It's been a while since I've had guests at my Round Table Chats. It feels good to be back. This series of chats will concentrate on the authors of the Christmas Pets and Kisses box set that will be going on sale October 8.
Please help me to welcome my first guest, New York Times best seller Helen Scott Taylor. I'm so glad you were able to join me this morning. We won't let your fans wait, so if you don't mind I'll jump right in with the questions.
annamaria - Helen, when did you realize you wanted to be an author and what made you decide to write romance?
Helen - I’ve always enjoyed reading and when I was young I loved making up stories as well. I forgot about that for a while as I have dyslexia and I was steered away from writing toward science when I was at school. I ended up studying Botany and Zoology and working in the pharmaceutical industry after college, but eventually found my way back to writing when my kids were older. I feel my life came full circle and I returned to my first love. As for writing romance, fantasy and romance have always been my genres of choice and I love to write both. I’ve been concentrating on romance for a while, but I’m about to launch into writing an epic fantasy in collaboration with my son. Should be fun!
annamaria - In Golden Christmas, you write about dogs, are they your favorite animals? Do you have a favorite breed?
Helen - I love cats and dogs and have one of each. I've always had pets and over the years our house has been home to gerbils, hamsters, guinea pigs, rabbits, cats and dogs. At the moment I have an elderly cat called Meg, who is nearly 18. She is now completely blind and we have had to adapt our home a little to make it safe for her. I also have a little white fluffy dog called Izzy, a Westie cross Bichon. She is my baby and hubby and I adore her. She is the sweetest natured little girl, although she has some terrier traits and loves digging in the garden, going after moles and rabbits. She sleeps in bed with us at night and I miss her terribly when I have to go away for a few days. I love including pets in my sweet romances and many feature cats and dogs.
annamaria - I understand how you feel. They do become part of the family.
I need to go back to something you said previously. Are you excited about writing with your son? How do you envision the collaboration to work?
Helen - Collaborating on a writing project is new for me and I'm not sure how it will work in practice. We brainstorm together all the time and that is super easy. My son and I can talk for hours LOL. We have multiple viewpoints planned and I will be writing some characters and my son others. I think we will find our way as we go. I'm excited about the project as it is a massive change for me and a very complex and exciting world that will unfold over three books.
annamaria - Collaborating with another author sounds so exciting, but it must be even more so since it is your son. What genre will this trilogy be?
Helen - The trilogy will be epic fantasy, an idea my son first conceived but one we have since brainstormed together. We've been planning it since the start of 2015, but have both been too busy with other things to write it until now. We plan to start at the end of September once I have finished my trilogy of Christmas romances for this year.
annamaria - How many novels and/or novellas will you be publishing before the year is over?
Helen - My story in Christmas Pets and Kisses, Golden Christmas, is the first of a trilogy called Pawprints on Your Heart. The second is Silver Christmas and this will be released at the same time as the boxed set. The third is tentatively titled White Christmas and will be released a few weeks later. Those two Christmas stories are the only other releases I have planned for 2015.
annamaria - Helen, thank you so much for taking time from your busy schedule to chat with me about your work. I hope you'll return to give us an update on future novels and series you'll be working on.
Helen -Thank you so much for having me. It's been a pleasure talking with you. I'll be sure to come back with an update in the future.
Blurb:
Every Christmas Vicky hides so she doesn’t have to celebrate the date she lost her husband and son. She doesn’t want to see anyone but when she finds a dog’s lost ball she meets Jon, a wounded ex-soldier who’s struggling with his own problems. This brave man touches Vicky’s shattered heart and makes her realize she can’t hide forever. With his support, can she find the strength to love again?
About the Author:
NY Times and USA Today bestselling author Helen Scott Taylor lives in South West England near Plymouth in Devon between the windswept expanse of Dartmoor and the rocky Atlantic coast. As well as her wonderful, long-suffering husband, she shares her home with a Westie who digs up the garden searching for voles, and an elderly cat who adores treats.
Golden Christmas is EXCLUSIVE to Christmas Pets & Kisses from October 6 – November 6, so pre-order Christmas Pets & Kisses today and be the first of your friends to read Golden Christmas by Helen Scott Taylor.
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