Friday In Focus with Jill Steeples

Posted 19th August 2016 by Emma in FIF, Q&A / 0 Comments

It’s Friday and I am joined by Jill Steeples today.

Jill, can you tell us a little about you?

I live with my husband, children and a high maintenance English Pointer called Amber in a lovely house, surrounded by Monkey Puzzle trees, in the Bedfordshire countryside.

After attending a local creative writing class, I started writing short stories and my work has appeared in women’s magazines around the world as well as in many charity anthologies.

Now, I’m never never happier than when writing warm-hearted romantic comedy novels set in the English countryside with dreamy heroes, a gorgeous dog or two, and Happy Ever After endings.

Can you tell us about your new book?

It’s called Christmas at The Dog and Duck and it’s the first book in a series of four, set in the delightful village of Little Leyton.

The book will be published by the new digital imprint Aria Fiction and will be out on 1st October 2016, although is available for pre-order now (see the links below).

Where is your favourite place to write?

On my sofa with my laptop, overlooking the garden.

Where do you get your character inspiration from?

The characters start out quite sketchy, but it’s amazing how quickly their personalities develop once you put them in certain situations, until you get to a point where they start acting and behaving in a completely independent way and that always surprises and pleases me.

What are your 3 desert island books?

On Writing by Stephen King – this is a book I go back to time and time again – I always find it such an inspirational read. Something by Jilly Cooper for some beachside escapism. And a Mary Berry baking book to drool over.

What is your favourite book and why?

I first read The Country Girls by Edna O’Brien when I was a teenager and it made such an impact on me. It’s a beautifully written coming of age story about two girls growing up in rural Ireland.

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

Relaxing with friends and family, reading, musical theatre, baking, and walking.

Chocolate or sweets?

Chocolate all the way!

Is there a book you wished you wrote?

Bridget Jones’ Diary – I’ve read it so many times and yet it still makes me laugh out loud as though I’m reading it for the first time.

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

I’d probably jet off to Australia, as I’ve never been there before, to stay in a luxurious beach property overlooking the sea.

What is your favourite season?

Spring

Where can we find you?

Twitter @jillesteeples

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jillsteepleswriter/

Blog/Website www.jillsteeples.co.uk

Other: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5338106.Jill_Steeples

Friday In Focus with Jill SteeplesChristmas at the Dog and Duck by Jill Steeples
on 1st October 2016
Goodreads
Amazon KindleAudible

A perfect, feel-good romantic novel to curl up with this Christmas. A story of new beginnings, love and friendship. Perfect for the fans of Jenny Colgan and Lucy Diamond.

Ellie Browne has left behind her high-flying job in London to return to the charming Buckinghamshire village of Little Leyton. Working shifts at The Dog and Duck and running her own doggy-day-care business, Ellie's looking for a much simpler way of life and a good old fashioned Christmas.
But Little Leyton’s landscape is changing; Johnny Tay, Ellie's ex, wants to pick up where they left off; sultry property developer Max Golding, has moved into the village and is ruffling feathers; and rumour has it that the pub, which holds a special place in Ellie's heart, might be sold. Suddenly, life’s looking a whole lot more complicated...
Can Ellie juggle her emotions and commitments in time to celebrate Christmas?

About Jill Steeples

Jill Steeples lives in a small market town in Bedfordshire with her husband and two children. When she’s not writing, she enjoys reading, walking, baking cakes, eating them and drinking wine.

From an early age she fell in love with the fabulously funny romances of Jilly Cooper, and vowed, one day, she would have a go at writing one of her own.

Jill loves writing short stories, particularly those with a twist in the tail, and her work has appeared in popular women’s magazines around the world and in a number of charity anthologies.

Her debut novel ‘Desperately Seeking Heaven’ is published by Carina UK in August 2013.

Emma

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