Today it's my pleasure to welcome Rebecca Raisin back to the blog as part of this Q&A for the Food & Drink feature month. I had originally planned to review her book Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm last Summer but then illness and life took over and I never managed to read it but hopefully either Emma or myself will finally read and review it before the end of this feature month.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your writing journey?
I’m a romance writer from Perth, Australia. I started writing very short stories which helped me to be economical with words! I loved trying all sorts of genres to see if I could, and then eventually fell in love with writing romance. It has been great turning a hobby into a career!
Where did the inspiration for Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm come from?
A reader friend of mine was googling the town of Ashford where the Gingerbread Series books are set and he was telling me the street names…One was something like Pumpkin farm road or similar, and it gave me the idea to set a story at a farm, but with something as luscious and sweet as maple syrup! I really liked the idea of having layers of secrets in the story, from the farm itself and the people who end up there. I think it’s my favourite story for that reason!
Whilst researching the Maple Syrup industry, did you trial recipes on your family?
I did! We lived on French toast for a week because it’s just so delicious! With lots of whipped vanilla bean cream, and roasted pistachios! We also used it a lot in savoury dishes so it balanced the heat. I thought it was very cute making meals with maple! It’s such a special ingredient once you learn how precious it is, the ways the maple trees provide and for how short the tapping season goes for. I now have so much respect for maples and mother nature!
If you had to describe Secrets at Maple Syrup Farm in one sentence, what would it be?
Oh good question! Erm… ‘Love, and life isn’t always perfect so pack your bag and go on an adventure…’
Today it's my pleasure to welcome Sharon Atkinson to the blog to take part in the foodie Q&A for this feature month.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your writing journey?
I was born and raised in East London and now I reside in Essex with my partner and step-daughter. I have always been interested in poetry and writing in general from an early age, but only started to write properly from 2001. Since 2003 I have had 15 plus of my poems published in different anthologies including, “Poets of Greater London”, “Love in Ink”, "The Path of True Love" and “Daily Reflections 2005”, to mention but a few. These have been published via ForwardPress.
I started up a writing group in Corringham, Essex, for those with a passion of writing and to discipline myself to sit down and actually produce something I am proud of. Now I have! I get my inspiration and motivation to write, from the people that surround me, my friends and family.
I have just finished my first complete novel which proved challenging, but fun to write. It is a Christmas Romance with the added extra of Christmas cookie recipes at the back of the book (some have already been tried and tested). I have already made a start on book two (which may well turn into a trilogy) and have a few more ideas for other romantic novels. For now mum’s the word ;o)
You can find me here:
Twitter - @SharonSAtkinson
Goodreads - Sharon_Atkinson
Website – www.wordsandwoes.com
