Just My Luck Publication Day

I’m delighted to have an interview with one of my favourite authors, Adele Parks on the publication day of her new book called ‘Just My Luck’.

1. Can you tell us a bit about your new book called ‘Just My Luck’
   It is the story about a group of friends who have been extremely close since they met at a baby group fifteen years ago. They do the lottery every week as a syndicate and over dinner parties, fish & chip suppers and summer barbecues, they’ve discussed the important stuff, the kids, marriages, jobs and houses and they’ve laughed off their disappointment when they failed to win anything more than a tenner.

   But one week a tiff turns into a terrible rift we don’t know what they are quarrelling about. Two of the three couples leave the syndicate but the very next week the numbers come up and Lexi and Jake have the winning ticket worth 18 million pounds! The others go to extreme lengths to try to get a share of the money. It is a novel that looks at what money can and can’t buy, should and certainly should not buy!

   Like ‘I Invited Her In’ and ‘Lies Lies Lies’ this is a dark novel that looks at loyalty, betrayal, friendship, and fidelity. It’s full of secrets and revelations. I hope readers are going to completely invest in the characters and plot.

2. You’ve been an author for over 20 years, initially writing female fiction and then moving into suspense, why the change of genre?
   My female heroes were never sweetness and light looking for tall, dark and handsome, I have always written characters who are damaged or flawed and somewhat dark, even if my earlier writing was lighter (sometimes comedic). So, it wasn’t really a case of me turning from one thing to another, more of a development.

   

   I think I have always just written what I wanted to read, what felt natural and relevant at the time. My personality, life-stage, age, ambition all influenced the tone. In my earlier books, the catalyst for action was often falling in or out of love and trying to understand that. Now, my character arcs often evolve through a more negative or challenging life experience (infertility, alcoholism, a toxic friendship, a death), experiences that generally speaking come later in life.

   I guess now I write less about choice and more about consequence (because that’s my mind shift), I think my work simply became darker because of that.

3. If you were to start your own book club, what authors would you ask to join?
   Jane Fallon, Tasmina Perry, Nicola Moriarty, Lisa Jewell and Claire Mackintosh – off the top of my head but there are dozens of writers I admire and enjoy the company of. We would probably have to have lots of lovely food (and possibly the odd glass of champers) at this book club! Oh, it sounds fabulous, I think I’ll start one!

4. If you had the option of one of your books being adapted for screen, which one would you choose and who would play the characters?
   ‘Just My Luck’ has been optioned for screen so that is incredibly exciting! There are so many incredibly talented actors out there. There is a whole list of people I would be honoured to see play the role. Imagine if Amy Adams was Lexi! She’d be wonderful!

5. Finally, how are you coping with lockdown? Have you discovered any new skills or authors?
   Lockdown does not really affect my life Monday to Friday, daytime because I have worked from home for 20 years. However, like everyone, I miss going out in the evenings and at weekends, I miss my family. I haven’t seen my parents or sister since January. I miss my friends and colleagues, my gym, restaurants etc etc! And, as you can imagine, a lockdown launch is presenting challenges but it is also presenting opportunities to be creative. I think it’s important to look at the pluses. I’m enjoying the unexpected bonus of having my son home from uni, I love spending time with him. Although, at the same time, I am really sorry for him and all young people. I think lockdown is harder the younger you are. It’s a time of your life when you should be entitled to fly. I think the new skills I am developing is patience and biting my tongue.

   You can buy ‘Just My Luck’ from Amazon and will be availble to buy from good bookshops.

   Follow Adele’s publication day excitement on Twitter, or wish her happy publication day yourself!