Quick Fire Questions with Angela Britnell

Decided to catch up with my fellow author on the other side of the Atlantic, for some quick fire questions….

Vodka and Coke or Malibu and Coke?

Neither! I hate Coke and Malibu is too sweet for my taste. Is it all right if I please have a nice, cold glass of white wine, a G&T or a margarita (on the rocks with no salt) instead?

Novella or novel?

It depends what I’m in the mood for – sometimes a shorter story hits the spot and on other occasions I want to dive into something longer.

Series or stand alone?

I read a lot of mysteries and am working my way through two different several detective series at the moment – Kate Ellis and her DI Wesley Peterson series, and Elly Griffiths with the Ruth Galloway stories. I’m also perfectly happy with stand alone books by either new or favourite authors.

Nestle or Cadburys?

It has to be Cadburys – I’m a big fan of Crunchy bars their Fruit and Nut. Also I could eat Galaxy Minstrels by the ton!

A friend once told me to heat Minstrels over a bowl of warm water and it makes their inside go all running CS

Rock music or pop music?

Generally speaking I’m more of pop music fan – Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Lewis Capaldi are all on my playlists.

Reality TV or Documentary?

I do watch some reality shows, but I’ve never seen the Kardashians, the Bachelor or any shows along those lines. I don’t think you have the show in the UK but I love The Amazing Race, mainly for the travel aspect. I do enjoy programmes that you could maybe call light documentaries – like Tony Robinson’s walks around the UK, so ones that show what life was like in say a medieval village or Victorian farm.

Christmas or Easter?

That’s a tricky one but I think I’ll go for Easter because the weather is usually better, it involves plenty of chocolate and there’s less cooking and decorating the house involved!

Snow or Rain?

Snow is pretty to look out at but I’m not a fan of actually having to go out in it! Rain I’m far more used to, growing up in Cornwall we rarely saw much of the white stuff but there was never a shortage of rain.

Summer or autumn?

Here in Tennessee it has to be autumn. The colour of the changing leaves and usually perfect temperatures make it hard to beat. On the other hand the long, hot and humid summer weather turns me practically into a hermit!

Staycation or abroad?

There are plenty of interesting places in the US I’ve yet to see, but I’m not sure I’d call it a staycation as many are as far away, or further, than anyone living in the UK would go when travelling ‘abroad’. We usually come to Cornwall twice a year and have just booked our next trip for the spring.

Sunset or sunrise?

Sunset.

Fly or drive (on holiday)?

I’m not a fan of long car trips, although I’ve learned to tolerate them as the distances you need to travel here to see new places are often a lot further than they would be in the UK. Flying isn’t much fun these days but at least most of the time it gets you there faster.

Brown paper or shiny wrapping paper?

Shiny wrapping paper every time! I might not be as good for the planet but it’s so much prettier.

Early morning or late at night?

I’m a complete morning person and getting more so with age! My days of staying up late and partying are long gone 😊

Neighbours or Home and Away?

I’ve never watched either show. I grew up watching Coronation Street, my mum was a devoted follower and never missed an episode.

Can a little Cornish village panto convince a troubled Hollywood heart throb to act again?

Oh no it won’t! At least that’s what Zach Broussard initially thinks when the eccentric Anna Teague tries to railroad him into helping out with her community pantomime production in the run-up to Christmas. Zach has his reasons for leaving Hollywood behind, and his retreat to the remote village of Polcarne in Cornwall signals the start of a new acting free life for him.

But when Zach meets Anna’s daughter, Rosey – an ex concert pianist who has swapped Mozart for panto tunes – he starts to wonder whether he could change his mind, and not just about acting.

If nothing else, will the residents of Polcarne ensure Zach has a Christmas he never forgets?

Oh yes they will!

 

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You can keep up with all things Angela Britnell related

@AngelaBritnell                       Angela Britnell

www.angelabritnellromance.com

Angela Britnell’s other books can be found here.

Check out my other blog posts with Angela Britnell’s

Which Books… Angela Britnell

Angela has a new book coming out TOMORROW! So I sat down with her for a chat about her favorite books

So here we go…

Which book do you wish you’d written. 

