Where are you from?
I’m from a small area in the centre of the UK known as the Black
Country. It’s a collection of towns that got its name from the
grime of the Industrial revolution. Now of course it’s quite green and
pleasant.
Do you have a specific writing style?
My stories are contemporary romances with a
dash of humour and a dollop of suspense. They are small town UK stories with a warm heart.
How much of the book is realistic?
My books always have a lot of research
behind them. They are very authentic so you could visit the places the stories
are based around and find things that would feel familiar. I like that as a
reader and my readers tell me they enjoy that too.
How long does it take you to write a book?
For a full length single title it takes me
about a year. For my shorter novellas it can be six weeks to four months
depending on length and how much free time I get to write.
What do you like to do when you're not
writing?
I love to be by the sea. I live as far from
the sea as it’s possible to get in the UK so it makes trips even more
special.
How many books have you written? Which is
your favorite? I have twenty-one published titles now and am working on two
more right now. It’s hard to choose a favourite as I’m proud of all my work.
Readers love Marrying Max and Animal Instincts my two big award winning titles
but I love Radio Gaga which is my latest release, too.
What book are you reading now? I read a lot
- over 100 books a year. I’m currently reading My Dearest Charlotte which is a
mystery written in the style of Jane Austen’s letters.
What are your current projects? I’m working
on Stormy Vintage which is a follow up book for E-Scape Press to go with
Passionate Harvest. I’m also working on what I hope will be book one of a new
series called At The Dolphin Hotel, it’s a romantic suspense/cosy mystery book.
Can
you share a little of your current work with us? Okay, here’s a snippet from At
The Dolphin Hotel.
“Excuse
me, I was told to come here and ask for Mrs Treadwell.”
Karen
melted away back into the lobby with the appearance of the man at the front
desk.
He
was tall and rangy, dressed in scruffy jeans and carrying a backpack. He didn’t
fit the profile for the Dolphin’s usual clientele, or the description of anyone
her grandmother would be likely to have an appointment with.
Genna
hesitated, unsure if she should interrupt her grandmother’s morning soiree.
“Um
Miss? This is the Dolphin hotel?” His blue eyes seemed to sparkle with
amusement at her confusion.
“Yes
Sir, of course. You said my grandmother was expecting you?”
The
stranger’s grin widened revealing a small dimple in his right cheek. “Yes, Mrs
Treadwell is expecting me.”
Genna’s
professional training kicked in. “I’ll just call through.” She picked up the
receiver and dialled the extension number for her grandmother’s suite with a
shaky finger. “What name shall I give her?”
“Matt,
Matt Bryant.”
Her
grandmother answered on the second ring. “Grams, there’s a Mr Matt Bryant in
reception. He says he has an appointment with you.” Gen noticed the stranger’s
lips twitch when she emphasised the Mr in front of his name.
What is your favorite theme/genre to write
about? I love to write about small towns and my stories are always very much
about the heroine’s journey. I like to show people’s connections with one
another and if I can add in some fun and a bit of mystery then I’m totally
happy.
What has been the toughest criticism given
to you as an author? What has been the best compliment? Toughest criticism is
from my first editor - she was amazing and taught me so much about showing and
telling. The best compliments have been from my readers who tell me they love
the warmth of my stories and the escapism.
The New Bay
collection
Welcome to New Bay
where the waves are perfect and the town is quaint. Delve into Nell Dixon's
complete New Bay series and meet the people that
have made a place in everyone's heart.
Includes: Making Waves, September Song, A
Cornish Christmas, Easter Holiday and New Bay
Wedding
Here’s a taster from the best selling - A
Cornish Christmas – Book 3 in the set!
The shop was full with people when Meg returned. She left her
sandwich and her coat in the staff room and went to help her mother serve the
customers. By the time the bell over the door sounded a farewell to the last
customer, Meg’s stomach growled.
She hurried into the back room to retrieve her lunch, finally
acknowledging the rumbles of complaint from her stomach.
She took a large bite from her brie and cranberry sandwich, chewed
and swallowed. “Yum, this is heaven.”
“You know if you made your own sandwiches it would be a lot
cheaper,” her mother tutted as she moved around the shop tidying as she went.
“I do make my own most days. Some days though it’s nice to have a
treat.” Meg took another bite.
“Did you hear anything about the lifeboat call out?”
Meg licked a crumb of cheese from the corner of her mouth. “Yes, it
was two kids in a homemade boat. I met Adam as I was walking back and he told
me.”
Her mother paused as she straightened up a basket of shell
jewellery. “I’m glad everyone was all right. I assume they were all safe?” she
asked, clearly fishing for information.
Meg nodded as she swallowed another morsel of her lunch. “Yes, the
kids have gone to the hospital, but they’re fine.”
“Good job Adam was on the boat then.”
“Mum, let’s not have this discussion now. You know how I feel about
Adam being on the lifeboat crew.”
Val pursed her lips. “What happened to your dad can’t be undone,
love. New Bay men have always gone to sea, that’s how it is. Adam does a vital
job for the lifeboat. They need young strong men like him, and his medical
know-how is a real bonus to the crew. If he hadn’t been on the boat when they
pulled young Brad out of the water a few months back, he wouldn’t be here to
tell the tale.”
Meg shivered. In her heart, she knew her mother was right. Brad had
been surfing when he’d been caught in an undertow. Without the bravery of her
friend Erin’s boyfriend Dan and Adam’s medical skill then Brad would have
drowned.
“Dad went to sea because he was a fisherman. It was his living. Adam
is deliberately putting himself in danger every time the boat goes out.” Her
voice shook as she spoke.
Her father had been drowned when she’d been a teenager. His boat had
been caught in a terrible storm a few miles from the safety of the harbour.
She’d seen and felt first hand what losing someone you loved to the sea could
do.
“And if it weren’t for men like Adam there’d be more folk lost.
There’s danger everywhere, Meg. I could have lost your dad to a road accident
or cancer.” The lines on her mother’s face softened, and she rested a gentle
hand on Meg’s shoulder. “Think about it, Meg, and give Adam a chance.”
© Nell Dixon 2011
Romance with Heart
Twitter - @NellDixon
