully titled Driving Over Lemons by Chris Stewart.

Arabella: What about your future plans? Any books or series in the making?
Daisy: Summer Dreams at Villa Limoncello is due out on 13th June, then there’s a Christmas book in the series due out in September. I’m busy planning my next series too for next year – research is the part I love the most I think!

Daisy, it was great having you as a guest on the blog and I hope your readers have enjoyed reading some of your secrets. I too loved reading Chris Stewart's adventures and his endeavours of self-sufficiency in Driving Over Lemons. Good luck with Summer Dreams at Villa Limoncello.
Best wishes and happy-ever-after writing...
Arabella Sheen
www.arabellasheen.co.uk 

About Daisy James
Daisy James is a Yorkshire girl transplanted to the north east of England. She loves writing stories with strong heroines and swift-flowing plotlines. When not scribbling away in her peppermint-and-green summerhouse (garden shed), she spends her time sifting flour and sprinkling sugar and edible glitter. She loves gossiping with friends over a glass of something pink and fizzy or indulging in a spot of afternoon tea – china plates and teacups are a must.


Book Blurb - Summer Dreams at Villa Limoncello
Escape to Villa Limoncello… where dreams come true in the most unexpected ways.
Izzie Jenkins never expected to find herself living in a gorgeous oasis in Tuscany but when life gives you Villa Limoncello you say thank you and bake treats to celebrate!
Izzie and debonair chef Luca Castelotti are officially setting up shop together but when their inaugural ‘Pasta and Painting’ venture is sabotaged and one of their guests poisoned they’re forced to turn detective. Because if they can’t find the culprit, they’ll be out of business before they’ve even begun...
A gorgeous holiday read.



2 comments:

  1. Thank you for being a guest on my blog, Daisy.
    I hope you had fun...
    Arabella Sheen

    ReplyDelete
  2. A massive thank you for having me, Arabella. I had lots of fun answering your questions. Love Daisy xx

    ReplyDelete

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