Hi all, today I have the pleasure of welcoming David Ahern to Chat About Books.

For those who don’t know already, could you tell us about yourself and your book(s) please?

I’m an Irish writer who grew up in a theatrical family. I used to make serious TV and wanted to do some fun stories for a change. The Madam Tulip books make me smile. I hope they do the same for readers.

Where did/do you get your ideas from?

Staring into space, mostly. If I stare for long enough, ideas will come just so I can get something to eat.

Are any of your characters based (however loosely) on anyone you know?

No. And if they were, I wouldn’t admit it.

How do you pick your characters names?

They just come ready-made with the character. I don’t ever have to agonise about that.

Can you share your writing process with us, in a nutshell?

This is going to be not at all helpful: I sit down and write. Sometimes I work things out a little ahead of where I am; sometimes I just go with the characters. Then I rewrite. And rewrite. And…

Who are your top 5 favourite authors?

Patrick O’Brien (magnificent sea stories), Flann O’Brien (hilarious genius), David O’Brien (you won’t ever have heard of him). Mostly my favourite writers are called O’Brien. But apart from O’Briens (and I am descended from O’Briens, I admit), I adore EF Benson (Mapp and Lucia) and Dorothy Sayers. I worship at all four feet of Wodehouse and Thurber. I secretly (of course) admire Le Carre, but could be lying.

If you could meet any author, who would it be and what would you ask them?

Homer, and I’d ask if he had any idea at the time what he was starting.

Were you a big reader as a child?

Insatiable, secretly reading under the bedclothes with a torch. My good luck was a wonderful local librarian who let me into the adults section when I was supposedly too young.

When did you start to write?

I honestly don’t remember, but I was terrible at it; I do know that.

If you could re-write the ending to any book what would it be and what would you change?

I wouldn’t dream of doing such a thing. It doesn’t belong to me.

Is there a book you wish you had written?

Lots. All mine. Books I should have been writing when I was doing other things.

If you wrote an autobiography, what would your title be?

‘Okay, when do we start?’

If you could invite any fictional character for coffee who would it be and where would you take them?

Dr. Maturin from ‘Master and Commander’ by Patrick (yes) O’Brien. And I’d take him to the Natural History Museum in London.

What are you working on right now?

Madam Tulip mystery #4

Tell us about your last release?

Madam tulip and the Knave of Hearts. English aristocrats, crime, the art business. Even an upcoming royal wedding.

Do you have a new release due?

‘Madam Tulip and the Bones of Chance’ due out April 12 in paperback and ebook. Get it on Amazon.

What do you generally do to celebrate on publication day?

Beach, beach, beach. I don’t care about the weather. Just let me out there.

How can readers keep in touch with you?

I love when people connect with me. Anyone can email me from my website – http://www.davidahern.info. Or say hi on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/DavidAhernWriter

Is there anything else you would like us to know?

Madam Tulip is the most believable heroine out there. She’s real.

Thank you for taking the time to answer my questions, David 🙂

MADAM TULIP AND THE BONES OF CHANCE

A surprise role in a movie takes actress Derry O’Donnell to a romantic castle in the Scottish Highlands. But romance soon turns to fear and suspicion. Someone means to kill, and Derry, moonlighting as celebrity fortune-teller Madam Tulip, is snared in a net of greed, conspiracy and betrayal.

A millionaire banker, a film producer with a mysterious past, a gun-loving wife, a PA with her eyes on Hollywood, a handsome and charming estate manager—each has a secret to share and a request for Madam Tulip.
As Derry and her friend Bruce race to prevent a murder, she learns to her dismay that the one future Tulip can’t predict is her own.

Madame Tulip is the third in a series of thrilling and hilarious Tulip adventures in which Derry O’Donnell, celebrity fortune-teller and reluctant amateur detective, plays the most exciting and perilous roles of her acting life, drinks borage tea, and fails to understand her parents.

Pre-order here…..

If you haven’t read the first two books yet, you will find them HERE

Author bio…..

David Ahern grew up in a theatrical family in Ireland but ran away to Scotland to become a research psychologist and sensible person. He earned his doctorate but soon absconded to work in television. He became a writer, director and producer, creating international documentary series and winning numerous awards, none of which got him free into nightclubs.

Madame Tulip wasn’t David Ahern’s first novel, but writing it was the most fun he’s ever had with a computer. He is now writing the fourth Madam Tulip adventure and enjoys pretending this is actual work.

David Ahern lives in the beautiful West of Ireland with his wife, two cats and a vegetable garden of which he is inordinately proud.

You can learn more about David Ahern and Madam Tulip on his website http://www.davidahern.info

Connect with David Ahern on Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/davidahernwriter
and Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/daveahernwriter