Isobel Reed
Hello and welcome. Thank you for being in our hot seat. I know that the readers are looking forward to learning more about you. Please tell us a little about yourself.
I was born and raised in London and still live along the River Thames with my husband and my substantial book collection. Ever the hopeless romantic, I fell in love with the genre from a young age and was inspired to write my own stories. When I'm not feasting on romantic comedies or binge reading my hoard of contemporary romance novels, I am writing.
https://www.facebook.com/isobelreedbooks
https://www.instagram.com/isobelreedbooks/
https://www.isobelreed.net/
https://www.amazon.com/author/isobelreed
https://www.goodreads.com/Isobel_Reed
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/isobel-reed
What’s your favorite thing to do to relax?
I’m a bit of a homebody so my ideal way to unwind is a quiet night in. There’s nothing more relaxing than curling up on the sofa with a good book. Preferably something romantic!
If you could go back in time to when you were seven years old, what wisdom or advice would you pass on to yourself?
Be kind to yourself. There is no harsher critic than ourselves. I think it’s important to be your own best friend now and again and be as kind to yourself as you are to others. I would also probably tell myself to skip the emo phase or at least destroy any photo evidence of it.
For what are you grateful?
There are so many things I am grateful for, the biggest of which are my family, friends and husband. Without their love and support I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
What is the number one lie you tell yourself? How is that working out?
That I will eat better tomorrow. This has been a common theme since forever. It’s not that I’m a junk food addict or anything but let’s just say if chocolate and pizza didn’t exist I’d probably drop a dress size (or three).
Now about you as an author…
What authors had an impact on you growing up and as an adult?
The first books I remember having an impact were The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien. My mum read them to me and my brother when we quite young and they had a lasting effect. After that I was hooked and books became a big part of my life. As a teenager I read a lot of science fiction and fantasy, Iain M Banks being an all time favourite. But when I discovered romance, there was no turning back. I mostly like contemporary romances but enjoy anything from small town stories by Maisey Yates to romantic suspense by Riley Edwards.
What is your favorite aspect or writing? Your least favorite?
Finding out what happens next is my favourite part. Everyone writes differently, for me, when I start writing I usually only have the first scene in mind and I go from there. I’m just as excited to find out what happens when I write a story as I am when I’m reading one.
My least favourite thing has to be proofing. I’ve lost count of how many times I have read a book by the time it’s ready to go out.
Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing?
Snacks, snacks and more snacks. When I’m on a roll I tend not to take any breaks for fear of forgetting the good stuff. Once I start writing, it could be hours and hours before I come up for air, which means I need snacks nearby to stop me from going feral. Or as my husband calls it - “hangry”.
Do you have a common theme or item that appears in each of your books?
All my books so far are set in small towns, it just so happens to be my favourite romantic backdrop despite growing up in the city. I blame my love of Hallmark films.
I was born and raised in London and still live along the River Thames with my husband and my substantial book collection. Ever the hopeless romantic, I fell in love with the genre from a young age and was inspired to write my own stories. When I'm not feasting on romantic comedies or binge reading my hoard of contemporary romance novels, I am writing.
https://www.facebook.com/isobelreedbooks
https://www.instagram.com/isobelreedbooks/
https://www.isobelreed.net/
https://www.amazon.com/author/isobelreed
https://www.goodreads.com/Isobel_Reed
https://www.bookbub.com/authors/isobel-reed
What’s your favorite thing to do to relax?
I’m a bit of a homebody so my ideal way to unwind is a quiet night in. There’s nothing more relaxing than curling up on the sofa with a good book. Preferably something romantic!
If you could go back in time to when you were seven years old, what wisdom or advice would you pass on to yourself?
Be kind to yourself. There is no harsher critic than ourselves. I think it’s important to be your own best friend now and again and be as kind to yourself as you are to others. I would also probably tell myself to skip the emo phase or at least destroy any photo evidence of it.
For what are you grateful?
There are so many things I am grateful for, the biggest of which are my family, friends and husband. Without their love and support I wouldn’t be the person I am today.
