Well, what a treat!  We’ve only got the brilliant Mandy Baggott joining us today!

Mandy Baggot is an award-winning romantic fiction author, writing hot heroes and emotional reads.  She is a regular contributor to writing blogs and on-line magazine, Loveahappyending Lifestylehttp://www.loveahappyending.com/.  Mandy loves mashed potato, white wine, country music, World’s Strongest Man, travel and handbags. She has appeared on ITV1’s Who Dares Sings and auditioned for The X-Factor.  Mandy is a member of the Romantic Novelists’ Association and lives near Salisbury, Wiltshire, UK with her husband, two daughters and cats, Kravitz and Springsteen.

Visit her website at http://www.mandybaggot.com

Latest release: Made in Nashville – http://smarturl.it/buymadeinnashville

Twitter: http://twitter.com/mandybaggot

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/mandybaggotauthor

Goodreads: http://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2968625.Mandy_Baggot

ES: Where did you spend your last holiday and why did you choose to go there?

MB: I’ve just come back! We spent another gorgeous week in Corfu. Corfu is my second home and I’ve been lucky enough to visit twice a year for the last three years. We always stay at the same hotel, Mareblue Beach in Agios Spyridon and it’s the perfect mix of sun, sea, sand and Ouzo!

ES: I know what you mean, Mandy, there’s something about Corfu!  What’s your favourite type of holiday? And your least favourite?

MB: I’m most definitely a beach and sun person. When I go away I like to relax as well as visit sites, go on boat trips, walks. All these things are much better done in the sun. Although I have been skiing in my youth, a cold weather holiday has much less appeal now. I also prefer to stay somewhere a little remote rather than in a city.

ES: Where did you spend your best ever holiday and what made it so memorable?

MB: My best ever holiday are all my visits to Corfu. I can’t single one of them out as it keeps delivering such special memories. But I ought to mention my trip to Cuba back in 2002. Mr Big proposed under a blanket of stars and we got married four months later.

ES: Well, yes, Cuba certainly deserves a mention!  How lovely!  Have you had any holiday or travel disasters?

MB: I have two of these to talk about!

On that Cuban holiday there was a huge thunderstorm that knocked the power out in the hotel. Mr Big and I were stuck in a glass lift at the time and no one seemed to hear our cries or the emergency buzzer. Sweltering in thirty five degree heat, in a glass box with a dribble of water left in our bottle, it seemed like an age before a little Cuban man prised open the doors and came to our rescue. Swinging out over the lift shaft into his arms to be saved was quite a hairy moment!

On honeymoon in Tunisia I managed to get the best excuse ever for not going back to work the day after we got back because I was bucked from a camel! Something spooked my stead on our walk and my camel took off! Lady B hung on rodeo style until the saddle started to slip and then it was all about trying to cling on until I was as near to the ground as possible. Finally I let go, rolled away from its marauding feet and thanked God I was OK. No breakages just a lot of bruising and a great story to tell at parties…or on blogs!

ES: Oh no!  Still as you say, you weren’t hurt other than bruises!  Tell us about a place you long to visit and the reasons why.

MB: The only place I really long to visit at the moment is Nashville, Tennessee. I am a huge country music fan and I’ve obviously written a book set there but had to use internet research and television to depict the scenes. I really want to go there myself, take in the music, the history, the vibe.

ES: Who’s your favourite travelling companion(s) or do you prefer your own company?
MB: I love to go on holiday with Mr Big and my girls but we’re also lucky enough to be able to holiday as a couple when grandma takes over for a week. That couple time when you have children is so important. We spend a week valuing each other so much more and generally behaving like we’re twenty again – late nights, too much wine, no worries…bliss!

ES: Now, just between ourselves, have you ever had a holiday romance?

MB: I’ve never had a holiday romance. How sad is that?! I’ve had a few holiday crushes in my time – ski instructors on those school trips mainly. I never did the girlie holidays with friends. All the holidays I went on I had a boyfriend with me. Missed out didn’t I?!

ES: How would you spend your dream twenty-four hours if you could travel to multiple, worldwide destinations with no travel restrictions?

MB: Corfu – I know it might seem boring but I wouldn’t want any of those hours wasted in the air! Three hours to get there and the rest of the time on the beach with cocktails! That would leave some time for a holiday romance maybe!

ES: Sounds good to me!  What tip or piece of advice would you give to holidaymakers and/or travellers?

MB: I always book my holidays with Travel Republic. You can get the same hotels as featured in mainstream travel agents brochures but for a LOT less.

Always, always wear high factor sunscreen. I can’t abide by this frying yourself with coconut oil business!

Thank you so much, Mandy, for your great answers.  Enjoy your next holiday in beautiful Corfu!

Magnificent Mandy on her sunlounger on her recent trip to her beloved Corfu

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