Toi Thomas Tells All About Her New Direction...Around The Cauldron!

In the last Wizard's Cauldron interview of 2015, old friend of the site, Toi Thomas talks to me about a new direction she's taking.  We've been talking for years on and off and I'm delighted to be given the opportunity to interview her once more.

Toi is better known as a popular fantasy author (the Eternal Curse Series), but this year, she has written her first chicklit novel under a pseudonym.  

I caught up with Toi in the not-so snowy wastes of Williamsburg, Virginia (thanks to El Nino!) and asked her to tell us all about it: Here's what she had to say.

Welcome back, Toi – tell new Wizardwatchers about yourself

Well now let’s see… I’m Toi Thomas and I’m a bit of a geek who loves comic books and vinyl records, but I’ve slowly developed a multiple personality who’s ready for her chance to shine. Oh, and I’m an indie author and blogger.

Whereabouts in the US are you from? And is it snowing yet?

Yes, here on the Eastern Seaboard of the U.S. the temperatures are starting to drop but not by much. We should be approaching winter, but I feel like autumn has just begun. I’m currently living in Virginia, which for most people outside the U.S. is the land of “Colonial Times”. I still can’t believe how many international tourists come to Williamsburg each year.

In what genre do you write? And who are your big influences?

Well, as Toi Thomas, I mainly stick to the speculative genres, my alter ego is a bit “softer”. I love sci-fi, fantasy, and paranormal; I even sneak in spiritual and religious elements into some of my work. I have a feeling though that some of the new works I’ve planned for the years to come will catch people a bit off guard.

As for influences, I’m influenced by everything around me to some degree. J.M. Barrie is the author who first interested me in writing stories as a kid when I penned my own tails of adventures as a lost boy. 

"Bad boy" JM Barrie - author of Peter Pan

More recently though, I’ve developed an eye for creativity that inspires me to be a better writer. I still think Erin Morgenstern’s Night Circus is fuelling much of my fantasy creativity.

Tell us about your latest work.

Toi’s, I mean my, latest fantasy work is still in the WIP (work in progress) phase. I’m also working on the third book in my Eternal Curse series, while giving the second one a touch up, just because I can. But to be perfectly honest, I haven’t been up to much. My alter ego has been though. She’s been occupying much of my mental capacity for the last six months in preparation for her first release.

It’s Like the Full Moon (Sayings 1) is a contemporary story with a slightly humorous and very realistic approach to friendship and this modern thing called “love”. It’s an adult story that’s very sweet but also a bit neurotic- you know, just like real life. And there’s even a love triangle.

"Rebecca has just turned thirty. She’s happy living a perfectly comfortable and predictable life. She’s even ready to marry her long-time boyfriend whenever he finally gets around to asking her. 

But all that changes when her best friend whisks her away to Italy for a much-needed vacation.

In the midst of site seeing and finally letting loose, Rebecca manages to catch the eye of a young English tourist; but doesn’t let it go to her head. By the time she’s back in the states and back in the arms of her long-time beau, Rebecca has already forgotten about Peter, Paten, Paul…whatever his name was, that is...

...until he shows up at her brother’s cabin in the woods.

A life of normalcy, routine, and stability gets turned upside down as Rebecca decides whether or not she’s truly ready to get married. And if so, who is the one she’s really meant to be with?"

Is this a romance book? Why romance?

Yes, this book is basically a romance. Some might call it Chick-Lit, but two of my husband’s friends said they liked it. One was disappointed that there were no steamy parts… Oh well, can’t please everyone. (ha ha...Ed)

I don’t naturally lean toward tales of romance unless a galactic battle, vision quest, or hero trial is somehow involved, but my softer side decided to show me just how wonderful romance could be. In all honesty, I wanted to write something purely romantic to prove to myself that I could do it and still be myself afterwards. 

For the most part that’s true, even if I am able to embrace my girlie side a little better now that I’ve written this book. I’m still not down with make-up and nail polish though; it’s just not my thing.

I understand this is going to be a series. Does that mean your fantasy work is taking a back seat?

Yes and no. I do have to alternate where my attentions lie a bit in order to do justice to the gene at hand. I have several speculative works that I’ll be diving into after the official release of this book, which means the sequel for this will have to wait a bit, but too long. I already have a few people hounding me to deliver them closure for the character’s who are just beginning their journey at the end of Sayings One.

You have written this under a pseudonym. What’s the logic behind that? And what are the pros and cons of pseudonyms?

Glorie Townson

I guess you could say Glorie Townson is a pseudonym; she is technically me. At the very least, she is my contemporary romance muse. The decision to give my alter ego, my muse, a name and persona for the sake of publication wasn’t easy. I sought advice from many friends and fellow authors with the results being inconclusive. Many thought it was a great idea and others feared it would cause confusion.

So far, I’ve found it to be the right decision and a lot of fun for three basic reasons. People who know that I’ve published speculative works in the past have been able to process this new side of me without concern for whether or not it will work. If Toi Thomas had all of a sudden started publishing romance, I fear many would have scrutinized and compared my works unfairly.

My speculative fans have a chance to continue enjoying the work of Toi Thomas without worrying about whether the genre content will be weakened.

Fans of contemporary and romantic fiction, who’ve never heard of Toi Thomas because they don’t read speculative fiction, aren’t concerned about whether or not genre mashing will sneak up on them. All they know is that this new author Glorie Townson has a new treat for them.

For now, the only con to this process is that I might be going a little crazy, but it’s a good crazy so I’m not worried. Plus my husband gets to have Toi and Glorie- that lucky joker.

How has the world of Indie changed since we first met? If it has changed, has it changed for better or for worse?

The book industry is like the music industry, Indie is the heart of it and it’s always changing. For me, the indie industry has gotten better, but some of that sentiment may be due to the fact that I’ve learned a lot and have matured as an author and blogger. However, just because things have gotten better doesn’t mean it’s gotten easier. With Indie slowly making its way into alternative-mainstream, being an indie author means more hard work and determination ahead.

Indie authors are no longer widely looked upon as writers who couldn’t make with the Big 5. People are starting to realise that there’s only so much space, time, and money available to big publishers for investing in new authors and realise that in order for ideas and creativity to survive, Indie must thrive.

There are so many new opportunities, some better than others, for indie authors and new and supportive communities developing daily. I think this is a great time to be an indie.

Do you spend much time on Pinterest? Is it a boon for authors or is it one of those (sometimes delightful) wastes of time?

https://www.pinterest.com/toinette_thomas/itslikethefullmoon/

I have a love-hate relationship with Pinterest and yes I spend a lot of time there. On one hand, it really is a wonderful creativity boost and can even aid in organizing and visualizing ideas and plot points. On the other hand, every now and then something super shiny and cool pops up on the screen, you lose your whole train of thought, and three hours later you realise that you forgot to eat dinner and need to go to work the next morning.

In any case, I still love it. I enjoy piecing together story boards for my books (check out this one for Eternal Curse: Giovanni’s Angel) and even like to get social with it. Right now, I’m allowing anyone who wants to contribute to my #itslikethefullmoon board access to help celebrate the crazy things people do for love. All they have to do is message me and ask. 

What’s been your favourite moment of 2015? Has it been a good year for you?

Oh man, 2015 had been a delight compared to my 2014. So much has happened and I’ve been very blessed. In 2015 I got to attend one local Con and one mini Con. I Joined some really cool social and author groups that have made all the difference. 

And I had a really cool 35^th birthday (yeah I printed that on the web- I’m ashamed of my age).

Tell Wizardwatchers:

a)      Your all time superhero- Batman, of course. (me too! - ED)

b)      Your favourite TV show this year- Daredevil on Netflix.

c)       Your all time favourite book- The jury is still out on this, but I’m currently loving the Spellbringer Series by Tricia Drammeh.

d)      The best film of 2015 according to Toi- So many to choose from, but Mad Max Fury Road still pops into my daydreams.

And finally, what next for fans of Toi Thomas

I have many things planned and some it’s too early to giveaway, but for just know that a brand new fantasy/sci-fi adventure is coming that takes place on another world. 

Eternal Curse will receive one, possibly two, new and final instalments, and according to Glorie, the Saying Series is just beginning.

Toi,  it's been an absolute pleasure to talk to you once more and I wish you all the very best with your new romance venture.

Thanks bunches, Mark...

Contact

This book is currently available for Pre-order as an ebook through Amazon.com and as a paperback 

direct from the author. Be sure to pre-order your copy at its reduced introductory rate and save your receipt number to earn extra entries into Glorie's cool giveaway. 

Pre-order Kindle:  http://www.amazon.com/dp/B0174BTT9A 

Pre-order Paperback: 

http://etoithomas.com/books-by-toi-thomas/sayings-series/ 

add to Goodreads: 

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/26837549-it-s-like-the-full-moon -

TAKE THE QUIZ: WHO WOULD YOU BE IN A LOVE TRIANGLE?

https://www.qzzr.com/quiz/d39c1d8e-fa50-4085-bc30-c4f9e3ad0d66/fi9xdWl6emVzLzkyMTE5 

Who were you in the love triangle? Share at the giveaway link below for a chance to win a $5 gift card.

AUTHOR LISTINGS

Website & blog: http://etoithomas.com/ 

Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/author/toithomas 

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6012241.Toi_Thomas 

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/ToiThomasAuthor 

Twitter (@toithomas): https://twitter.com/ToiThomas 

Google+:https://plus.google.com/+ToinetteThomas 

Tumblr: http://toithomas.tumblr.com/ 

Popular Chickliterati Tracie "Twin Piques" Banister is...around the Cauldron

Sometime last year, the name Tracie Banister was mooted here on the Cauldron as a name to watch out for in the world of the chickliterati. I contacted her and asked if she fancied a chat and she willingly agreed, but for one reason or another, it's taken a year to happen. 

In the meantime, Tracie has rapidly gained a reputation on the circuit for effervescent, upbeat, feelgood chicklit. 

Coinciding with the release of her hot new novel, "Twin Piques", I managed to track her down somewhere deep in the balmy savannahs of the southern states of America (the second native of Atlanta we've interviewed in the past fortnight), and we chatted on the Wizphone accompanied by the chirping of native birds and crickets awaking from their slumbers. Here's what Tracie had to say.

Tell us about yourself, Tracie

Thanks so much for having me on The Wizard’s Cauldron today! My name is Tracie Banister, and I’m an author of three Chick Lit novels, along with being a blogger, TV addict, and dog lover. 

I live in the suburbs of Atlanta, with my two Cocker Spaniels (That number is about to increase as a puppy is being added to the mix next month!)

Do you sip chilled Mint Juleps on a veranda while contemplating your back garden?

LOL No, I’ve lived in Atlanta for almost 30 years and have never partaken of a Mint Julep, and unfortunately I do not have a garden in the back of my house. I do have lots of lovely azaleas and gardenias out front, though, and I have been known to say, “Fiddle-dee-dee,” on occasion.

William Faulkner - native of the South and considered
by the critics to be the most important American
novelist ever.

Tell us about your latest work?

 Twin Piques chronicles a critical few months in the lives of sisters Sloane and Willa Tobin. They’re identical twins, but polar opposites in every way. Sloane’s a hyper-intelligent, sharp-tongued forensic accountant who’s focused on getting a promotion at work while Willa is a sweet, kooky pet psychic who’s on a search for true love. 

How the two of them help (and sometimes hinder) each other from reaching their goals and finding happiness is the core of the story. There’s comedy, romance, cute guys, and even cuter dogs in Twin Piques!

Can you share an extract?

Of course! This is from a Willa/Sloane scene in Chapter  9, which is told from Willa’s POV:

     “Let’s get back to what’s bothering you. Are you sure it’s not a man? Because you could tell me, you know. If you were involved with someone . . .”     “I don’t have time to date right now. I’m totally focused on my career.” This is Sloane’s stock response to any inquiries about her love life.     “I didn’t say ‘date.’ Relationships between men and women don’t have to be labeled.Sometimes they just are . . .”     “Exhausting? Aggravating? A waste of time? Yeah, I’d agree with all that.”     “You wouldn’t feel that way if you found a guy you were simpatico with, someone as smart and ambitious as you, a professional type who values the finer things in life, like good clothes, a nice car–”
     “Maybe a BMW.” Sloane raises an eyebrow questioningly.     “Sure, why not? BMWs are good cars, aren’t they? They look really sleek and elegant and they cost a lot of money, so you’d have to be successful in order to afford one. Do you know anyone who drives a Beemer?”
     “Wow,” Sloane shakes her head in disbelief, “you are so bad at this. It’s like being interrogated by Strawberry Shortcake. Actually, she’d probably be more crafty about it than you. ‘Do you know anyone who drives a Beemer?’ Seriously?”     I guess I tipped my hand. Sloane’s right. I do stink at subterfuge. “I would have asked you outright, but you’re always so–”     “Gav is dead,” she vows while pouring herself some more lemonade. “I should have known when he ran into Josh outside last week that he was going to run straight to you and blab about it. He’s like some gossipy teenage girl.”
     Oh, shoot, now Gav’s going to get in trouble, which I promised him he wouldn’t. I need to bail this out ASAP.

