Stepdog by Nicole Galland

From the author of The Fool’s Tale and I, Iago comes a disarmingly charming and warm-hearted “romcom” about a woman, her dog, and the man who has to prove that he is good enough for both of them.

Sara Renault fired Rory O’Connor from his part-time job at a Boston art museum, and in response, Rory—an Irish actor secretly nursing a crush on his beautiful boss—threw caution to the wind, leaned over, and kissed her. Now Sara and Rory are madly in love.
When Rory’s visa runs out on the cusp of his big Hollywood break, Sara insists that he marry her to get a green card. In a matter of weeks they’ve gone from being friendly work colleagues to a live-in couple, and it’s all grand . . . except for Sara’s dog, Cody, who had been a gift from Sara’s sociopath ex-boyfriend. Sara’s over-attachment to her dog is the only thing she and Rory fight about.
When Rory scores both his green card and the lead role in an upcoming TV pilot, he and Sara (and Cody) prepare to move to Los Angeles. But just before their departure, Cody is kidnapped by Sara’s ex—and it is entirely Rory’s fault. Sara is furious and broken-hearted. Desperate to get back into Sara’s good graces, Rory takes off and tracks Cody and the dog-napper to North Carolina. Can Rory rescue Cody and convince Sara that they belong together—with Cody—as a family? First they’ll need to survive a madcap adventure that takes them all across the heartland of America.
Stepdog is a refreshing and hilarious romantic comedy that asks: How far would you go for the one you love?
Amazon / Barnes and Noble / Book Depository / Books-A-Million / Indiebound / Powell's / iTunes / Kobo / Goodreads

Nicole Galland is the author of five previous novels: The Fool’s Tale, Revenge of the Rose, Crossed, I, Iago and Godiva. A native of Martha’s Vineyard, she graduated from Harvard University and studied Dramatic Literature at UC Berkeley, then divided her time between California and New York City for many years, before returning to the Vineyard to stay (except for when she’s somewhere else, like Boston). She is the co-founder of Shakespeare for the Masses at the Vineyard Playhouse, and writes a cheeky etiquette column for the Martha’s Vineyard Times. She is married to actor Billy Meleady and owns Leuco, a dog of splendid qualities.

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Author Interview with Tess Woods

Love at First Flight by Tess Woods
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?

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.

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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Hollywood's Golden Age: a guest post by Carla Caruso

I'm delighted to have the fabulous Carla Caruso here today. Carla is the author of rom-com mystery Pretty Famous (Harper Impulse) - isn't that cover divine?!

Anyway, I'm handing over the blog to her...

I’m a sucker for anything to do with Hollywood’s Golden Age.
Well, the last part of the period really, which extended from the end of the silent era in American cinema in the late 1920s to the early ‘60s when movies were being prolifically released by the studios.
I’ve got an Audrey Hepburn DVD box set comprising films like Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Roman Holiday, have binged on Alfred Hitchcock thrillers, read about Elizabeth Taylor and Richard Burton’s tumultuous relationship in the biography, Furious Love, and visited Grace Kelly haunts in Monaco.
So it’s no real surprise I’d one day weave this passion into a novel of my own! Which turned out to be the third in my ‘Astonvale’ rom-com mystery series, Pretty Famous. The series revolves around neat-freak professional organiser Celeste Pretty and her builder beau, Lenny Muscat, plus a different character from the well-heeled suburb of Astonvale each time and their ‘crush’.
This time Celeste’s nemesis, uber-blonde interior designer Imogen Karmel, got her time in the sun. Imogen just happens to be Grace Kelly-obsessed and her lifelong ambition is to marry a prince. (Her model mum dated one.) Then a mysterious guy, Hudson Addison, lands on Imogen’s doorstep and all signs point to him being a royal in hiding. There’s no way she’s letting Hunter out of her sight! But is he really who she thinks he is?
Interlaced with this is Celeste’s organising work at the home of a late 1950s screen star’s grandniece. Here, Celeste finds herself blowing away the cobwebs on a sixty-year-old Hollywood secret. Ooh, er!
Writing the book gave me plenty of excuses to read up on classic Hollywood stars for inspiration (Cindy De La Hoz has some fantastic books on everyone from Marilyn Monroe to Lucille Ball), plus watch films like Nicole Kidman’s Grace of Monaco. I have to admit the research wasn’t very hard work at all, nor was the writing. In fact, I had a ball. I hope readers will, too.
Get your copy of Pretty Famous from Harper Collins.

