It’s always an exciting time on the run up to the publication of a new book – and in this case, a new series published by the awesome Aria Fiction team! On pre-order now ( https://smarturl.it/HometoPenvennanCove ) and releasing 8 October 2020, the fictional village of Penvennan and the cast of characters have taken over my office… and not just the desk!
Writing a series is very different to writing a standalone novel. My working file is normally about three, or four, inches thick for each story I write. That comprises general background research, notes, copies of spreadsheets I use to track the chapters once they’ve been written etc. But for a series, once the first book is written that information is the starting point for the next two books. So, the characters begin to build as their individual storylines unfold.
Kerra Shaw left home because she was ambitious, and the bright lights of London were calling. The truth is that she never really fitted in and while she mixed with a group of her peers, she only really had one close friend, Tegan. And one ex-flame… Ross. It’s been such fun bringing these characters to life and I can’t wait to see where they take me as I’m about to begin writing book two.
After all, returning home having achieved everything Kerra set out to do, and more, there’s nothing left to prove…
I have been lucky enough to have lived in a number of old cottages, a hunting lodge, and a small barn conversion, in close-knit, rural communities. Writing this series invoked so many memories of some great times. But the location, too, is a blast from the past. Cornwall was a favourite holiday destination for our family when I was a child and also when my own children were young. There’s something familiar, comforting and hauntingly romantic about the landscape and the coastline.
My last visit was in 2019 (book research, of course!) and, as usual, we had an amazing time, even though it was in winter and rained most of the time we were there. As an avid Poldark fan, I could imagine Aiden Turner, dressed as Ross, at every turn. And at Charlestown, where some of the filming took place with the tall ships in the background, I was in heaven.
Lawrence and I had a wonderful, and romantic, candlelit meal at The Longstore in Charlestown https://www.thelongstore.co.uk/ and can thoroughly recommend it. The food was amazing – I had: Wild Mushroom Arancini, Roasted Hake Loin with bacon & mushroom puree, pickled mushrooms and beef jus (gorgeous!) and Blue Cheese with honey & walnut bread and port glazed fig. I hasten to add that I shared the starter and the dessert with my other half!
And I came away dazzled by Cornwall yet again…
Penvennan Cove is fictional, of course, and it’s close to the fictional Draketown… which is based on the enchanting Charlestown.
And Kerra’s Ross is just as strong-willed, broody, caring and wonderful as Mr Poldark himself. But Ross Pendrevan’s life hasn’t been easy since Kerra left and he’s no longer that carefree person she remembers. Can she reawaken his wounded heart?
I will admit, I am very excited to see the sparks fly as these two strong personalities meet up once again…
Until next time… thank you for dropping by and stay safe, everyone!
