Tell us about the location you chose for your SUNLOUNGER 2 story… I chose India for my short story as it’s a country I’ve visited many times and one which I find completely and utterly magical. I’ve travelled widely but there is nowhere quite like India. Stunning landscapes, delicious food, amazing history… India has it all and much more. Recently I spent a month travelling across Rajasthan, the Land of the Kings, and my experiences there inspired my latest book, The Love Detective. Pushkar, the setting for this short story, is a town which will forever have a special place in my heart as I met some wonderful people there and made many special friends.
Have your books featured any destinations? I set my books in lots of different places, probably because I’m such an ardent traveller and have lived in LA, New York and Australia. Here’s the list so far… Going LaLa – Los Angeles. Calling Romeo – Verona, Italy. Me and Mr Darcy – NYC. You’re The One That I Don’t Want – Venice and NYC. The Love Detective – India
If you could live anywhere in the world… Well that’s a funny answer to ask an author, as actually I CAN live anywhere in the world with my job and I currently live between London and LA. However, as great as they both are in lots of ways, neither are my dream place to live…. because dreams aren’t based on reality are they? In which case I probably would be living in a farmhouse in the south of France or Ibiza (though I barely speak French and my Spanish is terrible). I have a fantasy about raising chickens and growing organic vegetables and rescuing animals and wafting around all day in a sundress and straw hat and sipping wine at eating olives and…. now look what you’ve done, you’ve got me all carried away…
Destination you’ve returned to the most times? Italy is somewhere I return to time after time. I first went there when I was backpacking in my early twenties. My sister and I bought inter-rail train tickets and travelled through Europe one summer, stopping off at all the different towns and cities through France and Italy. I’d been to France many times as a child but I was blown away by Italy; the gorgeous piazzas, stunning architect, delicious food, amazing style, fascinating history and just the sheer romance of it all. I’ve set several books in Italy as it’s such an amazing backdrop for a love story. I defy anyone not to fall in love there!
Ticket, passport, money and… My pashmina. I bought it in Kerala, Southern India about five years ago. It’s made of pure cashmere and huge, like a blanket, and hand-embroidered. It looks gorgeous and it’s so incredibly warm and soft. I use it as a blanket on long-haul flights, wrap it around me when it’s chilly outside, and I’ve even used it as a sarong!
Favourite cuisine from around the world? That’s a tough one as I love all kinds of different food, but I do think it has to be the Indian food I ate in Rajasthan in Northern India. It was mostly vegetarian and utterly delicious, with mouthwatering dishes such as chana masala which is made from delicately spiced chick peas.
Favourite holiday cocktail? Mojito. There’s nothing like a good mojito at that lovely golden hour when the sun starts to sink in the sky and casts everything in gorgeous glow. The best Mojito I’ve ever had was at a tiny beach hut in Ibiza. A little old lady made them with lots of fresh mint and ice and we sat on the sand and drank them whilst watching the sunset. Bliss.
If you could pick any celebrity to take a trip with, who would it be and where would you go? I’ll take Tom Jones with me to Richard Branson’s private game reserve in South Africa. I love Tom Jones as he inspired my first novel, ‘What’s New, Pussycat?’ and ‘Delilah’ is one of my favourite songs. I’ve also always wanted to go on a safari. This way I get to combine the two. And he can serenade me and the elephants…
What was your best and worst holiday romance? I’ve never had a bad holiday romance so I’ve been pretty lucky. But the best holiday romance has to be when I spent a week in Puglia, in southern Italy and fell madly in love with a handsome Californian guy. We travelled around together in a tiny little car one blistering August, spending our days exploring the dazzling coastline and our nights sitting on the steps of old churches eating freshly-baked pizza. He’s now my husband 
