I am so glad you could join us here at RomanceJunkies. To start, will you please tell us a little bit about your current projects?

Liz: Thank you very much for having me! It is lovely to (virtually) meet you all. What I’m currently up to is working on my second book, as well as busying myself with Irresistible-related activities. I also work in the editorial department of a children’s publisher and review books in my spare time. Happily for me, everything I do is connected to books in some way. Apart from eating and sleeping.

When was the moment that you knew you had to be a writer?

Liz:I was very fond of lying as a child. And I spent a great deal of time imagining I was someone else (usually a superhero, but other characters included a farmer and a bear). But I think the moment I knew I wanted to write stories was when I read books by Jacqueline Wilson. Her stories are about real life and have characters you immediately feel are your friends. Then I knew I wanted to tell stories about real life and love when I grew up.

Who gave you the one piece of writing advice that sticks with you to this day?

Liz: The editor where I work told me to make a timeline, so I knew exactly where each character was on every day of the story. Invaluable!

 Describe the “perfect” hero. What about the “perfect” hero for you?

Liz: Funny. And a little bit grumpy. That way getting to know the real him is a bit of a challenge and it is a nice surprise when you discover his sweet side (which you would preferably discover when he’s just been for a swim in the lake in the grounds of Pemberley).

 What are some of your favorite pastimes? Do you have any hobbies or collections?

Liz: I love going to live comedy. I also love cats. My cat collection isn’t that impressive so far (I have two) but I would have lots more if I could. I am also very fond of eating.

What has been your biggest adventure to date?

Liz: Even though much of this adventure occurred on my sofa, I think that having a book published is the most exciting thing I’ve done!

 If your fairy godmother waved her wand and whisked you away to the location of your choice, which place would you choose, and why?

Liz: I really want to go to New Zealand. It just looks beautiful. I would also like to go back to Medieval times and find out what sort of jokes they told.

When it comes to food, are you the adventurous type who will try anything once, or do you prefer to stick to tried and true foods and recipes?

Liz: I don’t think there is any food I wouldn’t try if it was put in front of me! In restaurants I do tend to play it safe and order things I know I like, but I want to make it my resolution this year to stop doing that! In terms of making food I am an awful cook and should not be allowed near the kitchen.

How do you describe yourself? How would your family and friends describe you?

Liz:  I would describe myself as someone who would like to be Elizabeth Bennet, but has far more in common with Bridget Jones. I think my friends would say ‘prone to embarrassment’ and ‘likes cheese’. My friend’s dad once described me as ‘impish’, but I think that is just a polite way of saying ‘small’.

What is your favorite comfort food?

Liz: Chips (as in what you guys call potato chips) with cheese.

What is your favorite season? What do you love about it?

Liz: The time of year when people say ‘Spring is in the air’. Because of the freshness and the greenness and the piglets.

What is the one modern convenience that you cannot do without?

Liz: Well, it depends what you mean by ‘modern’. I find electricity very convenient, but I wouldn’t mind if we had to go back to using candles and quills, as long as everyone had to do it and it wasn’t just me.

What is this romance writer’s idea of the “ideal romantic evening”?

Liz: This is a tricky one, as my ideal evening would involve lots of lovely food, but eating until you feel sleepy is not very romantic. I think (and I apologise for the cheesiness) that the romance comes from the person you are with, whatever the situation, so it would probably be watching comedy and eating a takeaway while wearing pyjamas, with a person you feel completely relaxed around.

What project are you working on next?

Liz: Well I’d like to be writing more books! My day job will be keeping me very busy too, so as long as I am around books all day then I will be happy.

Any place we can find you in person or on the net this month or next?

Liz: I have no definite plans, but will certainly be around and about talking about Irresistible. You can follow me on Twitter (@LizBankesAuthor) to find out if you wish!

Book Blurb: He’s every girl’s ultimate fantasy—sexy, passionate, wealthy, and utterly charming—and the raw heat between them is intoxicating. But getting involved with society bad boy Jamie Elliot-Fox, son of the owner of the prestigious country club where she works, is out of the question for Mia. She should be focusing on her budding relationship with fellow summer employee, Dan . . . but Jamie dominates her thoughts and her fantasies. The flashes of vulnerability he shows when they are alone. Their secret nude swims at his private pool. What it might feel like to run her lips down his skin and taste every inch of his body. Falling for Jamie Elliot-Fox has become . . . irresistible.

Ebook available now – click here to buy your copy!

Print book available in June – Pre-order your copy today!