Author Q & A with Annette Hannah

'Brimming with friendship and romance, this lovely book will charm your heart' Milly Johnson

Fall in love with this heartwarming and emotional romcom, perfect for fans of Rebecca Raisin and Victoria Walters!

Here comes the bride...

Lucy Woods has always dreamed of running her very own wedding venue. After moving her eight-year-old son to the countryside she's surprised to find the perfect location and her best friend, Abbie, eager to help make that dream a reality! Too bad Abbie's older brother Dominic isn't keen on Lucy or their big idea!

As a divorce lawyer Dominic doesn't believe in love at first sight or wedding vows, he's seen them broken more times than he can count. But when Lucy arrives back in town, his hardened heart begins to crack.

Making her dream come true is a huge undertaking, but Lucy knows that The Signal Box Café is her chance to finally make something of her life. If only the irritating (and oh-so-gorgeous) Dom didn't make her imagine wearing a white dress and walking down the aisle...

Can Lucy and Dominic find a way to each other this summer or will the wedding bells chime for another couple?

Title:  Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Cafe

Author:  Annette Hannah

Published By: Orion Dash

Publication Date: 6th July 2020

Links: UK:   Amazon   US:  Amazon

Hi I'm Annette's daughter Lydia and today I'm interviewing my mum on the blog.

Hi Annette/Mum congratulations on Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Cafe, I'm very proud of you. Welcome to Sincerely Book Angels blog.

Thank you so much for having me and for all your help and listening ear when I was writing it. It seems quite strange but lovely being on the receiving end of the questions.


What was the inspiration behind Wedding Bells at the Signal Box Cafe?

There's a signal box local to where I live and when I first moved here it was manned and you could see the controller in there which I always thought was fascinating. Around fifteen years ago the system became automated and the lovely building was boarded up. Every time I passed it I thought it would make a lovely cafe. It seemed like the perfect place to set my wedding venue. The close relationship that Lucy has with her grandad was based on the relationship I had with mine. We got on so well and could make each other laugh, we had a lovely friendship.


Did you always want to be a writer? 

Yes I have from ever since I can remember, I did try years ago but it was really hard having three under five year olds so I never got further than a few chapters.


What other jobs have you had? 

When I was twelve I worked on a market stall selling eggs, I've been a waitress, a childminder,  a barmaid, an Accounts assistant and Marketing manager.


How did it feel when your first novel was published?

It feels absolutely amazing, I still can't actually believe it's my book, it's also been quite emotional and seeing people's reactions has been so lovely.


Can you please tell us a little about your publishing story. 

I started off being a book blogger and that helped to build my confidence in getting my words out into the public domain. I then wrote three chapters to submit to a publisher but then I thought, what if they request the whole thing? So I ended up panic writing the rest of the book in a month. They didn't request it but that didn't matter because I'd achieved my lifelong dream and written a book. A friend told me about The Romantic Novelists' Association so I joined their New Writers' Scheme and am pleased to say I graduated the scheme when Orion Dash offered me a two book deal. It's been an absolute whirlwind and from the offer to the publication has only taken three months.


What other books have you written? 

I've written three others but they haven't been published yet.


Have you ever had writer's block? 

I don't think I've necessarily had writer's block as I've usually got too many ideas flying round my head. But I have had a sort of fear of going back to a manuscript and will end up doing everything else that needs doing around the house rather than write. I call it my writing paralysis.


If so how did you overcome it?

I literally force myself to sit at the computer and then do a blog post which gets me in the right place and I can usually get back into the story.


What motivates you to keep writing?

The amount of ideas in my head that just keep on coming and need somewhere to go.


Where is your favourite place to write? ( can we please have a picture)

I currently write at the dining table which is quite nice because I can see outside the living room window and watch the world go by.


Do your characters moods ever affect your mood and vice versa? 

Most definitely, I usually have to draw on my own experiences to capture the emotions and in this book there is a certain something that happened in the nursing home that I was trying to read out to you one day and I couldn't speak for laughing.


What three pieces of advice would you give to an aspiring writer?

Read as much as you can in your genre, it really helps to see what works.

Write, write write you need to get it down on the paper and out of your head. Once the words are on the paper you can edit them and whip them into shape.

Join the Romantic Novelists' Association's New Writer's Scheme, you will learn so much, make amazing friends and have a brilliant time.


Which authors inspire you?

Milly Johnson, Dorothy Koomson and the late Jackie Collins, there are so many more fabulous authors that I couldn't possibly mention them all but they've all appeared on this blog.


What are you reading at the moment?

I'm just about to dive into All My Lies Are True by the fabulous Dorothy Koomson


If your book was made into a film what song would you choose for the opening credits?

I love Maroon Five so I think I would choose 'She Will Be Loved.' by them.


Who would you choose to play your favourite character in the film of your book? 

I think my favourite character might be Grandad so I would get one of my favourite actors to play him, Dick Van Dyke from diagnosis murder would be good because he still has a twinkle in his eye.


What is your next book about? 

It's called The Cosy Little Cupcake Van and will be out March 2021. It's available to pre-order here 


Thank you so much for joining us on our blog today and good luck with the book. 

Thank you so much for having me and for all your support.

Sincerely 

Lydia Angel x

About the Author

Annette Hannah is a Liver Bird who relocated to leafy Hertfordshire in the 80’s and now lives near a river with her husband, two of their three grown up children and a crazy black cocker spaniel. She writes Romantic comedies in settings inspired by the beautiful countryside around her and always with a nod to her hometown.




She worked in Marketing for many years as a qualified Marketeer which she loved as it tapped into her creative side.




As an avid reader, she began to review the books she read, became a book blogger and eventually plucked up the courage to fulfil her life long dream of writing a book.




For four years she was a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association’s new writers’ scheme, during which time she wrote a book a year.

After signing a two book deal with Orion Dash in 2020 she graduated to full member of the organisation and is also their Press Officer.




She loves long walks along the river, travelling to far flung places, the odd glass of Pinot Blush and spending time with her friends and family.




You can follow her on

twitter @annettehannah

www.sincerelybookangels.blogspot.com

www.annettehannah.com