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

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.

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?
****

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

 

When did your love affair with Corfu start?
My very first holiday abroad with my husband, Mr Big was to another Greek island, Zante in 2001. We had an amazing time but were determined not to be one of these people who always go back to the same place. Our second holiday was to Corfu and well, we've never looked back! Out the window went our desire to go a different place every year, we fell in love with this island, hook, line and sinker. Corfu has a unique combination of great beaches, beautiful flora and fauna and mountainous terrain. And of course it has the great Greek food and the welcoming people too!

Have you ever thought of living there?
Every time we visit we dream of it and pay close attention to any 'for sale' signs on property! But the truth is we love the ambiance at the Mareblue Beach Hotel so much, I think we'd miss the interaction with other people if we bought a villa there... and the boules and volleyball. We would definitely consider spending a few months there at a time in the future if funds permit!

Was the hotel Blue Vue (in Truly, Madly, Greekly) inspired by a hotel you’ve visited?
Tee hee! Yes! It is very much inspired by the Mareblue Beach Hotel where Mr Big and I go twice a year. Every May/June we take our children for a family week and then at the end of September/beginning of October we head there as a couple. For us it's perfection. It's location is like no other – the scenery is breathtaking, the turquoise water and the mountains of Albania almost close enough to touch. Couple that with the gorgeous Greek cuisine and the brilliant entertainment (both day and evening) then you have an amazing holiday package! We are always so looked after by the Rokas family who own the hotel – it's like arriving at a second home.

And, I have to ask, what about Yan – was he inspired by an Adonis on your summer hols? (Or do you take your own with you?)
Ah, the lovely Yan! Yan is obviously completely fictional (more's the pity!) but the background to his story and his nationality was inspired by the lovely team of Bulgarian animators I met at the Mareblue Beach back in 2012. Tisho, Teo, Mary, Ginny and Nikolai all worked incredibly hard and in the two weeks we spent with them that year we became good friends. After that the first seeds of the story were born in my mind. I haven't worked on it for the entire three years, other books had to jump the queue, but it's a book that's very close to my heart for so many reasons. That fortnight was our first holiday at the Mareblue Beach and look what's happened since!

Top 5 Greek treats?
Only 5?!
1.    Metaxa brandy – the smoothest brandy in the world. A nectar from the gods!
2.    Olives – I LOVE olives! Black, green, purple, with everything and anything!
3.    Kumquat liqueur – a Corfiot speciality that must be tried
4.    Dolmades – cold or warm these rice stuffed vine leaves are delicious
5.    Feta cheese – breakfast, lunch, dinner and any time in between

What’s the one must-do thing for a first timer on the island?
That's a tough one! I think I'm going to have to say a boat trip. Getting out on the water in Corfu is something I do every time I go. It's the best way to see Corfu. Hidden coves, those huge mountains and that gorgeous sea!

What’s your idea of a perfect day (in Corfu of course!)?
It would start with an all-inclusive breakfast, followed by a boat trip up the East Coast including lunch at a local taverna and some time for sunbathing on the beach. Head back to freshen up for dinner and a Greek night including bouzouki music and plate smashing! Metaxa and coke to accompany it all!

And for those who have already devoured ‘Truly Madly Greekly’, what are you working on next?
I've just finished the first draft of my second book for Bookouture which should be coming out in the Autumn. It's a Christmas read set in New York! Snow and bagels!

Mandy Baggot’s latest release ‘Truly, Madly, Greekly’ is out now, and you can buy it from -
Amazon       Waterstones      Kobo       Barnes and Noble

To find out more about Mandy, and her books, visit -
Website   Twitter    Facebook   Goodreads   

Excerpt –
 ‘So, what do you think, so far? Is it the place? For my wedding?’ Lacey asked. She dragged her body into a sitting position.
‘It’s a beautiful spot. The mountains of Albania just across the water, the sea, the sand … not forgetting the water platform.’ She levelled a smile at her sister.
‘It’s pretty special,’ Lacey agreed, nodding.
‘But no matter how special the place, it has to be right. You and Mark have to be right.’ Ellen faltered on the last part of the sentence. This was so hard. How could she understand how Lacey was feeling? And what qualifications did she have for guiding her? Years trying to be the mother she really wasn’t. That was it. Nothing else. It was exhausting.
‘It feels like we’ve been engaged forever,’ Lacey admitted.
‘It feels like we’ve been planning the wedding forever.’
Lacey sighed. ‘I need to be sure that when the cake’s been cut and eaten … when the doves have been released and all the goody bags have been given out … when the disco’s playing “Run” by Leona Lewis … I need to be sure it  still feels special.’
‘Volleyball! We have volleyball in five minutes over on the sand court!’
Sergei’s voice had broken into the conversation, booming the next part of the animation program through the microphone.
‘Lace, if you need the thought of a big wedding … if organising the party of your life is the only thing making your relationship special, then …’ Ellen started.
‘It isn’t … I don’t think. I’m just not sure how to be sure.’ Lacey stopped talking and put a smile on her face at the sight of Sergei striding towards them.
‘Why are you smiling at him like that?’
‘Like what?’
‘Like a drunk celebrity on Alan Carr: Chatty Man.’
‘Drink your drink. Good morning,’ Lacey purred as Sergei arrived next to them.
‘Good morning. How are you?’ Sergei’s eyes were fixed firmly on Lacey’s bikini top, his dark hair perfectly gelled back, sunglasses on his face.
‘All the better for seeing you looking so energetic and ready for action.’
‘Don’t stand too close, Sergei. She’s been vomiting since seven.’ Ellen put her empty cocktail cup down.
‘You have too much last night?’ he inquired.
‘Too much what?’ Lacey batted her eyelids.
‘Please! Just tell us what you’d like us to sign up for before I start being sick.’
‘Volleyball. In five minutes.’
‘Lacey’ll play.’
Within a couple of minutes her sister’s mascara would be running down her face and her hair would resemble Seal in his dreadlock phase. Surely that would make her less attractive to Sergei.
‘I won’t. I can’t. I don’t know how to,’ Lacey protested.
‘I teach you,’ Sergei assured.
‘Great. That’s you occupied. I’m going to see if they have space left on the coach trip.’ Ellen got up from the lounger.
‘What coach trip?’ Lacey asked.
‘It was on the board outside the restaurant.’ She began to gather her things up together. ‘Some place beginning with “S”. I’m not sure. I don’t care. It looked nice and it isn’t volleyball,’ Ellen stated.
‘But we’ve only just sat down,’ Lacey protested.
‘And until you’re ready to make decisions one way or the other about this wedding I’ll be in the place beginning with “S”.’
‘Well, what am I going to do?’
‘I don’t know. Just try not to get pregnant.’