What is the number one lie you tell yourself? How is that working out?
That I will eat better tomorrow. This has been a common theme since forever. It’s not that I’m a junk food addict or anything but let’s just say if chocolate and pizza didn’t exist I’d probably drop a dress size (or three).
Now about you as an author…
What authors had an impact on you growing up and as an adult?
The first books I remember having an impact were The Hobbit and Lord of the Rings by J. R. R. Tolkien. My mum read them to me and my brother when we quite young and they had a lasting effect. After that I was hooked and books became a big part of my life. As a teenager I read a lot of science fiction and fantasy, Iain M Banks being an all time favourite. But when I discovered romance, there was no turning back. I mostly like contemporary romances but enjoy anything from small town stories by Maisey Yates to romantic suspense by Riley Edwards.
What is your favorite aspect or writing? Your least favorite?
Finding out what happens next is my favourite part. Everyone writes differently, for me, when I start writing I usually only have the first scene in mind and I go from there. I’m just as excited to find out what happens when I write a story as I am when I’m reading one.
My least favourite thing has to be proofing. I’ve lost count of how many times I have read a book by the time it’s ready to go out.
Do you have any “must haves” with you while you’re writing?
Snacks, snacks and more snacks. When I’m on a roll I tend not to take any breaks for fear of forgetting the good stuff. Once I start writing, it could be hours and hours before I come up for air, which means I need snacks nearby to stop me from going feral. Or as my husband calls it - “hangry”.
Do you have a common theme or item that appears in each of your books?
All my books so far are set in small towns, it just so happens to be my favourite romantic backdrop despite growing up in the city. I blame my love of Hallmark films.
Tell us about your latest release...
Love Tools is book one of a new contemporary romance series I’m writing.
Blurb:
Lily has the worst luck with men. In fact, she has the worst luck full stop. Sick of London, her job and being generally predictable she decides it’s time for a change. The change being, moving halfway across the world to Bluestone County to reopen the hardware store her estranged father left her in his will.
Small town living is what she wanted. She welcomed the calm and the quiet. But now she’s alone with her thoughts and the what ifs just keep coming. And if that wasn’t bad enough, there was also Jake. He may be the sexiest rancher she’s ever seen but he’s also smug, cocky and pretty damn rude.
Jake wasn’t interested in anything but casual. Long term was never a consideration, that is until he meets Lily. Even after numerous fiery exchanges he can’t get the sassy, mouthy blonde out of his head. He knew the moment he laid eyes on her hips shaking around the store that she was going to drive him to insanity. But he keeps going back for more. And the more he goes back, the harder he falls.
Excerpt:
“You about done checking me out darlin’ or do ya want me to turn around and show you the back?” Her face flamed as her eyes flicked back up to his face and she caught sight of his cocky grin. Before she could attempt to deny what she’d been doing, his expression turned more serious as he took his turn running his eyes up and down her. “I didn’t know Matt had a daughter.”
Surprise, surprise.
“No s***. He wasn’t exactly father of the year.”
Lily couldn’t help but think of the irony. Her father had become friends with some guy young enough to be his son, yet he still couldn’t quite be bothered to pick up the phone and call his own daughter.
His smile became crooked as his glare intensified. “You always swear like a trucker, darlin’? Here, I thought English women were all class and manners.”
Is he being f***ing serious?
Letting out a huff, she couldn’t believe the nerve of this guy, “I’m sorry, have I stepped into the past? Are you gonna ask me why a little woman like me isn’t married next?”
“Alright sweetheart, calm down.” He sniggered, clearly amused by the steam coming out of her ears.
Stepping closer to him, she tilted her head up to meet his gaze. “I’m not or will I ever be your sweetheart. Now if you don’t mind, you need to get the hell out of my store before I call the police.”
Laughing, he threw his hands up in the air in mercy, a smile still glued to his face. “Whatever you say, sweetheart.”
How did you decide on your story plot?
