My guest today is Lisa Hobman, who writes heartwarming, uplifting romantic fiction. Lisa is going to talk to us about her writing journey, and her latest book. So grab yourself a cuppa, get cosy and let’s get chatting to Lisa.
Welcome Lisa, can you tell us a little bit about yourself?
Thanks Karen. Well I was shortlisted in 2014 Romantic Novelists Association RoNAs in the Contemporary Romance category for debut novel Bridge Over the Atlantic (later signed by Boldwood and re-released as A Seaside Escape).
I’ve had what you could call a very varied career including time working as a singer and appearing on TV’s Stars in Their Eyes in 1997. But writing has always been a deep rooted passion.
In 2012 my family and I relocated from England to our favourite place in the world, Scotland, and we are now happily ensconced in village life. The stunning location was the inspiration for my writing career and so it’s only right that it features in all of my books.
I’m a happily married mum of one with three energetic dogs who make cameo appearances in some of my books. I love writing and creating new characters and now have the pleasure of owning my own bookshop.
I’m represented by Lorella Belli at LBLAUK and signed to Boldwood Books.
You can find out more about me here:
info@lorellabelliagency.com
www.lisajhobman.com
It sounds like you’ve lead an interesting life, Lorna. Can you tell us about your writing journey?
I’ve always loved telling stories. At school I was praised by my teachers for my vivid imagination and story writing (and told off for talking too much in class but that’s a whole other blog post). I had ambitions of becoming a journalist or a teacher back then, but sadly neither career path came to be. Instead, I took a supposed gap year between high school and college and got used to earning money doing a series of admin jobs. So, that gap year became two, then three, and… well you probably get the idea. Suffice to say I never went back to earn a degree. Later, after many more jobs that didn’t quite scratch my creative itch, I regretted not attending uni for a long time; always feeling I could have been doing something more me.
But I think I found the real me in 2012. You see I’d secretly had this dream of becoming an author. Although back then it was definitely just that; a dream, and not one likely to become reality.
Whilst on holiday in the Highlands we visited a place called Clachan Seil where the little stone bridge spans an inlet of water that just happens to be the Atlantic Ocean. Bizarre to think that isn’t it? But on that trip I had the inspiration for a love story. I could imagine the characters playing out their lives in front of me in that stunning location, rather like a movie, and I wanted to get to know them more. I wanted to create their world and tell their story. With some trepidation, I mentioned this idea to my husband, and he simply said I should write the book. Like it was that easy! It seemed crazy to me. I mean, normal people don’t just write books, do they? Except that’s exactly what can happen! You put your ideas on paper or on a computer and you pour your heart and soul into the words, bringing fictional people and places to life.
So, with the support of my family I did exactly that back in 2013, never expecting anyone to ever lay eyes on it. But then friends found out I’d written the story and wanted to read it! I was terrified at this point. and feared that they would all be lovely about it while really thinking it was drivel, but instead I was encouraged to publish the blooming thing!
I submitted the book, Bridge Over the Atlantic (later changed to A Seaside Escape), to many agents and many publishers, and after a LOT of rejections I was offered a publishing contract by a new small press in the USA. I genuinely couldn’t believe it. And now, all these years later I’m currently writing book number twenty-five with a wonderful literary agent (Lorella Belli) and publisher (Boldwood) in my corner.
I guess the point I’m trying to make is if you have an idea for a book or even a short story just start writing it. If I can do it, so can you!
What a fantastic story, Lisa, and great advice. Thanks for dropping in to talk to us today. ☺️
Lisa’s latest book
Blurb
Can people ever really change or are family ties always set to unravel?
After inheriting Drumblair Castle over her older brother Kerr, Lady Olivia MacBain has had to forge a new life for herself far away from New York and her dream career in fashion. She fears her brother’s bitterness has fractured their relationship to the point of no return and is still clearing away the devastation he left when he disappeared.
Kerr’s unexpected return and supposed change of heart raises eyebrows. He is now seeking forgiveness and to rebuild the bridges he previously wrecked, but can he be trusted, or is it all just smoke and mirrors?
While her friends are settling down, Olivia patiently waits for childhood sweetheart Brodie to propose and wonders if she will ever get her happy ever after.
Can Olivia find a happy future or are promises always made to be broken?
Buy link: Amazon
More of Lisa’s books
A perfect heartwarming and feel-good novel to curl up with…
Cassie Montgomery can remember a time where her life seemed pretty perfect. By day she was setting up her own little business in her sleek penthouse apartment, and by night sleeping on gazillion-count Egyptian cotton sheets next to her fiancée, once reputed to be Glasgow’s most eligible bachelor. And yet one ordinary, fateful day, Cassie uncovers a secret that shatters her heart into tiny pieces, and changes her life forever…
Escaping to a rural and idyllic coastal village, Cassie finds a cottage that, from the moment she steps through the rose-surrounded door, feels instantly like home. Then there’s Mac, the cool surf teacher, who makes her question what really makes her happy – and makes her wonder if maybe, she might already have found the answer…
Poignant and uplifting, this is a story to remind hopeless romantics that you never know when true love might strike…
Perfect for fans of Lucy Diamond, Heidi Swain, Laura Kemp and Holly Martin
Buy link: Amazon
Can you live your dreams and also find your destiny?
Since having to drop out of her design degree, Bella Douglas has been unlucky in just about everything life has thrown at her.
She’s lost more jobs than she cares to remember and despite her Granny Isla’s best attempts to set her up with every eligible bachelor in the Scottish Highlands and she’s still single.
Currently PA to her best friend, aka, Lady Olivia MacBain, at the 17th century Drumblair Castle, Bella is yet to find a role that sets her soul on fire. But when disaster strikes for Olivia, Bella steps into the breach to rescue her best friend from a fate worse than a bad interior designer.
When Bella and her Granny Isla find themselves homeless, they relocate to the castle where a handsome new neighbour brings mystery, intrigue and a spark of romance.
Is Bella finally on the track to find true happiness? Or do more catastrophes lie ahead? And does true love hide where you least expect it?
Buy Link: Amazon
Karen King 