At 10 years old Joel was uprooted from his home and everything he knew in Portugal to start a new life in the States. At 26 he finds himself returning for the first time in thirteen years. So what if looking into the eyes of his childhood best friend again still makes his heart race out of his chest?
Living in sunny, laid-back Portugal isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. For David, dreams of being a pastry chef come second to working in his family’s café where his renowned custard tarts draw in the crowds. Seeing Joel brings old feelings back. Feelings he’s not sure he’s brave enough to acknowledge to anyone other than himself.
With the inspiration of an old travel journal, the two friends embark on a real journey through memories in a country where looking back into the past runs as deep as the blood that courses through their veins.
Falling in love was never meant to be a stop along the way, but maybe inevitable when you have the adventurous spirit and courage to pursue what you want, make love under the stars, and even figure out how to jumpstart an old Citroen 2CV in the middle of the Alentejo countryside.
Length: 68,000 words approx.
Cover Design: Jay Aheer
Amazon US
Amazon UK
10 Questions
Are you a plotter or a pantster?
I’m a plotter but I give myself enough freedom to allow the story to flow. I changed the plot of Made In Portugal as I went along to add new stuff.
As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?
I wanted to be an interpreter. I always loved languages.
Were you a voracious reader as a child?
Absolutely. There are two Portuguese authors who wrote a series called An Adventure In… it featured 5 friends who found themselves in sticky and sometimes dangerous situations in all these different locations. I always got these books for my birthday and Christmas.
What are you reading?
I am reading the Barista series by my friend AE Ryecart.
Where do you like to write?
I can’t write in complete silence and I can’t write with lots of noise, especially if I can make out words (I get distracted too easily and I’m very nosy – plot bunnies, anyone?). I like to go to my local coffee shop when it’s quiet enough that all the noise is in the background but I also found these YouTube videos of coffee shop background noise and they are brilliant to play in the background when I can’t go out to a coffee shop.
If you had the opportunity to live one year of your life over again, which year would you choose?
This past year to today. I have met so many wonderful people through writing and made some friends I am sure will be with me for a lifetime.
How would you describe your writing style/genre?
I ramble when I talk so there’s no surprise I ramble when I write. My editor had great fun with that part of my writing style. I also got great compliments on how I describe things and bring them to life so maybe there’s something in my ramblings.
If you could have a superpower, what would it be and why?
The power to give myself extra superpowers. I mean, so many different possibilities, why stick with one?
If you could be one of your characters who would you be and why?
I would be Vóvó Violeta because she’s very much like my grandmother, she knows EVERYTHING.
Do you have a character in your head that you have yet to write a story for?
Yes. The world of Made In Portugal is so real in my head that I have characters for book three, and maybe even a spin off a few years down the line.
June 5 – Katie’s Book Corner, June 6 – The Novel Approach, June 7 – BooksLaidBareBoys, Bookaholic & Kindle, Love My Reads, Open Mind For A Different View, June 8 – Love Bytes, June 9 – Mainely Stories, The Geekery Book Review, June 11 – MM Good Book Reviews, June 12 – Scattered Thoughts & Rogue Words, June 13 – Making It Happen, June 14 – Mirrigold: Mutterings & Musings, Valerie Ullmer, Reading In Sarah’s Corner, Wicked Reads, Virginia Lee, June 15 – Bayou Book Junkie, June 18 – Joyfully Jay, June 20 – Gay Book Reviews, June 22 – My Fiction Nook, June 25 – Diverse Reader, June 27 – Two Chicks Obsessed
Ana Newfolk was born in Portugal where she grew up surrounded by sunshine and countryside. She has always had a deep love of reading, and ever since she can remember her favorite presents and treats have always been books. She would often be found in her not-so-secret spot reading her favorite adventure books (when she was younger) and romance novels (when she discovered boys). At 20 years old she moved to the UK where she has lived since.
In 2015 Ana stumbled across her first MM romance novel by chance, and she was hooked. She loves reading about men falling in love, hard, fast and ever so sweetly. This new found love for LGBTQ+ romance has opened a new world for Ana, and in 2017 she decided to finally listen to the voices in her head and write them down.
In addition to the time she spends reading and writing Ana has a full-time job that involves meeting lots of people with interesting stories to tell. She also loves baking as much as she loves watching people eat what she creates, much to the delight of family, friends and work colleagues alike.
You can follow Ana on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or through her blog for up to date news of her book releases.
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