What about your previous novels? Are there connecting themes? How would you describe your canon?

The tagline for my books is “Sexy, sophisticated, humorous fiction for women,” which I think sums up my brand pretty well. One will always find strong, intelligent heroines, romance, and witty dialogue in my stories. The humor was a little sharper in my first novel, Blame It on the Fame, as that was set in the backstabbing film industry. 

My second novel, In Need of Therapy, was a modern-day Latinized riff on Pride and Prejudice, so obviously there was plenty of comedy, family skirmishes, and romantic shenanigans in that one. 

If there’s a connecting theme in my work, it would be women discovering themselves and what their version of happiness is in regards to work, family, friends, and love.

I understand you write full time. Is that nerve wracking?

Only in the sense that I wish there were more hours in the day! I often lament that cloning myself isn’t a viable option as I need a Writing Tracie and a Promo Tracie. They’re both full-time jobs, and it’s not easy to find a balance.

Are you a blogger? Where can my readers find you and what will they find when they reach there?

I just recently opened my newly redesigned blog, Books by Banister:

http://traciebanister.blogspot.com/

I post fun pieces there about writing, my books, and my characters. I also feature other Chick Lit/Women’s Fic authors, and I have an entertainment column called “The Banister Buzz,” in which I talk about movies, television, theater, and celebrities.

What are your three favourite books, two favourite CDs and favourite DVD?

Three favorite books: Pride and Prejudice

The Great Gatsby, 

and Gone With the Wind

Two favorite CDs: “Songs About Jane” – Maroon 5 

and “Wicked” – Original Cast Recording.

Favorite DVD: The Princess Bride

 Who is your inspiration as an author?

The classic authors who inspire me are Jane Austen, the Brontë sisters, Georgette Heyer, and Shakespeare. The author who made me want to become a writer was Kathleen Woodiwiss. 

KW

I discovered her in my late teens and fell in love with her strong female characters and the well-developed romances in her books. The modern-day authors who inspire me are Lauren Willig, Sophie Kinsella, Elizabeth Peters, Nora Roberts, and Janet Evanovich.

SK

Sophie Kinsella Interviewed on Tara Ford's Calling All Authors

  

And what do fans of Tracie Banister have to look forward to in the coming year?

Well, I just released Twin Piques the first week of January, so I started the new year off right and hopefully there will be more to come from me in 2015! I have a couple projects cooking right now, an anthology with Jane Austen-centric shorts written by Chick Lit authors, and my 4^th novel, which I don’t want to reveal too much about just yet. Suffice it to say that this novel will be set in New York City and involve a pair of antagonistic chefs.

Tracie, thank you for coming to join us around the Cauldron today and I wish you and your novels the very best of luck in the coming year.

Thank you so much, Wiz and the same to you.

Book Blurb

Forensic accountant Sloane Tobin and kooky pet psychic Willa may have the same face, but that’s the only thing these identical twins have in common.

How she can read the hearts and minds of animals has always been a mystery to Willa, and her rotten luck with men is equally baffling. Although she’s been looking for “The One” for what feels like forever (A teenage marriage to a French mime and dating a guy named Spider seemed like good ideas at the time!), optimistic Willa refuses to give up on love. When she meets Brody, the handsome rose expert hired to save her grandmother’s garden, she’s instantly smitten, but why does he keep sending her mixed signals? Does he return her feelings, or is their attraction all in her fanciful head?

