Today I'm joined by the very well-travelled Elsa! From the Kalahari Desert to Epernay in France, via Tuscany and Paris, and back to South Africa, fabulous places inspire her stories...
I have been reading love stories for as long as I can remember and when I ‘met’ the classic authors like Jane Austen, Elizabeth Gaskell, Henry James The Brontë sisters, etc. during my Honours studies, I was hooked for life.
I married my college boyfriend and soul mate and after 40 years, 3 interesting and wonderful children and 3 beautiful grandsons, he still makes me weak in the knees. We are fortunate to live in the picturesque little seaside village of Betty's Bay, South Africa with the ocean a block away and a beautiful mountain right behind us. And although life so far has not always been an easy ride, it has always been an exiting and interesting one!
I like the heroines in my stories to be beautiful, feisty, independent and headstrong. And the heroes must be strong but possess a generous amount of sensitivity. They are of course, also gorgeous! My stories typically incorporate the family background of the characters to better understand where they come from and who they are when we meet them in the story.
I married my college boyfriend and soul mate and after 40 years, 3 interesting and wonderful children and 3 beautiful grandsons, he still makes me weak in the knees. We are fortunate to live in the picturesque little seaside village of Betty's Bay, South Africa with the ocean a block away and a beautiful mountain right behind us. And although life so far has not always been an easy ride, it has always been an exiting and interesting one!
I like the heroines in my stories to be beautiful, feisty, independent and headstrong. And the heroes must be strong but possess a generous amount of sensitivity. They are of course, also gorgeous! My stories typically incorporate the family background of the characters to better understand where they come from and who they are when we meet them in the story.
Can you tell us a bit about where you live now, and where you were brought up.
I was born in a small town called Upington – on the one side is the Orange River and on the other side, the Kalahari Desert. I went away to go to college, met and married my college boyfriend and we now live in Betty’s Bay – a small sea-side village.
If you had a choice where would you choose to live, and why?
Provence or Tuscany! And I know it’s probably much more romantic in my head than it actually is, but there is just something magical even in the names J
Have any places you’ve visited been the inspiration for a book?
We’ve just visited Paris and the small town of Epernay in France with our daughter and her husband. Epernay is well-known for making champagne. The voices in my head are already having endless conversations …
How important do you think the setting is when you write a story?
Setting is part of the story. Most of my stories are set in South Africa and mostly in and around Cape Town, the part of the country where I live. I’ve found that readers love to read small details of the places the characters visited.
What made you choose Clifton as the setting for your book/story?
Real magic, my story in the Magical Weddings box-set is set in Clifton, a well-known coastal residential suburb of Cape Town.The wedding in the story had to be on a beach and Clifton’s setting is perfect for this.
Can you tell us anything about your next book?
My next book tells the story of another Cavallo bother, Dale. It’s called Touched to the soul and will be published by Etopia Press.
If you weren’t a writer, what would be your next choice of career?
I’d love to cook!
What’s your idea of a perfect day?
Having all our kids around the table, laughing and telling stories – nothing on earth beats that.
To find out more about Elsa and her books visit -
Website: www.elsawinckler.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elsa.winckler
Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ElsaWincklerRomanceAuthor?ref_
Twitter: https://twitter.com/elsawinckler @elsawinckler
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6557709.Elsa_Winckler
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/elsawinckler/
Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/elsaw1
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/111046023755042052612/posts
I was born in a small town called Upington – on the one side is the Orange River and on the other side, the Kalahari Desert. I went away to go to college, met and married my college boyfriend and we now live in Betty’s Bay – a small sea-side village.
If you had a choice where would you choose to live, and why?
Provence or Tuscany! And I know it’s probably much more romantic in my head than it actually is, but there is just something magical even in the names J
Have any places you’ve visited been the inspiration for a book?
We’ve just visited Paris and the small town of Epernay in France with our daughter and her husband. Epernay is well-known for making champagne. The voices in my head are already having endless conversations …
How important do you think the setting is when you write a story?
Setting is part of the story. Most of my stories are set in South Africa and mostly in and around Cape Town, the part of the country where I live. I’ve found that readers love to read small details of the places the characters visited.
What made you choose Clifton as the setting for your book/story?
Real magic, my story in the Magical Weddings box-set is set in Clifton, a well-known coastal residential suburb of Cape Town.The wedding in the story had to be on a beach and Clifton’s setting is perfect for this.
Can you tell us anything about your next book?
My next book tells the story of another Cavallo bother, Dale. It’s called Touched to the soul and will be published by Etopia Press.
