With Valentine’s Day just around the corner, I wanted to feature a newly found romance author that could be your next favorite read. Francine Beaton is a Scottish author originally born in South Africa. She enjoys watching Rugby and photography when not writing her happily ever afters. Her new novella, Chances, is second in her “On the Sidelines” series. It features characters in her other romances that deserve their own story. It’s a great way to get introduced into her world of characters. I had the chance to talk to Francine about reading as a child, her favorite authors and influences, and what she has in store for us in future books.

1) What is your favorite memory from reading as a child?

Francine Beaton: During school holidays my sister and I would walk to our local library where we each could take out five books. Walking home, we would buy chocolate, a bag of crisps and cold drinks to sustain us through our reading binge. At home, we would stack our snacks and the books on the bedside table between our beds and that’s where we spend most of the day, especially in winter.

2) Who was your favorite author and how did they influence you?

Francine Beaton: I grew up in an Afrikaans community in South Africa, and mostly read Afrikaans. I had a few favorite authors, but I can’t say that they’ve influenced me. I recently tried to re-read one of those authors books but didn’t get very far. Our writing styles are completely different. As an adult, though, I found Nora Roberts and if someone had influenced my style, it would be Nora.

3) Do you have a writing routine? Share what works for you.

Francine Beaton: My daily routine differs from day to day, depending on what I am busy with, e.g. writing, editing or marketing. I start each day by updating my statistics (for marketing purposes). On a writing day, I would then switch off my phones. I would re-read what I’ve written the previous day, then I just start writing. I’ll take short breaks to make tea or a snack (when my husband is not at home), then continue to write until lunchtime. I’ll take a break during lunch, then have a nap or just relax for an hour or so. I then write again until around five when I switch off for the day. Starting times differ too. Winter, I start much later than in summer.

4) What subjects would you like to write about in future projects?

Francine Beaton: I have planned stories that may focus on cancer, or menopause, or losing a child.

5) What is writing to you in one sentence?

Francine Beaton: Writing is what keeps me (and my family), sane.

Chances is a great way to get introduced into Francine Beaton’s books. The novella takes us into the relationship of friends to lovers. If you’d like a short read to get you into the Valentine’s Day mood, this is a great start.

Blurb:

“Best friends shouldn’t look like Lia Moorcroft, nor should they make you feel things like she does. Jesse Summers realized it the moment the girl he knew, since she was in diapers, crashed into him after disappearing for eight long years. He needed a little time to get used to the new Lia. It isn’t too much to ask, or is it?

Things never turn out the way you imagine them to. Soon, Jesse and Lia find out that Lia will be Jesse’s new intern. Both treasure their friendship and will do anything to protect it, even burying their growing feelings.

But how long can they do that?”

Chances is available at Amazon.com. This book is a Kindle Unlimited title.

For more information on Francine Beaton, visit her website here.