As a city girl myself I’ve always romanticized small town living, hence the setting. It’s what inspired me to take a character like Lily (a fellow city girl) and drop her into a small town in America to see what happens. I also wanted the book to not only focus on Lily and Jake’s love story but on the ghosts of their past that they’re both battling with.
How did you choose your location for your story?
Bluestone County is the setting for the whole series and if it actually existed I would move there tomorrow. It has all the charm of a small town, with friendly locals, an overactive gossip mill and lots of community spirit.
Do you have a favorite scene? Why?
My favourite scene is probably when Lily has a little too much whiskey because I love the back and forth between her and Jake. She’s also a funny drunk.
Do you have a character that you identify with? Who and why?
I identified quite a lot with Lily’s sister, Alice. She’s a straight-talker and her interactions with Lily are the kind of conversations I’d have with my own friends.
Thanks for sharing your book and answering some questions. Readers be sure to check out Isobel's links so you are the first to hear about her upcoming releases!
Love Tools is book one of a new contemporary romance series I’m writing.
Blurb:
Lily has the worst luck with men. In fact, she has the worst luck full stop. Sick of London, her job and being generally predictable she decides it’s time for a change. The change being, moving halfway across the world to Bluestone County to reopen the hardware store her estranged father left her in his will.
Small town living is what she wanted. She welcomed the calm and the quiet. But now she’s alone with her thoughts and the what ifs just keep coming. And if that wasn’t bad enough, there was also Jake. He may be the sexiest rancher she’s ever seen but he’s also smug, cocky and pretty damn rude.
Jake wasn’t interested in anything but casual. Long term was never a consideration, that is until he meets Lily. Even after numerous fiery exchanges he can’t get the sassy, mouthy blonde out of his head. He knew the moment he laid eyes on her hips shaking around the store that she was going to drive him to insanity. But he keeps going back for more. And the more he goes back, the harder he falls.
Excerpt:
“You about done checking me out darlin’ or do ya want me to turn around and show you the back?” Her face flamed as her eyes flicked back up to his face and she caught sight of his cocky grin. Before she could attempt to deny what she’d been doing, his expression turned more serious as he took his turn running his eyes up and down her. “I didn’t know Matt had a daughter.”
Surprise, surprise.
“No s***. He wasn’t exactly father of the year.”
Lily couldn’t help but think of the irony. Her father had become friends with some guy young enough to be his son, yet he still couldn’t quite be bothered to pick up the phone and call his own daughter.
His smile became crooked as his glare intensified. “You always swear like a trucker, darlin’? Here, I thought English women were all class and manners.”
Is he being f***ing serious?
Letting out a huff, she couldn’t believe the nerve of this guy, “I’m sorry, have I stepped into the past? Are you gonna ask me why a little woman like me isn’t married next?”
“Alright sweetheart, calm down.” He sniggered, clearly amused by the steam coming out of her ears.
Stepping closer to him, she tilted her head up to meet his gaze. “I’m not or will I ever be your sweetheart. Now if you don’t mind, you need to get the hell out of my store before I call the police.”
Laughing, he threw his hands up in the air in mercy, a smile still glued to his face. “Whatever you say, sweetheart.”
How did you decide on your story plot?
As a city girl myself I’ve always romanticized small town living, hence the setting. It’s what inspired me to take a character like Lily (a fellow city girl) and drop her into a small town in America to see what happens. I also wanted the book to not only focus on Lily and Jake’s love story but on the ghosts of their past that they’re both battling with.
How did you choose your location for your story?
Bluestone County is the setting for the whole series and if it actually existed I would move there tomorrow. It has all the charm of a small town, with friendly locals, an overactive gossip mill and lots of community spirit.
Do you have a favorite scene? Why?
My favourite scene is probably when Lily has a little too much whiskey because I love the back and forth between her and Jake. She’s also a funny drunk.
Do you have a character that you identify with? Who and why?
I identified quite a lot with Lily’s sister, Alice. She’s a straight-talker and her interactions with Lily are the kind of conversations I’d have with my own friends.
Thanks for sharing your book and answering some questions. Readers be sure to check out Isobel's links so you are the first to hear about her upcoming releases!
