Today I’m pleased to welcome Claudia Carroll to the blog. Claudia’s novels include A Very Accidental Love Story, Love Me or Leave Me and Meet Me in Manhattan. Her latest novel, Our Little Secret was published by Avon on 8 February 2018.

Claudia kindly answered a few of my questions.

1. Tell us a little about Our Little Secret.

Of course! Do you know the Bette Davis movie, All About Eve? That was a huge touchstone of mine. It’s basically about an older woman who does a good turn for a younger, hungrier one, but ultimately discovers that – as the old saying goes, no good deed goes unpunished….

2. Are you a plan, plan, plan writer or do you sit down and see where the words take you?

Yes indeed, I am a planner and a plotter. That said though, the magic of the writing process is that often, a character comes in that can steer you off in a very different direction to where you’d originally intended. Which is all part of the magic, really isn’t it?

3. Having been through the publishing process a number of times is there anything about the process of creating a novel that still surprises you?

I still have to pinch myself when I see something that I wrote sitting on an actually bookshelf in an actual bookstore. It really is the most humbling and gratifying experience, I can’t tell you. I’m not a mother, but I often imagine that this is how a mother must feel when she looks at a brand new baby for the very first time.

4. What do you do when you aren’t writing? What do you do to relax and get away from it all?

I’m a mad theatre buff, so I tend to see a lot of plays. I have this secret dream that one day I’ll even get to write a play – but till then, I’ll happily go to see any live show going. And I love a night at the movies too. The movie, The Post has just opened here, so that’s my weekend sorted. We love Meryl!

5. If you could only read one book for the rest of your life which book would it be?

Without a doubt, Pride and Prejudice. To think that Jane Austen wrote it at the age of 21??? Astonishing. Ever few years I re-read it and am still as in love with the story as I ever was. Sheer literary perfection.

6. I like to end my Q&As with the same question so here we go. During all the Q&As and interviews you’ve done what question have you not been asked that you wish had been asked – and what’s the answer?

I’m often asked about my single status, the assumption being that my lack of a husband/boyfriend/ partner means that I’m a sad saddo. Just for once, I’d love to be asked, how fab is it that you’re single? And my answer would be – yes, isn’t it amazing? Being in a relationship is lovely, but being single is pretty damn fab too!

Thanks very much for answering my questions and for appearing on my blog.

Thank YOU for having me on your blog, it really is a joy to be a part of it! Warmest wishes and a big hug from Dublin, Claudia .

About the book

Sarah Keyes has the perfect life. A high-flying job in a law firm, a beautiful daughter and a house to die for. So how does she find herself looking in through the kitchen window while another woman enjoys it all?

When Sarah takes pity on a struggling young graduate who can’t get a job, she thinks she’s doing the right thing. She’s being kind, generous and helpful to others, as she always is.

But as Sarah allows the younger woman into her home, her law firm and even her family, is there more to this pretty youngster than meets the eye? And how can Sarah reclaim the life she has built?

About the author

Claudia Carroll is a number one bestselling author in Ireland and a top ten bestseller in the UK, selling over 670,000 copies of her paperbacks alone. She was born in Dublin where she still lives and where she has worked extensively both as a theatre and stage actress. She now writes full-time. Her 2013 novel ME AND YOU was shortlisted for the Bord Gais Popular Choice Irish Book Award.