When I Grow Up, I Want to Be… by Author Christina Hollis
11 Comments September 16th, 2009 in author, books, fairy tales Posted by Amyby Christina Hollis, author of The Tuscan Tycoon’s Pregnant Housekeeper (Harlequin Presents Extra, Sept. 2009)
My latest Harlequin Presents Extra, The Tuscan Tycoon’s Pregnant Housekeeper, is a story of dreams and aspirations. It’s been ages since I visited France, and most of England’s weather this year has been decidedly damp and dreary. One rainy day I decided to cheer myself up by putting some sunnier memories down on paper. That’s why The Tuscan Tycoon’s Pregnant Housekeeper starts off on the Mediterranean coast. I love a Cinderella story, and Michelle’s tale began life as just that – until a forceful hero called Alessandro Castiglione decided to take control. If he wasn’t so gorgeous, it might have become Beauty and the Beast, rather than Cinderella!
Alessandro is a demanding hero, right from the start. He arrives at a luxury villa in the South of France determined to ignore the advice that he should take a break from work. Then Michelle the housekeeper makes the business world seem very far away. Past pain has made Alessandro allergic to commitment, but he seduces Michelle in a delicious night of passion. Feeling guilty after taking advantage of her, he uses his unlimited money and contacts to set Michelle up in the job of her dreams, selling works of art.
This is where a bit of my own wish-fulfilment creeps in. I can remember walking into a lovely art gallery in a Cotswold market town. It was all beautiful pictures, subtle lighting and Bach’s Aria playing softly in the background. I love art, but sadly my own efforts at painting have never made the grade. For that reason I’ve often thought a gallery or museum would be in my top five places to work -– if only writing didn’t fill my every waking moment, beyond the time devoted to my family and the garden. I really enjoy ‘growing my own’ whether it’s fruit, vegetables or livestock, but I’m far too lazy to have made it my career.
For a while, I toyed with cooking for a living but writing won in the end, as it always does! Luckily, having a hungry family to feed means I’m producing and preparing food on a small scale every day. I’ve got the best of all worlds. I can dabble in my hobby of cooking, while keeping everyone well fed. At the same time, I don’t get the sack for giving my customers egg and chips instead of tortilla, after I’ve spent too long at the word processor.
Job satisfaction and security -– that’s what I like. What’s your idea of the perfect job?
Tagged with: author Christina Hollis • Cinderella story romance novels • Harlequin Presents Extra books • The Tuscan Tycoon’s Pregnant Housekeeper
I hate to tell you this, but Alessandro has been untrue. Check out my blog, http://www.sallyclements.blogspot.com for details of his past exploits. He’s gorgeous, but deadly!
Interesting you should say that, Sally! All my characters have more history than I can cram into my books, so you never know… Hope you liked the book in spite of (because of?) Alessandro!
I recently gave a talk at a local private girls’ school on What I want to be when I grow up. I was asked because I am actually doing what I always wanted to do when I grew up. Writing is a great job as you can combine it with so many other things. It’s so portable!
But if I wasn’t a writer I think I would be a foster carer. I wish I had the time now to look after kids in crisis.
Christina your cooking aspirations sound like they fit in beautifully with your writing. I used to love cooking but since I’ve been published i just can’t get into it anymore. I resent the time it takes. I will still cook for special occasions but there is zero creativity in our everyday meals. No one is complaining though as if they do they know what will happen-they will be handed the jop as chief cook!
Your hero sounds delicious. Can’t wait to get my hands on him.
Melanie
I know exactly what you mean, Melanie: writing is addictive! If I can’t put pen to paper (or finger to keyboard) at least once I day, I get withdrawal symptoms. My OH once asked me what I’d do if I gave up writing as a career and I said, “Write in my spare time.”
Being a foster carer is a wonderful ambition. I’m sure it would be very hard work but I imagine it would also be very rewarding.
I hope that you find my new book to your taste!
I am glad you are a writer, I enjoy your books.
Many thanks for your kind words, Linda; I really appreciate them. Writing is a very solitary occupation and so I’m always pleased to get feedback from my readers!
Christina,
Your new book sounds positively delicious! I purchased the eBook version on bn.com just a few minutes ago, and your book is now happily housed on my iPhone. Yay!!! I know what I’m reading tonight!
Trenda
Just don’t try reading it in the bath, Trenda! iPhones cost a lot more than paperbacks… I’ve often wondered how well eBooks work in practice, especially on smaller screens, so do let me know how you get on. Happy reading!
Hehe! I know, Christina! That is the one problem I have with eBooks….no lounging in the bath….
I recently read Sabrina Phillips’ latest Presents on my iPhone while spending an interminable amount of time waiting at the doctor’s office. It’s actually quite fun to have eBooks on my iPhone, as I always have a book handy, and no extra space is required in my purse. Plus, there is the fact that my hubby feels more than a little overwhelmed by my current paperback and hardcover book collection. Everywhere in the house there are books…well, except the refridgerator! Oh, and I love how it saves your place for you.
Life got in the way last night, but tonight I have a date with Alessandro! I can’t wait!
Best wishes,
Trenda
Christina, I meant to add that the eBooks work wonderfully on the iPhone. I can change the font size and the line spacing to make it easy to read. (I use the Barnes & Noble eReader.)
Of course, as I have it set right now, it appears you’ve written a 649-page novel!
I’m so glad you get on well with the eBooks, Trenda. I must get up to speed with all this new technology – my daughter has promised to show me how to Twitter (and/or tweet!) but by the sound of it the ebooks are going to be first on my wish list.
Thanks for your comments!