Carla Caruso was born in Adelaide, Australia, and only ‘escaped’ for three years to work as a magazine journalist and stylist in Sydney. Previously, she was a gossip columnist and fashion editor at Adelaide’s daily newspaper, The Advertiser. She has since freelanced for titles including Woman’s Day and Shop Til You Drop. These days, she plays mum to twin lads Alessio and Sebastian with hubby James. Visit www.carlacaruso.com.au or her blog, www.theunitalianwife.com.

Falling by Linn B. Halton

Falling: Angels Among Us book 1 – HarperImpulse paranormal romance novella by Linn B Halton

Ceri thinks she sees angels…everywhere. She struggles to keep separate what feels like two very different sides to her life. As a manager in an advertising company she’s been working with the gorgeous Alex for two years. The have a friendship based upon the image she portrays whilst she’s at work and it helps to keep her sane. One mad, crazy night spent sharing their secrets and a lot of wine result in them ending up in bed together and their relationship changes. When Alex explains that the reason he doesn’t date is because someone broke his heart, how can Ceri admit that she feels a deep connection to him?
Ceri knows she’s different. What she doesn’t fully appreciate is that her task in life is to correct a series of incidents that alter the course of many of the people's lives with whom she comes into contact. She’s simply putting right little errors that could ripple outwards and change the course of their destiny. However; when she finds herself getting pulled into things that happen around her, how can she prove that she really has made a difference? Is it all in her head?
She's alone for a reason; she's not meant to fall in love in her earthly life. Alex is supposed to cross paths with her and help Ceri during a phase where she begins to question the signs she’s being given. It's meant to be a turning point for them both—but in opposite directions. They are destined to travel very different paths…but Ceri doesn’t know that and neither does Alex…
“No one chooses to see angels, why would they?”

This is a romance story that explores the possibility of there being something more than just the ‘here and now’. If that were the case, how would it work? What keeps us on the path determined for us, when we have free will? How would the spirit world link with us as we go about our lives? Love is a powerful emotion, but can it change the course of someone’s destiny? Ceri is ‘Falling’...
Read chapter one http://linnbhalton.co.uk/falling/
Buy from Amazon

My Review
This really is a charming tale of one woman's 'battle' with something she doesn't feel able to talk about with others. It's her ability to see what she calls 'angels'. Fallen is just a short read, very easy to get into and I found myself eager to know what would happen next. However I didn't really develop a deep connection with the main character, perhaps because I had little time to do so? There were times when I was a little confused, Alex's explanation as to why they shouldn't be together, for example. But maybe that's just because I've got flu-brain at the moment!
The ending, somewhat of a cliffhanger, definitely left me wanting more so I can certainly say I enjoyed it. Perhaps my connection will happen when I read the next installment in the series? I hope so, because this is my kind of book, especially considering I've always been intrigued by psychics and mediums and so on. A really good read!

About the Author

Linn B Halton lives in the UK, in the small village of Arlingham. It sits a stone’s throw away from the banks of the River Severn; she resides there with her adorable husband and cat with attitude – Mr Tiggs!
Whilst Linn loves to write romantic novels, there is often a psychic ‘touch’ to her stories. Many of the paranormal events that feature in some of her books are real-life experiences.
Linn is the creator of, and magazine editor for, Loveahappyending Lifestyle magazine (LLm)
Visit Linn’s author page on the LLm Bookshelf
Linn is a member of the: Romantic Novelists’ Association page  and is signed by HarperImpulse and Sapphire Star Publishing.
Website 
Twitter: @LinnBHalton
Facebook: Linn B Halton and Author Linn B Halton
Pinterest
HarperImpulse author pageRomantic Novelists’ Association page
Giveaway
1 x £20/$30 Amazon Gift Card
Plus
3 winners to choose from a selection of Linn B Halton’s Novel:
Never Alone
Touched by the Light
The Restaurant @ The Mill
Being a Sceptic is oh so Easy
The Quintessential Gemini 

Guess who I've got for a chat today? It's the amazing Isabel Wolff!!!

I've read a few of Isabel's novels and they have all been wonderful, which is why I approached her for an interview. I'm delighted she agreed because I have now discovered she has branched out. Read on to find out more...

When did you first start reading Chick Lit?

I think the first chick lit novel I read was The Tennis Party by one Madeleine Wickham! I was very impressed by the lightness of touch, the amusing characters and crisp dialogue and remember feeling more than a little envious. But I was working as a reporter and producer at BBC World Service and never thought I'd have the time to write a novel myself. But then everything changed.

When did you first start writing Chick Lit? Why did you decide to 'branch out' into semi-historical novels instead?
My first novel, The Trials of Tiffany Trott grew out of a pseudonmyous column I had in the Daily Telegraph in the late nineties which was a kind of comic odyssey through the urban singles scene of small ads, speed dating, meet 'n greet etc. The column was commissioned by the features editor, Eric Bailey, who had recognised the comic potential of such a scenario, and he asked me to write it because he knew that I was single at the time. I must say I enjoyed it because it's very human and there's a lot of comedy and also poignancy - the hope people have that they'll meet Mr or Miss Right, and the way they make themselves vulnerable in the process. Today the singles scene and especially internet dating is absolutely mainstream - more people meet their partners that way now than in 'real life', and no doubt Tiffany would be on Match.com. I'm very fond of Tiffany Trott because it was my first novel, and I'm happy to say that it still makes me laugh. My early novels such as The Making of Minty Malone, Out of the Blue, Rescuing Rose and Behaving Badly are romantic comedies of this kind with a blend of humour and pathos. But then I began to write A Vintage Affair, and branched out. This wasn't a conscious decision; it happened because the heroine of A Vintage Affair, Phoebe Swift, runs a vintage dress shop in south London. She goes to assess a collection of clothes that an elderly French lady, Therese Bell, wishes to sell. Amongst the beautiful couture gowns is a child's blue coat, from 1943, that Therese has vowed never to part with. My heroine, Phoebe, befriends Mrs Bell and discovers the very poignant story behind this little coat, and the guilty secret that Mrs Bell has carried for 70 years - a secret that goes back to the war, and to occupied Provence. So the story naturally blended the contemporay with the historical, and I enjoyed writing it so much that this is what I have done with all my books since.

It sounds absolutely amazing, Isabel.

What is it about chick lit and history that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres? If so, which? 
I love the blend of past and present. I feel that the historical back-story, which is usually the more serious part of the story, gives more meaning and depth to the contemporary narrative. In addition I very much enjoy doing the historical research, perhaps because I was a journalist for a long time before I began writing novels. As for what I read, it's mostly literary fiction, but I'd like to read more crime novels as this is now a very big genre and all I've ever read is a few Agatha Christies.

Name one of your favourite books?
A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. It's about India during the Indira Ghandi years and teems with life and colour and a profound sense of hope for humanity. The four main characters are very touchingly portrayed, endlessly humorous and optimistic despite the sometimes appalling things that they suffer. It's a modern masterpiece.

What's the title of your latest book? Can you tell us about it?

My latest novel is The Very Picture of You which is about a portrait painter, her sitters, and the secrets that they reveal while she paints them. It's set in contemporary London but again has a semi-historical theme as the story line goes back to the 1930s and to a scandal surrounding a society portrait painter and his wife.
What inspired you to write it?

