A Q&A WITH ELLIE HENDERSON

Without giving anything away, what can readers expect when they arrive in Rowan Bay this Christmas?

Hopefully they’ll feel welcome straight away, with lots of love, laughter, community, roaring log fires and, of course, plenty of cinnamon buns from the bakery!

If you could describe Lily and Hamish’s love story in three words, what would they be?

Unexpected, romantic and magical!

Did you do anything particularly festive to get yourself into the Christmas spirit while writing?

I like to make sure I’m feeling cosy before I start writing! I’ll light a festive scented candle, get comfortable and have a warm drink beside me — coffee in the morning and peppermint tea in the afternoon. It definitely helps me get into the Christmas mood.

If you could spend Christmas in Rowan Bay, what would your perfect day look like?

I’d definitely go for a walk, no matter what the weather was doing, then visit Emmet’s Lochside sauna. I’d stop for coffee and brunch at the Coffee Pot, visit The Wee Bookshop then spend some time reading a book by the fire at the Rowan Bay Inn. And, of course, catch up with all the characters over a glass of red wine in the pub later. That sounds like my idea of a perfect day!

What do you hope readers feel when they reach the final page?

I hope they feel uplifted, happy and full of Christmas cheer with that lovely, warm, hopeful feeling you get from a good festive story.