If you weren’t a writer, what would be your next choice of career?
I’d love to cook!
What’s your idea of a perfect day?
Having all our kids around the table, laughing and telling stories – nothing on earth beats that.
To find out more about Elsa and her books visit -
Website: www.elsawinckler.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/elsa.winckler
Author Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ElsaWincklerRomanceAuthor?ref_
Twitter: https://twitter.com/elsawinckler @elsawinckler
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6557709.Elsa_Winckler
Pinterest: http://www.pinterest.com/elsawinckler/
Wattpad: http://www.wattpad.com/user/elsaw1
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/111046023755042052612/posts
As a sous chef in a busy restaurant, Carley’s days are full. Her free time is taken up by baking cakes for those less fortunate and spending time with friends and family – she is not looking for love.
And then on her way to her cousin’s wedding an angry, gorgeous man with one blue and one brown eye nearly runs her over in the street. And she remembers a previous wedding twenty-two years ago when the family psychic predicted that she would one day marry a man with one eye the colour of the sky and one the colour of chocolate.
When the man who almost ran her over turns out to be the best man the evening becomes surreal. Carley knows, though, that whatever she is feeling isn’t real. She has already lost her one shoe, by tomorrow her Prince Charming will be gone, she’ll be back in her kitchen and the magic will have disappeared.
And then on her way to her cousin’s wedding an angry, gorgeous man with one blue and one brown eye nearly runs her over in the street. And she remembers a previous wedding twenty-two years ago when the family psychic predicted that she would one day marry a man with one eye the colour of the sky and one the colour of chocolate.
When the man who almost ran her over turns out to be the best man the evening becomes surreal. Carley knows, though, that whatever she is feeling isn’t real. She has already lost her one shoe, by tomorrow her Prince Charming will be gone, she’ll be back in her kitchen and the magic will have disappeared.
Excerpt –
Stunned, he grabbed her hand. He didn’t think about what he was doing or why he was doing it, he just reacted on instinct. And once her hand was in his, he couldn’t let go. So he pulled her closer, his eyes on her long, slender fingers. Her nails were painted in a soft pink colour. Fascinated with this discovery and with the texture of her skin, he lifted her hand.
And that’s when he smelled it. Chocolate. Chocolate cake. That was what she’d been taking across the street just now. And there was some chocolate left on her middle finger. Well, that clinched it — he loved women and he loved chocolate. What was a mere man to do but have a taste of both?
****
Stunned, he grabbed her hand. He didn’t think about what he was doing or why he was doing it, he just reacted on instinct. And once her hand was in his, he couldn’t let go. So he pulled her closer, his eyes on her long, slender fingers. Her nails were painted in a soft pink colour. Fascinated with this discovery and with the texture of her skin, he lifted her hand.
And that’s when he smelled it. Chocolate. Chocolate cake. That was what she’d been taking across the street just now. And there was some chocolate left on her middle finger. Well, that clinched it — he loved women and he loved chocolate. What was a mere man to do but have a taste of both?
****
Real magic, is part of the Magical Weddings box-set. There are fourteen more stories about weddings included in this collection -
Her Wedding Wager by Leigh Michaels - Celia's doomed to an arranged marriage—unless she can win the most important bet of her life!
The Last Wedding at Drayhome (Breens Mist Witches) by Aileen Harkwood - Never underestimate the power of a witch and warlock in love who have nothing left to lose.
The Dress by Eve Devon - Two couples, 400 years apart. From a masquerade ball in Venice 1615 to a wedding in England 2015, can a dress laced with magic weave its spell through the fabric of time?
Second Chance Bride by Raine English - She thinks she's marrying the man of her dreams, until a telepathic rescue dog leads her to someone else...Will this bride-to-be say "I do" to the wrong man?
Two Hearts Surrendered by Tamara Ferguson - When Air Force pilot Luke Bryant finally confesses his feelings for her, Kelly Callahan knows there’s magic in the air the weekend of her sister’s wedding at Dragonfly Pointe. The promise of a future with Luke keeps Kelly patiently awaiting his return from Iraq. But will that one night of enchantment be strong enough magic for Luke to surrender his heart to Kelly, when he returns home a disheartened wounded warrior?
Something Borrowed, Something Blue by Lynda Haviland - Veronica has a wedding crash—but how far will Lucas, the best man, go to stop her!
Heart of the Secret (Witches of Lane County) by Jody A. Kessler - A 500 year-old curse, a witch who will do anything to marry her one true love, and the heart of a secret that will either divide them or bring them together…forever.
