💘On this special Valentine's Day Sunday Brunch 💘
Light the candles, play soft music and and pour yourself a glass of something sparkly
Come and join us
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I'm delighted to welcome author, Kate Ryder to share her
Valentine's Day Sunday Brunch
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Thank you for inviting me to your Valentine’s Day Sunday Brunch. What a lovely idea!
♡ Good morning, Kate. What Valentine’s Day themed food are you bringing to our Sunday brunch?
I’m bringing dessert. It has a bit of a wow factor but isn’t too heavy or sweet – chocolate-dipped strawberries drizzled with milk and white chocolate.
♡Would you like a glass of champagne, a love potion cocktail, or a boozy strawberry smoothie?
I’d normally say champagne, but how can I resist a boozy strawberry smoothie?
♡Where shall we eat our Valentine’s Day Brunch – in pyjamas at the kitchen table, seated in the formal dining room or in a cosy alcove with candles?
Having survived the past 12 crazy months, let’s pull out all the stops and go the whole hog. A cosy alcove with candles – how atmospheric!
♡Shall we have soft music playing in the background and if so will you share with us a favourite love song or romantic piece of music.
Fellow author and friend, Rosemary Smith, recently introduced me to the sublime singing voice of the talented and versatile actor, Luke Evans. At the moment I can’t get enough, so it would be a soundtrack of his wonderful songs. Each time I hear his rendition of ‘The First Time Ever I Saw Your Face’ it sends a shiver down my spine and brings a tear to my eye!
♡Which of your romantic literary heroes, or heroines (dead or alive) are joining us for our romance themed Sunday Brunch today?
I’ve invited my own latest hero, the award-winning nature writer, Hunter Harcourt (real name Luke Metcalfe). I know you’ll like Hunter/Luke because he’s an interesting, well-educated man without an ounce of ego to get in the way of an entertaining couple of hours. And, as it happens, Luke Evans would portray him superbly if the book was ever turned into a film.
♡Would you share with us your first ever romantic read?
Frenchman’s Creek by Daphne du Maurier. I was in my early teens when I first discovered her writing, and I devoured any of her novels I could get my hands on. However, I was totally captivated by the story she set in the quiet, secluded creek on the Helford River and I lived each and every emotional moment. But I couldn’t accept the ending and had to rewrite it – LOL! In my version, the smart and feisty Lady Dona St Columb abandoned her pompous, stuffy husband and sailed off into the sunset with her soulmate; the swashbuckling pirate, Jean Benout Aubery. So, maybe, I should thank Daphne du Maurier for inspiring me to become a writer!
♡What’s the most special love story on your book shelf?
The Bridges of Madison County by Robert James Waller. It’s such an emotional read and even though it doesn’t have a HEA, it is both beautiful and heart-breaking in equal measure. It also transferred superbly to film, with the main characters of Francesca Johnson and Robert Kincaid brilliantly portrayed by Meryl Streep and Clint Eastwood.
Everywhere! From an overheard snatch of conversation; a poignant photograph or painting; a beautiful panoramic vista that speaks to the senses; a piece of music; a feeling; a dream… the possibilities are endless. To date, I’ve set my books in real places and I always visit the location to get a feel for the area. It’s impossible to achieve this by simply researching through books or the internet.
Also, for several years I worked in the property industry, selling large country piles. Many of the houses were steeped in history and possessed a special atmosphere. A few were even reputedly haunted, and often, when I researched the property’s history, it became apparent why it was labelled as such. I admit that some of the thoughts and feelings those properties stirred have made their way into my books.
♡Have you a favourite place to settle down to write?
I live in a three-storey 200 year old cottage and my office is on the top floor, in the eaves. Being tucked away from the rest of the household, the room has a cosy air and I’m able to concentrate fully on my writing without interference.
♡Give us four essentials that a romance writer needs?
Imagination, heart, empathy and resilience… the latter because true love never runs smooth!
♡What can you tell us about your latest novel or your current work in progress?
The second lockdown postponed the originally scheduled publication date for Beneath Cornish Skies. How ironic, then, that it was finally published on 7th January during the third lockdown! However, the timing was probably better as the book is all about new beginnings, which we could all do with after the year we’ve just lived through.
In Beneath Cornish Skies, Cassandra Shaw unknowingly lives life in first gear… and with the brake on! However, this all changes when she discovers her long-term boyfriend is being unfaithful and he doesn’t share her vision of their future. Gathering up her shattered dreams and diminished self-esteem, she answers an advert for a live-in help/nanny to a young family living in a rambling Cornish manor house on the wild and rugged north Cornish coast. Despite being riddled with insecurities and self-doubt, Cassie throws herself into her new life, and with the help of blossoming friendships, ancient magic and spirits in the landscape she undertakes a life-changing journey towards her authentic self.
♡Kate, where can we follow you on social media?♡
Twitter @KateRyder_Books
Instagram: @kateryder_author
♡More About Kate♡
Kate Ryder is an Amazon Kindle international best seller who writes timeslip and romantic suspense in a 'true to life' narrative. She has worked in the publishing, tour operating and property industries, and has travelled widely.
A member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and The Society of Authors, in 2017 Kate signed a 4-book contract with Aria (digital imprint of award-winning independent publisher, Head of Zeus).
SUMMER IN A CORNISH COVE, a contemporary romantic suspense set on the Lizard Peninsula, saw her nominated for the RNA's 2018 Joan Hessayon award, while its standalone sequel, COTTAGE ON A CORNISH CLIFF, reached the heady heights of #2 in Kindle Literary Sagas.
SECRETS OF THE MIST, a mysterious timeslip romance, was not only rated in the #top 50 on Amazon UK Paid Kindle but also achieved #1 Kindle best-selling status in the UK, Canada and Australia. In its original, self-published version as 'The Forgotten Promise' it was awarded the first Chill with a Book "Book of the Month".
Her latest book, BENEATH CORNISH SKIES, is a beautiful romance with a hint of ghostliness set on the north Cornish coast.
Originally from the South East of England, today Kate lives on the Cornish side of the beautiful Tamar Valley with her husband and a collection of animals.
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Thank you for taking part in Valentine’s Day Sunday Brunch with Jaffareadstoo.
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Thank you for inviting me to your Valentine's Day Sunday Brunch. I've thoroughly enjoyed it! Sadly, we've finished all the chocolate-dipped strawberries, but perhaps I'll finish off with another boozy strawberry smoothie!
ReplyDeleteIt's been a pleasure to share Valentine day Sunday Brunch with you. Let's have another boozy smoothie :)
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