FIONA MCINTOSH 'I BECAME AN AUTHOR OVERNIGHT!'

Celebrating 25 years of bestsellers with her latest release The Soldier's Daughter, the writer reflects on her success

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Can you give us the elevator pitch for your new book?

A survivor of the Great War, Scottish whisky distiller Charlie Nash dreams of helping his daughter Violet become the first and most influential woman in the modern world of whisky-blending, even if that means moving their business to Australia to do so.

Her audacious plan to relocate under the Soldier Settler scheme could set them up for life, until WWII calls Charlie back to do his duty for king and country in the Champagne region of north-west France. While Charlie becomes trapped and fighting for his life as a spy, Violet must adapt to being a woman operating in a man's world - and they both come face to face with formidable decisions that will make or break them.

What can readers expect from a Fiona McIntosh book?

Armchair travel to romantic settings, a nostalgic era, plenty of drama, characters you want to be with, a strong female lead, an irresistible love story and an adventuresome plot.

Where did you start with your research for this novel?