One of the great things about having become a published novelist is that it’s put me in touch with so many people. And one of those, Marilyn Chapman, has asked me to be part of THE NEXT BIG THING. Marilyn has written about her own NBT on her very excellent blog http://guernseygirlie.blogspot.com/ Do take a look and see what treats you’ll have in store some day soon.

So, here are my answers to the ten questions I was asked about my own NBT

1. WHAT IS THE WORKING TITLE OF YOUR BOOK?

No Turning Back.

2. WHERE DID THE IDEA FOR THIS BOOK COME FROM?

It’s a sequel to my debut novel, TO TURN FULL CIRCLE.

3. WHAT GENRE DOES YOUR BOOK FALL INTO?

Historical romance.

4. WHAT ACTORS WOULD PLAY YOUR CHARACTERS IN A FILM OF YOUR BOOK?

I think Tom Ellis would be perfect for Seth – he’s dark-haired, good-looking and a very decent sort of chap. Oh, and quite sexy with it. Kara Tointon would be perfect as Emma, I think – she has an inner-strength look about her. And she can dance – there’s dancing in my  book! As you’ve probably noticed I want to keep this an all British production!

5. WHAT IS THE ONE SENTENCE SYNOPSIS OF YOUR BOOK?

What price will Emma put on loyalty?

6. WILL YOUR BOOK BE SELF-PUBLISHED OR REPRESENTED BY AN AGENCY?

NO TURNING BACK will be published by Choc Lit, I’m very pleased to say. Choc Lit is a small publishing house, but perfectly formed! Choc Lit writers have won – or been shortlisted for – many awards. I am proud to be part of the ‘family’.

7. HOW LONG DID IT TAKE YOU TO WRITE THE FIRST DRAFT OF YOUR MANUSCRIPT?

About nine months – but a lot happened in those nine months and I didn’t sit at my desk tapping away every day.

8. WHAT OTHER BOOKS WOULD YOU COMPARE THIS STORY TO WITHIN YOUR GENRE?

I don’t like to compare myself to anyone, really. I wrote what I wanted to write in the way I wanted to write it. But, that said, readers and reviewers have been very kind and likened me to Catherine Cookson, Thomas Hardy, Jane Austen and Charles Dickens – in my dreams!

9. WHAT OR WHO INSPIRED YOU TO WRITE THIS BOOK?

Readers and reviewers! So many people said they didn’t want Emma’s story in TO TURN FULL CIRCLE to end where it does. And if I’m honest, neither did I.

10. WHAT ELSE ABOUT YOUR BOOK MIGHT PIQUE THE READER’S INTEREST?

Emma’s story doesn’t end with this book either – there’s more to come!

I’m passing on the baton of THE NEXT BIG THING to Michelle Heatley. Michelle lives in Devon and has recently signed a contract with Sunpenny for her first novel which will be out in summer 2013. But that’s enough about that from me …I’ll let Michelle tell you all about it. http://fishsoupnovel.blogspot.co.uk/

And as I’m a Choc Lit author where all our heroes are like chocolate, here’s a picture of a cake I made for my grandchildren last Easter. We all love chocolate cake, don’t we?