We’re thrilled to have here today Danni Lewis from Jo Kessel’s new adult/contemporary romance fiction novel, Weak at the Knees. Danni Lewis is a 26 year old ski rep living in the French Alps, France.
It is a pleasure to have her with us today at Beyond the Books!
Thank you so much for this interview, Danni. Can you tell us a little about yourself?
Thank you so much for having me. Well, what’s to tell you about myself? I’m English, but am currently working as a ski rep in the French Alps and really hope to stay here and settle down. I’m a hopeless romantic, with very long curly auburn hair and a curvy body which I often wish wasn’t quite so curvy. Most of the time I’m happy, but someone very dear to me has recently died and I’m still grieving. Quite frankly, I’m not convinced I’ll ever stop and am still likely to burst into tears at any moment if something I’m doing sparks a memory. That’s why I’ve come to France. There are fewer memories to haunt me here. Plus, I’ve always had a love affair with this country. I think it’s the sexiest country in the world – and that includes their men!
What do you believe is your strongest trait?
Someone once made a beautiful comment to me, saying that I light up a room when I walk into it. I’m not entirely convinced that’s true, but I do like to think that I’m good at bringing smiles to peoples’ faces. I don’t take myself too seriously.
Worse trait?
Where do we start? I’m indecisive; I’ve got the worst (or best depending on which way you look at it) taste in men and I’ve broken the one promise I always vowed I’d keep. Oh, sorry, did you only want one bad trait?!
Do you have a love interest in the book?
I have three love interests in the book actually (although not at the same time) and they are all from different countries. One’s English (he looks a bit like Hugh Grant). One’s Australian and the third is French (think a young Olivier Martinez). But one of them means far more to me than the others. In fact, one of them means everything to me and totally has my heart.
At what point of the book did you start getting nervous about the way it was going to turn out?
That’s easy. I bit my nails right down and could barely eat for a week when I feared the love of my life was going to pick somebody else over me.
If you could trade places with one of the other characters in the book, which character would you really not want to be and why?
I would not want to be Michel. He’s the nice guy who’s always the ‘friend’ but never the boyfriend, even though he desires more than just friendship. He has a tough journey in the book.
How do you feel about the ending of the book without giving too much away?
I can’t say too much without giving away the finale. But……things get messy at the end of the book and a lot of people get hurt, which isn’t good. Nonetheless, I think it’s a fitting ending and probably the right thing happens for all characters involved – even though they might not think so at the time.
Thank you for this interview, Danni. Will we be seeing more of you in the future?
I really hope so! And I think you’ll be hearing about things from Olivier’s point of view too.
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About the Author:
Jo Kessel is a journalist in the UK, working for the BBC and reporting and presenting for ITV on holiday, consumer and current affairs programs. She writes for several national newspapers including the Daily Mail, the Telegraph, the Guardian and the Express and was the anonymous author of the Independent’s hit column: Diary of a Primary School Mum.
When Jo was ten years old she wrote a short story about losing a loved one. Her mother and big sister were so moved by the tale that it made them cry. Having reduced them to tears she vowed that the next time she wrote a story it would make them smile instead. Happily she succeeded and with this success grew an addiction for wanting to reach out and touch people with words.
P.S Jo’s pretty certain one of her daughters has inherited this gene.
Other books by Jo Kessel include Lover in Law.
Her latest book is the new adult novel, Weak at the Knees.
Visit her website at www.jokessel.com.
Purchase your copy of Weak at the Knees at AMAZON (US) & AMAZON (UK)
Pump Up Your Book and Jo Kessel are giving away a $100 Amazon Gift Card & a French Gift Basket of French gift basket that includes a whole lot of goodies associated with the book, including a bottle of Châteauneuf-du-Pape, a famous wine from the Rhône wine region of southeastern France!
Terms & Conditions:
- By entering the giveaway, you are confirming you are at least 18 years old.
- One winner will be chosen via Rafflecopter to receive one $100 Amazon Gift Card and one winner will be chosen to win the gift basket.
- This giveaway begins October 7 and ends January 18.
- Winners will be contacted via email on Monday, January 20, 2014.
- Winner has 48 hours to reply.
Good luck everyone!
Beyond the Books 
Wow, this is only the second character interview I’ve ever done so I was a bit nervous, especially admitting that I have THREE love interests in Weak at the Knees. Thank you so much for having me on your blog today and wishing you all a Happy Halloween! Love Danni (or should I say ‘Jo’?!)