I’m delighted today to welcome the lovely Anita Faulkner to my blog to talk about her new book Meet Me at Apple Blossom Lane.
Anita Faulkner writes warm and witty romantic comedy novels from her upcycled bureau near the Cotswolds.
Described by her agent Kate Nash as ‘a sparkling new voice,’ Anita loves dreaming up quirky characters and uplifting love stories.
Her debut novel, A Colourful Country Escape, was shortlisted for two Romantic Novelists’ Association awards and was followed by The Gingerbread Café – which is too delicious to be missed.
Anita is thrilled to be writing for HQ Digital. Her autumn romcom, You Had Me at Pumpkin Patch, is packed with warmth, humour and autumn joy. Meet Me at Apple Blossom Lane is perfect for lovers of smalltown second chance romance.
Thank you for popping by today Anita to chat. Congratulations on your new book. Meet Me at Apple Blossom Lane is such a delightful read. Before we start, would you like a drink and something to eat? – I thought maybe apple caramel tiramisu. And . . . if you really wanted . . . I could probably run to a Matcha and Lychee tea unless you’d rather have a hot drink, I do make a lovely hot chocolate.
It’s a joy to be here, Anni. Thank you for inviting me.I’m always in for cake or sweet treats – although make mine a coffee! I’m still getting my head around all things matcha. It has a distinctive taste, doesn’t it?!
Spring is blooming, but love coach Alyssa’s life decidedly isn’t. In one night, she finds herself dumped, homeless and on the
Desperate to claw back her career, Alyssa can’t turn down the opportunity to test a new matchmaking app – even though it goes against everything she believes in… and involves working with the man who was her first love.
Devan Shaw’s devastating betrayal has haunted Alyssa ever since she left her hometown to reinvent herself in London, but face to face, she’s distracted by their rekindled – and unwanted – chemistry.
With her career on the line, Alyssa vows to show Devan that she’s been living her best life without him. But can she resist the charms of Apple Blossom Lane, her hometown’s quirky residents and the one man she’s secretly been dreaming of?
Anita, I love all your books – Happy ever afters and second chance, small-town romances are close to my heart. And Hartglove sounds the perfect place to rediscover love, is it based on any real Cotswold towns?
Thank you, Anni! I’m loving the love today.
All of my novels are set in and around the Cotswolds. I live in Gloucestershire, so it’s what I know. Though I tend to make my villages fictional so that I can take the best of everything (and so nobody can tell me off if I wrongly place a post box!)
The small towns and villages of the Cotswolds can have such a sense of community and togetherness, and I love to recreate that. The Cotswold hills give the perfect stunning backdrop for romance.
I know when you’re not writing, you’re busy coaching other writers, running your fiction writers’ membership – Writers’ Dream Pod – and celebrating books in your Facebook group, Chick Lit and Prosecco. Is there any advice that you give your clients that you think Alyssa should give hers as well?
Ooh, that’s an interesting one!
Alyssa is a love coach who helps people to fix their relationships and stay the journey.
I help writers to fix their stories and to stay in love with the process – so they don’t give up!
Perhaps the advice for anyone on a love or life mission would be to remember the joy. Remember why this matters to you.
If it’s still close to your heart, then keep fighting!
I’ve recently watched Cheats – The Unfinished Business, on Netflix, which forced couples to face their cheating exs. As a love coach, do you think Alyssa would ever suggest her clients do the same thing?
Alyssa hates a cheating ex! I think she would advise her clients to run for the hills.
But by the time Alyssa comes face to face with Devan – the childhood sweetheart she thinks has betrayed her, she’s contractually obliged to spend time with him. (Yes, she should have read the small print!)
Though on this occasion, she may discover that there’s a lot more to Devan’s story than she thinks. (Second chance at love, anyone?!)
‘Appy Together arranges seven tasks based on applicant’s profiles. This is such a fun hook. What would your own profile suggest were your greatest likes and dislikes?
Aha yes, and I love the way Alyssa gets thrown in at the deep end because she hasn’t filled in her questionnaire quite so accurately!
I’m not sure my profile would be wildly interesting, now I come to think of it. Perhaps:
Greatest likes – Writing and editing, having fun on social media, cheering people on, larking around in the Cotswolds, discovering lovely charity shops, rescuing hopeless houseplants. Reading, reading, reading…
Greatest dislikes – big hairy spiders, people who are mean!
Which task was your favourite, and which one would you personally struggle most with?
The community love garden task has a special place in my heart, because we see Alyssa having to awkwardly bluff her way through. It was so much fun to write! She knows nothing about gardening, but she’s desperate to save face in front of Devan, the cameras and her parents. (And somewhere along the way she may discover a special love for growing things, and the peace of being away from her phone.)
As for struggling – I’m not sure you’d find me too close to a hot air balloon! Though people keep telling me it’s not as terrifying as it looks . . .
