Portobello Book Blog

Joining me today to tell us all about herself and her forthcoming release, Highland Games, is author Evie Alexander. Welcome Evie. First of all, would you tell my blog readers a little about yourself?

I’m Evie and I’m a British romantic comedy writer who lives in the West country of the UK, near Bath. Apparently I have a sweet smile and a dirty laugh and I like to write books that reflect that…

What inspired you to start writing?

I was always making up stories as a child, and when I was about eight, my primary school teacher bought me an exercise book so I could start writing them down. I am still in touch with her decades later, although I am a little apprehensive of her reading Highland Games! I carried on writing through school and beyond, but never had the confidence to get anything published until a life changing event and the support of a friend helped me finally finish a novel.

Tell me about your journey to publication

I wrote Highland and Hollywood Games as one story in the late summer and early autumn of 2019. It was a two hundred thousand behemoth and I wasn’t sure what to do with it, as I wrote it for fun, not publication. I found some beta readers across the world via a facebook group and they helped show me what I needed to work on. I then began the torturous process of splitting the book in half which took the best part of two years. I also found an incredible editor to work with me, and both Highland and Hollywood Games ended up going through countless drafts before they were finally ready for publication.

In a nutshell, what is your book about?

A fiery heroine, a Scottish god, a cabin, a castle, and enough heat to warm the coldest Scottish winter…

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

I was having a total nightmare trying to find a title! Eventually I went into a Facebook group, gave them the blurb and asked them for ideas. Someone came up with Highland Games and I was eternally grateful as it meant the other titles in the Kinloch series; Hollywood Games, Kissing Games, and Musical Games flowed easily after that!

How do you plan to celebrate publication day?

I plan to celebrate with steak, gluten free chocolate cake, and Prosecco. There will also be giveaways and lives which I am looking forward to!

Do you have a work in progress just now?

Yes! I’m in the planning stages of my next series. This one is going to be set in Somerset around where I live. I’m building the world and the characters at the moment and planning out the first few books.

What one book would you recommend to a friend and why?

It depends on the friend! If it was a romance book then I often recommend The Bromance Book Club by Lyssa K Adams as it has such a great conceit as well as a book within a book which was just awesome.

What are you reading just now?

‘Piece of Work’ by Stacie Hart

If you were on Desert Island Discs, what one book would you take with you?

Well, I get The Complete Works of Shakespeare, so in addition, I think I’d take Miss Buncle’s Book by D E Stevenson. It’s so gentle and funny and again there is a book within a book, so maybe that’s a ‘thing’ for me?

Is there a book you’d love to see made into a film?

Apart from my own books, I’d love to see What We Deserve by Lizzie Stanley made into a film. I’m so in love with her characters that I’ve even dreamt of them…

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

Website: https://eviealexanderauthor.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eviealexanderauthor
Instagram:  https://www.instagram.com/eviealexanderauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Evie_author
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/21611777.Evie_Alexander
BookBub: https://www.bookbub.com/profile/evie-alexander
Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.co.uk/eviealexanderauthor/

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

I’d be Valentina from Kissing Games, because Charlie is just the funniest, nicest guy in the world, is extremely hot, and also plays the piano…

About the book

Welcome to the hottest winter Scotland’s ever seen…

Zoe’s always played it safe, just as her parents wanted. But when her great-uncle dies and leaves her a ramshackle cabin in the Scottish Highlands, she decides it’s time to change her life.

Upping sticks seems like a good idea in her cosy flat in London, but the reality is very different. There’s no electricity or running water, the roof leaks and there’s no front door. If that wasn’t bad enough, she’s moved up in the depths of winter and her scorching hot neighbour wants her out.

Rory’s got a fifty thousand tonne problem. If he can’t make Kinloch castle profitable, he’s out of a job. He needs a clear head, but there’s someone living in the cabin he saw as his own and she’s turned his world upside down.

Rory needs Zoe out of Scotland, and out of his life. The trouble is, she has no intention of leaving.

Let the games begin…

Highland Games will be published on 15th October
Buying link: mybook.to/HighlandGames