Portrait of Isabel by Anastasia Pollard

I've never been able to paint, but have always been very interested in portraiture. I'm awe-struck by the skill of a good portrait artist, the way they have the ability to evoke another human being on canvas so successfully that at times we could swear that this 2-dimensional image lived and breathed. To me this seems miraculous. I was also very interested, from a human point of view, in what happens in the intimate space that is a portrait sitting. How does it feel to be stared at by the painter? Do you try and hide behind a mask, or show yourself as you really are? Do you keep a discreet silence, or spill out your secrets, your fantasies and regrets? Do you talk about your disappointments and fears? In 'The Very Picture of You' the sitters do exactly that, because it makes for a good story! Writing the novel made me decide to have myself painted. It's just a small portrait, about the size of a sheet of A4, but it's by a wonderful artist, Anastasia Pollard. It was selected to be shown in the Royal Society of Portrait Painters annual exhibtion at London's Mall Galleries last year, which was a huge thrill.

WOW! That's incredible!

Is the novel part of a series?
The Very Picture of You isn't part of a series, no. None of my books are - they stand alone. Sometimes I might bring in a character from a previous novel in a subsidiary role, but each time I start a new novel I start with a blank canvas. My newest novel, Ghostwritten, which will be published in the spring of 2014 is about a haunted ghost writer. It's set in contemporary Cornwall and on Java, during World War 2, during the Japanese occupation, a bit like the scenario in Tenko which was a very well known TV drama in the 1970s.

Who designs your covers?

UK cover

US cover

The designers at HarperCollins who have published all of my ten novels. My books are now translated into 30 languages, and some of the overseas covers are gorgeous. My favourite one is the US cover for A Vintage Affair. My editor at RandomHouse there commissioned a well known painter, Victoria Allen, to do an oil painting of some vintage dresses for it. As you can see from the image it's ravishingly lovely and people always comment on how beautiful it made the novel look. In fact I would say that the most attractive covers I have had have all been for A Vintage Affair - there are a lot of them, because it was translated into 25 languages, and they all feature gorgeous vintage gowns.

They're both gorgeous but I admit to loving the UK version the most!
  If your book was made into a film, who would you cast?
In any film of A Vintage Affair I would love Gemma Arterton to play the protagonist, Phoebe. And in 'The Very Picture of You' I'd love the portait painter, Ella, to be played by Michele Dockery, if she could take time off from Downton. If we're talking about classic books and classic films, it's Gone With the Wind. My favourite contemporary novel is the graphic novel, Tamara Drewe, by Posy Simmonds, which was brilliantly filmed with Gemma Arterton in the title role. I am a fan of Gemma's as you can see!

Who is your all time favourite Chick Lit character?
I do love Becky Bloomwood, Rachel Walsh, and also some of Wendy Holden's characters, particularly Isabel in her latest novel, Gifted and Talented.

Name one author who you think deserves to be better known.
E.L. James, definitely... I think there are still about fifty people in the world who haven't heard of her and I think this is a shame.

He he he, Isabel!!!

In the movie of your life, who would play you?
I have absolutely no idea but hopefully someone slimmer, younger and more attractive!

Speed Round...
Top drink to make you tipsy? Champagne - bubbles help the alcohol go down!
Shopaholic or shopadon't? I have become addicted to eBay - especially Celine handbags - vintage ones.
Sky high heels or closer to the ground? Closer to ground. High heels do my back in.
E.L. James or Jilly Cooper? Jilly Cooper
Cry baby or tough cookie? Cry baby - I blub at everything.

Isabel Wolff comes from Warwickshire, read English at Cambridge and was a reporter with the BBC World Service before becoming a full time writer. She lives in Notting Hill with her partner, their two children, her younger stepson and a black cocker spaniel puppy.Visit Isabel's website.

Get your copy of The Very Picture Of You from Amazon.

Say hi to... Carrie Duffy

Today we have an interview with the gorgeous Harper Collins author Carrie Duffy!

When did you first start reading Chick Lit?

I’ve read female-focused books ever since I was young – The Babysitter’s Club, the St Clare’s series by Enid Blyton and so on. When I was sixteen, I read my first bonkbuster, and was hooked! Then Bridget Jones and the whole chick lit phenomenon really hit in the 90s, so I started reading those too.

When did you first start writing Chick Lit?