I used to work with a woman whose third date always involved questions about long term commitments such as marriage and children, needless to say, often they didn’t get beyond this point and let’s call her Elaine (name changed to protect and all that) used to be devastated when the latest love interest didn’t contact her again. Putting Alyssa’s love coaching hat on, what advice would she give her?
It sounds like ‘Elaine’ was keen to set out her stall! Though maybe she needs to play her cards closer to her chest if that approach isn’t hitting the relationship jackpot.
As Alyssa sets out not believing in love or marriage (though she keeps any controversial views to herself!) she might be inclined to check they have a big house and financial stability before anything else.
Though discretion is key, Elaine! Don’t whip out your tick list on date three.
Perhaps Elaine should try Devan’s all-new dating app. It promises to hook you up with your BUM. (Budding Ultimate Match . . .)
Have you had to construct a raft and sail across a lake on it? And if you had to do it with anyone other than your lovely husband, which celebrity would you want to be paired with for that task?
I’m sure this is one of those tasks that we did on a Girl Guides camp, or similar. And no – I didn’t enjoy it! I’m no good at constructing things and my swimming is dodgy, at best. I’d rather be on dry land.
Hmm – can I opt for Bear Grylls? Not for any hotness factor – simply for survival. (Though if he tries to get me eating bugs or drinking my own urine, I’m out!)
Camping or spa-break?
Wow – spa break every time. (Mainly for the warmth and the comfortable bed.)
Nicole Pigman’s litter need names – any ideas?
Erm… Piggy Smalls, Amy Swinehouse and Ham Solo?!
I get the feeling that there’s an element of trauma here about costumes for fancy dress parties. Have you gone to a fancy-dress party and if so dressed as what? How did it go?
I don’t think I’ve experienced the trauma of such a thing for at least a decade! I seem to remember dressing as a witch with striped tights and a snazzy purple wig for my 30th. I wish I still had that wig.
These days I prefer to be in my PJs by 8pm, thank you very much!
I love the idea of Mrs Halfpenny and her T-shirt printing. If you had to wear one of her T-shirts at an important event to promote your book which one?
Mrs Halfpenny is an absolute legend, bless her. I did love her quest to promote self-love, so how about:
‘It Takes Two to Mango – Be a Banana’
I mean, who wouldn’t want to be an elongated fleshy fruit?
Alyssa, when we meet her is working hard to impress her social media followers, I struggle with social media, how do you cope to keep up with it, these days?
I do love social media and the opportunity to connect with readers and other writers, though it can also be a huge distraction from the important job of writing words.
It’s easy to get phone fever around book launch time, because there’s so much promotion to do and lovely comments and reviews to try and keep up with.
In all honesty, it’s impossible to keep up with everything (unless you decide never to sleep again). I just do what I can and hope for the best.
What does a writing day in the Anita Faulkner house look like?
If I could remember, I’d let you know! So much of our work seems to fall into the ‘other things’ category, doesn’t it?! There’s so much promotion to do, and then juggling emails, various rounds of edits, Zoom calls, events, coaching…
Today I’m painting my nails and organising bookmarks and cupcakes for a library talk later! And trying to think of intelligent, bookish things to say.
On the days when I do get to write, there’s generally a lot of procrastination, coffee breaks and ‘pondering’ time. (Just me?!)
A question, another writer asked me last year, was what was on my vision board for 2026? So, I thought it would be fun to ask all my guests this year if they would share one item on their board for 2026 – I might come back to you to later in the year and ask whether you achieved it! So what would be one item on yours, Anita?
I do love a vision board. And it’s spooky how often they work! For 2026, I would love to be part of a book or literature festival (on the author side of the table). Though as of this moment, I’ve done nothing to bring that about. OK, OK. I’m off to send some hopeful emails . . .
I know there is a Christmas book in the pipeline – are you allowed to say anything about it yet?
Ooh, well spotted.
We haven’t officially announced anything yet, as my publisher prefers to wait for the book cover to be ready first. But I’d like to think that fans of books, baking and festive deliciousness will be in for a treat this Christmas!
Thank you for popping by today Anita to chat to me, and good luck with all your books. Ax
It was a pleasure, wonderful Anni! Thank you for so kindly hosting me. And thank you to everyone reading along with us too. It’s been lovely to chat! Love Anita. Xx
Book link: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Meet-Apple-Blossom-Lane-swoon-worthy-ebook/dp/B0FHN8VGZZ/
Amazon (US): https://www.amazon.com/Meet-Apple-Blossom-Lane-swoon-worthy-ebook/dp/B0FHN8VGZZ/
Social media links:
Chick Lit and Prosecco Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/chicklitandprosecco/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/anitafaulknerauthor/
Instgram: https://www.instagram.com/anita_faulkner_writer/
Anita’s Mailing List: https://bit.ly/anitafaulknerhotnews
Anni Rose’s six uplifting and heartfelt romantic comedies are currently available from Amazon in one box set:
