Wednesday 25 September 2019

Welcome to Romance Author - Colette Kebell


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 Therapisthere 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 

Arabella: When writing a novel, how do you work? Are you a plotter or pantser?
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.
Arabella Sheen
www.arabellasheen.co.uk  


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
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.


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 Greenavailable 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
Espanol "Mision Impecable" http://mybook.to/MisionImpecable 
Portuguese " A Terapeuta de Moda e Estilo"  http://mybook.to/TME 

For updates on further books go to www.colettekebell.com, All Rights Reserved 

1 comment:

  1. Thanks so much for a lovely chit chat, Arabella :) Hope your readers enjoyed my answers :) Have a fantastic weekend :) xx

    ReplyDelete

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