A family is threatened by an irresistible attraction in this compelling debut that will appeal to fans of Liane Moriarty and Anita Shreve.
Looking back on it now, I can see it was instant. The second we locked eyes. Boom. Just like that. The me I had spent a lifetime perfecting began its disintegration from that moment. And despite the carnage it brought to all our lives, I still don’t regret it.
What would you risk to be with the love of your life? And what if your soul mate is the one who will destroy you?
Mel is living the dream. She’s a successful GP, married to a charming anaesthetist and raising a beautiful family in their plush home in Perth. But when she boards a flight to Melbourne, she meets Matt and her picture perfect Stepford life unravels as she falls in love for the first time ever.
What begins as a flirty conversation between strangers quickly develops into a hot and obsessive affair with disastrous consequences neither Mel nor Matt could have ever seen coming. Mel’s dream life turns into her worst nightmare.
Love at First Flight will take everything you believe about what true love is and spin it on its head.
Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book?
This is my debut and it’s about a woman who risks everything when she comes to the realisation that her seemingly perfect life is missing something important – passion.
Mel is living the dream. She’s a successful GP, married to a charming anaesthetist and raising a beautiful family in their plush home in Perth. But when she boards a flight to Melbourne, she meets Matt and her picture perfect Stepford life unravels as she falls in love for the first time ever.
What begins as a flirty conversation between strangers quickly develops into a hot and obsessive affair with disastrous consequences neither Mel nor Matt could have ever seen coming. Mel’s dream life turns into her worst nightmare.
What inspired you to write it?
I've always been inspired by the tragic love story, the story of great love that just can't be. My favourite book The Bridges of Madison County stayed with me years after reading it and played on my mind. Then I read Twilight and out of nowhere I had to write my own book. Before this I had never entertained the idea of writing. But the longing in Twilight and the knowing that the one you love is the one that is dangerous for you resonated with me and I just had to write about that. So with the themes of desire and danger, I wrote a book about a married mother, because I wanted to write of what I know. I wanted to bring the great love story into the world of the typical suburban mum who is chasing after kids, working and running a home. I wanted her to have that Romeo and Juliet moment. So I wrote 'Love at First Flight'.
How did you come up with the idea for the cover?
Is it part of a series or is it a stand-alone novel?
It’s a stand alone book, however Mel’s son, Nick, becomes an adult and tells his story in my next book Flat White With One.
Where is the novel set and why did you choose to set it there?
The novel is set in Perth and in Melbourne. These two Australian cities are where I have lived for most of my life so I know them really well and could easily create scenarios in recognisable places. I am parochial about Perth, especially our stunning coast line, since moving here twelve years ago, so I was happy at the excuse to gloat about it. Also, being inherently lazy when it comes to research, setting the book in Perth and Melbourne, meant that I had much less research to do!
What is it about this genre that appeals to you so much?
I love contemporary women’s fiction because I can easily relate to books that are set in today’s world with today’s issues. I love reading about strong women and seeing how they overcome their struggles. And I am in love with love so any romantic story will tug at my heart strings.
What made you want to become an author?
I didn’t plan on being an author, I was quite happily minding my own business being a physiotherapist. But these characters in my head refused to go away so I had to write their story.
How do you come up with character names?
The main characters, Mel, Matt, Adam and Lydia all came up with their own names. There was no conscious thought process, I would find myself introducing them into the story with their names pre-determined. The first draft only had these characters named. When I started writing the second draft, I began to name characters after my children and my friends or by using names that I liked.
Name one of your all-time favourite books?
The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller is my all-time favourite. The intense soul-mate connection between Francesca and Robert took my breath away and still does.
Who, or what, inspires you?
I’m inspired by the people I am closest to, my family and my close friends. I use a lot of what goes on in our lives to inspire my writing. I’m inspired by stories of hoptor and stories of survival. I love the underdog.
Where is your favourite place to write?
Snuggled up in bed. I’ve tried to be bohemian and trendy and take my laptop to hipster cafes to write, but I am just too distractible and get nothing done. I need to be tucked up in bed, late at night, hubby snoring peacefully next to me and that’s where I do my best work.
What is your favourite movie that was based on a book?
Renee Zellweger made me fall in love with Bridget Jones even more so than when I read the book Bridget Jones’ Diary. Watching her squeeze into nanna sized knickers and make blue food was cinematic gold.
Name two of your favourite authors.
That’s easy- Maeve Binchy and Marian Keyes. I love these two Irish ladies so much!
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I am completely obsessed with the Real Housewives of Beverley Hills. I read their blogs, I follow them of Facebook and my heart goes all aflutter every time any one of them tweets anything!
Who would play you in the movie about your life?
What would you risk to be with the love of your life? And what if your soul mate is the one who will destroy you?
Mel is living the dream. She’s a successful GP, married to a charming anaesthetist and raising a beautiful family in their plush home in Perth. But when she boards a flight to Melbourne, she meets Matt and her picture perfect Stepford life unravels as she falls in love for the first time ever.
What begins as a flirty conversation between strangers quickly develops into a hot and obsessive affair with disastrous consequences neither Mel nor Matt could have ever seen coming. Mel’s dream life turns into her worst nightmare.
Love at First Flight will take everything you believe about what true love is and spin it on its head.
Can you tell us a little bit about your latest book?
This is my debut and it’s about a woman who risks everything when she comes to the realisation that her seemingly perfect life is missing something important – passion.
Mel is living the dream. She’s a successful GP, married to a charming anaesthetist and raising a beautiful family in their plush home in Perth. But when she boards a flight to Melbourne, she meets Matt and her picture perfect Stepford life unravels as she falls in love for the first time ever.
