Q & A with Author Jennifer Joyce.

We last chatted to Jennifer Joyce over a year ago! Where has the time gone? Since then, I am almost done reading all of her books and am also currently working my way through her short stories, over on her blog. If you can't tell already, I am a huge fan! Jennifer's stories always put a smile on my face, I relate to her characters, love her settings and just genuinely love her writing. You can read more about that tomorrow though, when I join the blog tour for her wonderful new book. Speaking of which...

1. Your delightful new story 'The Little Bed and Breakfast by the Sea' is set in a gorgeous seaside town, full of kind locals, fish and chips, ice cream and Ferris wheels. Did you go on many seaside holidays when you were younger and if so do you have a favourite memory?
We mostly had seaside daytrips when I was young rather than holidays. One vivid memory during a seaside trip I have was getting lost in Rhyl when I was around five or six. I was watching the Punch and Judy show and my family accidentally left me behind (there were five kids, so an easy mistake). Luckily a lady found me wandering up and down the seafront and made sure I was reunited with my family, who had the police looking for me and everything. I laugh about it now. Honestly.

2. I find it impossible to pick a favourite out of the three wonderful women you created for this story. Do you have a soft spot for one in particular or like me do you love Mae, Willow and Melody equally?

I love the three women equally, but I do have a soft spot for Melody’s partnership as it was so fun to write. Plus, it introduced us to Scoop Dog, the bravest dog in Clifton-On-Sea.

3. You touch on a few emotional topics in this book. With Melody's loss and Willow's struggles and hopes. Did that make it a more difficult book to write?

In some ways it did, because I wanted to reflect the struggles the women were facing, but I also wanted to write an uplifting story. Nobody’s life is perfect, and I hope I’ve reflected this, but I also hope the book is fun and heart-warming too.

4. Have you ever stayed at a bed and breakfast? Are there any pretty ones you can recommend?

We usually stay in hotels for our holidays (abroad), but this year we’re hoping to have a British seaside holiday and will probably stay in a bed and breakfast. I’m looking forward to it and there will more than likely be a pic or two on social media!

5. Melody is on a trip to explore and take photos of the British seaside. Do you have a favourite British beach?

It’s got to be Blackpool! But to be honest, I’m happy as long as I can have a paddle, build a sandcastle or two, and there’s a decent arcade nearby.

6. If you were to have your own Bed and Breakfast, what theme would you go for? What decor, furnishings and colour scheme would you choose?

I love Mae’s bed and breakfast – it’s quite spacious with a neutral colour scheme, but it’s cosy too. I’d have to have a bookcase for guests to exchange books on. Even if you’ve taken your own mini TBR pile, you can never have too many books!

7. I fell in love with Hugo as soon as I met him in this story. He was so funny and just made me happy. He also has the best job ever and makes some pretty amazing ice cream. With that being said, I have to ask what is your all time favourite ice cream flavour?

I’m sorry, but I’m going to have to be really boring here and say vanilla. It doesn’t even have to have sauce or sprinkles – just a bowl of plain vanilla ice cream is perfection to me.

8. I made the classic book worm mistake of reading this book too quickly, it was just so brilliant and I felt so at home that I couldn't put it down. This only means I am eager for your next one! Can you divulge us with any details of what we can expect?

I can – and there won’t be too a long wait either! Back in 2014, I self-published The Beginner’s Guide To Salad, and I’m finally going to publish the second book in the series. In the first book, the main character, Ruth is attempting to lose weight for her upcoming school reunion, and the second book tells the next chapter in her life. There’ll be the return of some familiar characters, as well as a few new ones. I’m so excited about publishing this book as I adore Ruth! I’ll be having a title/blurb/cover reveal very soon, with more details on the publication date.

Follow Jennifer on:

Twitter @writer_jenn
Instagram: writer_jenn
Amazon: Jennifer Joyce Page

Have a wonderful day everyone!

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