Hi Linn! So lovely to have you here and to be a part of your ongoing tour - I'm looking forward to catching up with you and your work. Let's kick off with my questions...
Hi, Rachel, and thank you so much for being
a part of the Brook Cottage blog tour – it’s so lovely to be here!
1.
What do you wish men understood about women?
I don’t think it’s quite as simple as that,
if I’m being honest, because I also believe the reverse of that question is also
true, too. After all, I spend my days writing about how misunderstandings occur
because people don’t always communicate how they feel, or stop to see things
from the other person’s viewpoint! Emotional angst ensues and misunderstandings
– which always complicates the path to true love.
Thankfully, I’m married to a man who is
very romantic, loving and caring. He’s the first person I turn to with
everything in my life and I like to think that I found my perfect match, my
soul mate, because we both hold dear the same principles. And we are both
givers – to each other and our family/friends.
So, my wish would be that everyone realises
giving is far more rewarding than receiving. If you send out positive karma
in life, then it will come back to you. And you will attract people who also
have a very positive outlook. Life should be all about taking care of those you
love and trying your best to make your dreams come true. The saddest must be to
look back and wonder, ‘If only …’
2.
Do you only work on one book at a time?
Yes,
always. Having said that I began writing ‘The Secrets of Villa Rosso’ about
three years ago; I wrote about 8,000 words and put it aside. Four novels later
I was finally able to pick it back up again because I’d had one of those
‘illuminating’ moments. Suddenly I knew exactly HOW to tell what is a rather
complicated twist in the story.
Will that
happen again? I don’t think so, but you never know. When I begin a new story I
usually have no idea what is going to happen but with The Secrets of Villa
Rosso I knew the ending before I knew how I was going to get there! And that
was a first for me.
3.
Who is your favorite fictional couple?
Bella Swan and Edward Cullen from Stephenie Meyer’s Twilight Saga. I think their personal
relationship at the time really enhanced their roles and I was sad when they
broke up. Their on-screen chemistry was electric, as it was in the books.
4.
Do you have a favorite quote that sums up how you feel about
life?
'No
Man is an Island' by John Donne. Even though I love my quiet, alone time when
I’m writing (which accounts for a lot of hours over a typical week), people are what make life special.
Whether that’s family, friends, readers … and colleagues. Being active on
social media allows a writer to feel a part of a community and it’s a real shot
in the arm!
Another
line I say all the time is ‘grab life and run with it’, because I think the
only thing that holds us back is ourselves. And life flies by very quickly, so work
hard and see what you can achieve! Look at results as a bonus, not a right and
you will never be disappointed.
5.
Do you set daily writing goals? Word count? Number of
chapters? Do you get a chance to write every day?
I’m
never able to write every single day because at least one day a week I look
after a three and a seven-year-old, sometimes involving a weekend sleepover as
well. As you can imagine – nothing at all gets done. But if we aren’t involved
in family pursuits, or socialising, then I work more or less flat out. This includes evenings
and weekends, with the occasion ‘treat’ day to catch up with my favourite TV programmes.
I
begin writing a new story with either a title, or a one-liner idea so I have no
idea how long it will be, or how many chapters. The tale unfolds on the screen
in front of me and each new development is usually a surprise.
At
the moment, it looks likely that I will have four books out next year and maybe
also in 2019, so for the first time ever I’m having to set myself some word
count deadlines. Mainly because when the edits come in I drop everything and do
that exclusively. So, I aim for 2,000 words a day spread over four days a week
as that’s the minimum to allow me to get the new books written.
However,
I don’t write like that and what happens is that on writing days I reach out for my Kindle at 6am, or earlier, ask my
husband to get up and make coffee (he is my rock) and begin writing.
I’ll
write until mid-morning and then jump in the shower, get dressed and do the
first of my four walks of the day. Each one takes forty-five minutes and unless
it’s pouring with rain, in which case I do a little indoor exercise, that’s how
I manage to write intensively.
It’s
valuable thinking time, plus I tend to write from early right through until very
late. Sometimes through the night and cat-napping the next day to catch up. I
hate taking breaks, other than for meals and my walks. I also edit as I go, by
constantly re-reading sections before moving on. This means that I might write
ten thousand words in a day, so I’ll be way ahead of my target. It’s the way I
run my entire life because I like to be well-organised so that I can cope with
life’s little … or not so little ... interruptions!
6.
What do you like better,
Twitter or Facebook? Why?
Both, equally but for
different reasons. Facebook allows you to catch up with people and it’s more
socialable. Twitter is quick and easy to use and you get little surprises, like
a reader Tweeting how they are enjoying your book. It is always a shot in the
arm, because writers work really hard and we live for positive feedback to keep
us going!
While I’m under pressure,
firmly set on hitting all my targets, unfortunately I have to ration my time on
Facebook, as I could happily spend all day on there. But writing is my dream
and it’s only the hard work that is going to keep the dream alive. Plus, of
course, the wonderful readers who take time to buy and read my books, then post
reviews – for which I’m eternally grateful!
7.
What are you working on
now?
