I am delighted to welcome Darcie Boleyn to Books, Life and Everything today to tell us a little more about herself and her latest book, Christmas at Conwenna Cove. It is the second in the series but can be read as a standalone.
Christmas at Conwenna Cove: a heartwarming, romantic and Christmassy novel set in the
gorgeous Cornish village of Conwenna Cove.
When Grace Phillips travels to Conwenna Cove to help her
parents move there 30 years after their honeymoon in the village, she sees why
they fell in love with the place. The festive decorations, carols in the air
and constant supply of delicious mince pies certainly make it hard to leave.
Grace soon meets local vet Oli Davenport and initially finds him rude, but
learning about his passion for animals and how much he cares for his two kids
helps Grace to see a softer side to Oli.
It’s been two years since Oli lost his wife to cancer. Though
he loves eleven-year-old Amy and five-year-old Tom more than anything it’s hard
to be mum and dad. He has no interest in romance until he crosses paths with
beautiful and kind-hearted Grace. The sparks fly but both Oli and Grace are
holding onto fear about letting someone into their heart.
As the snow falls and Christmas wishes come true can
Conwenna Cove work its magic and help Grace and Oli find the happiness they
both deserve?
Welcome
to Books, Life and Everything. Thank you
so much for agreeing to answer some questions on my blog about your writing.
Would you like to start by telling us a little about
yourself and how you started as a writer?
I always harboured a dream of being a writer and entered
short story and poetry competitions when I was younger, but never thought I’d
be able to write a full novel. I became a teacher, had children and read
voraciously. Then a few years ago, my husband encouraged me to try writing a
book, and following a few false starts, I finally had the all important
acceptance email. Since then, I haven’t stopped writing!
What is it about the romance genre which attracts you?
When I want something to make me smile, something that I can
rely on to lift my mood, I turn to romance novels. A romance novel takes
readers on a familiar journey. That’s why I always smile when a story is
described as being ‘predictable’, because yes, romance readers do want a happy
ever after. Or at least, a happy for now.
And as much as I enjoy reading romance novels, I enjoy
writing them. I love creating the complex main characters with their emotional
baggage – such as their lost hopes and dreams – and bringing them gently,
gradually and cautiously together. I relish the dance that the two characters
perform… the will-they, won’t-they build up as their relationship develops. I
love to build the physical and emotional tension between them, to convey how
they feel just by being close or thinking about each other. I enjoy describing
the moment when it dawns on them that they are in love, even if at that point
it still seems like they can’t possibly be together. Because when they do
eventually admit their feelings, it will be all the sweeter. We become invested
in the stories and in the characters’ lives and want them to be happy.
The point of a romance isn’t just that everyone has someone,
but that everyone is fulfilled. When I write romances, I want the characters to
evolve to a state where they don’t need someone else, but are finally ready to
be with someone. They have to be strong enough, confident enough and to have
developed enough, to be in a fulfilling relationship.
My aim is that readers will feel satisfied when they finish
reading one of my novels, that they will believe that the two main characters
have overcome the obstacles I put in their way, and that they deserve to be
together. And most importantly, I want readers to feel happy and hopeful,
because life can be so difficult for all of us. A happy ending in a romance
novel can be something for them to hold close when real life is not quite so
perfect.
And that is why I love writing romance.
What are your writing routines and where do you do most of
your writing?
This year, I was lucky enough to become a full-time author.
Up until that point, I fitted writing in wherever and whenever I could, whereas
now I have a daily routine. I get up with my family, see them all off to work
and school, then have my breakfast. I settle down by nine and complete admin
tasks such as answering emails and so on, then I read through my notes about
the scene/s I intend to write that day. Some days I write around 2500 words but
on a good day, I can write 5000 or more. Occasionally, I write sitting on the
sofa but most of the time I write at my desk with my three dogs snoring around
me.
Your latest book, Christmas at Conwenna Cove returns to
Cornwall. Can you tell us a little about it (without spoiling the plot of
course!)
Christmas at Conwenna Cove is the second book in the
Conwenna Cove series. (The books can be read as standalones or enjoyed
together.) This story gives readers the opportunity to revisit the beautiful
Cornish village at Christmas, to catch up with characters from Summer at
Conwenna Cove and to meet new ones, including new greyhounds. Christmas at
Conwenna Cove is about love, loss and new beginnings, as well as moving on from
grief without forgetting the ones you loved and lost. I want readers to be able
to feel that there is always hope, however difficult and painful life can be at
times.
Of all the
books you have written, do you have a favourite or one which really stands out
to you?
Each book I’ve written has something special about it for
me. It could be a character, a plotline or the setting. However, to date,
Summer at Conwenna Cove has been the most emotional one to write. I was
suffering from anxiety myself when I wrote it, so some of Eve’s emotions
reflect the ones I was experiencing at the time. I’m delighted by the reception
the book has had and find it moving that the story has resonated with so many
readers. And, of course, I love greyhounds and wanted to write a story showing
how they rescue us just as we rescue them.
You have set several novels at Christmas. How will you be
spending the festive season this year and will there be any books on your
present list?
I’ll be at home with my family and dogs watching Christmas
movies and eating lots of delicious food. I have two shelves of books to read
and a whole load on my Kindle already, so I won’t ask for any, but hopefully
Santa will surprise me with a few under the tree! ;-)
Finally do you have 3 words which sum up Christmas at
Conwenna Cove?
Festive. Heartwarming. Hopeful.
Thank you so much, Darcie. You can really tell how much your writing means to you.
My Thoughts
This has turned out to be my favourite festive read so far but I know there are plenty of reading days left until Christmas! It has it all- a beautiful setting, a warm and friendly community and some interesting characters. I particularly liked Grace Phillips, who is in the village to help her parents who seem to have the kindest hearts. Grace may be a successful writer, but she has her insecurities and the whole family are coming to terms with a tragedy in their past. They aren't the only family in the village to be coping with loss and trying to move on. At this time of year, grief is all the more poignant.
Just right for a cosy, winter festive read, there is a lot going on in the background. There are animals who are in need of new homes and Oli's children who are trying to carry on despite their loss. You find yourself willing them all on, hoping that the festive season will weave its spell over them. Ultimately it is a hopeful romance, with the promise of new beginnings.
In short: Darcie said it all- festive, heartwarming and hopeful!
About the Author
Darcie Boleyn has a huge heart and is a real softy. She
never fails to cry at books and movies, whether ending is happy or not. Darcie
is in possession of an overactive imagination that often keeps her awake at
night. Darcie fell in love in New York, got married in the snow, rescues
uncoordinated greyhounds and can usually be found reading or typing away on her
laptop.
Thanks to Darcie Boleyn, Ellie Pilcher and Canelo for a copy of the book and a place on the Blog Tour.
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