Unlike her twin, Sloane has zero interest in romance. Her passion is her job, where she uses her gift for numbers to take down slimy embezzlers and asset-hiding spouses. When she’s assigned two high profile cases, Sloane feels confident the promotion she’s been angling for is within her grasp. But will her plan to climb the corporate ladder be thwarted by difficult clients, her co-worker-with-benefits, or – most surprisingly of all – her own sister? And how’s she supposed to stay focused on the drama at work when her childhood friend, Gav, moves in next door and the spark between them becomes impossible to ignore?

To get what they both want, can Willa and Sloane band together and rely on each other’s strengths? Or will their differences drive them apart once and for all?

  

Buy Twin Piques (US):

http://www.amazon.com/Twin-Piques-Tracie-Banister-ebook/dp/B00RSEP056

Amazon Global:  myBook.to/TwinPiques

 Social Networking Links

Blog:  http://traciebanister.blogspot.com/

Facebook:  https://www.facebook.com/tracie.banister

Twitter:  https://twitter.com/traciebanister

Pinterest:  https://www.pinterest.com/tlbani

Goodreads:  https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5448518.Tracie_Banister

The Wizard's Cauldron 100th interview special edition: Star US chickliterati, Katie Oliver

For followers of the Wizard's Cauldron, Katie Oliver needs no introduction. Most people's odds-on favourite for global romance superstardom, Katie has been writing stories ever since she was old enough to hold a pencil.  

With her star currently shining brightly in our corner of the literary firmament, I thought of no-one more appropriate than Katie to be our 100th interview.

A big fan of the old Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers romances and later, the Stephen Curtis chickflicks "Four Weddings" and "Notting Hill", Katie is known for her light touch, effervescent humour and gentle observations of the "battle of the sexes". 

As a prolific writer, Katie also is fond of long term character development, so you really get a sense of the creation of a literary world. 

I'm a big fan of the way she does business and am wishing her to the top. I picked up the Wizphone and caught up with Katie in her garden somewhere on the Eastern Seaboard.  Here's what she had to say to me.


Click HERE for Katie's First Appearance Around the Wizard's Cauldron


For the record, who is Katie Oliver?

Hmm…that’s a good question.  She’s an American author who writes romantic comedy with a distinctly British twist.  

What’s been happening in Katieoliverworld since we last spoke?

Quite a lot of stuff has happened, actually.  After over fifteen years of working, I’ve finally left my day job so I can concentrate on writing full time.  That’s something I’ve dreamed of doing for…well, for over fifteen years!

Yayyy!! How has everything gone in the last year or so?

It’s been a tumultuous year. Back in August of last year I learned that UK Carina, a digital publisher, bought three of my books; shortly afterwards, my mother died after several mini-strokes, which was stressful and totally unexpected; there were story revisions and copy edits to complete and deadlines to meet; then, beginning in January of this year, my ebooks were published in three consecutive months – all of this while I was still working full-time.  

Phew. I'm exhausted just reading that!

Looking back, I honestly don’t know how I did it all, ha ha. I got up at 4:30 AM in order to get ready for work and to Tweet with my transatlantic followers.  There were a couple of days at work when I locked myself in the bathroom and cried.  But I kept (mostly) calm and carried on…as one does.

It's all paid off, hon. I hear you've received some great news lately? 

Yes! I’m excited to announce that I’m under contract to write three more “Dating Mr Darcy” ebooks for Carina UK.  Two of the books are finished and submitted to my editor; the third is half finished and is due by early December.  

Two of the stories feature Natalie and Rhys, which I hope will make my readers very happy.

How did you originally get your job with Carina UK? 

My agent, Nikki Terpilowski, submitted my work to an editor at Carina UK who read my manuscripts and loved them…all three of them!  She offered me a contract and made me a very happy girl!  Nikki Tweeted me to say, ‘Check your email! Great news!” and sure enough, her email stated Carina UK wanted to buy all three manuscripts.  That’s the moment that writers dream about.

Your stories are set in the UK.  Has that helped or hindered your US sales?

Funnily enough, it’s helped.  My US sales ratio is about two-to-one to the UK’s.  I honestly thought it would be the reverse, with more British readers buying my books than Americans.  While I have a strong fan base in England, Scotland, and Wales, I think the fact that many readers (including myself) are hungry for British chicklit and romantic comedies has helped sell books in my own country as well.

