Author Interview & Giveaway: Georgina Troy

Today I'm joined by Georgina Troy for a Q&A as part of her blog tour for her debut book A Jersey Kiss which has recently been published.

Please summarise your latest book in 20 words or less.
A Jersey Kiss is a romance set in Jersey about love, loss, refusing to give in, and a mysterious legacy.

What was the idea/inspiration for your novel?
I'd always wanted to write a romantic novel, have always admired people who overcome misfortune, and had recently finished renovating an old property. I also live in Jersey, which is very scenic, and so decided to put these factors together in a series of three books. A Jersey Kiss is the first in the Jersey Romance Series.

If you could choose to be one of your characters in your book, which would you be, and why?
I would choose to be my heroine, Bea, because despite the betrayal of her husband and his determination to take everything away from her, she's not bitter, but finds a way to fight him to keep everything her god-mother has left her in her will, even finding ways to uncover the mysterious, Jersey Kiss.

Did you do any research for your book?  What resources did you use?
Yes, definitely. Despite knowing a little about polo, I had to check that the beach polo scene was correct with a polo player I know. I also looked at the local marinas at boats when choosing which one to include and use as Luke’s home. I then had to research more about vintage boats, their engines, sleeping areas, etc. I'm also a member of Jersey Heritage and visited some of their charismatic properties to include them in the book.

Do you have a most creative time of day?
Yes, usually when I'm not writing and mostly when I'm walking on the beach, or even ironing, which I hate. My favourite time to write is the early afternoon into the evening.

Do you have a theme for your book covers?  Who designs them?
Edward Jordan and Kirsty Greenwood designed my cover for A Jersey Kiss. Kirsty has read the book and I sent them pictures of Jersey scenes, landmarks, parts of the island included in the book, even a picture of the perfect sea blue that I liked for the cover. I adore the cover and although I knew they'd design a beautiful cover, I wasn't prepared for exactly how beautiful, or in fact how incredibly perfect it is for, A Jersey Kiss. I'll definitely be asking them to design my next cover for A Jersey Affair. 

Your book is part of a series, what is in the future?
A Jersey Kiss is the first of a series of three books set in the island. Each book is a stand-alone book, but features protagonists who live/work in the island and the scenes are carried out in areas on the island or on islands off the coast. The next book, A Jersey Affair will be published in Spring 2014.

 Which authors have influenced your writing?
Too many to mention! I love Christina Jones' books and when she kindly agreed to read and review, A Jersey Kiss, I was ecstatic. Christina's quote is on the front cover of the book, too and I still can't believe how lucky I am that she's done this for me. To have an author I admire so much actually enjoying a book I've written was overwhelming and a little surreal.

Do you have a book trailer?  What do you think book trailers achieve?
Yes, I think trailers show snippets of the story that give the reader an immediate insight into what they can expect to find in the book. They're also great fun to make! 

Does your book tackle a social barrier?
I'm not sure. I think that due to Bergerac and maybe some recent press about tax issues, etc, some people might have a misguided view that most people living on the island are billionaire diamond merchants who avoid paying taxes, or something similar. I hope this book shows that most of the 85,000 residents are normal people contending with living, loving, loss, determination, unforeseen difficulties and an unending hope that the weather is still going to be warm and sunny by the time the weekend arrives. 

'Living in the 'sunny isle' it's hard not to fall in love and even though Bea Phillips is still reeling from a nasty divorce, the loss of her beloved god-mother and inheriting a legacy that includes something mysterious no one seems able to locate, she still has to find a way to fight a court case that threatens to take away everything she owns. The last thing Bea needs is a distraction in the form of surly builder Luke, or old flame Tom.

Will Bea find a way to keep her dream home and maybe fall in love? And what exactly is, A Jersey Kiss?

Georgina Troy lives in Jersey near the sea – well, most people do in an island only 9 miles x 5 miles - she’s always wanted to write and being an impossible romantic is always falling in love with heroes both real (hopefully), in fiction (definitely) and those of her own creation (absolutely).

She’s now written the first two novels for a romance series based in Jersey, which she hopes you’ll want to read, enjoy and maybe tell your friends all about.

Contact Georgina via:

Website: www.georginatroy.co.uk
Blog: http://georginatroy.blogspot.co.uk
Twitter: @GeorginaTroy
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GeorginaTroyAuthor

Georgina is also running a giveaway alongside her blog tour offering a copy of A Jersey Kiss eBook (International) and a selection of Jersey Kiss goodies (UK only).  Enter via the Rafflecopter form below
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