What begins as a flirty conversation between strangers quickly develops into a hot and obsessive affair with disastrous consequences neither Mel nor Matt could have ever seen coming. Mel’s dream life turns into her worst nightmare.
What inspired you to write it?
I've always been inspired by the tragic love story, the story of great love that just can't be. My favourite book The Bridges of Madison County stayed with me years after reading it and played on my mind. Then I read Twilight and out of nowhere I had to write my own book. Before this I had never entertained the idea of writing. But the longing in Twilight and the knowing that the one you love is the one that is dangerous for you resonated with me and I just had to write about that. So with the themes of desire and danger, I wrote a book about a married mother, because I wanted to write of what I know. I wanted to bring the great love story into the world of the typical suburban mum who is chasing after kids, working and running a home. I wanted her to have that Romeo and Juliet moment. So I wrote 'Love at First Flight'.
How did you come up with the idea for the cover?
I didn’t! The wonderful team at HarperCollins did and I was so excited to see my beautiful cover that I cried.
Is it part of a series or is it a stand-alone novel?
It’s a stand alone book, however Mel’s son, Nick, becomes an adult and tells his story in my next book Flat White With One.
Where is the novel set and why did you choose to set it there?
The novel is set in Perth and in Melbourne. These two Australian cities are where I have lived for most of my life so I know them really well and could easily create scenarios in recognisable places. I am parochial about Perth, especially our stunning coast line, since moving here twelve years ago, so I was happy at the excuse to gloat about it. Also, being inherently lazy when it comes to research, setting the book in Perth and Melbourne, meant that I had much less research to do!
What is it about this genre that appeals to you so much?
I love contemporary women’s fiction because I can easily relate to books that are set in today’s world with today’s issues. I love reading about strong women and seeing how they overcome their struggles. And I am in love with love so any romantic story will tug at my heart strings.
What made you want to become an author?
I didn’t plan on being an author, I was quite happily minding my own business being a physiotherapist. But these characters in my head refused to go away so I had to write their story.
How do you come up with character names?
The main characters, Mel, Matt, Adam and Lydia all came up with their own names. There was no conscious thought process, I would find myself introducing them into the story with their names pre-determined. The first draft only had these characters named. When I started writing the second draft, I began to name characters after my children and my friends or by using names that I liked.
Name one of your all-time favourite books?
The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller is my all-time favourite. The intense soul-mate connection between Francesca and Robert took my breath away and still does.
Who, or what, inspires you?
I’m inspired by the people I am closest to, my family and my close friends. I use a lot of what goes on in our lives to inspire my writing. I’m inspired by stories of hoptor and stories of survival. I love the underdog.
Where is your favourite place to write?
Snuggled up in bed. I’ve tried to be bohemian and trendy and take my laptop to hipster cafes to write, but I am just too distractible and get nothing done. I need to be tucked up in bed, late at night, hubby snoring peacefully next to me and that’s where I do my best work.
What is your favourite movie that was based on a book?
Renee Zellweger made me fall in love with Bridget Jones even more so than when I read the book Bridget Jones’ Diary. Watching her squeeze into nanna sized knickers and make blue food was cinematic gold.
Name two of your favourite authors.
That’s easy- Maeve Binchy and Marian Keyes. I love these two Irish ladies so much!
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
I am completely obsessed with the Real Housewives of Beverley Hills. I read their blogs, I follow them of Facebook and my heart goes all aflutter every time any one of them tweets anything!
Who would play you in the movie about your life?
 |
| Screenshot of Nia Vardalos in My Big Fat Greek Wedding |
I would love Nia Vardalos to play me. Out of everyone in Hollywood, she reminds me the most of myself.
Tell us an interesting fact about where you live.
I live on the north coast of Perth in Western Australia. Every evening we have the privilege of watching the world’s most amazing sunset over the Indian Ocean.
What are your (writing) plans for the future?
I’m just about to get cracking on my second novel. Hopefully the ideas flow freely and I have more books in me.
Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list.
To eat a lamb souvlaki on the balcony overlooking the Mediterranean Sea in a beautiful villa on the Greek Island of Santorini.
Favourite myth / fairytale?
Cinderella – I mean really, is there even any competition?
Who/What did you want to be when you were a kid?
I wanted to be an actress, a writer, a doctor, a teacher, you name it. More than anything though, even when I was very young, I wanted to grow up, get married and become a mum.
Tell us an interesting fact about where you live.
I live on the north coast of Perth in Western Australia. Every evening we have the privilege of watching the world’s most amazing sunset over the Indian Ocean.
What are your (writing) plans for the future?
I’m just about to get cracking on my second novel. Hopefully the ideas flow freely and I have more books in me.
Tell us one thing that's on your bucket list.
To eat a lamb souvlaki on the balcony overlooking the Mediterranean Sea in a beautiful villa on the Greek Island of Santorini.
Favourite myth / fairytale?
Cinderella – I mean really, is there even any competition?
Who/What did you want to be when you were a kid?
I wanted to be an actress, a writer, a doctor, a teacher, you name it. More than anything though, even when I was very young, I wanted to grow up, get married and become a mum.
Tess Woods is a health professional who lives in Perth, Australia with one husband, two children, one dog and one cat who rules over all of them. Love at First Flight is her first novel. When she isn't working or being a personal assistant to her kids, Tess enjoys reading and all kinds of grannyish pleasures like knitting, baking, drinking tea, watching Downton Abbey and tending to the veggie patch.
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