Interview with Julie Shackman - author of 'The Highland Lodge Getaway'
Interview with Julie Shackman – author of The Highland Lodge Getaway
Author Bio – Julie Shackman is a feel-good romance author from Scotland and is published by the HarperCollins imprint One More Chapter. When not writing or reading, Julie loves to take her Romanian rescue pup Cooper for long walks, watch romcoms and indulge her love of music. The Christmas Highland Lodge is Julie’s nineth novel.
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Interview with Julie Shackman on The Highland Lodge Getaway!
‘This story is full of wonder, Christmas spirit and sparkle’…Cindy L Spear
See my full review here.
Release date: October 20, 2023 (One More Chapter)
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INTERVIEW
Please share a short burst on what your Christmas novel The Highland Lodge Getaway for 2023 is about?
Lottie Grant loves the festive season so much that she works at the incredibly successful Christmas shop, Christmas Crackers, in her pretty Scottish home town of Craig Brae. But when the shop is sold, her world is turned upside down, leaving her wondering what she will do next.
Just as she’s about to give up hope on finding a new dream job, an offer comes that she can’t refuse, managing a set of luxury wooden cabins… and opening just in time for Christmas!
As she gets to work decorating the cabins, and hanging lights on the fir trees, Lottie can’t believe her luck. That is until the arrival of Blake Dempster, a moody but handsome hiking expert, who threatens to bring down her festive joy. But never one to shy away from a challenge, Lottie is determined to change Blake’s mind about all things festive.
And as the snow falls and the fairy lights sparkle, will work-obsessed Lottie and frozen-hearted Blake make their Christmas wishes come true?
Lottie Grant studied Interior Design and to quote from my review, she ‘has a real gift for making rooms and businesses shine.’ What inspired you to give this interest and ability to your lead character?
I’d seen some gorgeous photographs in magazines last year, of festive interior suggestions and that was what gave me an idea of making her having studied interior design. I love Christmas too and I just thought it would be a nice touch and that she could go crazy!
The Highland Lodge Getaway provides a clear picture of Lottie’s dream. What alters her plans and how does she turn her disappointment into something positive?
It’s not becoming owner of Christmas Crackers, the all-year round shop she manages, which throws a spanner in the works. It’s then that she wonders what she will do. That’s until she is offered another job opportunity and wonders if she is up to it - which she is, of course!
Tell us about Lottie’s opponent and a few of her obstacles in dealing with the hiking expert Blake Dempster?
Blake is an accomplished mountaineering expert and hiker. He also hates Christmas with a passion and tries to block Lottie’s ideas at every turn, with the lodges. He thinks she’s like a frivolous Disney princess and she thinks he is a miserable cretin! She knows she has to work alongside him and she isn’t a quitter, so she rolls her sleeves up and comes up with a few ideas, to try and change his mind about all things festive!
What is the main theme of The Highland Lodge Getaway?
I think the main theme is that ok, you can’t do anything about yesterday, but you can do something about tomorrow.
Your novels are wonderfully uplifting and have done well in the Contemporary Women’s / Romance Fiction arena. Please provide two favourite phrases from your reviews of your current novel.
Aww thank you! Two of my favourite review comments so far are:
‘The perfect Christmas read on the sofa with a heart chocolate. I loved it’
‘Filled with Christmas sparkle and wonder’
Which season is your most favourite to write about in your novels and why?
Oh. that’s a great question. I think it’s probably autumn, because of the riot of colours, the atmosphere and the changes in nature. Lends itself to great descriptions!
What is your greatest aspiration as a writer? Where would you like to be in ten years?
Like most writers, I would love to have one of my books turned into a movie or mini-series. Apart from that, I just want to keep writing and hopefully get better and better at what I do.
List four of your favourite Christmas novels and what makes them special?
I have so many Christmas novel favourites, but I would say:
Christmas at the Island Hotel by Jenny Colgan. She just captures the spirit of the season so perfectly and makes you feel like you are there.
One More Christmas at the Castle by Trisha Ashley. Just so atmospheric and I love the setting and the wonderful characters in this one.
The Christmas Bookshop by Jenny Colgan – Two of my favourite things in this one; the festive season and books! What’s there not to love?!
The Cosy Christmas Tea Shop by Caroline Roberts – It really is such a cosy, festive read with lots of gorgeous baking and description. You can just lose yourself!
What is your favourite fun Christmas activity you like to do with your family?
I think my favourite time is Christmas Eve, snacking on something like chocolate, with the air of excitement and anticipation and watching a festive movie!
Are you working on a new novel and can you share a little about it?
Yes, I am. I’m currently working on Book number eight of the Scottish Escapes series, which is set on the gorgeous Isle of Skye….
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Huge thanks to Julie for being my guest author! We wish her much success and happiness on the release of her new novel out today! You can purchase The Highland Lodge Getaway and her other novels at these links below.
Amazon Australia
Amazon UK
Amazon USA
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Drop by and say hello to Julie at:
Website - Julie Shackman Author
Twitter - (2) Julie Shackman (@G13Julie) / Twitter
Instagram - Julie Georgina Shackman (@juliegeorginashackman) • Instagram photos and videos
Facebook - (5) Julie Georgina Shackman | Facebook
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