I suppose it’s a bit of a cliché to say Pride & Prejudice but it’s true – to me it’s close to perfect.

Which book cover have you looked at and gone that’s amazing.

There are so many it’s hard to choose but I’ll go for Garden Spells by Sarah Addison Allen – you’ve probably never heard of it but it’s a wonderful read and I think the cover fits the story so well. 

Which book character/s would you protect from the world.

At the beginning of my new book ‘Spring on Rendezvous Lane’ Chip, the young son of my heroine is quite vulnerable – he often doesn’t “get” how the world and other people work and where his place is in it all – making me and his family and friends want to protect him. As the story progresses he begins to blossom but you’ll have to read the book to find out his full story.

Which was the last book that broke your heart.

Perhaps I shouldn’t admit this but for a romance writer I’m not an overly emotional person – occasionally something I read might give me a lump in my throat but to say it broke my heart would be exaggerating.

Which book would you make children read.

I don’t think you can or should make anybody read anything – I spent many happy hours reading to my three boys and encouraged them to read widely when they were able to do so but after that it was up to them.

Which book would you rewrite in a different genre.

I would rewrite Bluebell’s Christmas Magic as a historical gothic novel, give the ghostly grey friar a central part in the story and make Belthorn Manor a much creepier and scarier place!

If you could write any genre which one would it be.

I’m going to be cheeky and pass on this one because I honestly can’t think of one!

If you could redesign any book cover which one would you choose.

Definitely my first book ‘Truth and Consequence’ which looked as though it was designed by a five-year-old playing with Photoshop.

Which book taught you the largest lesson about life.

That’s a challenging question but I’m going off on a tangent to say it must be the first book I ever read for myself – don’t ask me what it was because it’s lost in the mists of time but that set me on the path to being a voracious reader and later on a writer. To my mind literacy is the most crucial skill because if you can’t or don’t get the opportunity to master it so much else in life is out of reach.

Which three books would you take on holiday in 2021.

Holiday? Is that wishful thinking? The first trips we’ll take when it’s safe to travel probably won’t allow much time for reading but I’ll optimistically pick the new Harlan Coben – Win, Australian author Jane Harper – The Survivors and Phillipa Ashley – An Endless Cornish Summer.

 

 

Can even the most seasoned traveller find a home on Rendezvous Lane?

‘Community spirit’ is not a phrase in travel junkie Taran Rossi’s vocabulary. As a former ‘third culture kid’ and now spicy street food connoisseur and social media influencer, he’s never really stayed in one place long enough to feel part of a community. And that’s just the way he likes it.

But a springtime stint house sitting for his grandmother on Rendezvous Lane in East Nashville could lead to a long overdue wake-up call. With the help of single mum Sandy Warner and her young son Chip, can Taran come to understand that sometimes it’s not about the place – it’s about the people?

 

 

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You can keep up with all things Angela Britnell related

@AngelaBritnell                      Angela Britnell

 

 

www.angelabritnellromance.com

 

 

Angela Golley Britnell

 

 

Angela’s other books can be found here.

 

Check out my Meet The Family post with Angela HERE!

 

Christmas at Moonshine Hollow – Angela Britnell

Did someone say it’s nearly Christmas? There are only 45 days to go!!!!

 

Welcome back Angela, I’m looking forward to catching up and talking about all things Christmas and of course your new book

 

 

Are you a lover or hater of Christmas Angela?

Can I please be a little bit of both because I suspect that’s the way most people are?

What are your likes and dislikes about Christmas?

Love – the true meaning behind the season and spending time with family especially seeing the excitement in my grandchildren’s eyes.

Hate – the overly commercial event it’s become and sappy Christmas songs and films. If anyone wanted to torture information out of me just lock me in a room and play ‘White Christmas’ or make me watch ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ and I’ll tell you anything!

Do you have any Christmas traditions, if so what are they are they carried on from your childhood or have you created your own?

