Welcome to another Friday Reads blog. My featured book this week is Starting Over at Primrose Woods, the first in a brand new feel-good series by popular author Jill Steeples. Let’s find out a bit more about the book then we can chat to Jill.
Blurb
Abbey Carter should be feeling on top of the world. Her wedding is imminent, but had she known how stressful it would be she might have decided to elope instead!
Lizzie Baker loves her job at the Treetops café in Primrose Woods, and she loves being a grandmother even more. If only she could face her fear of flying and see her granddaughter in person rather than on a screen.
Rhianna West is head over heels for her boyfriend Jay. She just wishes she could see him more often. His excuses are starting to wear thin, and Rhi’s dreams for the future are beginning to fade.
Can the fun and friendships, the picture-perfect scenery and rolling seasons in Primrose Woods help the women find the happy endings they deserve? After all anything is possible if you dare to dream…
Buy Link
Amazon : https://amzn.to/3EES5R3
Welcome to my blog, Jill. Your book sounds fabulous! Have you always wanted to be a writer?
Yes, although I probably didn’t acknowledge that desire until I was well in my twenties. At school, English was always my favourite subject and I can remember the thrill when my English teacher read out a piece of my descriptive writing to the class – I could only have been about eleven at the time. I’ve always enjoyed writing and became interested in other writers and their writing processes.
Has any author inspired you?
Growing up, Jilly Cooper was my major influence. I loved all her books, particularly the single-title romances which were funny, escapist reads. I could very much relate to her heroines and wanted to meet one of her gorgeous, swoon-worthy heroes in real-life too.
I do love Jilly’s books, they’re such fun! What do you like writing most?
I like to write the types of books that I like to read, heart-warming and feel-good fiction with happy endings. I did try my hand at writing a psychological thriller, but I found my voice reverted to my cheery upbeat romcom voice which didn’t really suit a domestic thriller!
It’s always best to write what you enjoy.😊 Do you have a special place for writing?
I’ve written all over the house; at the kitchen table, in the study, and the spare bedroom , but these days you’ll find me curled up on the sofa with Amber, my English Pointer, at my side. I don’t think I could write in a café, like so many other writers do, because I’d get far too distracted by all the comings and goings.
Are you a pantster or a plotter?
I’m very much a pantster. I have tried planning out my books, but I don’t always know what’s going to happen beyond the next few pages and become impatient to get started and get some words down. I keep a timeline now and try to do very brief chapter outlines for the upcoming chapters, but that’s as far as my planning goes.
That sounds a good way of working. Is your writing ever inspired by your family or real life incidents?
Sometimes. Normally funny events that might have happened within the family. In Primrose Woods, there is a scenario that happened to a family member, but I won’t go into details to save blushes!
That sounds intriguing. What are you writing at the moment?
I’m working on the second in the Primrose Woods series, which picks up the characters from the first book as they all come together to celebrate Christmas. There are secrets and surprises in store and some new faces too.
How lovely. What inspired you to write this book?
The idea came about during lockdown when, on my daily walks with Amber, I noticed so many new faces out and about, making the most of the local landscape, people who would normally have been at work. It made me realise just how important the great outdoors can be to our sense of well-being. It gave me the idea of bringing together three women of different ages who meet at a local country park and forge an unlikely friendship.
What time of the day do you write best?
First thing in the morning or last thing at night. There are too many distractions during the rest of the day.
What are your hobbies?
As well as writing, I love reading and belong to a book group. We meet regularly to discuss the month’s chosen read and to discuss most other things too! I also love getting outside and walking with the dog. Musical theatre is a great passion of mine as well and I try to go as often as I can.
What advice would you give to other writers?
To get started. I spent far too long thinking about it before getting on with it. What helped was joining a creative writing group, we had exercises to do each week which meant I actually had to put words down on paper, and it was helpful to receive feedback within a friendly, supportive environment. If you can find a writing group, either in person or online, then I would highly recommend it.
Great advice, Jill! Thanks so much for dropping by to talk to us today. Wishing you lots of success with your new series.
Meet Jill
Author bio
Jill Steeples lives with her husband and a high maintenance English Pointer called Amber in a lovely house, surrounded by Monkey Puzzle trees, in the English countryside. When she’s not writing, she loves spending time with family and friends, and enjoys reading (of course) films, musical theatre, walking, and baking and eating cakes.
Jill started writing after joining a creative writing class and her short stories have appeared in anthologies and women’s magazines around the world. She is the author of many successful women’s fiction titles – most recently the Dog and Duck series – all set in the close communities of picturesque English villages.
Her novels are heart-warming, feel-good stories of new beginnings, friendship and love.
Jill’s brand new fiction series will be launched in February 2022 with Starting Over at Primrose Woods.
Contact Links
Facebook https://www.facebook.com/jillsteepleswriter
Twitter @jillesteeples
Instagram jill.steeples
Karen King – Writing about the light and dark of relationships.
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Karen-King/e/B0034P6W7I
Website: https://karenkingauthor.com/
Karen King: Author 
This is such a fun author to read.