After being part of last month’s cover reveal, it’s a real pleasure today to be joining the blog tour for The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay by Nicola May, now available from Amazon in the UK, US, Canada and Australia. I’m really sorry I couldn’t manage to read this one for the tour – Woman magazine have already called it ‘A funny and fast-paced romp – thoroughly enjoyable!’, and Milly Johnson said ‘This book will twang your funny bone & your heartstrings’. Described as ‘a romantic comedy full of love, life lessons, hope and triumph over adversity’, I’ll be adding it to my reading pile to hopefully catch up with later.
Rosa Larkin is down on her luck in London, so when she inherits a near-derelict corner shop in a quaint Devon village, her first thought is to sell it for cash and sort out her life. But nothing is straightforward about this legacy. While the identity of her benefactor remains a mystery, he – or she – has left one important legal proviso: that the shop cannot be sold, only passed on to somebody who really deserves it.
Rosa makes up her mind to give it a go: to put everything she has into getting the shop up and running again in the small seaside community of Cockleberry Bay. But can she do it all on her own? And if not, who will help her succeed – and who among the following will work secretly to see her fail?
There is a handsome rugby player, a sexy plumber, a charlatan reporter and a selection of meddling locals. Add in a hit and run incident and the disappearance of a valuable engraved necklace – and what you get is a journey of self-discovery and unpredictable events.
With surprising and heartfelt results, Rosa, accompanied at all times by her little sausage dog Hot, will slowly unravel the shadowy secrets of the inheritance, and also bring her own, long-hidden heritage into the light.
I’m delighted to welcome author Nicola May as my guest on Being Anne today…
What was your publishing journey like for this book, Nicola? (Are you traditionally or self published?)
I started off as a self-published author, then signed a 7 book deal with a traditional publisher, but have decided to go it alone again with The Corner Shop in Cockleberry Bay.
How long on average does it take you to write a book?
Usually around 3-6 months. But if on a roll with no outside distractions, I can complete a first draft in around 6 weeks. That is what happened with The School Gates.
Where do you find inspiration for your books?
A lot of my books are based around experiences and challenges I have faced throughout my life. I am also a massive observer of everyday life. I have SO many ideas for future novels.
Can you give us three good book recommendations?
The Perfectly Imperfect Woman by Milly Johnson
Notes from an Exhibition by Patrick Gale
The Shell Seekers by Rosamunde Pilcher
Any advice to writers wanting to start a novel of their own?
I always say just write and don’t edit as you go. Let the story flow and you can then go back to it and make any changes with a different perspective. Believe in your work and it helps me to get a few friends to give me some input as the story develops.
What has been your highlight since becoming an author?
There has been many, but I think winning awards at the Festival of Romance for The School Gates and Christmas Evie in 2012 and 2014 respectively were pretty special moments.
What is your favourite food?
A medium rare fillet steak.
What is your favourite holiday destination?
A little village in South Devon, called Dittisham. I actually had its narrow streets and hilly roads in mind when I wrote this novel.
What was the last book you read?
The Last Dance by Victoria Hislop
What is your favourite TV programme?
The Voice as I love to see how the artists improve, plus Will.i.am makes me laugh.
What is your favourite film?
It has to be Love Actually…
It has to be Love Actually for me too Nicola! Thank you for the Q&A, and wishing you every success with the book…
Giveaway
With thanks to Nicola and tour organiser Rachel’s Random Resources I’m delighted to offer the chance to win one of three paperback copies, open internationally. Here are the terms and conditions, and the rafflecopter for entry.
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 I reserve 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 I will delete the data. I am not responsible for despatch or delivery of the prize.
About the author
Award winning author Nicola May lives in Ascot in Berkshire with her rescue cat Stanley. Her hobbies include watching films that involve a lot of swooning, crabbing in South Devon, eating flapjacks and enjoying a flutter on the horses. Inspired by her favourite authors Milly Johnson and Carole Matthews, Nicola writes what she describes as chicklit with a kick.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram
I’ve been eyeing up this one for a while. The story sounds fun and the cover is beautiful.