Blog Tour: Winter at Cedarwood Lodge

Today I have 2 reasons to be happy. Firstly its Friday, secondly  am joined by the lovely Rebecca Raisin.

Rebecca, can you tell us a little about you?

I am a romance writer from Australia! I’m a disorganised daydreamer who constantly talks to fictional people who I count as some of my best friends.

Can you summarise winter At Cedarwood Lodge?

Clio Winters heads back to her hometown in disgrace to renovate Cedarwood Lodge, a place she’s always dreamed of owning, but she unearths a mystery that involves her mother. When she meets builder Kai he flips her notions of life upside down, but he’s running from his own past.

Can you tell us about the characters in this book?

There’s quite a lot as it’s three novellas in one! In the first book, it’s all about Micah and Isla, and I loved writing a male best friend! I had a male best friend growing up and I know from experience just how great that was. Clio puts her matchmaker hat on and tries to help her best friend take a leap into new love…all while dealing with the renovations and a scary incident at the lodge.

In the second it’s all about Amory and Cruz. Amory was a joy to write, she’s a sassy, ambitious, straight talker from Manhattan.

In the third it’s all about Clio and Kai. Kai is not your usual hero, and that’s what I love most about him.

Who is your favourite?

That is so tricky! I love them all in their own way, but I’d probably have to say Clio because I know what makes her tick and she’s got a heart of gold, and tries to make everyone happy. Although Aunt Bessie is a close second, with her extravagant make-up and Dolly-esque persona.

Who was the easiest to write?

Amory, was the easiest. Her dialogue came naturally and I think it adds a sparkle to the story and keeps its ticking along.

Who was the most difficult?

Clio’s mom Annabelle was tricky and even now when I read certain scenes with her I blubber a little.

What was the hardest part of writing this book?

Keeping the suspense going about the mystery of the lodge without giving too much away.

Do you have a favourite scene from this book? What is it and why?

I love the scene when Amory confides in Clio about why she left Manhattan in such haste. It always makes me laugh.

What is your favourite place to write?

In winter at my dining room table because it’s warm from the sunlight and in summer my office which is cooler. I am also partial to writing in bed but a side effect of that is sometimes I fall asleep!

Where do you get your character inspiration from?

Usually I conjure the main character and then I think of friends who’d bring out her best and worst traits, people who are different to her.

What is your favourite place to read?

In bed or in the bath!

What is your favourite book and why?

I have so, so many but one that will always stay with me and in my heart is A Fine Balance by Rohinton Mistry. I will never get over that book.

What do you like to do when you’re not writing?

I really love doing Muay Thai. It’s the very best thing to do after a long day slumped over a computer and who doesn’t love punching and kicking stuff!

Chocolate or sweets?

Dark chocolate!

Is there a book you wished you wrote?

Me Before You. Oh that book was amazing! And I’m looking forward to the third one!

You have a free flight and accommodation to anywhere in the world where would you go?

Paris! Always, Paris, my spiritual home!

What is your favourite season?

Spring! It’s always quite hot here in spring, but not as sweltering as summer.

Who is your favourite author? Why?

Oh gosh, that is a tricky one! I guess I’d say Jo Jo Moyes. I think she’s capable of all sorts of styles and voices and each book is unique.

Have they influenced the way you write?

I’m not sure she’s influenced my writing, but she has made me think about the way we label books, including romance having a happy ever after… I think that’s what I loved most about Me Before You, that it didn’t follow the so-called rules and it was better for it.

What do you love about writing?

Everything! Well, most days! I love when I’m totally immersed in story and my characters come to life for me, they start to feel like real people and I get really close to them and I am always sad to see them go.

Is there anything you hate about writing?

Some days the words just don’t come and you wonder if you’ve lost it, if it was pure luck before but I know you just have to write through that and it will get better and that’s what editing is for.

Do you have a favourite teen novel?

My favourite is The Fault in our Stars. Okay, yes I guess I love books that break my heart. Seriously, I’ve read that book about fifty times.