You write full time. How does that feel? Is it like jumping off a cliff? Do you feel any differently than you did when you worked to support your writing?

It feels absolutely wonderful.  I love waking up, knowing that I can spend all morning or afternoon (or sometimes both) doing nothing but writing.  It’s certainly helped with my output.  I’m averaging five chapters a week – and I couldn’t be happier.

Of course, it’s a little scary, too.  Deadlines have to be met and so I have to get the story down on paper (or on screen), regardless of what else is going on in my own life.  I have to limit distractions like social media (not always easy to do!) and keep myself focused. Luckily, my husband and family get it – they’ve put up with my writing for so many years now, they’re used to it.

So yes, writing at home full time feels different – it’s wonderful, but I also expect more of myself. I don’t have the excuse of “I’m working, I don’t have time” any more. I have to deliver.

You are a prodigious marketeer. Any advice to new authors on the subject? What is your favourite platform?

Wow, thanks.  I’ve never been called a “prodigious marketeer” before!  I like it! 

You're welcome. I sometimes think you live in Twitter.

Ha ha ha. As far as platform, I love Twitter. I can chat with readers, bloggers, reviewers, and other writers; I can Tweet book links and promos; I can Tweet jokes or silly comments or just talk to people about the things they want to talk about (in 140 characters or less, of course).

My advice to new authors? Even if you’re not yet published, even if your book isn’t finished, start building your platform now.  Create a Twitter account.  Create a Facebook author page. Create a website and/or a blog.  There are plenty of free sites available; or if you want to own your content, you can run a self-hosted site.  I’ve had a self-hosted site on WordPress.org for nearly three years, since before I was published.

I would strongly recommend you blog as often as you can, preferably at least once a week.  Why?  Blogging gives your readers a sense of your writing style.  It helps to build your following.  And it will help your name come up in search engines more often, ensuring that new readers find you. 

Knowing what you know now, if Carina UK had never happened, would you self-publish?

Possibly...although I now know first-hand what a lot of work it is to put a quality ebook together, even with a publisher and a team behind me.  There’s marketing, cover design, editorial revisions, copyediting, formatting, online placement, promotions…it’s head-spinning. I have deep respect for anyone who self-publishes, because it takes a lot of effort to produce a great book.  And when you self-publish, you do most of it yourself.

It's a nightmare, Katie. But at least it's your own nightmare. I hear on the grapevine that you caused uproar with a certain word which has a different meaning in the US than it does in the UK? Care to share that with us.

LOL!  That darned Rebecca Raisin, always spilling my secrets…

She's a rascal alright...

I posted a comment to Rebecca on my Facebook page a few days ago, and I mentioned ‘getting off my fanny’ to do something I really needed to get done.  Rebecca messaged me a few minutes later, laughing hysterically.  Mystified, I 
asked what was so funny.  

She explained that in Australia (and in England too, evidently), ‘fanny’ means ‘lady bits,’ and so ‘getting off my fanny’ had a very…different meaning and…oh, crap, I’m blushing again…

Needless to say, I updated my status to explain the two very DIFFERENT meanings of ‘fanny’, and got a gazillion likes and comments.  My American friends got a real laugh out of it.

Ha ha ha. Highly amusing and bang on too. What are you reading, watching religiously, and listening to at the moment?

Right now I’m reading a hilarious book by Lisette Brody, “Molly Hacker is Too Picky,” and I absolutely love it! 

Lisette has nailed Molly’s character…she’s a smart, sassy young woman who’s not about to settle for the first guy who comes along, no matter how many people – friends and family included - try to ‘fix her up’ with Mr Right.

I’ve been watching the final episodes of “Master Chef” here in the USA and I’m riveted.  

Who will win the title of Master Chef this year?  Only 5 contestants remain. Who will emerge triumphant from the final Mystery Box and Elimination challenges dished out by Gordon Ramsey, Joe Bastianich, and Graham Elliot?

On my iPod I’ve been listening to “California Love” by Tupac and “Vogue” by Madonna, and lots of Fleetwood Mac.  

I like music that gets my fanny – erm, I mean my rear end! – to move on the treadmill.  “Love Shack,” “Groove is in the Heart,” “Life During Wartime,” anything by Talking Heads or Salt-n-Pepa or the Rolling Stones – good music always gets my heart rate up!