When I married my American husband our festive traditions were very different but we’ve adapted many of them along with making ones of our own in the best tradition of trans-Atlantic romance. That’s why we always have crackers on the table and eat roast potatoes and sprouts with our roast turkey along with southern dressing and sweet potato casserole!

Do you think we’ll have a white Christmas this year?

I don’t remember having a white Christmas growing up in Cornwall and it’s doubtful we’ll have one here in Nashville it’s more likely to be mild and damp.

What is your earliest Christmas memory?

Being excited about finding the silver sixpence in the Christmas pudding and it was only years later that I realised that I always found it thanks to my indulgent parents!

What was the best present you received as a child?

My aunt hand sewed a shoe box full of clothes for my Sindy doll and they were so unique and special – my only regret is that I didn’t hold onto them.

What was the one present you always wanted but never got?

I can’t remember anything in particular which some people might say was because I was a spoiled only child!

What is your favourite Christmas carol and Pop Song?

I love traditional carols and although it’s hard to choose I’ll plump for ‘Oh Come all ye Faithful’ preferably sung in a packed church with an organ and a couple of trumpets thrown in for good measure.

If you were asked to guest DJ on a national radio station on Christmas day what would you play?

I think I might go out on a limb and not play anything related to Christmas – there are plenty of places people can listen to Christmas music so maybe my listeners would prefer some summery Beach Boys songs along with some rousing Queen and Abba hits for good measure.

What would you buy the main characters in Christmas at Moonshine Hollow for Christmas?

Cole gives Jenna a very special present in my book but I can’t spoil things and tell you what it is.

If I was buying them something I’d choose something related to the history of moonshine for Cole – a friend of mine has a small antique still she uses as a fireplace decoration that would be perfect for Cole’s house.

I think Jenna would appreciate a gift card to visit all the beautiful Tennessee state parks when spring comes around.

 

 

Christmas at Moonshine Hollow

Mistletoe and moonshine: a Christmas match made in heaven?

Moonshine Hollow’s famous ‘Lightning Flash’ might be an acquired taste, although the same could be said for moonshine distillery owner Cole Landon, what with his workaholic habits and ‘Scrooge’ tendencies when it comes to all things Christmassy.

But when Jenna Pendean from Cornwall pays a visit to Cole’s family-run distillery in Tennessee during the holiday season, will Cole’s cynicism about the existence of Christmas miracles be put to the test?

 

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Angela grew up in Cornwall, England and returns frequently from her new home in Nashville, Tennessee to visit family and friends, drink tea and eat far too many Cornish pasties!

A lifelong love of reading turned into a passion for writing contemporary romance and her novels are usually set in the many places she’s visited or lived on her extensive travels. Thanks to over three decades of marriage to her wonderful American husband she’s a huge fan of transatlantic romance and always makes sure her characters get their own happy-ever-after.

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Romance Writers of America and the Music City Romance Writers. Her first novel ‘Truth and Consequence’ was published in 2006 and she’s now had over 30 novels published internationally and several short stories in women’s magazines.

If you’d like to find out more of what Angela gets up to (Advance warning: this may include references to wine, dark chocolate, Poldark and the hunky Aidan Turner)

@AngelaBritnell          Angela Britnell

 

 

Angela Golley Britnell

 

 

www.angelabritnellromance.com

 

 

Check out Angela’s other books on the Choc Lit website

Meet The Family – Angela Britnell

 

Today, I have caught up with Angela Britnell to learn about how Cornwall has an influence on her work!

 

Hi Angela and welcome to my blog “A Story About A Girl” I was so excited to get to sit down and chat to another member of the Choc-Lit family and learn all about you and what you have in store for us.

 

What inspired you to write “A Summer to Remember in Herring Bay?”

This book, along with many of my others, is inspired by Cornwall where I was born and my own long, happy transatlantic marriage. Aspects of Mevagissey, a Cornish fishing village where my mother lived definitely sneaked into this story and there’s also an abandoned Methodist chapel in the book that’s similar to one in the village where I grew up.

What made you decide to submit with ChocLit?

