It was three years ago when I first encountered Choc Lit Publishing and since then I've been consistently impressed by the standard of the books they publish. Yes – it's chick lit and you're not going to end up struggling through something that was written with the Booker Prize in mind, but it's at the upper end of the genre, with good writing, romantic content and, best of all, a real story that you can believe in Sue Magee, The Bookbag
WIN! Give your feedback, review our novels and allocate a Choc Lit heart rating. Describe the hero in terms of chocolate and you could win our Flavour of the Month Award. Get writing!
Choc Lit Tasting Panel
All novels we publish are chosen by the Choc Lit Tasting panel. Independent readers like you! Become a Tasting Panel reviewer and see the novels you read published! We strive to help debut and lesser known authors. Contact us today!
Where did you find the inspiration for your debut novel, One Apple Tasted?
Josa
It was one of those 'What if?' moments based on a friend's disastrous romance in the early 1980s. I was working at a slimming magazine at the time as features writer – you know the kind of thing: happy woman posing in one leg of a size 30 pair of trousers – and my mind tended to wander as I wrote the same transformation feature for the 15th time. I am also inspired by the two world wars and how they affected women's lives and forced social change.
What was particularly challenging about writing this story?
Josa
A major challenge was the sex scenes; how to write them in a way that was moving and emotionally realistic rather than embarrassing. The male point of view was another challenge, but I ran scenes past some tame men to see if they made sense and apparently they did. Honestly, the characters did a lot of the work for me, prancing about all over the place doing lots of things I hadn't envisaged when I planned the novel. They really got away from me! I suppose getting them under control was quite an effort as well. Some minor characters made quite definite bids for stardom and had to be kept firmly in their place.
What do you love most about your hero and heroine?
Josa
I love Dora's batty persistence and her detailed plans for making serious trouble. Guy's high square forehead was a pleasure to write, his good manners in spite of everything, and his sense of humour.
How would you describe your hero Guy Boleyn in terms of chocolate?
Josa
That thin, crisp dark stuff that breaks with a clean snap and has a deep red, almost translucent quality when held up to the light. Not too sweet. Single estate probably, from South America.
