Charlotte Nash takes us on an armchair adventure...plus a book giveaway

Photo by Jen Dainer

We're pleased to welcome Charlotte Nash to CLC this week, as her latest novel, The Paris Wedding, published in the US this week! Thanks to HarperCollins, we have THREE books to give away!

Charlotte Nash was born in historic Lincoln, England and grew up in the sunny Redland Shire of Brisbane. Obsessed with horses and riding, she began stealing her mother’s Jilly Cooper novels at the age of thirteen, and has been enthusiastic for romance ever since. Always a little unconventional, she took a meandering path to writing through careers in engineering and medicine, including stints building rockets and as an industrial accident investigator. Now she writes romantic stories, and moonlights as a creative writing PhD student, studying how narratives engage the brain. She lives in a cozy Brisbane cottage with her husband and son, and a small flock of lovable chooks. Visit Charlotte at her website and on Facebook and Twitter.

Synopsis:
It’s been ages since Rachael West has seen the man she once believed she couldn’t live without. Receiving his wedding invitation was bittersweet—she was oddly touched he’s asked her, but knows that facing him on this day would be the hardest thing she’s ever done.

But her friends and family convince her to attend. After all, it’s an all-expenses-paid trip to Paris! Surely she can get through that one day, and discover all the delights of that magical city the remainder of the time.

So Rachael leaves her small town, setting off for the City of Lights with her best friend, two feuding neighbors, and a suitcase full of home-sewn couture in tow. She’s determined to let Paris work its magic—and it does by way of a handsome photojournalist. And before her adventure is over, Rachael will be faced with yet another choice. But this time, hers isn’t the only happiness at risk...

Which authors have inspired you?
Oh, so many. Jilly Cooper, because she was my first introduction to this type of genre, and wrote such big, bolshy, fun characters who had struggles that seemed so lifelike. Diana Gabaldon, because, you know, Jamie Fraser in a kilt (and jokes aside, the incredible freshness of Cross-stitch (now Outlander) when it first came out). More recently, Liane Moriarty, because she has such a keen ability to observe her characters and use just the right words, and JoJo Moyes for the same reason, and because I think she captures a truth about people that's hard to do.

What is something unique about your writing style?
This is a difficult question for an author to answer about themselves … people tell me that I write the landscapes and settings in a memorable way. I've always thought that people are so tied in to the places they live – either in a comfortable way, or as a point of friction – that rendering those places through their eyes is a critical part of forming the character and their stories. Besides that, I find some unconventionalities and cross-genre interests of mine sneak into my contemporary stories …

If The Paris Wedding were made into a movie, who would you cast in the lead roles?
Rachael West (our heroine) needs that wholesome, naïve quality, but also the capacity for great sacrifice and transformation. I'd be keen for Katherine Langford (from 13 Reasons Why) – she looks like she could convince us she came from a farm, but hold her own in a fashionable crowd.

Sammy (her best friend) is more street-smart, but an incurable romantic. A strong, supportive type but who tends to hold her own problems very close to her chest. I like Haley Lu Richardson or someone like her, even though she's younger than Sammy.

Matthew Grant (the man Rachael never got over) is an up-and-coming star physician, but straddling the uncomfortable territory between his roots and his new world. Someone like an older version of Tom Holland, who has that boyish quality but can still carry authority. Or Callum Turner, who's about the right age, look, and presence.

Antonio Ferranti (the dashing Italian-American photojournalist) needs an older actor with a rugged quality. Perhaps Justin Baldoni – his Ted talk about redefining masculinity showed such a great capacity for comfort with himself, but a critical eye for how the world is. Perfect for Antonio.

Where is your favorite place to spend money?
At my local café mostly! However, about once a year I go on a 'spree' of buying vintage fashion online (mostly eBay). I know which designers I like and my sizes and I go a little crazy buying too many boots and coats. I comfort myself that it's recycling (as well as a bargain).

What is your favorite thing to do at an amusement park or carnival?
Eat dagwood dogs. I think in America that's called a corn dog? (hot dog sausage on a stick covered with batter and deep fried). I'm a sucker for the food carts.

What is the last movie you saw that you would recommend?
At the cinema: Avengers: Infinity War. It's so surprising. On my home screen … I'll admit that I re-watch The Devil Wears Prada and Midnight in Paris over and over. They are so brilliantly structured and entertaining and funny, and yet have deeper things to say. I never tire of them. I'll stop there, otherwise I'll be recommending a whole shopping list!

How to win: Use Rafflecopter to enter the giveaway. If you have any questions, feel free to contact us. If you have trouble using Rafflecopter on our blog, enter the giveaway here. 

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Giveaway ends June 19th at midnight EST.