In conversation with CRESSIDA MCLAUGHLIN

The contemporary romance writer talks to Zoe West

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Bestselling romance writer Cressida McLaughlin is known for her beloved Cornish Cream Tea series. She lives in Norwich, and draws inspiration from the beauty of north Norfolk's wide-open spaces for her latest novel, The Secret Mistletoe Promise. In this second book of The Secret Bookshop series, runaway bride Imogen hides in her grandmother's seaside cottage, only to be drawn out by local baker Dexter - and the past she can't outrun.

I always want my characters to find their happy ever after. I love writing books that are escapist and take readers away from their troubles. I try not to make them too unrealistic, but I hope readers know they're going to experience happy emotions, and leave the book feeling warm and uplifted.

There are a lot of expectations around Christmas - especially with family. In