It's time to present another great author, Anne Allen and her great book Dangerous Waters, a heart-warming
contemporary romance
TBM: How do you imagine the ideal
reader of your book?
AA: I imagine my ideal reader being
someone interested in relationships – both romantic and familial –but also
enjoying stories encompassing secrets and mysteries. My books are all set in
Guernsey, in the British Channel Islands, providing the added frisson of a
foreign setting for most readers, appealing to people who wish to learn more
about countries they may never visit.
TBM: How was the writer inside of
you born?
AA: I'm not sure! I think the writer
side of me enjoyed an extremely long gestation period, frankly. I did enjoy
writing what was termed 'composition' while a schoolgirl, but didn't ever feel
that I wanted to be a writer. In fact initially I wanted to be a pharmacist!
However, I became a mature student at The Open University here in the UK and my
studies gave me the opportunity to stretch my unused writer's muscle. Again,
there was a period of gestation before I finally took up my pen in earnest in
2006 and wrote my first novel, Dangerous Waters, after winning a true-life
short story competition in a national UK magazine.
TBM: What genres do you work with
and why are you attracted to these forms of writing?
AA: I write romance based stories,
with either a touch of mystery or family drama. Having spent nearly thirty
years as a psychotherapist, I am fairly well qualified to write about
relationships and issues of love and loss, including overcoming tragedies.
While working with my clients I was always heartened to hear how strong the
human spirit is in the face of adversity. And, unlike real life, I can allow my
characters to achieve happy outcomes.
TBM: As a reader, what elements of a
story do you love, or do you hate?
AA: I love stories that are
many-layered, and involve the emotions. I need to empathize with the main
character(s) and want to will them to succeed in achieving their goal or goals.
My pet hate are stories that seem to run out of steam and offer up a tame ending
after what was an enjoyable ride. Even worse are those books that leave the
reader in suspense, having to decide for themselves what the outcome is.
TBM: What inspired you to write Dangerous Waters and
what do you hope your readers will take away from this book?
AA: I
was inspired by a book set on a small island off the French coast which
reminded me of Guernsey and made me want to write a story based there. In a way
it was my homage to an island where I had lived for many happy years but had
recently, and reluctantly, left. I also wanted to have a tragic heroine who
needed to let go the past and move on, in the process uncovering family secrets
and solving a tragic mystery. Ideally, I would like readers to feel a
connection with this young woman and her journey and also come to appreciate
the beauty and history of Guernsey.
TBM: How long did it take you to write this book
and what did you do the day that you finished it?
AA: The
first draft took 6 months and, in my ignorance, I thought that was it! But
after several professional critiques and much re-writing and editing, I finally
finished the published version in 2012. Having thoroughly enjoyed writing the
initial draft, I felt a little bereft when it was finished so promptly started
my second book, Finding Mother.
TBM: What would you like to say to
your readers?
AA: I
do hope that you enjoy my books and I would love to hear from if you do. It's
wonderful as an author to receive an email from a reader, saying they enjoyed a
book I'd written but I think readers may shy away from doing this. As if they
are imposing on the author. Don't be shy! I can be contacted through my website
– www.anneallen.co.uk
TBM: Tell us more about Dangerous
Waters
AA: Jeanne
Le Page left Guernsey 15 years ago at the age of 16, after a tragic boating
accident that left her injured and an orphan. In distress, she left the island
to live with her maternal aunt in England and has remained there since. But now
she has to return as her beloved grandmother has died and left her an old
cottage. Jeanne, recently grieving the end of a relationship, plans to return
long enough to settle her grandmother's affairs and then leave. Life, however,
does not always go according to plan, and she finds herself drawn to stay and
re-invent herself. The cottage itself contains a long-buried secret and as
Jeanne learns more, she also begins to learn the truth behind her parent's
deaths, putting her own life in danger.
TBM: Lastly, a direct message to the readers, about
why they should read Dangerous Waters.
AA: If
you enjoy romance and mystery, then this is the book for you! It can be enjoyed
on the beach or curled up under the duvet on a chilly evening, wafting you to
the beautiful, sunny island of Guernsey for some true escapism. And remember,
it is Book 1 in The Guernsey Novels series, with two more books already
published and the 4th due in 2015.