You have a day off – no children/work/responsibilities…what do you do?

I read! I’d take a long bubble bath, grab my book and spend the day reading and napping and eating. Bliss!

Winter At Cedarwood Lodge by Rebecca Raisin
Also by this author: Christmas at the Gingerbread Cafe, Chocolate Dreams at the Gingerbread Cafe, The Bookshop on the Corner, Christmas Wedding at the Gingerbread Cafe
on 1st December 2017
Pages: 403
Goodreads
Amazon Kindle, Audible

This winter it’s time to fall in love at Cedarwood Lodge…

After years of dreaming, Clio Winters is finally fulfilling her childhood dream of renovating the gorgeous old Cedarwood Lodge in Evergreen and turning it into the perfect destination for celebrations, weddings and extravagant birthday parties. The huge property used to be a bustling holiday camp, now Clio wants to bring it back to its halcyon days – which will be a lot of hard work!

Returning back to the small town of her youth she’s glad to have one of her best friends still around to lean on, Micah who is just as solid as he used to be. But with her own secrets pushing her to run from her glamorous life in New York, she’ll have to tread carefully, especially when the far-too-handsome-for-his-own-good contractor, Kai, shows up on her doorstep…

Sure she’s here in Evergreen to change her life, but there is no way she’s falling in love!
Previously published as Celebrations & Confetti, Brides & Bouquets, Midnight & Mistletoe.

Extract

“Is that Kai?” Micah asked, as we watched the new arrival jump down as deftly as a dancer from the cab of his truck. Even in the shadows, Kai stood out – with his wavy, sun-bleached hair and surfer’s body. I hadn’t expected… that. Builders were weathered, ruddy men who wore expressions of weariness from overwork, didn’t they? Kai looked more like a pro surfer than someone who did manual labor. Golly, if Amory was here she’d be elbowing me forward by now.

“Yes, Kai, the project manager,” I stage-whispered. “He had to finish up his last contract but he’s here for good now… well, at least until the lodge is done.” I adopted a disinterested expression and hoped Micah hadn’t caught my moment of surprise when I clapped eyes on Kai.

Micah smiled, and waggled his brows, insinuating something untoward.

“And what does that eyebrow jiggle mean?” I asked, crossing my arms and staring him down. Even after all these years I could still interpret Micah’s body language, though it wasn’t hard when he was being so obvious about it.

“It means you hired some surfer god and…”

I poked him in the ribs to be quiet and hissed, “Oh, jeez, Micah, I didn’t know he was…” What was he? “…He was… a surfer,” I finished lamely, watching Kai, who was rummaging in his truck for something.

He did resemble the perfect leading man in a romantic comedy, a polar opposite to the heroine… wait, what was I even thinking? Did I picture myself as the leading lady? Ridiculous! My heart was a no-go zone for the foreseeable future. My one true love at this point had to be Cedarwood Lodge.

“We’ve only spoken on the phone. And, for the record, I wouldn’t date anyone who worked here out of principle.” There, that sounded believable.

Micah went to retort but was called over by one of the painters. “Saved by the bell,” he joked before jogging off.

“Morning,” I said to Kai, hoping I wasn’t blushing after Micah practically accused me of hiring someone for their looks! It was absurd. But those eyes… mesmerizing.

“Hey,” he responded with a bright smile. His blond hair was mussed, windblown.

I shaded my face as the fall sun climbed higher and warmth seeped into my bones. Kai’s arrival meant I could knuckle down and focus on building marketing campaigns and our social media pages, spreading the word about the lodge while he instructed the team.

“You look familiar,” he said, narrowing his eyes. “I know we’ve had a hundred conversations on the phone, but…” He surveyed me, and I blushed under his scrutiny. Damn it to hell and back. Had he read about me in the paper or on one of those dodgy online gossip sites?

I gritted my teeth so tight I almost gave myself lockjaw. Managing to prise my mouth open a notch I said, as casually as I could, “Where did you say your last job was?”

Please, do not say New York or any of its boroughs!

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