Book Talk with K.T. Dady @kt_dady

It’s Thursday, so it’s time for another guest post, and today I’m delighted to welcome K.T. Dady, whose Pepper Bay books have made such a big impact with readers! Welcome, Karen. It’s brilliant to have you here. Could you tell our readers a bit about yourself please?

Hello, I’m K.T. Dady. I’m the bestselling author of the Pepper Bay series. I’m also a chocolate lover, mum to a grown-up daughter, and a huge fan of a HEA. I was born and raised in the East End of London, and I’ve been happily writing stories since I was a little girl. When I’m not writing, I’m reading, baking cakes, or pottering around in my little garden in Essex, trying not to kill the flowers.

It’s great to have you here. First question for you. What’s your favourite childhood book and why?

It’s a book called Grimble. It has two stories in it: Grimble, and Grimble at Christmas. It’s so funny. I bought it at a jumble sale at my old nursery when I was a kid, and I still have it today.

I can honestly say I’d never heard of that one until you mentioned it, but it sounds fun. Do you have a favourite among the books you’ve written yourself?

Ooh, that’s a tough question. I think I favour The Post Office Shop, simply because Rory represents a lot of kids I grew up with, so writing about him was close to my heart. Plus, I really enjoyed bringing some humour to the menopause for Tilly.

Always good if you can laugh at these things! Do you read any genres apart from the one/s you write in?

I like the occasional thriller. I’m always waiting for the next Dan Brown book to come out.

Ooh, I’ve read quite a few Dan Browns. Real page-turners, aren’t they? So, which author/s had the biggest influence on you?

Not an author as such, but my dad would always tell me bedtime stories. He loved to tell tales about the weird and wonderful and taught his children to have an open mind and a huge imagination. He’ll always be my favourite storyteller. All four of his kids were raised to be readers, and my eldest brother is also a writer.

That’s so lovely. I remember my parents reading to me at bedtime. I feel very lucky to have had a mum and dad who loved books. Do you prefer hardback, paperback, e-book, audio, or no preference?

I’m a book sniffer, so paperbacks will always be my fave. However, due to pain in my hands, I now read mostly on my Kindle. I think e-readers are great because people can change the font size to suit them, and it’s so much quicker and cheaper to buy the books. When I was a kid, my dad would buy books that had cassettes with them, yes, I’m that old, and it was great reading along to the story being told.

I’m the same with paperbacks. I love them but my hands and wrists ache too much to read them. Plus sometimes they’re very small print which is impossible for me to read, even with my glasses on! Do you read series, or do you prefer standalones?

Both, but mostly a series, as there are a lot of those around in the genre I read, which is good, as I like getting to visit the same place to see how other characters are getting on.

I agree! I love returning to a familiar place and meeting people I already feel I know, as well as meeting new ones. What’s your current read?

A Summer Surprise at the Little Blue Boathouse, by Christie Barlow.

Have you ever preferred a film or tv version to the original book?

Only once. I gave the book 4 stars, and the TV series 5. It was because they stayed so true to the book, which is rare, and the acting was incredible. It was a story by Sally Rooney called Normal People.

That’s an interesting response. You’re a prolific writer, releasing quite rapidly. What’s your latest book about?

It’s Book 8 in the Pepper Bay series, and it’s called The Old Boat Clubhouse. It’s a fake relationship story and another cosy, feelgood read.

What’s next for you?

I’ve got two more Pepper Bay books to write this year, ready for 2024. I’m currently writing book 12 in the Pepper Bay series. It’s called Silver Wish Farm. It’s Heath Silver’s story, and it’s about second chances, old regrets, and stubborn hearts. Plus, I’m hoping to squeeze in another four more Honeydale novellas. That should keep me busy.

It certainly should! Good luck with it all, and thanks for joining me here today.

K.T. Dady loves hearing from readers, so please get in touch over at her website or sign up for her newsletter and receive a free Pepper Bay short story that you won’t find anywhere else.

Newsletters go out once a month and often contain free gifts, previews, and self-publishing writing tips amongst the news. Head over to her website at ktdady.com

Latest in the Pepper Bay series!

The Old Boat Clubhouse

When Hollywood actor Keaton Byrd needs a brand boost, the last thing Harriet Hadley thinks is that it will involve her. All she does is work in housekeeping in Sandly’s biggest hotel. Being asked to be his pretend girlfriend in exchange for a whole heap of money doesn’t exist, even in her wildest dreams. Can she really pull it off? Be the small-town girl who he needs to rebuild his image?

It’s worth a try. What could go wrong? Especially with Keaton’s right-hand man, Jude Jackson, always by her side, making sure she’s okay. He smells so good, just like the ocean she adores, and he looks like the men her sister Lexi puts on the front covers of her steamy romance novels.

How is Harriet supposed to concentrate on being Keaton’s fake girlfriend when she can’t stop looking at Jude?

The best part is, Jude is always looking back.

The Pepper Bay series takes you to a beautiful close-knit community on the Isle of Wight, where a touch of drama is always guaranteed and, of course, a happily ever after. Perfect for fans of Christie Barlow, Alison Sherlock, Rachael Lucas, and Holly Martin.

Pepper Bay has a spin-off series called Honeydale, which is set in the Scottish Highlands. The stories are in the same style as the Pepper Bay books but are novellas.

Next in the Honeydale series!

The Black Hat Inn

Winnie Hart takes pity on the homeless man she finds sleeping in her storage barn. He is so poorly, she can’t help but settle him into one of her rooms at her inn. Once Tom is better, she gets to really know him. At least, she thinks she does until she discovers he’s been keeping a secret from her.