Tell us about the location you chose for your SUNLOUNGER 2 story… I chose the east coast of Australia, because it makes a fab road trip and the huge variety in landscapes and activities meant I could check lots off my leading lady’s ‘Best Summer Ever’ list. And, selfishly, I wanted to revisit it myself – in my mind – at a time when my hometown in Devon was lashing down with huge cloud-fulls of wintery rain.
Have your books featured any destinations? Not yet… but I’m working on one based in my imaginary-second-home, Los Angeles.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be? Ooo, I LOVE living in different countries – I think it’s the best experience in the world! I have a real hankering for America at the moment, and one day I plan to for six months or a year in New York, but if I had to pick just one place forever it would be a pretty beach town near LA, such as Laguna Beach or Malibu.
Destination you’ve returned to the most times? California – I’ve been six times, including living in San Francisco for a summer. I love the national parks, the wine, the sunshine, the coastline, the way of life, the frozen yogurt and the fact that I always feel like I’m living in a Sweet Valley novel while I’m there.
Ticket, passport, money and… A spray tan! I’m a little self-conscious about my bikini body, and always feel a lot more able to relax into myself if I have just a hint of colour on my pale flesh.
Favourite cuisine from around the world? Cheapy (but ridiculously delish) Pad Thai from street vendors at Thailand beach resorts, or cheesecake from amazing US chain The Cheesecake Factory.
Favourite holiday cocktail? Frothy pink Hummingbirds, which I made full use of when going All Inclusive on my Bahamian honeymoon!
Worst holiday romance: It was my gap year between school and uni, and one of my first nights in Australia. My friend Ellie and I were dancing in a bar when a guy came up to me, dancing, leaning in close, with the chat-up line “Do you want my balls in your mouth?” Ellie and I ran all the way back to the hostel!
Best holiday romance? When my (now husband) boyfriend Phil proposed to me in New York on the last night of our year-long, round-the-world trip. It was the best day ever, and gave me a fantastic reason to look forward to going home rather than feel sad that it had come to an end.