I have two books awaiting edits, but I’m currently writing a book
set predominantly in the UK and Athens. I did the research when we flew out to
Athens for a holiday in May this year. I’ve had to break off to do edits for
one of the two books coming out next year (I hope to have news to share on that
soon!) so feeling a little impatient to get back to it and see where the story
will take me next.
8. Tell us
about your latest release and where we can find it
Some places stay with you forever…
When Ellie Maddison is sent on a business trip to Southern Italy,
she's reminded why she loves her job – set amongst rolling vineyards and rich
olive groves, the beautiful Villa Rosso is the perfect escape from her life
back home. But what Ellie isn't prepared for is the instant connection she
feels to the estate's director Max Johnson, or the secrets they share that are
as intertwined as the rambling vines that cover Villa Rosso.
It's not long before Ellie finds herself entangled in the history
of the place, trying to understand the undeniable effect Max is having on her.
As their relationship grows, what will Ellie discover about this idyllic villa
and those who have walked through its doors?
What started as a simple work trip will change Ellie's life
forever.
‘I could almost
feel the warm sunshine and breathe in the fragrant scents - 5stars’ says VFamilyFun.co.uk.
THE SECRETS
OF VILLA ROSSO
BY LINN B HALTON
Genre:
Cosy mystery/romance
Release
Date:21 July 2017
Publisher:
Harper Impulse
The Secrets of Villa Rosso:
Escape to
Italy for a summer romance to remember
When Ellie
Maddison is sent on a business trip to Southern Italy, she's reminded why she
loves her job – set amongst rolling vineyards and rich olive groves, the
beautiful Villa Rosso is the perfect escape from her life back home. But what
Ellie isn't prepared for is the instant connection she feels to the estate's
director Max Johnson, or the secrets they share that are as intertwined as the
rambling vines that cover Villa Rosso.
It's not long
before Ellie finds herself entangled in the history of the place, trying to
understand the undeniable effect Max is having on her. As their relationship
grows, what will Ellie discover about this idyllic villa and those who have
walked through its doors?
What started
as a simple work trip will change Ellie's life forever.
BUY LINKS
KOBO:
EXTRACT
It isn’t just the sunshine and the electric blue sky, but
the musical calls of the countryside that reach out to me. A chorus of
low-level sounds play like a soft melody in the background. It’s breathtakingly
beautiful and I feel like I’m watching a re-run of a favourite film. I could
stand here for a long time simply taking in the detail and with each sweep of
my eyes noticing something new.
Spinning around I look back at the villa, taking in the
rustic beauty of the stonework and the pale orange-red hue of the sun-bleached
roof tiles. This is, quite simply, unreal. It’s a little piece of heaven and,
so far removed from my daily life that it’s hard to believe this is on the same
planet. The sheer scale of the landscape literally steals your breath away. I’m
a mere speck, small and insignificant in the grand scheme nature is presenting
to me. But rather bizarrely, it doesn’t feel alien in anyway at all. The
vastness isn’t overwhelming, but strangely comforting.
I walk back to a cluster of wooden tables surrounding a
small fountain and take a seat. As I dive into my bag to extract some
sunglasses, I hear a polite cough and look up at the face staring down at me.
‘Mrs Maddison? I’m Max, Max Johnson. Welcome to Villa
Rosso.’
I stand, automatically plastering a pleasant smile on my
surprised face as recognition kicks in. I know this man, I mean, I’ve met him
before. At least I think I have, but there’s nothing similar reflected back at
me, only a warm smile. The sort of smile that radiates out from mysteriously
deep, hazel eyes. We shake hands. He’s younger than I expected, probably in his
early forties and tall. Six foot something that’s for sure, because I feel he’s
towering over me.
‘I’m sorry to disturb you. I just wanted you to know that
I’m here at your disposal whenever you are ready to begin. Would you like me to
fetch you a coffee so you can sit for a while and enjoy the view?’
Although I knew he was British, his tan and elegant
demeanour lend an air of cosmopolitan sophistication. I would not have been at
all surprised if he had been Italian. He’s hovering politely and I still
haven’t answered him…
ABOUT LINN B HALTON
Bristol-born
Linn B Halton lives in the Forest of Dean, in the UK.
"I'm a
hopeless romantic, self-confessed chocaholic, and lover of strong coffee. For
me, life is about family, friends, writing ... and house renovation! Oh, and
the occasional glass of White Grenache..."
An Amazon UK
Top 100 best-selling author with A Cottage in the Country in November 2015,
Under the Stars and A Little Sugar, A Lot of Love also became best-sellers in
2016 & 2017. Linn's novels have been short-listed in the UK's Festival of
Romance and the eFestival of Words Book Awards. Linn won the 2013 UK Festival
of Romance: Innovation in Romantic Fiction award.
Linn writes
chick lit, women's contemporary fiction and psychic romance for Harper Impulse,
Choc Lit and Endeavour Press.
COMPETITION (no purchase necessary)
A pamper kit (UK ONLY)
Thank you so much for being on the tour, Rachel - lovely to be here again! Loved answering your questions and now I'm off to find out what you're up to - I can't keep up with you, lady! xx
ReplyDeleteHaha!! Great to have you here & yep, I'm busy...help 😩😩
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