Rosie Dean writes romantic fiction with a sense of humor and, sometimes, a sense of the ridiculous. ‘Because we all know life and love aren't exactly how we'd like them to be,’ she says.
When not writing, she loves to cook and to read, she even reads in the car (talking books) and has notched up countless unnecessary miles as a result.
Not one to spend hours in the gym or pounding the pavement, she prefers Yoga and Pilates, which means she can tone and tighten whilst watching TV.
Who has influenced your life the most?Quite possibly Jean, who I met when I was fifteen. She was the mother of my first boyfriend, and went on to become a dear and supportive friend.
Which is your favourite book? As a child, I read 101 Dalmations by Dodie Smith many times. As an adult, I've probably read Prudence by Jilly Cooper as often, but Rachel's Holiday by Marian Keyes is a close runner up.
Other than those you love, what would you save in a fire? Old family albums.
Which film have you seen several times? Several films - but probably most often:
Something's Gotta Give;
While You Were Sleeping;
When Harry Met Sally;
You've Got Mail;
And the boxed set of Anne of Green Gables.
What in your life do you regret doing? I regret failing to send flowers to my dad on his 50th wedding anniversary. I intended to, but didn't get around to it. He had a massive stroke the following night and died soon after.
What is your favourite colour? Cherry red.
If you were an animal, what would you be and why? A black cat, because they're independent, go anywhere they chose and are ultra cool.
What temptation do you wish you could resist? Procrastination (if that's a temptation).
What, in others, makes you angry? Cruelty to animals or people. And professional dishonesty, i.e. people who lie or cheat to get on in life.
What wisdom would you share with a child? Look for the good in every moment and try to improve it for others. Don't sweat the small stuff.
What is your philosophy on life? Live and let live.
What is your favourite song? Tricky to choose one … can I have two, please? Whispers, by Eddie Reader, and Growing up Beside you, by Paulo Nutini.
What is your favourite pice of music? Any cello piece moves me, so I'd choose The Swan by Saint-Saens. Cloudbusting by Kate Bush also uses cellos to drive the melody, I love that piece, too. Finally I couldn't leave out Vipers Drag by Fats Waller, preferably played by my dad.
Which four people (dead or alive) would you like to invite to dinner and why? So … I started with a massive list and cut it down to twelve. Which means I need to hold three dinner parties.
A totally feasible ladies' night would include: Emma Thomson, Sandra Bullock, Whoopi Godberg and Marian Keyes, because they're all smart, sassy and entertaining women - I think it would be an absolute blast.
A completely different mix would be: Noel Coward, Jane Austen, Ian Hislop and Jack Nicholson. I think their conversation would be entertaining.
Finally, a bunch who philosophise on different levels and would generate very stimulating discussion would be: Billy Connolly, Will.i.am, the Dalai Lama and Ann Leslie.
If forced to choose only four, for a good night in, it would be: Noel Coward, Sandra Bullock, Will.i.am and Ian Hislop.
Which of life's simple pleasures do you most enjoy? A cream tea in an English country garden on a summer's day.
What would you want if you could choose anything? Aside from world peace and all other people following the principle of live and let live, it would be perpetual good health for all.
On a material level, I'd settle for Claude Monet's painting of The Magpie, thank you very much.
Who is the most fascinating person you've ever met? A rather eccentric chap who was very keen on cars and motorbikes. I joked, 'Do you keep your motorbike in the hall?' to which he replied, 'No, but I have an MGB in my bedroom.'
He had the brand new car picked up on a trailer, brought to his house, then the bedroom window was removed to allow the car to be lifted in.
Any conversation I've ever had with him has been out of the ordinary.
Who is your real life hero? My dad.
If you weren't a writer, what would you be? If I had room for a large kiln, I'd probably make big, sculptural pots.
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Five things you might not know about Rosie Dean …
She has a phobia of bells in belfries - if they appear on TV, she shudders and looks away;
Her voice has been on several corporate answer-phone systems;
She once won £250 worth of silk clothes for suggesting the name 'Peaches' for a new range of silk underwear. A the time, £250 equalled ten items of clothing;
She returned to college in her thirties to study Theatrical and Media Make-up;
She has been known to read tea-leaves with surprising accuracy - none more surprised than she herself.
The first of Rosie's books, Millie's Game Plan, is available to download for Kindle or in paperback from Amazon by clicking here. Her second novel, Vicki's Work of Heart, is available for Kindle, paperback coming soon, by clicking here.
Find out more about Rosie by visiting her web site - you can go there straight away by clicking here.
Or make friends with her on Facebook here, or on Twitter by yet one more click here.
Thanks, Rosie, for guesting on my blog. How many years have we known each other? I never knew about your phobia.
Thanks, Rosie, for guesting on my blog. How many years have we known each other? I never knew about your phobia.
