Book Shelf: The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick

The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper by Phaedra Patrick

First of all, I fell in love with the title of this book. And, after reading the synopsis I just knew it was for me. I thoroughly enjoyed the journey with Arthur Pepper as he gets to know himself, his late wife, and his two kids while embarking on the adventure of a life time. An adventure that has him following one clue after another as he heals and discovers much more than he anticipated. Loved it! Phaedra has two other novels currently and I read those after this one. 

I interviewed Phaedra Patrick on this website in June 2019. You’ll want to check that out too! –Camilla

Meet the Author: The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick

UK Amazon: https://amzn.to/313MtvM

US Amazon: https://amzn.to/3110KZT

 

Meet the Author: A Walk in Wildflower Park by Bella Osborne

Today we welcome Bella Osborne to Meeting the Authors as we travel to The Midlands, UK and learn how finding the humor in the darker moments of life, board games, biscuits, Scooby-Doo, and conversations in the toilet weave into Bella’s writer’s life. Grab the large bag of popcorn and get comfy ….

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I have been jotting down stories as far back as I can remember but decided that 2013 would be the year that I finished a full length novel. Since then I’ve written four best sellers and been shortlisted twice for the RNA Contemporary Romantic Novel of the Year Award.

I live in The Midlands, UK with my family who thankfully, accept me as I am (with mad morning hair and a penchant for skipping).

In which genre do you write?

I write romantic comedy with a bit of a punch. My stories are about friendship, love and coping with what life throws at you. I like to find the humour in the darker moments of life and weave these into my stories.

How many published books do you have?

A Walk in Wildflower Park was out on 27th June and it is my fifth novel.

What do you do when not writing or marketing your books?

Apart from feeling guilty that I’m not writing or marketing my books I can usually be found trying out new recipes to the dismay of my family, getting beaten at board games by my daughter or expanding my gin knowledge with friends and family.

What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself through writing?

I can get through an alarming amount of biscuits. I also learned that I loathe editing. I love writing the first draft when it’s all new and fresh and exciting but rereading my book for the tenth time makes me want to set fire to it.

What is the most amusing, crazy or inspiring thing that has ever happened to you?

I met Katie Fforde, bestselling romance author and president of the Romantic Novelists’ Association, in a toilet and during our conversation I proceeded to jump up and down with excitement as I told her that an editor had just asked to see my full manuscript. Thankfully it all ended well – the manuscript went on to be my debut novel and Katie didn’t take out a restraining order.

If you were trapped in a cartoon world from your childhood, which one would you choose and why?

Scooby-Doo! I loved that programme. It had a great mix of fun and mystery and who didn’t want to be part of a cool gang that went around in a van?

What’s the last movie you watched and why did you choose to watch it?

It was ‘Isn’t It Romantic’ on Netflix and it was hilarious. I chose it because I’d heard good things about it and it was a different take on the classic romcom. As a writer of romantic comedies I see this as essential research not an opportunity to veg out on the sofa with a large bag of popcorn (although, obviously I did that too).

If you could ask your pet three questions, what would they be?

Why do you have to join me in the toilet?
Do you know that none of the other cats play fetch?
You know I don’t eat mice, right?

Which of your personality traits has been most useful and why?

Planning. I am a huge planner and this comes in very handing for plotting my novels. I spend a lot of time getting to know my characters and working out the plot before I start to write. It also means I have a legitimate excuse for indulging my post-it note obsession.

Tell us about your most recent book.

It’s titled A Walk In Wildflower Park – a feel good summer read.

When Anna is dumped by her fiancé, she moves in to her own place on the edge of the gorgeous Wildflower Park and pledges to stay off men and focus on her career, but a handsome new colleague seems to thwart her attempts at every turn. And when she receives an accidental text from a mystery man, could it be the new start she needs? Or someone she really shouldn’t be falling for?

Anna’s neighbour Sophie is a stressed-out mum-of-two with a third on the way. Her husband is a constant frustration, and their children are a regular source of newly-invented swear words and unidentifiable sticky surfaces.