The Jealous Love of a Scoundrel by Jane Lark - How do you fight a calling that comes from your soul?
A Wedding Across the Winds of Time by Bess McBride – Darius and Molly found each other Across the Winds of Time. Now, it's time for their wedding!
Kiss This (Kisses and Carriages Book 2) by L.L. Muir - Floral designer Mallory's greatest distraction is the brother of the bride. She cannot guess what his motives might be, but one thing is for sure, she isn't foolish enough to believe in love at first sight.
Caution is a Virtue by Jennifer Gilby Roberts - After two failed seasons, Juliana Stanley may finally have met her ideal husband, but, before she can be sure of anything, a family scandal means she may lose everything. What is she prepared to gamble to win a happy ending? And what is she not?
Loving Lindy by Jan Romes - In order to become the bank's new Vice President, Gunther Justin has to be "settled." With Lindy McPherson posing as his fiancé everything is set to go off without a hitch—until real feelings get in the way.
With this Kiss by Heather Thurmeier - Jenna knew the weekend in Vegas, as maid of honor in her best friend’s wedding, wouldn’t be easy—especially since her ex-boyfriend Max was the best man. But does a simple kiss have enough magic to reunite lovers?
The Wedding Guests (A Tassamara Short Story) by Sarah Wynde - Meredith Mulcahey has given up on love, but when she attends Akira and Zane’s wedding, unexpected guests might change her life forever. Will it be for better or for worse?
You can buy Magical Weddings Box set from:
Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N
Kobo | iTunes | Google Play
Her Wedding Wager by Leigh Michaels - Celia's doomed to an arranged marriage—unless she can win the most important bet of her life!
The Last Wedding at Drayhome (Breens Mist Witches) by Aileen Harkwood - Never underestimate the power of a witch and warlock in love who have nothing left to lose.
The Dress by Eve Devon - Two couples, 400 years apart. From a masquerade ball in Venice 1615 to a wedding in England 2015, can a dress laced with magic weave its spell through the fabric of time?
Second Chance Bride by Raine English - She thinks she's marrying the man of her dreams, until a telepathic rescue dog leads her to someone else...Will this bride-to-be say "I do" to the wrong man?
Two Hearts Surrendered by Tamara Ferguson - When Air Force pilot Luke Bryant finally confesses his feelings for her, Kelly Callahan knows there’s magic in the air the weekend of her sister’s wedding at Dragonfly Pointe. The promise of a future with Luke keeps Kelly patiently awaiting his return from Iraq. But will that one night of enchantment be strong enough magic for Luke to surrender his heart to Kelly, when he returns home a disheartened wounded warrior?
Something Borrowed, Something Blue by Lynda Haviland - Veronica has a wedding crash—but how far will Lucas, the best man, go to stop her!
Heart of the Secret (Witches of Lane County) by Jody A. Kessler - A 500 year-old curse, a witch who will do anything to marry her one true love, and the heart of a secret that will either divide them or bring them together…forever.
The Jealous Love of a Scoundrel by Jane Lark - How do you fight a calling that comes from your soul?
A Wedding Across the Winds of Time by Bess McBride – Darius and Molly found each other Across the Winds of Time. Now, it's time for their wedding!
Kiss This (Kisses and Carriages Book 2) by L.L. Muir - Floral designer Mallory's greatest distraction is the brother of the bride. She cannot guess what his motives might be, but one thing is for sure, she isn't foolish enough to believe in love at first sight.
Caution is a Virtue by Jennifer Gilby Roberts - After two failed seasons, Juliana Stanley may finally have met her ideal husband, but, before she can be sure of anything, a family scandal means she may lose everything. What is she prepared to gamble to win a happy ending? And what is she not?
Loving Lindy by Jan Romes - In order to become the bank's new Vice President, Gunther Justin has to be "settled." With Lindy McPherson posing as his fiancé everything is set to go off without a hitch—until real feelings get in the way.
With this Kiss by Heather Thurmeier - Jenna knew the weekend in Vegas, as maid of honor in her best friend’s wedding, wouldn’t be easy—especially since her ex-boyfriend Max was the best man. But does a simple kiss have enough magic to reunite lovers?
The Wedding Guests (A Tassamara Short Story) by Sarah Wynde - Meredith Mulcahey has given up on love, but when she attends Akira and Zane’s wedding, unexpected guests might change her life forever. Will it be for better or for worse?
You can buy Magical Weddings Box set from:
Amazon US | Amazon UK | B&N
Kobo | iTunes | Google Play
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