Rochelle Bilow sweeps us off our feet...plus a book giveaway

Credit: Amelia Marie
Photography

We're excited to have Rochelle Bilow here today to talk about her debut novel, Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year, a swoon-worthy romantic story set in Scotland. Thanks to Berkley Romance, we have one copy to give away!

Rochelle Bilow is a food and romance writer who previously worked as the social media manager at Bon Appétit and Cooking Light magazines. A graduate of The French Culinary Institute, she has also worked as a line cook, a baker, and a wine spokesperson. Her first book, The Call of the Farm, a swoony farming memoir, was published in 2014. Raised in Syracuse, New York, Rochelle now lives in northern Vermont.

Visit Rochelle online:
Website * Twitter * Instagram

Synopsis:
Ruby Spencer is spending one year living in the quaint Scottish town of Thistlecross for three reasons: to write a bestselling cookbook, drink a barrelful of whisky, and to figure out what comes next. She immediately falls in love with the small town and its charming community, and begins to grow closer with Brochan, a certain rugged Scotsman who keeps coming around to repair things at her cottage.

As Ruby learns more about Thistlecross, Brochan, and the town’s tightly held traditions and the highlands way of life, she thinks she may have finally found her place. When she discovers plans to turn a beloved pub into an American chain restaurant, she will have to battle with competing loyalties and decide how much her newfound life means to her.

"Ruby Spencer's Whisky Year is utterly charming. Rochelle Bilow’s evocative writing made me feel like I was in a cozy Scottish cottage right alongside her irrepressible heroine, swooning over the local food, whisky, and strapping bearded handyman. I finished the book, my heart full and my stomach rumbling, then immediately googled 'plane tickets to Scotland'.”
—Laura Hankin, author of A Special Place for Women

"Rochelle Bilow's debut is a transportive delight! The humor and warmth are like a sip of fine single malt, with all the depth and complexity of flavor to make you plan your own escape to Scotland. If you're in search of a love story to make you feel like you've come home, don't miss your chance to fall in love with this book."
—Denise Williams, author of Do You Take This Man

In one sentence, what was the road to publishing like for you?
Circuitous; after my first book—a memoir—was published in 2014, I took an almost 10-year break to focus on food writing.

How is Ruby similar to or different from you?
Although we share career trajectory similarities, she has a different personality. Ruby definitely has a lot more chill than I do; the mere act of moving to a new state last year practically broke me. I admire how brave and bold she is when facing life’s challenges.

If Ruby Spencer’s Whisky Year were made into a movie, who would you cast in the leading roles?
I’d love to see Colin Farrell as Brochan; put a scruffy beard on that man and I’m totally done for. I think Anna Kendrick would totally nail Ruby’s quirkiness.

What is the last book you read that you would recommend?
I just finished Liberation Day by George Saunders. I’ve never read a bad book by him, but this one especially captivated me. It’s full of short stories that prompted me to question everything—and to think critically about power in this complicated era.

If we were to visit you right now, where are some places you would take us to see?
I live in Stowe, which is Vacationland for the skiing crowd. I don’t ski, but I’m a big fan of hiking—this being Vermont, there are about a dozen outside my back door. There’s also a gorgeous wine shop in town, Dedalus. We’d have to swing by there, grab a few bottles and some fancy cheese for a cozy bonfire picnic later on.

What is your favorite thing about Valentine’s Day?
It’s the chocolate. It’s always been the chocolate.

Thanks to Rochelle for chatting with us and Berkley for sharing her book with our readers.

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. 

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Giveaway ends February 14th at midnight EST.

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