Luckily, Anna and Sophie have each other – and Wildflower Park proves to be a sanctuary as they map out a path to find the happiness they both deserve…

Thank you Bella for joining us on Meeting the Authors. It was great fun learning more about you and your writer’s life! – Camilla

Where to buy:

It’s available in paperback from Sainsburys and all good bookshops from 27th June 2019 and also online:

Amazon Kindle US – https://amzn.to/2J4d83F

Amazon Paperback US – https://amzn.to/2Nb1CJ8

Amazon Kindle UK – https://amzn.to/2ZFWPRd

Amazon Paperback UK – https://amzn.to/2J3mXis

KOBO – https://www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/a-walk-in-wildflower-park-wildflower-park-series

Connect with Bella Osborne:

Website – www.bellaosborne.com

Twitter – https://twitter.com/osborne_bella

Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/BellaOsborneAuthor/

Instagram – https://www.instagram.com/bellaosborneauthor/

If it feels right and you have the time (and you enjoy the interview) please like or comment or share it. The nature of the online world … the more eyes that see it the more it will spread and benefit the author and the website! Thank you!

And if it feels the thing to do and you are inspired to do so, I would be deeply grateful if you’d like to “Buy Me a Coffee” … Camilla – Host of Meeting the Authors …

Buy Me A Coffee

Meet the Author: The Library of Lost and Found by Phaedra Patrick

Today we welcome International Best Selling author, Phaedra Patrick, to Meeting the Authors. We travel to Saddleworth, in the North West of England and learn how stained glass, library shelves, aristocrats, Howard Hughes, and a local cricket pitch come together to form Phaedra’s curiously quirky writer’s life. Grab your library card and magnifying glass. Let’s go sleuthing …

Tell us a bit about yourself.

Hi. I’m an International bestselling writer who lives in Saddleworth, in the North West of England. It’s a pretty, very green area with lots of hills, but is only 12 miles away from the bright lights of Manchester. I firstly qualified as a stained glass artist before gaining my professional marketing qualifications and working in communications.

I enjoyed my first real writing success when I entered and won several short story competitions and my work is now published in twenty-two languages worldwide. I am the winner of the ‘Prix des Lectrices Milady 2017’ in France, and two of my books have been optioned as films in the USA.

In which genre do you write?

I like to call my work ‘curiously charming fiction.’ It’s commercial and feel-good, about everyday people and their life journeys. If you like heart-warming, quirky stories, you’ll probably like my books.

How many published books do you have?

The Library of Lost and Found is my third published book and I’m currently writing number four. My publisher in both the UK and US is HarperCollins.

When did you first realize you wanted to be a writer and what ignited your author’s flame?

I was around eight years old and I remember visiting my local library and thinking that, one day, I’d like to have a book on the shelves too. However, I didn’t think people like me became writers. I come from a town that’s one of the most deprived in the country, and I convinced myself that all authors were aristocrats. Because of these beliefs, I didn’t tell anyone about my ambition, and it wasn’t until I was in my twenties that I finally decided to give it a go. I wrote seven or eight novels, until one got picked up for publication, The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper.

What is an interesting writing quirk you have, that we wouldn’t know by reading your biography?

I’ll let you into a secret here, but when I’m stuck for words I walk around and around a local cricket pitch talking into my phone. It may make me look a little crazy, but it works. I also sit in a small shelter at a local bowling green when no-one is around. The fresh air helps to clear my mind and sets my ideas flowing again.

What are you currently reading?

I’ve just started to read The Diary of a Bookseller by Shaun Bythell. I’ve always been interested in the business side of books, as well as writing them.

What do you do when not writing or marketing your books?

I’ve always been creative and originally studied art at college. I got so fed up of shopping for clothes in stores and finding them to be too big or small, that I’ve started to make my own dresses. I find cutting out the fabric to be therapeutic. I also paint, walk my dog and make sure I catch up with friends for lunch and chats.

If you could have a fantasy tea or coffee date with an author or famous person from the past or present, who would it be and what would you ask them?

I’ve always had a fascination with Howard Hughes. It’s a shame he’s probably best remembered for his mental health issues and shutting himself away from society for many years. In his time, he was an aviator, film director, inventor, pilot, and business magnate. I’m sure his illness could have been better diagnosed and helped today. I’d ask him about his life story and how his health issues affected him.

What is the most surprising thing you’ve learned about yourself through writing?

I was surprised to discover how tenacious I am. I’m kind of a quiet, gentle person, but when it comes to writing, I can be totally determined. I think it’s the main difference between people who write, and people who are published authors. It’s that continuous pushing forward through all the rejections.

What is the most amusing, crazy or inspiring thing that has ever happened to you?

One day at work, in my old job in marketing and communications, my friend and I heard that Will Smith was going to be attending a lunchtime premiere at a cinema in the city. Our boss wasn’t around that day, so we took a long lunch break and waited for him. Will’s limo pulled up and he headed straight over to us to shake our hands. It was years ago now, but I’m still excited by it.

