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Thursday, April 21, 2022

Danielle Owen-Jones's debut is rich with humor

Photo by Russell Colman
Today we are pleased to welcome Danielle Owen-Jones to CLC. She's here to talk with us about her debut novel, Stone Broke Heiress, and share some other interesting things about herself.

Danielle Owen-Jones grew up in Merseyside. She started her career as a senior journalist and features writer before launching her own freelance PR and content writing business. Danielle now calls Cumbria home, where she lives with her husband, Tom, and adorable cockapoo, Poppy.

Danielle is represented by Clare Coombes of The Liverpool Literary Agency and published by Bookouture (Hachette UK).

Visit Danielle online:
Website * Facebook * Twitter * Instagram

Synopsis:

Six months ago, I was the heiress to a soup empire worth millions. Now, I’m standing in a giant dumpster.

Bella Whittington’s caviar-and-Cristal life comes crashing down when she walks in on her fiancé and best friend tangled up in page 34 of the Kama Sutra, limbs everywhere. But her plan to dull the pain with Daddy’s credit card is totalled by the news that they’ve lost the family business. Suddenly Bella’s both single and completely broke.

Shivering in her dingy new studio apartment after a traumatic incident with a homemade turmeric face mask (Hello Tangerina Jolie!), Bella realises she must pull up her Gucci socks and get a job, fast. But Dan, the gorgeous, grumpy owner of the local soup kitchen, hates the Whittingtons, so a teensy lie about her surname gets Bella through the door, and set loose on the stove… Minestrone with a side of melted spatula, anyone?

When Bella’s ex returns with a golden ticket back to her glitzy old life, should she accept? Because that would mean no more box wine and frozen pizza nights with Dan. No more singalongs to the crackly kitchen radio. No more my-heart-is-as-melted-as-that-spatula moments when he finally cracks a reluctant smile… But if Dan finds out the truth about who she really is, will she even have the choice?

An absolutely hilarious, feel-good rom com that will have you snorting with laughter. The new must-read for fans of Sophie Kinsella, Lindsey Kelk and Schitt’s Creek!


In one sentence, tell us what the road to publishing was like for you.
A mix of nerve-wracking and exciting – well worth experiencing the rollercoaster ups and downs to achieve my dream of being able to call myself a published author!

How is Bella similar to or different from you?
I’d hope we’re different from each other at the start of the book, as she’s rather high maintenance and a bit of a princess! However, her heart is in the right place. We’re similar in that I can be a little bit ditsy and accident-prone at times (I would probably accidentally dye my face yellow with a homemade face mask too!) And my husband would certainly agree that I have a slight problem when it comes to shopping. I wish I could cook like Bella though, I’m not a natural when it comes to the kitchen, even though I love food!

If Stone Broke Heiress were made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
In my head, Bella looks like Lily Collins. But it would be my dream for Jodie Comer to play her as she’s incredible – and she’s a proud scouser too! Dan is Regé-Jean Page (who else can do brooding like him?) Bella’s mum Aurelia would be Kim Cattrall (another fabulous scouser) and dad Wilf would be Hugh Bonneville. Then it’d be Judi Dench as Elsie, Florence Pugh as Susie, and a totally adorable rescue as lovely Herbie.

What is the last book you read that you would recommend?
I finally read The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo when I was off sick recently and it was phenomenal. I adore Taylor Jenkins Reid’s books and I had very high hopes for it, but it more than lived up to my expectations! 

Tell us about your longest friendship.
I’ve known my best friend Loren since before we were born (our mums are best friends and were pregnant at the same time!) We grew up together, have shared so many life experiences and we have a very special bond – she’s more like a sister to me than a friend.

If we were to visit you in Cumbria, what are some places you would take us to see?
Make sure you bring your walking boots! I’d take you on my favourite walk in the Lake District – the coffin trail route (it’s much nicer than it sounds, I promise!) around Grasmere and Rydal Water. The scenic views are magnificent, especially on a sunny day. Then we’d pick up some Grasmere Gingerbread (of course) and head to either a fab old cosy and traditional pub for a pint of Loweswater Gold, or to the brilliant Royal Barn in Kirkby Lonsdale to sample a tasting paddle of their beers, with some delicious well-earned food after our long walk. 

Thanks to Danielle for chatting with us and to Bookouture for arranging the interview.

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