Portobello Book Blog

I’m very pleased to be joined by Caroline James, author of Hattie Goes to Hollywood today. She is answering my Author in the Spotlight questions so read on to find out more about her and her reading and writing habits.

First of all, would you tell my blog readers a little about yourself?

My working life has been spent in the hospitality industry. I went to college in Bournemouth then worked on the front desk of in a 5* hotel in London. As I progressed through different jobs, I eventually owned a pub in Cumbria followed by a gorgeous Country House Hotel. When I sold the hotel, I set up an agency representing celebrity chefs which was hard work and huge fun and took me to some amazing places.

What inspired you to start writing?

I’ve always wanted to write but I never thought that I was good enough, having completely messed up at school. Seven years ago, I vowed that I wouldn’t die wondering and glued my rear to a chair and snatched every spare moment to write. Twelve months later my first book, Coffee Tea the Gypsy & Me was published.

Tell me about your journey to publication

I couldn’t find a publisher or agent for my first book and after a zillion rejection letters, set about the self-publishing route. I found it very trying but soon learnt. The book went to #3 in women’s fiction on Amazon and my writing die was cast. I am both self-published and traditionally published now.

In a nutshell, what is your latest book about?

Hattie Goes To Hollywood is the first in a new series of mysteries with a female sleuth, Hattie, as the main character. It is set in the Cumbrian villageof Hollywood and is, I hope, a humorous read. There have been three suicides in the village and the wife of the latest asks Hattie to investigate his death. Hattie gets to know the eccentric characters in the village with a surprising outcome to her enquiries.

How did you come up with the title for your book?

I was lying in the bath, sipping a raspberry gin, and the title appeared in my head. I thought it made a great hashtag. I wrote the book based on the title.

How do you plan to celebrate publication day?

I will (I hope!) be treated by my lovely new hubbie and there will be a bottle or two of bubbles, and a big box of chocolates, on the go during the day.

Do you have a work in progress just now?

Yep. Am finishing the next in the series of ‘Hattie’ mysteries and planning the next. Look out for Hattie & the Heirloom and Hattie & the Cruise.

What’s your favourite book you’ve read in the past few months?

I’ve struggled just lately and have been skipping from one book to another but Angela Barton’s ‘Magnolia House’ is a great read and got me back in my reading groove. I found The Hunting Party by Lucy Foley frustrating but addictively page turning.

What are you reading just now?

I’m listening to Kate Atkinson’s ‘Big Sky’ on audible and loving it.

Is there a book you’d like to see made into a film? Who would be in your dream cast?

Selfishly, I’d love to see my last novel, The Best Boomerville Hotel, made into a film. Reviewers have said it is ‘Britain’s answer to the Marigold Hotel’ – a hotel is such a great setting for a film with a revolving door of characters and I’d have Bill Nighy in a lead role.

How can people follow you or connect with you on social media?

Amazon: http://mybook.to/HGTHE

www.carolinejamesauthor.co.uk

Twitter:@CarolineJames12

FaceBook:  Caroline James Author

#HattieGoesToHollywood

And finally, if you could be a character in any book you have read, who would it be and why?

Dr Doolittle. I often think that my two Westie dogs talk to me, but it would be wonderful if they really did.

Thanks Caroline for answering my questions and thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for inviting me to take part in the tour. Hattie Goes to Hollywood is available now as an ebook and in paperback. You can order a copy here: Hattie Goes to Hollywood Don’t miss the giveaway below!

Giveaway to win a cuddly Drake toy! (Open INT)

Be in with a chance to win Drake, Hattie’s faithful pet duck! Tall Drake & Handsome – A gorgeous soft toy who will be your friend for life.

*Terms and Conditions –Worldwide entries welcome.  Please enter using the Rafflecopter box below.  The winner will be selected at random via Rafflecopter from all valid entries and will be notified by Twitter and/or email. If no response is received within 7 days then Rachel’s Random Resources reserves the right to select an alternative winner. Open to all entrants aged 18 or over.  Any personal data given as part of the competition entry is used for this purpose only and will not be shared with third parties, with the exception of the winners’ information. This will passed to the giveaway organiser and used only for fulfilment of the prize, after which time Rachel’s Random Resources will delete the data.  I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.

Click here to enter the giveaway

From the back of the book

Hattie Goes to Hollywood

A Cumbrian Village…
Three suicides…
A red-hot summer…

Join super-sleuth Hattie as tempers and temperatures rise in the Cumbrian village of Hollywood. With mischief and shenanigans aplenty, will Hattie discover the truth?

A funny and intriguing mystery – the first in a new series by Caroline James

When recently bereaved Hattie Mulberry inherits her aunt’s dilapidated cottage in the village of Hollywood in Cumbria, she envisages a quiet life. But retired hotelier Hattie is bored and when her neighbour asks her to investigate a suspicious suicide, Hattie’s career takes a new direction and H&H Investigations is born. During the hottest summer for years, Hattie discovers there have been three recent suicides in Hollywood and she determines to find out why. Temperatures rise as she throws herself into village life and, with mischief and shenanigans aplenty, Hattie has her work cut out. But will she establish the truth?

More about the author

Best-selling author of women’s fiction, Caroline James has owned and run businesses encompassing all aspects of the hospitality industry, a subject that often features in her novels. She is based in the UK but has a great fondness for travel and escapes whenever she can. A public speaker, which includes talks and lectures on cruise ships world-wide, Caroline is also a consultant and food writer. She is a member of the Romantic Novelist’s Association, the Society of Women’s Writer’s & Journalists and the Society of Authors and writes articles and short stories, contributing to many publications. In her spare time, Caroline can be found trekking up a mountain or relaxing with her head in a book and hand in a box of chocolates.

Books by Caroline James:

Coffee Tea the Gypsy & Me

Coffee Tea the Chef & Me

Coffee Tea the Caribbean & Me

Jungle Rock

The Best Boomerville Hotel

Hattie Goes to Hollywood