June 7, 2016

Cavendon Luck by Barbara Taylor Bradford - Spotlight/Interview/Video


Published: June 7, 2017
Number of pages: 512
Genre: Historical Fiction/Romance
Series: Cavendon Hall #3
My review to come soon

Synopsis:
The Cavendon Luck picks up nine years after The Cavendon Women, in July of 1938. Cecily and Miles, with the help of the whole family, have brought the family and the estate back from the brink of disaster.

But now, with the arrival of World War II, Cavendon Hall will face its biggest challenge yet. Intrigue, romance, sorrow, and joy fill the pages of this epic saga as the Ingham and Swanns protect each other and the villagers and reveal their true capacity for survival and rebirth.

As the clouds of war gather over Cavendon, it is the younger generation who must step forward…

About the author:
BARBARA TAYLOR BRADFORD was raised in England where she began her writing career as a journalist. She has written thirty international bestsellers with 93 million copies of her books sold. The Cavendon Luck is her thirty-first novel. In 2007 Queen Elizabeth awarded her the OBE (Order of the British Empire) for her literary achievements. A Woman of Substance, her first book, has sold more than 32 million copies. She lives in New York with her husband of 53 years, TV and film producer Robert Bradford. Visit barbarataylorbradford.com.

Where to follow Barbara Taylor Bradford:

Interview:

1..   When did your love of writing begin?
My Mother taught me to read when I was 4. And by the time I was 7 I was writing little stories of my own in a school exercise book. One of the stories I wrote when I was 10 captivated my mother and she sent it to a children's magazine published in the UK when I was growing up. They not only published it, but paid me 7 shillings and sixpence. That was a quite a lot of money for a little girl, but I was mainly thrilled to see my byline.

2. Do you have a scheduled writing time, place and/or routine?

When I am writing a book I get up at 5am and start writing at 5:30. I stop at 7am to have breakfast with my husband. Once breakfast is over I go back to my desk and work until 4 or 5pm. Of course I am not always writing in those hours, but also doing research and creating plot lines. I work 7 days a week when I am on a book.

3. What do you do to get over writer's block?
I can't recall ever really having writer's block in the 37 years I've been a novelist. But there are days when the writing is not going well and I'm questioning myself about content. When this happens I usually put the manuscript to one side and do research. I also leave the room where I write and sit somewhere else in the apartment to read newspapers and magazines. I find getting away from it for half a day really helps. Usually I get back into the book the next morning with no problems at all.


4. What was it like to get your first publishing contract?
Well of course getting my first publishing contract for a novel was exciting, but it was also a bit frightening. With a contract in hand I knew I had to produce a novel that was good, and also meet a deadline. My first contract was for A Woman Of Substance and I proceeded to write. My editor and I realized that It would be impossible to finish in a year due to the research involved so the contract was amended to give me 18 months. In fact, the novel took two years to write.

5. How has the publishing/writing world changed since you first started writing?
When A Woman Of Substance was published in 1979 there were no eBooks, no audio books and no Internet. There was only a hard cover and a paperback. So of course, publishing today is very different. I can now reach my readers much more quickly through email and via social media where everything is instant.

6. You write about strong female characters. Are they modeled after anyone?
My female characters are very strong women who go out to conquer the world. They are not based on anybody in particular who I know. However, I have always been attracted to and admiring of women in history who have carved a way for themselves in a man's world. Certain queens such as Elizabeth Tudor and Catherine The Great of Russia; Marie Curie who discovered radium. Florence Nightingale who was the first nurse in a war on a battlefield at the battle of Bala Clava. And Mrs. Pankhurst the first women's suffragette. These women displayed strength, character and a determination to win.

7. When you are not writing what do you like to do?
When I am not writing Bob and I like to travel, go to the theater and entertain friends. I also read other people's books for pleasure.

8. Do you have any advice for beginning authors?

The best advice I can give to first-time authors is to tell them to sit down and do it. And not talk it away telling other people about your intended novel. But first I believe it is important for an author to write an outline about the story that is about to be told. By doing this you are actually telling yourself the story in your head. I have always done this for myself and it becomes a kind of blueprint for the book. Once I have finished the outline I then create more fully the characters with major roles.

9. Do you have a favorite author or book you would like to recommend to your readers?
I tend to read thrillers and I particularly like those written by Daniel Silva and Harlan Coben. I have just finished Harlan's latest book - Fool Me Once. And I must say, it was one of those un-putdownable novels.

10. Please tell us five random things about yourself
Here are five things people don't know about me:
a) I am still a journalist and write for some British papers.
b) I love news and watch many news programs on TV
c) I am extremely well-informed on world politics.
d) I love cooking.
e) My favorite hobby is decorating.

Video:
First of all I want to disclose that this is my very first video I have ever done and I am not very comfortable in front of a camera. With that being said I hope you enjoy watching and hearing one of the reasons I like to read Barbara Taylor Bradford's books. I apologize for the quaility of this video I am an amataur at this. I must say this was an honor for me to get to interview Barbara and to let you know why I love her books. I hope you take the chance to enjoy her books as I have. 


The Cavendon Hall Series:


#1 Cavendon Hall
#2 The Cavendon Women
#3 The Cavendon Luck





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