You are about to speak publicly to a group and read from your latest book. What song do you listen to before speaking? Or, what do you do to prepare yourself?

I usually have a chat to the hosts of the event, grab a glass of water or wine, nibble a biscuit and I’m good to go. I’m very low maintenance.

What do you miss about being a kid?

A world without social media. I find it to be both a blessing and a curse. When I’m trying to write, I hate how my hand is so tempted to reach for my phone, and I miss the simplicity of the days when you had to knock on people’s doors, or speak to them on the phone. On the plus side, writing can be very solitary, so social media provides a connection with the outside world. Being able to liaise with bloggers, readers and fellow writers across the globe is amazing.

If you were trapped in a cartoon world from your childhood, which one would you choose and why?

I always had a soft spot for Scooby Doo! Daphne was so glamorous and we both have red hair, so she was a bit of a role model for me. I think a day spent solving mysteries with Scooby, Shaggy, Freddie and Thelma would be great fun.

What’s the last movie you watched and why did you choose to watch it?

I have a thirteen year old son, so it was Avengers Endgame. We worked out that we’ve actually seen all twenty-two of the Marvel movies. My favourite in the series is Iron Man. The script and story are brilliant, and Robert Downey Jnr eats up the screen.

If you could ask your pet three questions, what would they be?

I would ask my little terrier – Why on earth do you bark so much? What are you actually saying? Why do you wag your tail and bare your teeth at other dogs, at the same time? It’s very confusing.

Describe the perfect solo date you’d take yourself on … where, time of day, weather, place, etc.

Somewhere hot. I’m like a lizard that needs to soak up sunshine. I am only truly happy if I can wear sandals, so I would choose Croatia or Spain. I like the weather in the early evening, when it’s still hot but the sun is setting a little. An ice cold glass of white wine and a fine cheese board would be perfect.

Tell us about your most recent book and where we can find it.

The Library of Lost and Found tells the story of volunteer Librarian Martha Storm whose discovery of a mysterious book of fairy stories sparks the journey of a lifetime. It’s available as a paperback, ebook and audio in the UK, and can be found in Waterstones, other bookstores, Amazon, Kobo, Google Books and Apple Books.

Thank you Phaedra for stopping by Meeting the Authors. Quirky curiously charming fiction is right up my alley. Once I discovered you and your books about a month ago, I requested all three of your books from our local library.

I’ve just finished The Curious Charms of Arthur Pepper and I thoroughly enjoyed Arthur’s journey. Just brilliant! Looking forward to reading The Library of Lost and Found! I’m so excited and thrilled that our paths crossed and I got the opportunity to interview you here. It was wonderful to uncover a few of the clues that lead to your curiously charming writer’s life! – Camilla

The Library of Lost and Found

A librarian’s discovery of a mysterious book sparks the journey of a lifetime. Librarian Martha Storm has always found it easier to connect with books than people―though not for lack of trying. She keeps careful lists of how to help others in her notebook. And yet, sometimes it feels like she’s invisible.

All of that changes when a book of fairy tales arrives on her doorstep. Inside, Martha finds a dedication written to her by her best friend―her grandmother Zelda―who died under mysterious circumstances years earlier. When Martha discovers a clue within the book that her grandmother may still be alive, she becomes determined to discover the truth. As she delves deeper into Zelda’s past, she unwittingly reveals a family secret that will change her life forever.

Filled with Phaedra Patrick’s signature charm and vivid characters, The Library of Lost and Found is a heart-warming reminder that even the quietest life has the potential to be extraordinary.

Learn more about Phaedra and her books: 

US Amazon: https://amzn.to/2FgjZpE

UK Amazon: https://amzn.to/2Fg50Mz

AU Amazon: https://amzn.to/2WQ0vOG

Website: www.phaedra-patrick.com

Twitter: www.twitter.com/phaedrapatrick

Facebook: www.facebook.com/phaedrapatrick

Instagram: www.instagram.com/phaedrapatrick

If it feels right and you have the time (and you enjoy the interview) please like or comment or share it. The nature of the online world … the more eyes that see it the more it will spread and benefit the author and the website! Thank you!

And if it feels the thing to do and you are inspired to do so, I would be deeply grateful if you’d like to “Buy Me a Coffee” … Camilla – Host of Meeting the Authors …

Buy Me A Coffee