I’m delighted to be joined by Tilly Tennant today as she steps into my Festive Spotlight. I’ve enjoyed quite a few of Tilly’s lovely romantic reads and am hoping to fit Christmas in Paris into my Christmas reading this year. I just love that cover!
I’m Tilly, mum of two grownup daughters with absolutely no idea how they got to be grownup so quickly! Originally from Dorset, I live in the midlands now. I write feel-good stories about families and relationships. I’m fortunate to write full time and to have seen my books translated for readers around the world, as well as a movie adaptation for A Very Vintage Christmas.
In a nutshell, what is your Christmas book about?
Christmas in Paris follows Brooke, whose long term boyfriend dumps her on a whim for a girl he’s just met in a coffee shop. As you can imagine, her world implodes and it takes best friend Felicity to drag her back from a life of misery. They’re not only friends but business partners as well, and they take their homespun arts and crafts to sell in Paris at the Christmas markets, and that’s where Brooke’s healing really begins.
How did you come up with the title for your book?
I’d love to say it was some stroke of genius, but it really is just a ‘does what it says on the tin’ kind of title!
How do you plan to celebrate Christmas this year?
By having my two girls home from university, giving them both the biggest hugs, sitting in front of the TV with them to watch repeats of our favourite shows and not letting go of them until the January term starts!
You have £5 to buy a secret Santa gift – what would you buy?
I misread this question at first glance and thought I had £5 to get a present for Santa! So I’m going to continue in that vein and say that if I had to buy a little gift for Santa, I’d get him some foot soak – I’m sure he’ll need it on Boxing Day!
What’s your favourite Christmas song?
Carol of the Bells – every time I hear it makes my hairs stand on end.
What’s your essential Christmas food or drink?
Roast potatoes on my dinner – if I could eat a plate of roasties and nothing else I might seriously consider it!
What Christmas book are you looking forward to reading this year?
A few years ago I was privileged to be sent an advanced copy of a lovely book called The Cat of Yule Cottage by Lili Hayward. The story stayed with me for ages and I think it’s high time I read it again.
How can people follow you or connect with you on social media?
I’m on Twitter @TillyTenWriter, on Facebook and on Instagram (tillytennant6000). I haven’t quite got to grips with TikTok yet but I’m working on it!
Finally, what’s your favourite Christmas tree decoration?
It has to be any of the decorations my daughters made in primary school, which we still put on the tree every year. I don’t think anything will ever make me smile like they do. I also have some baubles shaped like red apples that are the first decorations I ever bought with my husband, and I can’t imagine our tree without those either.
Thank you so much for taking part Tilly. Christmas in Paris is published by Bookouture
and available now. You can order a copy here: Christmas in Paris
Portobello Book Blog 