When are you coming over to Great Britain?  

I have tentative plans to cross the pond this coming spring and meet up with Rebecca and a few of the other lovely Carina UK writers in London.  I’d love to meet you, too.

Love to. I'll bring my Wizard's pointy hat and magic wand. Will you be eating local delicacy mushy peas when you do?

I most definitely will!  I want to try mushy peas, and fish and chips (I’ve heard the English version is far superior to the American), steak and kidney pie – all of that classic British fare.  

And I’ll want lots and lots of Hobnobs and Jaffa Cakes and Cadbury’s chocolate too, of course.

My Uncle Sid works for Cadbury. I'll bring a bucket. Katie, what are your plans for the future? When can we expect to see a new ebook?

The Dating Mr Darcy trilogy has arrived!  So if any of your readers haven’t yet met Natalie or Rhys or Dominic and Gemma, they can get all three books in one lovely package.

I’m also very excited to be featured as an Apple iBook of the Week on iTunes through 1 September.  Readers can grab Prada and Prejudice for free, and the other two books in the series are on offer at an attractive price.

Right now I’m in waiting mode.  My fourth book, Prada and Plaid, has been revised and returned and is in my editor’s capable hands.  Once the copy edits are done, I imagine this next instalment, featuring Natalie and Rhys and set in the Scottish Highlands, will appear sometime before or around Christmas, or perhaps just after.  I’ll keep everyone posted.

A second book is in the wings as well, this one featuring British rocker Dominic Heath and his tempestuous girlfriend, Gemma.  

There are a couple of new characters that I hope readers will like as much as I do, as well as plenty of action and adventure, and a really devious villain.

And finally, the book I’m writing now stars Natalie and Rhys once again, this time in Manhattan.  Rhys is opening the first Dashwood & James store in America. There are misunderstandings and stolen jewels and…well, it promises to be a lot of fun.

I'm sure it will be. Katie, it's been an absolute pleasure once again and I am sure Wizardwatchers around the world will join me in wishing you the best of luck.

Thank you so much for your wonderful support, Wiz. You’re terrific.

 Contact:

http://katieoliver.com
  
Twitter: https://twitter.com/katieoliver01

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Book Links:

Dating Mr Darcy Trilogy – Amazon US  
http://www.amazon.com/The-Dating-Darcy-Trilogy-Prejudice-ebook/dp/B00MBM40G0

Amazon UK
http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/ref=nb_sb_noss?url=search-alias%3Ddigital-text&field-keywords=Dating+Mr+Darcy+trilogy

Prada and Prejudice– 

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/prada-prejudice-dating-mr/id768943007?mt=11

http://www.amazon.com/Prada-Prejudice-Dating-Mr-Darcy-ebook/dp/B00GZQ5C6K

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Prada-Prejudice-Dating-Mr-Darcy-ebook/dp/B00GZQ5C6K/ref=sr_1_3?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409403548&sr=1-3&keywords=dating+mr+darcy

Love & Liability-

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/love-liability-dating-mr-darcy/id799890012?mt=11

http://www.amazon.com/Love-Liability-Dating-Mr-Darcy-ebook/dp/B00HWZ442Q/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=0P2BM1YF51TMJF5QK82W

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Love-Liability-Dating-Mr-Darcy-ebook/dp/B00HWZ442Q/ref=sr_1_2?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409403608&sr=1-2&keywords=dating+mr+darcy

Mansfield Lark –

https://itunes.apple.com/gb/book/prada-prejudice-dating-mr/id768943007?mt=11

http://www.amazon.com/Mansfield-Lark-Dating-Mr-Darcy-ebook/dp/B00HWZ444Y/ref=pd_sim_kstore_1?ie=UTF8&refRID=1TXS2R5PM6RCKE899G8D

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mansfield-Lark-Dating-Mr-Darcy-ebook/dp/B00HWZ444Y/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1409403637&sr=1-1&keywords=dating+mr+darcy

 Dating Mr Darcy Trilogy-

The perfect trilogy for Austen-and-shopping-mad fans! Give in to your love of scandal and Prada in this glamorous collection of the Dating Mr Darcy trilogy!

Here's to love and all its complications...