Friday, September 13, 2013

Recipe for Love by Katie Fforde




Hardback : 340 pages 
Genre: Contemporary Romantic Fiction 
Publisher: Century 2012
Source: Tywyn Public Library 
First Sentences: Zoe Harper lay on the bank in the sun with her eyes closed, listening to a lark high above her.

Review Quote"Deliciously enjoyable!" (Woman & Home)
My Opinion Once again Katie Fforde's writing met my expectations. 



I have been enjoying Katie Fforde's writing since 1995 and once again it met my expectations! When you want to read some Contemporary Romantic Fiction you can not go wrong if you pick one of her novels. She has a knack of producing simple romantic plots in very English settings that make for an absorbing and relaxing read.


In 'Recipe For Love' the story revolves around a reality television cookery show, very topical at the moment! The protagonist Zoe Harper wins a place on this show and is of course extremely excited about the opportunity to put her talents to good use. As the competition gets under way Zoe finds that she has inappropriate feelings for one of the judges, the gorgeous Gideon Irving. Suddenly there is a lot at stake as the plot becomes a little complicated with Zoe determined to win so she can open the delicatessen she has always dreamed of owning. As we follow the competition behind the scenes, Zoe makes friends and enemies along the way. 

I am not going to say more and spoil a delightful read just recommend it to Katie Ffforde fans and fans of the genre if you have not yet discovered this author, or you are enjoying the current TV reality programme about baking! Her novels are perfect for when you are in the mood for a touch of romance, presented in a readable novel with the inevitable happy ending that one can relax with. 

Katie Fforde talks about her novel Recipe for Love




Author Profile



Catherine Rose Gordon-Cumming was born on 27 September 1952 in Wimbledon, London, UK.  She has lived near Stroud, Gloucestershire  for over twenty years, with her husband and three children. It was after the birth of her third child that she started writing using her married name of Katie Fforde.  She is founder of the Katie Fforde Bursary for writers who have yet to secure a publishing contract. She was for many years a committee member of the Romantic Novelists' Association and was elected its twenty-fifteenth chairman (2009–2011) and later its fourth president. In June 2010 she was announced as a patron of the UK's first National Short Story Week.

I am also sharing here what she has to say about herself on her website as she says it so well.

About Katie
I was born and brought up in London but I am basically a country girl. I’ve lived in Stroud with my family for thirty years and while I love London and visit it frequently, I don’t think I could actually live there.

My husband Desmond and I started married life on the water, where we took two 70’ x 6’10 narrowboats around the canals as a hotel. It was very hard work! From there we went to Wales where we had two baby boys and narrowly avoided keeping goats. It was while we lived in Wales that I became addicted to Mills & Boon novels. My husband was away at sea for a lot of the time, leaving me with two small children who didn’t sleep well. I loved the fact that you could pick up a Mills & Boon and be able to follow the plot and enjoy the escapism even if you’d had little sleep. They were my reward for every household task. I’m so glad I was addicted to reading and not chocolate or Valium.

I did have the idea that I wanted to write Mills & Boon novels but didn’t do anything about it until my mother gave me a writing kit for Christmas. By now we lived in Stroud, and I also had a daughter as well as the two sons, Irish Wolfhound and two cats we had in Wales (although not the hens.). I didn’t think I had time to write but my mother thought differently and I took up the challenge. Ten years later I had a book on the shelves. It wasn’t a Mills & Boon, although I had tried to write one for eight years; it was Living Dangerously.

I had met an agent through the Romantic Novelists’Association and, when I was about to give up my ambitions to become a writer, she convinced me I could write something else. I was extremely lucky that the novel was chosen as part of a WHSmith’s Fresh Talent promotion, which gave it a terrific start in life.

There have been over seventeen novels since, as well as some grandchildren and a few stone of extra weight. However, I love being a writer. It gives me the chance to have all the jobs I couldn’t get now even if I did know anything about horses or pottery or indeed almost anything else. I love doing the research, although it has taken me way out of my comfort zone at times. I have been a porter for an auction house, learned how to gut fish, and taken part in a Ray Mears survival course. I loved it!

My hobbies, when I have time for them, are singing in a choir and flamenco dancing. Watching television is research and so I call it work.

Novels

  • Living Dangerously (1995)
  • The Rose Revived (1995)
  • Wild Designs (1996)
  • Stately Pursuits (1997)
  • Life Skills (1999)
  • Thyme Out (2000) aka Second Thyme Around
  • Artistic Licence (2001)
  • Highland Fling (2002)
  • Paradise Fields (2003)
  • Restoring Grace (2004)
  • Flora's Lot (2005) aka Bidding for Love
  • Practically Perfect (2006)
  • Going Dutch (2007)
  • Wedding Season (2008)
  • Love Letters (2009)
  • A Perfect Proposal (2010)
  • Summer of Love (2011)
  • Recipe for Love (2012)
  • A French Affair (2013)

The biographical information photo and video used in this post are with thanks to the following websites, where you can also find more information about the author and her writing.

Twitter Profile   Goodreads Author Profile  Katie Fforde - Official Website   Katie Fforde - Wikipedia




12 comments:

  1. Hi there Linda. Good to see you back with your Book Reviews. This sounds like just the sort of thing I love, and I am just about to order it for my Kindle. Can't believe how topical the story is at this moment in time! I shall very much look forward to reading this novel. Thank you for recommending it.

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    1. I love it when someone actually reads a book on my recommendation, hope you enjoy this one Diane.

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  2. LindyLou - I haven't read this one of hers - have now put it on my list to get from the library. Hope things are going ok for you.

    PS If you would like to add this to this month's Books You Loved over at Carole's Chatter please do!

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    1. Carole, I will watch out for your review. Thanks for asking how I am doing it is appreciated, keep forgetting your monthly post, sorry, will call by at once.

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  3. Hi Lindy...I just came by to see if you were home over here because I didn't find you on your Travel blog ;>). Just saying hi. I don't read romance any more... I'm on a kick to try to read more of the old classics that I missed in my spotty education... and when I get tired of that or need something lighter I go to a mystery. Right now I'm reading the latest Louise Penny mystery and The Old Curiosity Shop by Charles Dickens.

    Hope all is well; really just wanted to let you know I'm thinking of you.

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    1. Sallie, how very kind of you to call by here. I am planning another post for the Travel Tales blog, but still finding it difficult to settle to get it done. Some of the classics can be just as enjoyable as a modern novel, certainly Dickens is amongst them.

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  4. I like cookery programs on TV, too! I enjoyed the video, and her kitchen looks so homey! Zoe sounds like a fun character. I think I'd like this one. Thanks so much for linking-up to Literary Friday, Linda. It's great hearing from you, and you've made me so happy hearing from you!

    (((hugs))),
    Ricki Jill

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    1. Katie Fforde just strikes me as a very nice lady and definitely she has a homey kitchen. I am so pleased to be back linking up with you and will try to do so more often now I am getting back to my blogging.

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  5. HI Lindy,

    So good to see your review after long.
    I liked the cover page a lot. Very relaxing.

    The story seems quite good.

    Also, I wanted to share this post for your thoughts:

    http://roughebook.blogspot.in/2013/09/sari-shop-by-rupa-bajwa.html

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    Replies
    1. Thanks for the welcome, I am still slowly catching up, hence late response here. Will visit the link now.

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  6. I have read a lot of good about this lady, yet to get round to her myself though, great wee review!

    Lainy http://www.alwaysreading.net

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    1. Yet another author to add to your lists then Lainy. :)

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