When I was at university. I’d tried writing children’s books when I was younger, but had no idea how to go about getting them published. Then I started writing chick lit in my late teens/early twenties, as that’s what I was reading, and what I enjoyed.

What is it about this genre that appeals to you the most? Do you read other genres? If so, which?

I love the female focus, the great characters, and the fact that it’s so easy to read. I particularly love bonkbusters, for the escapism and the extreme story lines. It’s completely different to my everyday life!

In terms of other genres, I enjoy literary fiction when I want something more challenging (that’s not a dig at chick lit – one of the best things about chick lit is that it’s so readable!) I occasionally dip into thrillers and crime too – they’re so popular at the moment that I want to see what I’m missing out on!

Name one of your favourite Chick Lit books?

I always rave about this, but Career Girls by Louise Bagshawe is one of my all-time favourite books. Again, it’s at the bonkbuster end of the chick lit spectrum, and was one of the first novels I read in that genre. I absolutely adored it – it’s full of strong, feisty females with amazing careers, having lots of sex with gorgeous alpha males!

What's the title of your latest book? Can you tell us about it?

My most recent book is DIVA, and it’s a glamorous bonkbuster set in the modelling world. It’s mainly based in Paris, where I used to live, but with lots of other jet-set locations thrown in – Bali, Tokyo, St Tropez and Dubai, to name a few. It follows three young women trying to make it in modelling, fashion design and the business world, and it features friendship, rivalry, tragedy, sex and glamour!

Is it part of a series?

No, it’s a standalone novel.

Who designs your covers?

I’m not sure as my publishers, HarperCollins, take care of that! I know that with my first novel, IDOL, the artwork was done by the extremely talented Adrian Valencia, who’s also drawn covers for Lindsey Kelk, Jane Costello and Molly Hopkins.

If your book was made into a film, who would you cast?

Ooh, good question! Alyson is a tall, willowy blonde, so someone like Gwyneth Paltrow or Poppy Delevingne would be perfect. Dionne, the wannabe model, would have to be played by Naomi Campbell or Jourdan Dunn, if they can act! And Rooney Mara would be perfect to play CeCe, if she can do a French accent – the character is very quirky and unusual looking, and she was wonderful in The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo.

What's your favourite Chick Lit book that made it to the big screen?

Probably Bridget Jones’ Diary. I caught it on one of the many repeats a few weeks ago, and I’d forgotten just how good it was. Plus, it has Colin Firth in it, which automatically makes it a favourite as far as I’m concerned!

Who is your all time favourite Chick Lit character?

Can I say Bridget Jones again? Very unoriginal, I know, but I think she’s the epitome of a chick lit heroine, and I identified with her so much when I read it. The writing was funny and fresh, and perfectly captured an era. I can’t wait to see what the new book is like!

Name one Chick Lit author who you think deserves to be better known.

She doesn’t always write chick lit, but I think Serena Mackesy is a fantastic writer, and I’ve loved all of her novels, even though they’re all quite different styles. Simply Heaven starts off like chick lit but takes a much darker turn. It’s very different to anything I’ve ever read, and was a brilliant novel.

In the movie of your life, who would play you?

Screenshot from Channel 4's Dates show

I’d love to say Catherine Zeta Jones or Rachel Weisz, but they’re both older than me and far more beautiful! I think a good pick would be Sheridan Smith – she’s a hugely talented actress, and a northern girl done good!

Speed Round...

Top drink to make you tipsy? Whisky and coke

Shopaholic or shopadon't? Shopaholic

Sky high heels or closer to the ground? Flats most days as I walk a lot, but I love getting dressed up in sky high heels

E.L. James or Jilly Cooper? Jilly Cooper

Cry baby or tough cookie? The older I get, the more I become a cry baby

Bio: Carrie Duffy grew up in North Yorkshire before moving to Paris at the age of eighteen. After studying PPE at Trinity College, Oxford, she trained as an actress. She has worked professionally as both an actor and dancer, and she currently lives in west London. Her bonkbuster novels IDOL and DIVA are published by HarperCollins, and she is currently working on her third novel.

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