Fran Clark writes as Rosa Temple, and she spends her days creating characters and story lines while drinking herbal tea and eating chocolate biscuits. Fran is an indie author and an author with HQ Digital. When Fran told me one of my favourite programmes ‘Escape to the Country’ inspired her latest novels, Dear … Anybody. I had to find out more.
I was born and brought up in London. Like many Londoners, I took for granted that I lived in one of the most visited and popular cities in the world. London, to me, was always ever just Home. To be honest I never took advantage of all the city had to offer, but in time I got tired of living there. Though I lived in a swanky complex of flats by the River Thames, it was still a complex of flats. I couldn’t handle living in such close proximity to my neighbours – lovely though some of them were.
I never ventured out much unless I had to. I hardly saw friends and family. Everyone was just so busy and it seemed that no one had time for anything apart from buying the latest consumer luxury and binge watching Netflix.
For about 10 years I’d been addicted to the television programme, ‘Escape To The Country’ and my passion for open spaces and tranquillity just grew and grew. My London friends and family thought I’d get bored if I left London, they thought I was crazy and were certainly going to miss me. And I’d miss them, but there was something missing in my life. Let’s face it, a quiet cottage in the country would be ideal for a writer!
I found the perfect cottage in the Herefordshire countryside, my youngest set off for uni and my husband I left London.
Sitting at my writer’s desk, I dreamed up the idea for Dear…Anybody? the story of London girl, Sydney, who moved to the countryside from London, but for her it was out of necessity. Sydney adapting to country life, discovering a strong sense of community and enjoying a healthier lifestyle with fresh air and a slower pace of life all came from my experience of life in the country. I watch Netflix an awful lot less now and I always take a morning walk along the country lanes. Not forgetting the trips to the farmer’s market.
My original ideas for Dear…Anybody? intertwined a love story with weird and sinister goings on in the fictitious village of Bridley. The published version does include one or two mysteries to solve, but eventually became a novel about love, friendships and finding your true home. I hope you enjoy reading it!
A mother of two, Fran is married to a musician and recently moved from London to Herefordshire. To date, Fran has penned and self published four publications as Rosa Temple; Sleeping With Your Best Friend, Natalie’s Getting Married, Single by Christmas and Sleeping With Your Best Friend.
HQ Digital (Harper Collins) has published three books in Fran’s pseudonym, Rosa Temple. The first was Playing by the Rules in February 2017 followed by Playing Her Cards Right on 28th August 2017 and Playing for Keeps on 12th February 2018.
I have always loved reading and cannot deny the influence of certain authors: Leslie Pearse for her loveable characters and unforgettable stories; Martina Cole who opened my eyes to a world of psychopathic gangsters. But most poignant of all was Ken Follet’s ‘Pillars of the Earth’ a saga which explored the conflict of Medieval times and the impact wielded by men in power.
On top of the shift Alex wears stays. Okay, so they’re not as bad as those sported by Scarlett O’Hara but once they’re laced they have a somewhat inhibiting effect on her movements. Stockings in scratchy wool are rolled up the legs to thigh-level and gartered into place. Petticoats help keep Alex somewhat warm, ending just above the ankle. A bum roll, heavy woollen skirts, a bodice and an apron complete the outfit. Let me tell you, this weighs a lot. It is difficult to run in full skirts. Or climb a tree (which is a bad idea anyway, as women shouldn’t do something as indecorous as climb a tree).
Angela Petch is an author of historical fiction, and she has written two wonderful novels set in Tuscany. I completely lost myself in both novels. ‘
The ebooks of ‘
Cari lettori (Dear Readers),
The inglese was still asleep on the planks above the cows. The nights were chilly and the animal warmth and dry hay made a comfortable bedroom – much better than mine. I have to share with nonna and she kicks and tosses at night. She snores like the pig we used to fatten for Christmas. There have been no pigs this year. The Germans have ‘requisitioned’ ours and everybody else’s in the area. ‘Pigs eating pigs,’ we muttered amongst ourselves.
‘
Adrienne Vaughan
Jessie: Your books are very popular. Let’s face it who wouldn’t like a romantic suspense with Irish roots and a touch of glamour. What do the reviewers say about your book?
Jessie: How did you feel when you had finished writing your book, and did you miss any of the characters?
Ally Bunbury 
Ally: I feel like the stars aligned, whilst I wrote 
Time for Honesty
Earlier in the day, we had strolled past the white Norwegian church in Cardiff Bay, and this reminded me of ‘
It was a pleasure to get to know Emmelin. She would be a loyal friend who needs a little support, and the occasional nudge in the right direction. Fortunately, her friends are always on hand with delicious vanilla custard bakes, custard doughnuts, cakes and cookies. Despite the troubled childhood in Solvik, it provides Emmelin with a haven from reality. Solvik is the ideal cosy retreat conjured while gazing into the flames of a cosy fire. Café Soleside would be my go to destination if I needed a culinary treat to soothe the senses. I would order smoked salmon and scrambled eggs baked with cream cheese and salad. Although the food is Norwegian, there is a familiarity with my own culture, and I loved this. It is also reassuring to be presented with a couple of villains who one hopes will also get their just desserts!
And there are some bitter twists in the novel to evoke your compassion for Emmelin. The narrative gains pace as it heads towards Christmas. I hoped there would be a comforting ending to compliment the ‘vanilla custard bakes with sugar glaze and coconut flakes.’ Or perhaps the bitterness of misunderstandings would be soaked up with the ‘creamy fish soup with seafood and newly baked rolls.’
I found a cosy setting for the Norwegian church as, ‘the ocean had frozen as I {she} gazed out at the white, untouched landscape. Little could compare with fallen snow.’ What a treat to find a charming Christmas tucked away in the corner of a sweet novel. If only, I could have skied over the Welsh mountains to meet Magda, Oliver, Emmelin and her first love. Instead, I decided to try some of the recipes at the end of the novel. Time to plan my New Year’s Eve menu, and Time to look forward to the year ahead.
Mette Barfelt is a Scandinavian author. After 16 years working for travel agents and airlines, she got a degree in Marketing, before she started writing books. Naturally, with her background in the travel industry, she has travelled extensively throughout the world and visited numerous countries. Her passion for travels and cruises has resulted in the non-fiction book “Alt du bør vite om cruise”, published by Aschehoug Publishing House in Norway.
John: Ah yes, I started to research my Family Tree fifty years ago. I was lucky to find transcribed letters from my great, great grandfather on one side of the family, and on the other I found that my great great grandmother was related to the Rochforts of Belvedere, in Ireland. I had to research this treasure and along the way, I came across some juicy relatives – and a story that was crying out to be told.
Jessie: Why should I keep your book in my handbag?
