Let’s Talk Books with Eliza J Scott

Welcome to the first in a brand-new series of author/bookish people interviews. As you probably know by now I absolutely love books and reading, and I know many other people do, too. I thought it would be nice to chat to some of my bookish friends and find out about the books they love, and the reading experiences they’ve had.

To kickstart the series, who better than my lovely friend Eliza J Scott? Especially as today is publication day for her latest book, A Wedding at the Little Bookshop by the Sea, set in her fictional seaside location of Micklewick Bay.

Happy publication day, Eliza! And welcome to Let’s Talk Books.

Thanks so much for inviting me to take part in this bookish chat, Sharon. I’m thrilled to be here and I can’t think of anything better than having a chinwag about books with a lovely friend over a cup of tea and a stash of ginger biscuits! Bliss!

You do love a ginger biscuit! So, Eliza, first question for you. Can you remember the first book you ever read or owned?

I can. The book – or, rather, books – were The Enchanted Wood and The Magic Faraway Tree by Enid Blyton. As soon as I could read independently I had my nose in these wonderful stories and the rest of the series as often as possible. In fact, I can still remember the moment I realised I could read. What a joyous feeling that was!

So many children’s first book was by Enid Blyton - mine included. What was your favourite book when you were a child?

I loved Tom’s Midnight Garden and The Secret Garden and devoured them several times over. Come to mention it, there seems to be a garden/tree theme running through the books I’ve listed so far! I wonder if it influenced my love of gardening as an adult? You’ve got me thinking now…

One of my own personal favourites, too!

You never know! If you were going to reread one children’s book now, which would you choose and why?

I think it would have to be one of those mentioned in the last question. Although, I did get to enjoy them all over again as an adult when I read them to my children. I’m delighted to say the stories gave them just as much pleasure as they did me, and it was always, ‘Just one more chapter, Mum. Pleeeease…’ How could I refuse?

Aw, how lovely to share your favourites with your children. What is your favourite book as an adult? Why is it your favourite?

Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë is my favourite book of all time and has been since I first read it donkey’s years ago – I’m not just saying that because it’s fashionable to say so at the moment! I can remember when I first started to read it I struggled with the broad Yorkshire dialect that features in some of the speech, so I stopped, went back to the beginning and started again. For some reason that seemed to help and I couldn’t put the novel down. I’d say the reason it’s my favourite is because it’s the first book that really moved me as an adult and has stayed with me ever since.

I’m about to do a reread myself. I’ve not read it in decades, and even then I didn’t finish it! Do you write in your favourite genre, Eliza? If not, which genre/s do you love to read?

Ooh, that’s a good question. I think I’d say, yes, I do write in my favourite genre. Having said that, I love to read women’s book club fiction and I’ve recently started to enjoy the odd psych thriller.

Maybe one day you’ll write something completely different then! Tricky question coming up. Which of your own books is your favourite?

Click to buy

For quite a while, the book I enjoyed writing the most was A Christmas Kiss from the Life on the Moors series, then The Little Bookshop by the Sea took its place. At the moment I’d say it’s Christmas at Holly Tree Cottage. I do like writing a festive book!

Yes, me too! Talking of your own books, which of them has your favourite cover and why?

Hmm. I think I’d have to say it’s The Little Bookshop by the Sea which is the first book in the Micklewick Bay series. As soon as I saw it, I loved it! It’s so eye catching and contemporary. I know my lovely editor Kate Smith at Storm Publishing put a lot of thought into the brief she sent to Rose Cooper, the cover designer, who interpreted it perfectly. The rest of the books in the series are in the same style and I think they look so appealing when they’re all grouped together.

Yes, I have to say I love all your Storm covers. Absolutely beautiful. Who is your favourite book character? Why do you like them so much?

My favourite book character is Jane Austen’s Lizzie Bennett from Pride and Prejudice. I love how she knows her own mind and isn’t afraid to voice her opinions. She’s kind and has a deliciously dry sense of humour too. I think she’d be a great friend to have.

And she does have a pair of fine eyes! What’s your favourite book to TV/film adaptation?

Continuing on from the last question, that would be the BBC adaptation of Pride and Prejudice with Colin Firth and Jennifer Ehle. It takes some beating for me.

Surely everyone loves this?

Yes, I agree. Must be due a rewatch actually. What is the most beautiful or precious book you’ve ever owned? Why is it so special?

That’s very easy for me to answer. It’s a copy of Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë. The reason it’s so special is because it belonged to my grandfather who gave it to me when I was a child. He was the person who taught me to read and inspired my love of books.

How lovely! Jane Eyre is my favourite book. Is there a book that you wish you’d written?

Anything by Karen Swan! Her writing is sublime and I love all of her books.

Finally, Eliza, what can you tell us about your new book?

My new book (out today - 5th March) is A Wedding at the Little Bookshop by the Sea which is book 7 in the Micklewick Bay series. It continues with Florrie and Ed who are joint owners of The Happy Harte’s Bookshop and whose wedding is just around the corner. They’ve opted for a low-key ceremony and everything is going to plan until an unexpected – and unwelcome – person arrives in the bookshop and sets the cat amongst the pigeons in a big way. As if that wasn’t bad enough, a last-minute problem has Florrie panicking that the wedding won’t be able to go ahead. It isn’t all doom and gloom, though, and there are some lighter moments, particularly when Florrie hears what her friends have planned for her hen celebrations! There’s also an appearance from a few of the Life on the Moors characters. As ever, the book has a strong thread of female friendship.

Click to buy!

Thanks so much for being my first guest, Eliza, and for your smashing answers! xxx

Huge thanks for your fab questions, Sharon, it was lovely to chat to you, as always! xxx

About Eliza

Eliza is proud to be a member of the RNA. She lives in North Yorkshire with her family. When she’s not writing, she can usually be found with her nose in a book/glued to her Kindle or working in her garden, fighting a losing battle against the weeds.

She also enjoys bracing walks in the countryside, rounded off by a visit to a teashop where she can indulge in another two of her favourite things: tea and cake. Her biggest weakness is ginger biscuits dunked in tea!

Eliza is inspired by her beautiful surroundings and loves to write heartwarming romance stories with relatable female characters. She enjoys exploring the dynamics of female friendship, with a key feature of her books being how women pull together and support one another when things get tough. Her novels will always have happy endings.

You can find out more about Eliza by visiting her website where you can also sign up for her newsletter.

You can also follow her on Facebook.

Look out for another Let’s Talk With feature very soon!