Today on the blog we welcome author Marie laval, with her guest post ‘My Inspiration for Little Pink Taxi’. Post contains affiliate links.

Originally from Lyon in France, Marie has lived in the beautiful Rossendale Valley in Lancashire for a number of years.

A member of the Romantic Novelists Association and the Society of Authors, she writes contemporary and historical romance. Her native France very much influences her writing, and all her novels have what she likes to call ‘a French twist’!

My Inspiration for Little Pink Taxi

Thank you very much for welcoming me on your blog today to talk about Little Pink Taxi, my contemporary romantic suspense which was released three days ago by Choc Lit.

People often ask me where I find my ideas, and what inspired me to write Little Pink Taxi. Was it a holiday in the Cairngorms of Scotland, a stay in a beautiful old castle, or perhaps a past experience of driving a taxi?

I can say straight away that my inspiration was not driving a taxi! I have never driven a taxi, although ferrying my children between school, home and various friends and activities often felt like it indeed. Regretfully, I have never stayed in an old castle like Raventhorn, although it would be one of my dreams to do so on day.

I have however holidayed in Scotland, and loved the wild landscapes, lochs and forests, as well as the breathtaking architecture and atmosphere of Edinburgh where I went on a couple of city-breaks.

What really inspired me to write Little Pink Taxi was a series I very much enjoyed watching on television a few years ago. You may remember it, because it was a big success at the time. It was called Monarch of the Glen, and was set in Glenbogle Castle in the magnificent Cairngorms National Park, in Scotland. In my mind, Raventhorn castle – Rosalie Heart’s childhood home – is very similar to Glenbogle. There is a loch and a forest nearby, and of course, the dramatic backdrop of Cairngorms.

My other source of inspiration was a pink taxi I saw a few years ago in Manchester city centre. I know that they are quite common these days, but at the time, it was the first I had ever seen, and I thought it would be fun to have my heroine drive one of them. It gave me ideas about Rosalie’s personality too. She is fun and bubbly, very loyal to her friends and family, and she loves singing but can’t carry a tune! The story developed from there.

Take a ride with Love Taxis, the cab company with a Heart …

Rosalie Heart is a well-known face in Irlwick – well, if you drive a bright pink taxi and your signature style is a pink anorak, you’re going to draw a bit of attention! But Rosalie’s company Love Taxis is more than just a gimmick – for many people in the remote Scottish village, it’s a lifeline.

Which is something that Marc Petersen will never understand. Marc’s ruthless approach to business doesn’t extend to pink taxi companies running at a loss. When he arrives in Irlwick to see to a new acquisition – Raventhorn, a rundown castle – it’s apparent he poses a threat to Rosalie’s entire existence; not just her business, but her childhood home too.

On the face of it Marc and Rosalie should loathe each other, but what they didn’t count on was somebody playing cupid …

Excerpt

As they drove south towards Aviemore and the ominous outline of the Cairngorms, Rosalie cast sidelong glances towards her passenger, and wondered, once again, who he was and what he was coming to Raventhorn for.
Geoff had never mentioned him, so he couldn’t be a friend. He didn’t look like one of his eccentric academic contacts either, and even less like a nature lover coming to hike in the mountains. That left business … Her chest tightened. What was Geoff up to this time? Would she have to rescue him from yet another of his far-fetched schemes? She’d better find out, and fast.
‘What brings you to Raventhorn, Monsieur Petersen?’
‘Your very pink taxi,’ he answered, concentrating on the road ahead.
‘Yes. Of course.’ She took a deep breath. She would not admit defeat so quickly. ‘Is it your first time in the Scottish Highlands?’
He nodded, but remained silent.
‘And how was your flight?’
‘Fine.’
She shuddered. ‘Personally, being stuck in some tin machine high up in the clouds is my idea of a nightmare. I have never, and never will, travel in an aeroplane.’
This time he did turn to look at her. ‘What if you had to travel long distance – to the States or Australia, for example?’
‘I have no desire to go that far away, ever. Anyway, how did you meet Geoff? The only place he travelled to recently was Orkney, and I’m quite sure he has never mentioned your name before.’
‘I haven’t actually met him yet.’
‘Really? But …’ She frowned. ‘You said you worked in finance?’
Perhaps Geoff was considering investing on the stock market. The only problem was that there was no money to invest. Even paying Raventhorn’s utility bills was a struggle these days.
Petersen’s eyes turned even more frosty. ‘I don’t mean to be rude, Miss Heart, but I make it a rule never to discuss my personal affairs with bar attendants or taxi drivers.’

www.marielaval.blogspot.co.uk
@MarieLaval1
Facebook
Pinterest
Goodreads