For my Friday Read this week I’m interviewing popular romance author Jennifer Bardsley about her latest romance novel, Talk of the Town. So grab yourself a cuppa, get comfy and let’s get talking to Jennifer.
Blurb
In this lighthearted romance filled with small-town humor and high jinks, an unsuspecting real estate agent becomes the wildest dream come true for all the single moms—except the one he wants.
They’re coworkers, friends, and confidants, but Peter Marshal has always pined for a little something more with Noelle Walters. As a widow and a single mom, Noelle prefers to play it safe, and falling for Peter was never part of the plan.
Then again, neither of their plans accounted for the well-meaning but meddling actions of Peter’s sister, who offers him up as their town’s most eligible bachelor in the local moms’ Facebook group. He’s none the wiser about the source of this sudden surge in attention, but he only has eyes for Noelle. And from where she’s standing on the sidelines of Peter’s popularity, it’s getting harder to pretend that she doesn’t see what everyone else sees in her best friend.
With all eyes on them, will Peter and Noelle finally see beyond the hurdles to the happily ever after that’s been there all along?
Buy links:
https://www.amazon.com/Talk-Town-Jennifer-Bardsley-ebook/dp/B0B7HRSR39/
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Talk-Town-Jennifer-Bardsley-ebook/dp/B0B7HRSR39
Welcome to my blog, Jennifer. Have you always wanted to be a writer?
I began my life as an elementary school teacher, but transitioned over to writing once I became a stay-at-home mom. At first, I blogged. Then I started a newspaper column and eventually signed with a literary agent who sold my first book, Genesis Girl, in 2016. Talk of the Town is my eighth traditionally published title.
Has any author inspired you?
I love sweet romance books set in small towns that take me places I haven’t been. Carolyn Brown writes wonderful books set in the American West. Susanne O’Leary’s stories make me feel like I’ve been to Ireland.
What do you like writing most?
I love writing comedy into my books. I’m more of a sweet romance author than I am a romcom person, but I do love adding funny bits wherever I can.
Do you have a special place for writing?
I draft on a special typewriter called a Freewrite that is not hooked up to the internet at all, except for uploading documents. That helps me write quickly without being distracted by social media or email. Another benefit is that I can write at my desk, on my couch, or in the car while I wait to pick my daughter up from school. Then when it comes time to revise, I switch over to my computer.
Are you a pantster or a plotter?
I’m a plotter. I always start a book by thinking about one sentence that describes the entire plot. For Talk of the Town, that original sentence was: “After his sister offers him up in the local online moms group, a real estate agent becomes the most eligible bachelor in town.” Once I hade that hook, I fleshed out the characters, and imagine their backstories. Then I write out my outline.
Is your writing ever inspired by your family or real life incidents?
I take inspiration from everywhere. In Talk of the Town, a Facebook moms group is *the* place to find out information about everything that happens in town. In my own life, I participate in several Facebook parenting groups. I’ve never been a Little League coach or a real estate agent, but I’ve attended quite a few games and open houses over the years.
What are you writing at the moment?
I am halfway through writing a three-book series that comes out from Bookouture in 2024. Set in the fictional town of Sand Dollar Cove, these books feature mystery, romance, and juicy family drama.
What are your hobbies?
I love flower arranging, camping in my tent trailer, watching television, and working out at my local exercise studio. I also enjoy sharing jokes and chatting with readers on my Facebook page.
What advice would you give to other writers?
Form a writing group online or in your local community. I was part of a writing group that met every week for years, and it really helped me learn to be a better author.
Thanks so much for dropping by to talk to us abour your fantastic new book today, Jennifer. I hope it flies!
Meet Jennifer
Author Bio – Jennifer Bardsley
Jennifer Bardsley believes in friendship, true love, and the everlasting power of books. A graduate of Stanford University, she lives in Edmonds, Washington, with her husband and two children. Jennifer’s column, I Brake for Moms, has appeared in the Everett Herald every week since 2012. When Jennifer is not writing books or experimenting with her latest kitchen appliance, you can find her walking from her house to the beach every chance she gets.
Follow Jennifer
Website: https://jenniferbardsley.com
FB: https://www.facebook.com/JenniferBardsleyAuthor/
IG: https://www.instagram.com/jenniferbardsleyauthor/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/JennBardsley
TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@jenniferbardsley
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5755219.Jennifer_Bardsley
Karen King – Writing about the light and dark of relationships.
Amazon Author Page: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Karen-King/e/B0034P6W7I
Website: https://karenkingauthor.com/