Back in 2013 (I think!) Choc Lit held a Search for an American Star competition and I entered what turned out to be the winning manuscript. After a name change it became Sugar and Spice, my first Choc Lit novel and now A Summer to Remember in Herring Bay will be my twelfth.

If you could go back to when you first started writing what one piece advice would you give yourself?

Find a local writers’ group and/or join an organisation like the Romantic Novelists’ Association or Romance Writers of America because the support and the amount you can learn from other writers is invaluable

If you weren’t writing what would you be doing?

I’m not sure at this stage, probably thinking about retirement!

How did you deal with rejections when you started out?

At first they were extremely hard to take but with time I’ve been able to view them less personally. I know that as a reader I enjoy some books and dislike others which means it’s the same way for an editor/publisher reading one of my manuscripts. Plus they are looking at whether my story fits with their business model and whether they believe it to be marketable

What would you say to someone who wants to write?

Write every day, the length of time isn’t important and it doesn’t matter if it’s good or bad but get the words down. Learn more about the craft through books, writing groups etc. but always keep in the back of your mind that what works for one writer might not for you. After listening to other writers talking about their methods I tried to plot my stories but it was an exercise in frustration where I was concerned. I concluded it wasn’t for me and that’s perfectly okay.

Do you have any writing routines or rituals if so what are they?

Before I start to write I do what I call the business side of things and check my email and social media. That can become a wander around Facebook, Twitter etc. if I don’t rein myself in! Next it depends what stage I’m at in a book. If I’m in hard core first draft mode I usually do a light edit of the previous days’ words before keeping going. I keep track of my daily words written and usually challenge myself to reach a certain number but don’t beat myself up if I miss it! It could also involve doing research or reading my manuscript on my Kindle to see how it is coming together. The most important ritual though involves tea and biscuits at frequent intervals.

Which authors inspired you to write?

It’s hard to say because I’ve always been a voracious reader so I suppose I’ve soaked up a lot from various authors without being aware of it. Anyone who can tell a good story that I don’t want to put down and am sorry when the book finishes is the best answer I can come up with!

Who would you want to play the main characters in your book if your novel was optioned for tv / film?

No one who knows me will be surprised when I say Aidan Turner to play Ruan but he’s the perfect age plus it needs a man who can carry off fashionable clothes the right way. I’m sure he would need input from the author to help with his character too J As for Essy I think Reese Witherspoon could pull it off, she’s a southern girl so the accent wouldn’t be a problem.

What can we expect to see from you in the future?

I’ve just finished a Christmas novella titled Mistletoe and Moonshine and will soon go back to work on a spring book I started a while ago.

More About Angela

Angela grew up in Cornwall, England and returns frequently from her new home in Nashville, Tennessee to visit family and friends, drink tea and eat far too many Cornish pasties!

A lifelong love of reading turned into a passion for writing contemporary romance and her novels are usually set in the many places she’s visited or lived on her extensive travels. Thanks to over three decades of marriage to her wonderful American husband she’s a huge fan of transatlantic romance and always makes sure her characters get their own happy-ever-after.

She is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, the Romance Writers of America and the Music City Romance Writers. Her first novel ‘Truth and Consequence’ was published in 2006 and she’s now had over 30 novels published internationally and several short stories in women’s magazines.

AngelaBritnell             Angela Britnell

 

 

Angela Golley Britnell

 

 

Angela Britnell Romance

 

 

 

Essy Havers is good at finding things. Her company specialises in helping clients track down anything, from missing china pieces to rare vintage clothing. But now Essy has something more important to find: herself.

Essy has always been curious about her mother’s secret past and her Cornish roots. So, when the opportunity arises, she hops on a plane in Tennessee and ends up in Herring Bay in Cornwall; the village where her mother grew up.
But once there, she’s mystified by the reactions of the villagers when they realise who she is. Was Essy’s decision to visit Cornwall a mistake, or will it lead to a summer she’ll never forget?

 

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Check out Angela Britnell on the Choc-Lit website for more information on her  books!