This week I’m hosting Belle Calhoune with Reunited with the Sheriff, Fay Lamb with Stalking Willow, and Carla Laureano with Five Days in Skye (U.S. only). If you want to enter the drawings for the books, please leave a comment on one of the post during the week with your email address. I will not enter you without an email address (my way to contact you if you win). If you don’t want to leave an email address, another way you can enter is to email me at margaretdaley@gmail.com. The drawings end Sunday (June 9th) evening.
Interview with the hero of Five Days in Skye by Carla Laureano:
1. James MacDonald, tell me the most interesting thing about you.
If you believe the press, that would be whoever I’m dating at the moment, but I would say the fact that I’m a chef. I’ve currently got six restaurants in Britain, though I’m about to open my seventh as part of the family hotel we’re renovating on the Isle of Skye. Oh, and I’m going into my fourth season of my cooking programme on the BBC.
2. What do you do for fun?
Go home and visit my aunt and sister in Skye. Hike, jog, and cook good, simple food. It makes the pace of London bearable.
3. What do you put off doing because you dread it?
Visiting my mother. She’s never quite approved of my career choices. Or anything else I’ve done, for that matter. She would have been far happier had I decided to become a solicitor like my brother, Ian.
4. What are you afraid of most in life?
Looking back and having regrets. Having wasted the opportunities I was given.
5. What do you want out of life?
You wouldn’t believe me if I told you. I’ve always seen myself with a family, wife, kids, even the dog. But that hasn’t worked out for me so far.
6. What is the most important thing to you?
Family. It may be a cliché, but it’s true.
7. Do you read books? If so, what is your favorite type of book?
To my shame, I haven’t read a book since uni. I haven’t the time. Unless my own cookbooks count.
8. If you could change one thing about yourself, what would it be?
That I wouldn’t have made such poor choices in my youth. Some things can’t be undone.
9. Do you have a pet? If so, what is it and why that pet?
No, unfortunately. I’ve always considered myself quite a dog person, but I travel too much to have one now. It wouldn’t be fair to the poor creature. Besides, my flat in London is not exactly what one would call ‘pet friendly.
10. If you could travel back in time, where would you go and why?
Call me boring, but I’m quite happy in the modern era with indoor plumbing and proper appliances. Though I wouldn’t mind travelling back to the first time someone decided an artichoke was edible. Really, what makes one look at that plant and decide it must be tasty?
I would love to have a chef in my life. I find cooking such a chore. I’d gladly relinquish.
marypres(AT)gmail(DOT)com
I love cooking, but I still wouldn’t mind having a chef around either! Especially if he cleans up too!
thanks for the chance to read this wonderful novel 🙂
Hey, is this my buddy, Karen? Thanks for dropping by!
Thanks for hosting me–er, James– this morning, Margaret! This was fun. 🙂
Would love to read this one! The comment about the artichoke had me chuckling!
Thanks for the chance to win!
Beth
Let’s just say it’s been on my–um, OUR–mind. Good luck! 🙂
James is a fabulous character, and I must say, given that I received an ARC copy of Carla’s book, it is well-worth the read!
Thanks, Jen!
What do you like to cook?
bn100candg at hotmail dot com
I’ll drive way out of my way for a proper English chip shop, but at home, I like to cook Italian, French, and Chinese. A few of the recipes James cooks for Andrea and his family are from my own favorites. Thanks for entering!
I would love to win this book. I read the first chapter on-line and it left me hanging with wanting MORE!!
Thanks!
Thanks, Max! You know that comment will leave me grinning for the rest of the day, so thanks for making my Friday. 🙂 Don’t forget to leave an address or email Margaret to enter!