Interview & GIVEAWAY with Harper Impulse author, Linn B. Halton....



 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.




Thank you so much, Rachel – a virtual hug from me! xx


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.

Goodreads Author Page: http://ow.ly/mk3H30atV5h

COMPETITION (no purchase necessary)
A pamper kit (UK ONLY)

2 comments

  1. 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

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Haha!! Great to have you here & yep, I'm busy...help 😩😩

      Delete